Question 1

Defining abnormality as statistically unusual is known as:

Accepted Answer

The normative approach defines abnormality based on what is statistically common or uncommon within a given population, considering behaviors or traits that deviate significantly from the norm as abnormal.

Question 2

If you believe that something bothers you, even if it doesn't bother others, it may be considered a psychological problem according to:

Accepted Answer

The subjective interpretation approach emphasizes the individual's perception and experience of their symptoms or problems. If something bothers you personally, even if it doesn't bother others, it is your subjective experience that defines it as a problem for you, aligning with the concept of subjective interpretation.

Question 3

Being diagnosed as mentally retarded because one is in the bottom 2.5% of the distribution of IQ scores is an example of which approach to psychological problems?

Accepted Answer

The normative approach to psychological problems involves comparing an individual's characteristics or behaviors to those of the general population. Being diagnosed as mentally retarded based on being in the bottom 2.5% of the IQ score distribution is an example of this approach, as it uses statistical norms to define what is considered atypical or problematic.

Question 4

If you drink alcohol to the point that it interferes with your ability to keep your job or relationship, it may be considered a psychological problem according to:

Accepted Answer

Maladaptive functioning refers to behaviors or actions that inhibit an individual's ability to adjust healthily to particular situations. In the context of alcohol use, if drinking interferes with someone's ability to maintain their job or relationships, it is considered maladaptive because it negatively impacts their daily functioning and well-being.

Question 5

A problem or abnormality seen by the clinician is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A sign is an objective indication of a disease or disorder, observed by the clinician or healthcare professional, unlike a symptom, which is a subjective experience reported by the patient.

Question 6

A problem or abnormality perceived by the patient is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A symptom is a subjective experience or change in health that the patient perceives and reports, but it may not be directly observable by others. Signs, on the other hand, are objective and observable by others. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that consistently occur together, and etiology refers to the cause of a disease.

Question 7

Quinn is seeing a clinical psychologist for his depression. As he is speaking, he sometimes uses neologisms (words that don't exist in language). His therapist interprets this as a(n):

Accepted Answer

A sign is an objective indication of a condition that can be observed by someone other than the person experiencing it, such as a clinician. Neologisms can be observed by the therapist and are considered a sign of a possible underlying condition.

Question 8

Yoshi has signs such as using words that are not a part of language and also symptoms such as distressing thoughts. This would indicate a(n):

Accepted Answer

A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that are observed in a patient and together indicate a particular disease or disorder. Yoshi's use of non-standard language (a sign) and experiencing distressing thoughts (a symptom) together suggest a syndrome, which is a recognizable pattern of symptoms and signs.

Question 9

If someone were having an issue with flat affect, it would represent an issue in what domain?

Accepted Answer

Flat affect primarily concerns emotional regulation, as it involves a significant reduction in the expression of emotions through facial expressions, voice tone, or gestures.

Question 10

If someone were having an issue with bizarre beliefs, it would represent an issue in what domain?

Accepted Answer

Intellectual functioning is the ability to think clearly and rationally. Bizarre beliefs are a sign of impaired intellectual functioning.

Question 11

If someone were having an issue with self-esteem and self-regard or object relations, it would represent an issue in what domain?

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal processes involve how individuals relate to and perceive others, which encompasses issues with self-esteem, self-regard, and object relations. These aspects are crucial in understanding how one interacts with and feels about themselves in relation to others.

Question 12

Bilal has problems adapting now that he has gone away from home for college. According to clinical psychologists, this would represent an issue in what domain?

Accepted Answer

Regulatory behavior is the ability to control one's thoughts, feelings, and actions. Bilal is having problems adapting to college, which is a new and challenging environment. This suggests that he may be having difficulty regulating his behavior in this new setting.

Question 13

In regards to homosexuality:

Accepted Answer

Homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973, not because of its inherent nature as a disorder, but due to changing social attitudes and a better understanding of sexual orientation. This removal illustrates how societal norms and values can influence perceptions of what is considered abnormal behavior.

Question 14

The S in DSM stands for:

Accepted Answer

The S in DSM stands for "Statistical," as in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Question 15

In China they use the:

Accepted Answer

China primarily uses the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD) for diagnosing mental health conditions.

Question 16

Determining who is most likely to develop a given disorder may be based on which of the following criteria?

Accepted Answer

Age-, culture-, and gender-related features are often used to determine the likelihood of developing a disorder, as these factors can influence the prevalence and expression of certain conditions.

Question 17

Oswaldo tells his therapist in his initial interview that he has high blood pressure and also has suffered migraines for years with no known cause for them. This information would be coded on which axis of the DSM-IV-TR?

Accepted Answer

Axis III of the DSM-IV-TR is used for coding physical disorders and medical conditions that may be relevant to understanding or treating a patient's mental disorder. High blood pressure and migraines fall under this category.

Question 18

Sandrine reports at intake that she is recently divorced and that her mother passed away within the past year. This information would be coded on which axis of the DSM-IVtr?

Accepted Answer

Axis IV of the DSM-IV-TR is used for reporting psychosocial and environmental problems that may affect the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mental disorders. Sandrine's recent divorce and the death of her mother would be considered significant life events that could impact her mental health, making Axis IV the appropriate category for this information.

Question 19

At intake, Marshall is diagnosed with a personality disorder. This diagnoses would be coded on which axis of the DSM-IV-TR?

Accepted Answer

In the DSM-IV-TR, personality disorders are coded on Axis II. This axis is specifically designated for personality disorders and mental retardation (now referred to as intellectual developmental disorders in later editions of the DSM).

Question 20

When initially visiting a psychodynamic therapist, Uriel describes his subjective experience of his difficulties. This would be coded on which axis of the PDM?

Accepted Answer

The S-axis in the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM) refers to the subjective experience of the individual's symptoms and difficulties.

Quiz 5: The Nature of Psychopathology