Question 1

The term _____ refers to the causes of psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

Etiology refers to the study of the causes or origins of a particular psychological disorder. Symptomology refers to the symptoms of a psychological disorder, prognosis refers to the predicted outcome or course of a disorder, and prevalence refers to how common a disorder is in a given population.

Question 2

Approximately _____ of psychological disorders are diagnosed by age 30.

Accepted Answer

According to research, around 70% of psychological disorders are diagnosed by age 30. This highlights the importance of early intervention and prevention efforts in mental health.

Question 3

The primary purpose of the DSM-5 is to provide:

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) is to provide descriptions and diagnostic criteria for mental disorders that are used by clinicians and researchers to identify and treat individuals who have these disorders. While some information on treatment recommendations and prevalence of disorders is included, the main focus is on providing clear and specific descriptions of characteristic symptoms and behaviors associated with each disorder. The DSM-5 does not provide explanations of the causes of mental disorders.

Question 4

In round numbers, the DSM-5 lists approximately _____disorders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In round numbers, the DSM-5 lists approximately...

Question 5

_____ refers to the occurrence of two or more psychological disorders at the same time.

Accepted Answer

Comorbidity refers to the co-occurrence of two or more psychological disorders in an individual. For example, someone may experience symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders at the same time. Comorbidity is common in mental health, and individuals with comorbid disorders often experience more severe symptoms and a poorer prognosis than those with a single disorder.

Question 6

The first version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders was published in:

Accepted Answer

The first version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders was published in 1952.

Question 7

In any given year, just over 1 in _____ Americans are diagnosed with a psychological disorder.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 1 in 4 Americans are diagnosed with a psychological disorder each year, which translates to about 25% of the population.

Question 8

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is sometimes diagnosed alongside substance use disorder in the same individual. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Comorbidity refers to two or more conditions that occur in the same individual at the same time. In this case, ADHD and substance use disorder are two comorbid conditions.

Question 9

Compared to chronic medical conditions, psychological disorders are _____ impairing and are _____ often treated.

Accepted Answer

Psychological disorders can have a significant impact on an individual's daily functioning and can be more impairing than chronic medical conditions. However, there is still a stigma attached to seeking treatment for mental health disorders, and hence, these disorders are less often treated compared to chronic medical conditions.

Question 10

Dr. Chapman believes that major depression is best treated through the prescription of drugs that block the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. Dr. Chapman appears to endorse the _____ model of the etiology of psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Chapman's belief that major depression is best treated with drugs that block serotonin reuptake in the brain suggests that she endorses the medical model of the etiology of psychological disorders. This model views psychological disorders as being caused primarily by biological factors and emphasizes the use of medical treatments such as medication or surgery to address them.

Question 11

The textbook suggests that the language often used to discuss psychological disorders BEST reflects the _____ perspective.

Accepted Answer

The language often used to discuss psychological disorders, such as referring to them as diagnoses or using medical terminology, reflects the medical perspective. The medical model views mental health disorders as similar to physical illnesses and emphasizes the importance of diagnosis, treatment, and a cure.

Question 12

Data from a large-scale study reveals that about _____% of Americans will experience symptoms that meet the criteria for a psychological disorder.

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 50% of Americans will experience symptoms that meet the criteria for a psychological disorder at some point in their lifetime.

Question 13

A _____ is a negative attitude about groups of people based on certain shared traits or characteristics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A _____ is a negative attitude about...

Question 14

How might the results of David Rosenhan's study inform an evaluation of the DSM-5's system of classifying psychological disorders?

Accepted Answer

David Rosenhan's study showed that diagnostic labels strongly affected how a person's behavior is perceived by mental health professionals, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. This raises concerns about the reliability and validity of the DSM-5's system of classifying mental disorders, which relies heavily on diagnostic labels. The study's findings suggest that the DSM-5 may be susceptible to misclassification and overdiagnosis, and that clinicians should be cautious in applying diagnostic labels to their patients.

Question 15

Klaus has been diagnosed not only with major depressive disorder, but also generalized anxiety disorder. Klaus' case illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Klaus' case illustrates the presence of comorbidity, which refers to the occurrence of two or more disorders in the same individual. In this case, Klaus has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, indicating the co-occurrence of these two disorders in his case.

Question 16

Specific neurotransmitters are being implicated in an increasing number of psychological disorders. This fact most directly affirms the _____ perspective on abnormality.

Accepted Answer

The medical perspective views psychological disorders as medical conditions that have biological causes and can be treated through medical interventions such as medication or surgery. The fact that specific neurotransmitters are implicated in psychological disorders supports this perspective, as neurotransmitters are biological components of the brain and nervous system.

Question 17

Dr. Fritsch and Dr. Gupta are debating why depression is more prevalent among women than among men. "Women have fewer economic opportunities than do men, and they experience role conflicts more often," notes Dr. Fritsch. Dr. Gupta remarks that women experience fluctuations in estrogen levels, whereas men do not. Dr. Fritsch appears to take a _____ approach to depressive disorders, whereas Dr. Gupta seems to favor a _____ approach.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Fritsch's explanation focuses on sociocultural factors, such as economic opportunities and role conflicts, whereas Dr. Gupta's explanation focuses on biological factors, such as estrogen levels. This indicates that Dr. Fritsch takes a sociocultural approach to depressive disorders, while Dr. Gupta favors a medical approach. Therefore, the best choice is C) sociocultural; medical.

Question 18

Many of the criticisms of the DSM-5 revolve around:

Accepted Answer

Many critics argue that the DSM-5's reliance on rigid categorical diagnoses can lead to stigmatization and over-diagnosis, as well as overlooking the complex, individual nature of mental health issues. This is particularly relevant in cases where symptoms overlap or are not easily defined within existing diagnostic criteria. However, while the DSM-5 does provide treatment recommendations for each diagnosis, this is not the primary focus of criticism. There are also some critiques regarding the DSM-5's revision process and the extent to which it incorporates emerging research, but these are not as central to the debate as concerns about labeling and categorization. The DSM-5 does focus on identifying and describing symptoms of mental health disorders, rather than their underlying causes, which is seen by some as limiting the scope of diagnosis and treatment.

Question 19

In any given year, the most common type of psychological disorder is:

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychological disorder, affecting approximately 18% of the adult population in the United States. This includes conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder. Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, are also common but less prevalent, affecting approximately 10% of adults. Schizophrenia and substance use disorders are less common, affecting approximately 1% and 7% of adults, respectively.

Question 20

During David Rosenhan's study, in which several colleagues were admitted into mental hospitals, which group was most likely to detect that these secret "pseudopatients" actually did not suffer from mental illness?

Accepted Answer

Actual mental patients were more likely to detect the pseudopatients because they interacted with them on a daily basis and could notice inconsistencies in their behavior that professionals might not see through clinical assessments alone.

Quiz 13: Stress and Health