Question 1

Which of the following behaviors is considered abnormal by almost all cultures?

Accepted Answer

Failure to communicate and unpredictable actions are considered abnormal by almost all cultures because they significantly impair an individual's ability to function within societal norms and expectations.

Question 2

According to the textbook,abnormal behavior that is indicative of the person requiring psychological help is defined by the core feature of

Accepted Answer

The core feature of abnormal behavior that indicates the need for psychological help is being maladaptive, meaning that the behavior interferes with the person's daily functioning and ability to meet their needs. While the other options may be factors in defining abnormal behavior, they are not the primary criteria for determining the need for psychological help.

Question 3

A core feature of all abnormal behavior is that it is

Accepted Answer

Abnormal behavior is characterized by being maladaptive, meaning it interferes with one's ability to function effectively in their daily life. While cultural norms can contribute to what is considered abnormal, abnormal behavior is not always culturally absolute. Abnormal behavior can also be influenced by age, but it is not dependent on age. Learning can play a role in the development of abnormal behavior, but it is not a defining characteristic.

Question 4

In understanding abnormality,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The statement that "behaviors defined as abnormal in one culture are, by definition, abnormal in all cultures" is false. Cultural norms and values differ across societies, and what may be considered abnormal in one culture may not be in another. Therefore, abnormality is context-specific and cannot be determined by a universal standard.

Question 5

Although her family is unaware of her chronic feelings of hopelessness and despair,Carmen is very unhappy.Thus,she would be exhibiting psychopathology based on

Accepted Answer

Carmen is experiencing subjective discomfort, meaning she is unhappy and distressed, even though her behavior may not deviate statistically from the norm or from cultural expectations.

Question 6

Almost any behavior can be judged to be normal or abnormal depending on the specific circumstances present.This qualification for judging whether or not a behavior is abnormal is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The qualification for judging whether or not a behavior is abnormal is referred to as situational context, which takes into consideration the specific circumstances present. The other options (subjective judgment, environmental selectivity, personal relativity) may also play a role in the determination of abnormality, but they do not encapsulate the idea of situational context as clearly.

Question 7

Rather than helping a person to successfully cope,abnormal behaviors make it more difficult for the person to meet the every day demands of life.Thus,this core feature of all abnormal behavior refers to the behavior being

Accepted Answer

Maladaptive behavior refers to behavior that is not effective in helping a person cope with the demands of life, and may even make it more difficult to meet those demands. This is the core feature of all abnormal behavior, as it distinguishes it from behavior that is simply different or unusual.

Question 8

Which of the following situations does NOT indicate that an individual needs psychological help?

Accepted Answer

Shelia's activities indicate a healthy and adventurous lifestyle, and do not necessarily indicate a need for psychological help. However, the other options demonstrate problematic behaviors that may require intervention.

Question 9

In some countries,it is normal to defecate or urinate in public.This makes it clear that judgments of the normality of behavior are

Accepted Answer

Judgments of the normality of behavior are culturally relative because what is considered normal in one culture may not be in another. The example given in the question about defecating or urinating in public being normal in some cultures but not in others illustrates this point.

Question 10

A person can show extreme distress,such as grief at the death of a loved one,without having psychopathology,while a person with mania,who feels "on top of the world," does have a mental disorder.This illustrates the difficulties with classifying behavior as abnormal using the criterion of

Accepted Answer

The criterion of subjective discomfort states that behavior is abnormal if the individual experiencing it is distressed. However, this criterion can be flawed as some distress is a normal reaction to certain life events, such as the death of a loved one. Therefore, extreme distress alone is not a reliable indicator of psychopathology.

Question 11

Regarding the use of subjective discomfort as evidence of psychopathology,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the majority of individuals who suffer mania seek help due to the extreme discomfort they feel when in a manic state is false. In fact, many individuals experiencing mania may not recognize their symptoms as problematic and may not seek help until prompted by someone else or until the symptoms have caused significant negative consequences. Therefore, subjective discomfort is not always a reliable indicator of psychopathology.

Question 12

If Edgar is exhibiting maladaptive behavior,we would expect this behavior to often result in

Accepted Answer

Maladaptive behavior refers to behavior that interferes with a person's ability to function effectively in their environment, causing significant distress or harm to themselves or others. This often leads to psychological discomfort, disability, or a loss of control over thoughts, behaviors, or feelings. It does not necessarily manifest in acute psychotic behavior or statistically rare behavior, and it may not be apparent to all observers. It can also vary in severity and may not be rigidly conforming in nature.

Question 13

In practice,which of the following explains most instances in which people voluntarily seek professional help?

Accepted Answer

Subjective discomfort is the most common reason people seek professional help. This may include symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other forms of mental distress or emotional pain. People often seek out therapy or counseling to alleviate or manage these feelings.

Question 14

Most definitions of abnormality

Accepted Answer

Most definitions of abnormality take context into consideration, meaning that behavior that is considered abnormal in one context or culture may be considered normal in another. The concept of social nonconformity may be a factor, but it is not the main basis for judgment. Statistics may be used to help define "abnormal" behavior, but it is not the only factor, and subjective discomfort alone is not a reliable indicator of abnormality.

Question 15

If you heard that a person was barking and jumping around on "all fours," you might think the person abnormal until you found out the person was on stage practicing the part of a "talking dog" in the upcoming student play.This story illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

This story emphasizes the importance of situational context in understanding behavior. The behavior of barking and jumping around on all fours may seem abnormal in a regular social setting, but in the context of a student play, it is completely normal and expected.

Question 16

Using the "core feature" of abnormal behavior in identifying mental disorders,the occurrence of abnormal behavior would be defined as behavior that

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the "core feature" of abnormal behavior...

Question 17

A person whose immoral behavior harms others,but who feels no remorse for such harmful behavior,would NOT be regarded as abnormal if the criterion used was

Accepted Answer

The answer of A person whose immoral behavior harms others,but...

Question 18

If you heard that a person exposed himself to another person in a place of business,you would probably think that the person was abnormal until you realized the person was exposing himself to his family doctor during the course of a physical examination.This story illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

The story highlights how the situational context can influence our interpretation of behavior. What may seem abnormal in one context (exposing oneself in a place of business) can be seen as normal or appropriate in another context (exposing oneself during a physical examination with a doctor).

Question 19

If Marty is exhibiting maladaptive behavior,we would expect him to

Accepted Answer

Maladaptive behavior refers to behavior that is not conducive to the individual's well-being and makes it difficult for them to function in daily life. This is often due to underlying psychological or biological dysfunctions that make it challenging for the individual to meet the demands of day-to-day life. Options A and B refer to behavior that may not be maladaptive, but rather just different or nonconforming to social norms. Option C is too general and does not necessarily indicate maladaptive behavior.

Question 20

You have just moved into a neighborhood and hear that the woman who lives next door almost never leaves her house.Having had general psychology,you think that she might have agoraphobia until you find out that her religion encourages women to stay at home.From this illustration,it is clear that which of the following can affect the diagnosis of psychological disorders?

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativity is the recognition that cultural factors play a significant role in defining and interpreting behavior as normal or abnormal. In this situation, the woman's behavior is considered normal and acceptable within the context of her religious and cultural beliefs, but it may have been interpreted as a psychological disorder if judged solely based on Western cultural norms.

Quiz 14: A: Psychological Disorders