Question 1

Dr.Humber is a psychologist who is diagnosing his patient's psychological disorder.Dr.Humber knows that this might be difficult to do.Which statement is false with regard to classifying disorders?

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 does not use the general labels of neurosis and psychosis, but instead uses more specific diagnostic categories.

Question 2

Although Mistee was raised by her mother and grandmother,who both had histories of depression,she had a normal childhood.After college,she lands a high-stress job.She then becomes depressed.Mistee's psychopathology is best explained by the ____ approach.

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress approach suggests that mental disorders are the result of both biological/genetic vulnerabilities (diathesis) and stressful life events (stress). Mistee's genetics may have predisposed her to depression, and her high-stress job may have triggered it. This approach takes into account both the nature (biology) and nurture (environment) factors that contribute to psychopathology.

Question 3

Darlene meets Giani at a campus party and thinks that he is cute,but then becomes extremely uncomfortable talking to him because he stands only five inches from her.Giani would be considered abnormal under which criterion?

Accepted Answer

Giani's behavior of standing only five inches from Darlene violates the social norms of personal space and could make others uncomfortable.

Question 4

Twenty-year-old Elton inherited a predisposition to depression and was brought up by a manic-depressive mother.Until now,Elton has avoided depression,but according to the diathesis-stress model,he may develop depression if he ____.

Accepted Answer

According to the diathesis-stress model, a predisposition to depression is the diathesis, and the occurrence of stressful events is the stress. Therefore, if Elton encounters very stressful events, it can trigger the development of depression. Psychotherapy can help in managing depression, but it is not the only factor that can influence its development. Failing to recognize his genuine feelings about himself or developing serious diathesis is not mentioned in the scenario and is therefore irrelevant to the answer.

Question 5

To better understand the onset,progression,and treatment of psychological disorders,Phyllis wants to take the most comprehensive and holistic approach.She believes that such an eclectic perspective will most benefit her study.To that end,you should recommend that Phyllis investigate the ____ model of abnormality.

Accepted Answer

The biopsychosocial model takes into account biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the onset and progression of psychological disorders. This approach considers the individual as a whole and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of abnormal behavior. Thus, this model aligns with Phyllis's goal of taking a holistic approach to studying psychological disorders.

Question 6

Marsha and Jan are identical twins whose mother and aunt suffer from depression.Marsha falls in love with and marries a wonderful guy,gets her dream job,and wins the lottery.Jan is lonely because she is constantly rejected by guys,hates her job,and despises living next to an airport.In this scenario,____ is more likely to develop depressive symptoms according to the ____ model.

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress model suggests that individuals with a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) for a particular disorder are more likely to develop symptoms when exposed to environmental stressors. In this scenario, both Marsha and Jan have a genetic vulnerability for depression, as both their mother and aunt suffer from it. However, Jan's negative life experiences such as rejection, job dissatisfaction and living near a noisy airport can act as environmental stressors that increase her likelihood of developing depressive symptoms. Therefore, Jan is more likely to develop depressive symptoms according to the diathesis-stress model.

Question 7

Alberta is a psychologist who is trying to assess whether her patient is exhibiting abnormal behavior.Alberta follows a practical approach.Which of the following will not help Alberta decide if her patient has impaired functioning?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predispositions are not considered a part of the practical approach to assessing abnormal behavior. The practical approach focuses on observable behaviors and their content, sociocultural context, and behavioral consequences. Genetic predispositions, while potentially relevant to the development of mental health disorders, cannot be directly observed and are more relevant to the biological approach to psychology.

Question 8

While interviewing Joe,Dr.Willard discovers that Joe has a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia because his uncle and mother had schizophrenia.Dr.Willard also believes the fact that Joe was homeless for several months after being expelled from school and "disowned" by his parents triggered his schizophrenia.Dr.Willard probably follows the ____ model of psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress model suggests that a person may have a genetic predisposition for a disorder, but it requires a stressful event or trigger to activate the disorder. In Joe's case, his genetic predisposition for schizophrenia was triggered by the stress of being homeless and disowned by his parents. The other models (medical, sociocultural, and psychological) do not take into account the role of both genetics and stress in the development of psychological disorders.

Question 9

Huang,who lives in Malaysia,is afraid that one day soon his penis will shrivel and retract into his body,and he will die from this eventually.His psychiatrist realizes that Huang has a condition called koro that is seen almost exclusively in Southeast Asia.In other words,Koro is a ____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Koro is a culture-specific disorder, as it is mostly seen in Southeast Asia and is thought to be linked to cultural beliefs and practices in that region. It is not commonly seen in other parts of the world, indicating that it is specific to that culture.

