Question 1

At the beginning of the chapter, a woman who suffers from schizophrenia described her story in her own words. What analogy did she use to describe how this disorder affects her life?

Accepted Answer

The analogy of living in an invisible closet with imprisoning walls and terrifying darkness effectively captures the isolating and frightening experience of schizophrenia as described by the woman.

Question 2

Schizophrenic disorders are part of the category of mental disorders known as

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenic disorders are classified as psychotic disorders because they involve a loss of contact with reality and often involve symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. Mood disorders, autistic disorders, and neurotic disorders are all separate categories of mental disorders.

Question 3

What type of disorder does Harry have if he makes incorrect inferences about reality based on alterations in his perceptions, thoughts, or consciousness, and believes that these inferences are real?

Accepted Answer

Harry's symptoms are indicative of a psychotic disorder, as he is experiencing alterations in his perceptions and beliefs that are not based in reality. Mood disorders involve persistent disturbances in mood, while neurotic disorders are characterized by excessive anxiety and fear. Adjustment disorders are typically temporary reactions to stressful life events.

Question 4

What term is used for behaviors that were formerly called "madness", "lunacy", or "insanity"?

Accepted Answer

"Madness", "lunacy", and "insanity" are outdated terms used to describe mental illness. The current term that encompasses a range of severe mental disorders that affect a person's thinking, emotions, and behavior is "psychotic disorders".

Question 5

All of the following are symptoms for psychotic disorder except:

Accepted Answer

Depression is not a symptom of psychotic disorder. The other three choices are symptoms that are commonly seen in psychotic disorders.

Question 6

Delusions and hallucinations do not always indicate the presence of a psychotic disorder. Which of the following is not a condition where this would occur?

Accepted Answer

Delusions and hallucinations can also occur in conditions such as medication side effects, oxygen deprivation, and vitamin deficiencies. However, stress-induced inoculation does not lead to delusions and hallucinations as it refers to a process where exposure to mild stress can build resilience to future, more severe stressors.

Question 7

People with schizophrenia who actually kill themselves have similar characteristics to people who do not have schizophrenia. However, they have additional characteristics. Which of the following would not be considered as an additional characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations are not visual is not an additional characteristic because it is a characteristic of schizophrenia.

Question 8

Why do schizophrenic disorders have such a large financial impact on the health care system?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenic disorders often require long-term care and treatment, and can result in significant disability for the individual. This can result in high medical costs, as well as a need for social support services.

Question 9

In comparison to most people who commit suicide, people with schizophrenia have certain characteristics that do not occur as often in others. Which of these people best represents someone with schizophrenia who is likely to commit suicide?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that individuals with schizophrenia who are at higher risk for suicide tend to be younger, have a higher level of education, and have a nondelusional negative view of their future. Carl fits this profile as he is young, college-educated, and has a negative view of his future that is not related to any delusions. The other three options do not fit this profile as closely.

Question 10

An epidemiologist is conducting research on patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The research is designed to determine what problems occur
 at elevated rates among people with this diagnosis. When the data are analyzed, what will they show occurs at higher rates among people with schizophrenia compared to the general population?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia have a higher rate of suicide attempts when compared to the general population. Anorexia is more commonly associated with eating disorders, mental retardation is typically associated with intellectual disability and loss of immunological functioning is not consistently associated with schizophrenia.

Question 11

Cecilia believes her thoughts are broadcast straight from her mind through electrical appliances so everyone around can hear them. This delusional belief is most likely part of which DSM-IV-TR diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Cecilia's belief that her thoughts are being broadcasted to those around her through electrical appliances is a common symptom of schizophrenia, specifically the subtype known as paranoid schizophrenia.

Question 12

As part of a course in Abnormal Psychology, each student must play the role of a famous figure in the history of abnormal behavior. You have been given the name Eugene Bleuler. You must create a title for a brief presentation. Which of these titles would be best suited for this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Eugene Bleuler is most known for developing the term "schizophrenia" and identifying the various subtypes of the disorder, which he referred to as the "group of schizophrenias." Therefore, option A is the best-suited title for a presentation on Bleuler's contributions to the understanding of schizophrenia. The other options focus on different possible causes or sources of the disorder, which are not directly linked to Bleuler's work.

Question 13

What types of symptoms distinguish the paranoid subtype of schizophrenia from other subtypes of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms that distinguish the paranoid subtype of schizophrenia from other subtypes include cognitive symptoms such as strong and often delusional beliefs that others are out to harm them or their loved ones, and ongoing suspicion and mistrust of others. Other subtypes may exhibit more emotional, motor, or neurological symptoms.

Question 14

What diagnosis is most commonly given to patients with a schizophrenic disorder on their first admission to a psychiatric hospital?

Accepted Answer

The paranoid type is the most common diagnosis given to patients with a schizophrenic disorder on their first admission to a psychiatric hospital. This subtype is characterized by delusions and auditory hallucinations, often with themes of persecution or grandiosity.

Question 15

Which type of schizophrenia is characterized by psychomotor disturbances?

Accepted Answer

Catatonic schizophrenia is characterized by psychomotor disturbances such as remaining immobile or exhibiting excessive motor activity. Residual schizophrenia is characterized by a history of at least one episode of schizophrenia but currently has minimal symptoms. Paranoid and disorganized schizophrenia do not specifically involve psychomotor disturbances.

Question 16

What statement provides an explanation as to why the classification by subtype for schizophrenia is only moderately stable over the course of the illness because symptoms seem to shift from positive symptoms to negative symptoms.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that the shifts in subtype classification may be due to neurological impairment, which can cause changes in symptoms over time.

Question 17

Delusions, sustained suspiciousness, and delusional thinking are associated with:

Accepted Answer

Delusions, sustained suspiciousness, and delusional thinking are primary symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.

Question 18

During Mike's clinical interview, the psychologist found that his delusional thinking was well-defined and integrated through various systems. His behavior was not well-integrated. His diagnosis would be:

Accepted Answer

Delusional disorder is characterized by the presence of well-defined and often systematized delusions without the broad disorganization of thought and behavior seen in schizophrenia. Mike's symptoms align with this description, as his delusional thinking is well-defined and integrated, but his behavior is not well-integrated, which differentiates it from the more pervasive disorganization seen in schizophrenia.

Question 19

Which of the following can produce paranoid thinking even if no disorder is present?

Accepted Answer

All of the above (drugs, aging, and brain damage) can produce paranoid thinking even without a specific mental disorder present. Drugs such as marijuana and amphetamines can induce paranoia, aging can lead to increased suspicion and mistrust, and brain damage can alter thought patterns and create feelings of persecution.

Question 20

Psychomotor disturbance, refusing to speak, and waxy flexibility are symptoms of:

Accepted Answer

Psychomotor disturbance, refusing to speak, and waxy flexibility are all symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia, which involves disturbances in motor behavior and may include mutism and prolonged periods of immobility. Residual schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms that persist after the acute phase of the illness has resolved, such as negative symptoms like social withdrawal and blunted affect. Disorganized schizophrenia involves disorganization of thought and behavior, including incoherent speech and inappropriate affect. Paranoid schizophrenia is characterized by paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations.

Quiz 12: Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders