Question 1

Jamie keeps to himself because he is anxious and fearful of rejection.Which personality disorder is he most likely to be diagnosed with?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with avoidant personality disorder have a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. They avoid social interactions and fear rejection or criticism. This description matches Jamie's behavior, as he keeps to himself due to his anxiety and fear of rejection.

Question 2

Adam has always chosen to spend his time alone and feels detached from his family and the people he works with.His brothers report that Adam's social skills are very poor.What personality disorder would best describe Adam?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Adam has always chosen to spend his...

Question 3

When asked about their childhood,how do individuals diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder tend to remember their parents?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with avoidant personality disorder tend to remember their parents as rejecting, critical, or unavailable, which may have contributed to their underlying fear of rejection and sensitivity to criticism.

Question 4

What distinguishes individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder from those with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) do not have the recurring intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals that define obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Rather, individuals with OCPD have a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, and might engage in unproductive hoarding or collecting behaviours.

Question 5

Clark and colleagues (1997)found that patients with one personality disorder also tend to obtain high scores on measures of sociotropy.What was the personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Clark and colleagues (1997) found that patients with dependent personality disorder tend to obtain high scores on measures of sociotropy.

Question 6

How effective is the treatment of avoidant personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

While there are no well-controlled studies of treatment outcomes for avoidant personality disorder, behavioural intervention programs for anxiety and social skills have shown some success in treating the disorder. Additionally, individuals with avoidant personality disorder are not necessarily unmotivated to succeed in treatment.

Question 7

How do individuals with dependent personality disorder respond to therapy?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with dependent personality disorder often present as compliant and eager to please, making them seemingly "model" patients in therapy. They may struggle with making decisions and rely heavily on the therapist for guidance and approval, but overall they are often receptive to therapy and can benefit from it.

Question 8

Individuals with avoidant personality disorder usually respond to certain feelings by avoiding relationships; those with dependent personality disorder respond to the same feelings by clinging to relationships.Which of the following best characterizes those feelings?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Individuals with avoidant personality disorder usually respond...

Question 9

What role do genetics play in the development of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Genetics play a weak role in the development of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, with environmental factors having a more significant influence.

Question 10

How effective is the treatment of dependent personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How effective is the treatment of dependent...

Question 11

Research by Ferguson and Rodway (1994)indicates that a certain therapy can be effective in treating one important aspect of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.What is the therapy and what aspect of the disorder is it for?

Accepted Answer

The therapy mentioned in the research by Ferguson and Rodway (1994) is cognitive therapy, which is effective in treating the aspect of perfectionism in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Question 12

A major difference between individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)involves what motivates their behaviours.What generally motivates the behaviours of OCD patients?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A major difference between individuals with obsessive-compulsive...

Question 13

Ferreira (2000)noted that the psychological profiles of two particular groups of people show the characteristics of the obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.What are these two groups?

Accepted Answer

Ferreira (2000) noted that the two groups with psychological profiles showing characteristics of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are serial killers and gifted children.

Question 14

One unusual finding discussed in your textbook is that a personality disorder may have played a role in the behaviour of several serial killers.Which personality disorder is it?

Accepted Answer

The answer of One unusual finding discussed in your textbook...

Question 15

In terms of symptoms of feelings of inadequacy,sensitivity to criticism,and need for reassurance,which of the following personality disorders are quite similar?

Accepted Answer

Both dependent and avoidant personality disorders involve feelings of inadequacy, sensitivity to criticism, and a need for reassurance. However, while those with dependent personality disorder seek reassurance and validation from others, those with avoidant personality disorder withdraw from social situations altogether to avoid criticism or rejection. Narcissistic and paranoid personality disorders involve different symptom presentations, while schizoid personality disorder involves detachment and a lack of interest in social relationships.

Question 16

Alice wants to be involved with people.She loves people and has strong needs for affection and acceptance.But her fears of rejection and public embarrassment prevent her from reaching out to those around her.Instead,she sticks to her routine and refuses to take any risks or try anything new.Which personality disorder is Alice most likely suffering from?

Accepted Answer

Alice's fear of rejection and avoidance of new situations suggest that she may have avoidant personality disorder.

Question 17

Why do individuals with avoidant personality disorder avoid most relationships?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with avoidant personality disorder often avoid most relationships because they are extremely sensitive to the opinions of others and fear rejection. They may have low self-esteem and feel inadequate, and worry about being embarrassed or criticized. This fear of rejection and negative evaluation can be so intense that they may avoid social situations altogether.

Question 18

Sean has a personality disorder.When his family is asked about it,what are they likely to say?

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders typically begin in childhood or adolescence and develop gradually. They are deeply ingrained ways of thinking and behaving that are inflexible and generally lead to impaired relationships with others.

Question 19

In Jill's psychotherapy sessions,her therapist has been using systematic desensitization to gradually make her more comfortable with social situations.The therapist has given Jill homework assignments that require her to practice talking to strangers,join informal groups,and speak in front of small groups.Which personality disorder is Jill most likely being treated for?

Accepted Answer

The homework assignments given by the therapist are examples of exposure therapy, which is often used in the treatment of avoidant personality disorder. This disorder is characterized by significant anxiety and avoidance of social situations, leading to social isolation. Systematic desensitization and exposure therapy can help individuals gradually confront and overcome their fear and avoidance of social situations. Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by social isolation and detachment, but there is no significant anxiety or avoidance of social situations. Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by odd and eccentric beliefs and behaviors, but not necessarily social anxiety or avoidance. Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a fear of separation and a need for others to take care of them, but not necessarily social anxiety or avoidance.

Question 20

When working with a patient diagnosed with dependent personality disorder,what must the therapist be particularly careful about?

Accepted Answer

Patients with dependent personality disorder have a strong tendency to rely on others for decision making, which can be problematic in therapy. The therapist must be careful not to become a substitute decision maker for the patient and instead encourage the patient to develop their own decision-making skills and autonomy. The other options – behaving seductively, avoiding sessions, or manipulating the therapist with flattery – may be potential issues but are not specific to dependent personality disorder and may arise in other therapeutic contexts as well.

Quiz 12: Personality Disorders