Question 10

Ayse and Ali are discussing the causes of the high rate of depression among women.Ali points out how early childhood environment affects women's depression when they encounter stress later in life.On the other hand,Ayse thinks that higher rates of depression among women are solely due to oppression of women in a male-dominated society.Ali seems to adopt a ____ approach,whereas Ayse seems to adopt a ____ approach to causes of depression.

Accepted Answer

Ali's view aligns with the diathesis-stress model, which suggests that depression can result from the interaction between pre-existing vulnerabilities (like early childhood environment) and stressful life events. Ayse's perspective focuses on the sociocultural factors, such as oppression in a male-dominated society, as the primary cause of depression among women.

Question 11

Mr.Garrison spends hours each day having conversations with his hand puppet.Mr.Garrison's behavior would be considered abnormal according to all of the following except the ____.

Accepted Answer

The personal suffering criterion focuses on the individual's own distress or discomfort, which may not be evident in Mr. Garrison's behavior if he does not feel distressed by his conversations with the puppet.

Question 12

Although mental health researchers have disagreed in the past about the causes of disordered behavior,most researchers in Western cultures now agree that the ____ model best explains the appearance of psychopathology.

Accepted Answer

The biopsychosocial model is a comprehensive approach that takes into account biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to mental health issues. This model is widely accepted among mental health researchers in Western cultures.

Question 13

Edison believes that all psychological disorders have anatomical or chemical causes.He is interested in research that would help to uncover the genetic influences of such disorders.Edison must support the ____ model of psychopathology.

Accepted Answer

Edison's belief that psychological disorders have anatomical or chemical causes and his interest in uncovering genetic influences suggest that he supports the medical model of psychopathology, which views disorders as primarily physical illnesses that require medical treatment.

Question 14

A researcher who subscribes to the psychological model of mental disorder is least likely to investigate ____.

Accepted Answer

The psychological model of mental disorder focuses on the role of psychological factors such as thoughts, emotions, and experiences in the development and maintenance of mental disorders. It is less likely to investigate disturbances in the anatomy and chemistry of the brain, which are more closely associated with the biological model of mental disorder.

Question 15

All of the following are considered part of the medical model of explaining psychopathology except ____.

Accepted Answer

The medical model of psychopathology focuses on biological and physiological factors as the causes of psychological disorders, including neurobiological factors and genetic influences. Cognitive distortions, however, are considered part of cognitive behavioral theories, not the medical model. The idea of an imbalance of humors is an outdated concept from ancient medicine, not part of the contemporary medical model.

Question 16

Being able to play basketball at the skill level of Michael Jordan is very rare.Thus,Michael Jordan might be viewed as abnormal from the ____ approach to defining abnormality.

Accepted Answer

The statistical infrequency approach defines abnormality as behavior or traits that are rare or infrequent in the general population. Being able to play basketball at the same skill level as Michael Jordan is a rare occurrence, hence his ability might be viewed as abnormal from this approach.

Question 17

Interrater reliability of the DSM-5 has been shown to be acceptable for ____,but much lower for ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Interrater reliability of the DSM-5 has been...

Question 18

As a clinical psychologist,you are concerned with patterns of thinking and behaving that are maladaptive,disruptive,and/or uncomfortable for the person affected or for others.In other words,you are interested in ____.

Accepted Answer

The term 'psychopathology' refers to the study of mental disorders, including patterns of thinking and behaving that are maladaptive, disruptive or uncomfortable for the individual or others, which is the concern of clinical psychologists. Psychokinesis (A) refers to the ability to move objects with the mind, psychodiagnosis (C) refers to the process of diagnosing mental disorders, and psychoanalysis (D) is a specific form of talk therapy aimed at uncovering unconscious conflicts.

Question 19

Dr.Noonan believes that psychological disorders are the result of unresolved unconscious conflicts from childhood.For example,she believes that panic attacks occur when a person's instinctual impulses become too overwhelming.Dr.Noonan believes in the ____ approach to psychopathology.

Accepted Answer

Dr.Noonan's belief in the influence of unconscious conflicts on psychological disorders suggests a psychodynamic approach to psychopathology. This approach emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences in shaping adult behavior and mental health.

Question 20

Psychopathology is a social matter because ____.

Accepted Answer

Psychopathology is a social matter because mental disorders can have a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities. Everyone in society can be affected in some way by individuals with mental illnesses, either directly or indirectly. It is important for society to address and understand these issues in order to provide better support and resources for those in need.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders