Question 1

Some mental health professionals have argued it is wrong to think of personality disorders as "disorders" in the same sense as a phobia or depression because personality disorders:

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are characterized by deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are resistant to change and can cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. Unlike some other mental health conditions, personality disorders tend to be chronic and stable over time, making them more difficult to treat.

Question 2

Some mental health professionals have argued it is wrong to think of personality disorders as "disorders" in the same sense as a phobia or depression because personality disorders are:

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are viewed as a reflection of an individual's basic personality traits rather than discrete mental illnesses or disorders. Unlike phobias or depression, personality traits are thought to be relatively stable and ingrained within the individual, making them less responsive to treatment. Additionally, personality disorders are often characterized by inflexible and maladaptive patterns of behavior, further suggesting that they are intrinsic to an individual's personality rather than something that can be easily treated or cured.

Question 3

Shane was convicted of five separate counts of murder.He confessed to killing the girls and showed no remorse for his actions.He even boasted that when he got out of prison, he would hunt down and kill the witnesses who had testified against him at his trial.In this case, Shane displays symptoms that are associated with:

Accepted Answer

Shane's lack of remorse, disregard for the lives of others, and threats of violence towards witnesses are all indicators of antisocial personality disorder. Paranoid personality disorder involves a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, while dependent personality disorder involves a strong need for others to take charge and make decisions. Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive attention-seeking and dramatic behavior. None of these disorders fit Shane's behavior and attitudes as well as antisocial personality disorder.

Question 4

Although several neurotransmitters might be involved, dopamine appears to be especially important in:

Accepted Answer

Dopamine appears to be especially important in schizophrenia. This is supported by studies showing that drugs that increase dopamine activity can cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia, while drugs that decrease dopamine activity can reduce symptoms in some people with the disorder.

Question 5

Some mental health professionals have argued it is wrong to think of personality disorders as "disorders" in the same sense as a phobia or depression because personality disorders are:

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are long-lasting patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are ingrained in a person's personality and tend to persist over time, unlike phobias or depression that may come and go. This is why some mental health professionals argue that personality disorders should not be thought of as "disorders" in the same sense as other mental health conditions.

Question 6

Schizophrenia has been linked to:

Accepted Answer

The most widely accepted explanation for schizophrenia is the dopamine hypothesis, which suggests that an excess supply of dopamine in specific areas of the brain leads to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. Although other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin have also been implicated in schizophrenia, the evidence for dopamine dysfunction is the strongest.

Question 7

Individuals who have antisocial personality disorder:

Accepted Answer

Individuals with antisocial personality disorder tend to have a disregard for social customs and norms, and often engage in behavior that is considered unlawful or immoral. They may also lack empathy and have a tendency to manipulate others for their own benefit. Antisocial personality disorder is not characterized by an exaggerated distrust of others, a need to be taken care of, or experiencing delusions and hallucinations.

Question 8

Many health professionals believe personality disorders are unique because they:

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are different from other disorders because they are linked more closely to the individual's personality traits, patterns and tendencies. They are deeply ingrained within the individual's psyche and thus are less responsive to treatment.

Question 9

Individuals who show little or no respect for social customs and norms may have:

Accepted Answer

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for social norms and rules, as well as a lack of concern for the rights and feelings of others. Individuals with this disorder may engage in behaviors such as lying, stealing, and aggression without feeling remorse or guilt.

Question 10

A researcher says, "The key to understanding psychological disorders is to understand the interplay between social, psychological, and biological factors as they influence behavior." The researcher is expressing a belief in the:

Accepted Answer

The researcher's belief in the interplay between social, psychological, and biological factors is representative of the bio-psycho-social perspective, which suggests that psychological disorders are influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Question 11

A young woman has just been taken to the emergency room after a suicide attempt.She has an extremely poor self-concept, and difficulty maintaining family relationships and friendships.She displays symptoms associated with a(n):

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, including poor self-concept, difficulty maintaining relationships, and suicidal behavior, are associated with borderline personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. Antisocial personality disorder involves a disregard for societal norms and the rights of others. Paranoid personality disorder involves a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.

Question 12

The Big Five Theory of personality may prove useful in accounting for the complexity of:

Accepted Answer

The Big Five Theory of personality, also known as the Five Factor Model, suggests that personality traits can be classified into five major dimensions: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These dimensions have been found to be stable across cultures and may prove useful in accounting for the complexity of personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. The Big Five theory may help to explain why certain individuals may be more prone to exhibiting certain problematic behaviors or patterns of thinking and can be a useful tool in psychotherapy and treatment planning.

Question 13

The idea that psychological disorders are influenced by a combination of biological, cognitive, and environmental factors is called the:

Accepted Answer

The bio-psycho-social perspective suggests that psychological disorders are influenced by a combination of biological, psychological (cognitive), and social (environmental) factors. This approach is widely accepted in the field of psychology and is used to consider multiple factors that may contribute to the development and treatment of mental health disorders. The other answer options do not accurately describe this approach.

Question 14

Which approach to personality may be useful in trying to account for the complexities of personality disorders?

Accepted Answer

McCrae and Costa's big five theory, also known as the Five-Factor Model, is often used in the study of personality disorders. This theory identifies five broad dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Researchers have found that individuals with certain personality disorders tend to score abnormally high or low on these dimensions, providing useful information for diagnosis and treatment.

Question 15

Individuals who have problems with regulating emotions and with forming stable social relationships may have a(n):

Accepted Answer

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by difficulty regulating emotions, unstable relationships, and impulsive behavior. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. Antisocial personality disorder involves a pattern of disregard for the rights of others and a lack of remorse for one's actions. Paranoid personality disorder involves a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.

Question 16

Individuals who have a borderline personality disorder:

Accepted Answer

Individuals with borderline personality disorder have difficulty regulating their emotions, which can lead to impulsive behavior, intense mood swings, and unstable relationships. They may also have a fear of abandonment and engage in self-destructive behaviors. While they may desire attention, it is often due to their fear of abandonment rather than an exaggerated sense of entitlement. They do not typically have delusions or hallucinations, and while they may struggle with social norms, they do not completely disregard them.

Question 17

For years, Brenda has engaged in credit card fraud and stealing people's identities.She never feels guilt and does not have respect for laws or moral values.A mental health professional is likely to classify Brenda as having:

Accepted Answer

Brenda's behavior is indicative of a personality disorder, specifically antisocial personality disorder. This disorder is characterized by a disregard for laws and social norms, a lack of empathy and remorse, and a tendency towards impulsive and irresponsible behavior.

Question 18

Among the most effective treatments for schizophrenia are medications that:

Accepted Answer

Medications that act as dopamine antagonists are the most effective treatments for schizophrenia. This is because an excess amount of dopamine activity in certain parts of the brain is believed to contribute to the development of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications that act as dopamine antagonists help to reduce the levels of dopamine in these areas, thus alleviating some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 19

A young woman has just been taken to the emergency room after slashing her arms.In the past, she has been in-and-out of drug rehab several times.She has trouble controlling her temper, and has a history of unstable interpersonal relationships.She displays symptoms associated with a(n):

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the scenario, such as self-harm, difficulty controlling emotions, and unstable relationships, are commonly associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD is often comorbid with substance abuse disorders as well.

Question 20

For years Walter has stolen people's money in fake investment schemes.He never feels guilt and does not have respect for laws or moral values.A prison psychologist is likely to classify Walter as having:

Accepted Answer

Walter's lack of guilt, disregard for laws and moral values suggest a personality disorder, specifically Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). People with ASPD exhibit tendencies of deceitfulness and consistent disregard for the rights of others.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders

Some mental health professionals have argued it is wrong to think of personality disorders as "disorders" in the same sense as a phobia or depression because personality disorders:

Some mental health professionals have argued it is wrong to think of personality disorders as "disorders" in the same sense as a phobia or depression because personality disorders are:

Although several neurotransmitters might be involved, dopamine appears to be especially important in:

Some mental health professionals have argued it is wrong to think of personality disorders as "disorders" in the same sense as a phobia or depression because personality disorders are:

Schizophrenia has been linked to:

Individuals who have antisocial personality disorder:

Many health professionals believe personality disorders are unique because they:

Individuals who show little or no respect for social customs and norms may have:

A researcher says, "The key to understanding psychological disorders is to understand the interplay between social, psychological, and biological factors as they influence behavior." The researcher is expressing a belief in the:

A young woman has just been taken to the emergency room after a suicide attempt.She has an extremely poor self-concept, and difficulty maintaining family relationships and friendships.She displays symptoms associated with a(n) :

The Big Five Theory of personality may prove useful in accounting for the complexity of:

The idea that psychological disorders are influenced by a combination of biological, cognitive, and environmental factors is called the:

Which approach to personality may be useful in trying to account for the complexities of personality disorders?

Individuals who have problems with regulating emotions and with forming stable social relationships may have a(n) :

Individuals who have a borderline personality disorder:

For years, Brenda has engaged in credit card fraud and stealing people's identities.She never feels guilt and does not have respect for laws or moral values.A mental health professional is likely to classify Brenda as having:

Among the most effective treatments for schizophrenia are medications that:

A young woman has just been taken to the emergency room after slashing her arms.In the past, she has been in-and-out of drug rehab several times.She has trouble controlling her temper, and has a history of unstable interpersonal relationships.She displays symptoms associated with a(n) :

For years Walter has stolen people's money in fake investment schemes.He never feels guilt and does not have respect for laws or moral values.A prison psychologist is likely to classify Walter as having: