Question 1

Dr.Reid is examining the MRI of a patient who has enlarged ventricles,and an apparent loss of both white matter and grey matter in various areas of the brain.Which disorder is most consistent with this pattern of neural damage

Accepted Answer

The described pattern of neural damage, including enlarged ventricles and loss of both white and grey matter, is consistent with schizophrenia, a disorder characterized by a range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms that may be associated with structural changes in the brain. Major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder may involve changes in brain activity, but typically do not produce structural changes of the type described. Dissociative identity disorder is associated with changes in identity and awareness, but does not typically involve structural changes in brain tissue.

Question 2

Which emotional symptom is fairly typical for an individual with a schizophrenic disorder to exhibit

Accepted Answer

A "flattening" or lack of emotional expression is a common symptom of schizophrenia. Individuals may appear to have a restricted range of emotions or may have difficulty expressing emotions appropriately in social situations. Mild anxiety, a general sense of calm or well-being, and profound anger are not necessarily typical symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 3

Sumandeep has withdrawn from social contact with others.She spends most of her time alone in her bedroom.She has stopped going to her job and no longer talks to her family on the phone.Additionally,Sumandeep neglects her personal hygiene and rarely bathes,brushes her teeth,or changes clothes.Which symptom of schizophrenia does Sumandeep's behaviour illustrate

Accepted Answer

Sumandeep's withdrawal from social contact, neglect of personal hygiene, and abandonment of job and family responsibilities all reflect a deterioration of adaptive behavior, which is a common symptom of schizophrenia. Irrational thought, disturbed emotions, and hallucinations are also symptoms of schizophrenia, but they are not specifically illustrated in this scenario.

Question 4

What has NOT been proposed as a biological factor associated with the development of schizophrenic disorders

Accepted Answer

Cocaine use during adolescence is not a biological factor associated with the development of schizophrenic disorders. While drug use can increase the risk of developing mental health issues, it is not considered a biological factor. B, C, and D are all proposed biological factors associated with schizophrenia, including brain abnormalities, prenatal neurological damage, and excessive dopamine levels.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of schizophrenic disorders

Accepted Answer

Manipulative behaviour without remorse is not a common symptom of schizophrenic disorders. Hallucinations, disturbed emotions, and deterioration of adaptive behaviour are all commonly observed symptoms. However, manipulative behaviour without remorse could potentially be a symptom of a personality disorder, but not specifically a schizophrenic disorder.

Question 6

Shawna has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and lives at home with her parents.Her mother is always hovering around her and corrects her a lot.Her father is often very critical of her appearance and yells at her to go to her room whenever someone comes to the door.Which outcome is likely for Shawna

Accepted Answer

The constant criticism and hovering from her parents may increase stress and trigger relapses for Shawna, especially since she has already been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Question 7

Tony is very rigid and inflexible and has serious difficulties in his interactions with his family and co-workers.If Tony has a psychological disorder,which type is he most likely to be diagnosed with

Accepted Answer

Tony's rigidity and inflexibility in his interactions with others suggest the possibility of a personality disorder, which is characterized by longstanding patterns of maladaptive behavior and personality traits that significantly impair functioning in social, occupational, or other areas of life. Anxiety, dissociative, and mood disorders are less likely to account for Tony's symptoms.

Question 8

Why have some parents believed,incorrectly,that vaccinations led to the development of their child's autism

Accepted Answer

The belief that vaccinations lead to autism in some cases is largely due to the timing of vaccinations, which often coincides with the age at which autistic symptoms typically become noticeable. This temporal association has led some parents to incorrectly attribute the cause of their child's autism to vaccinations.

Question 9

Which of the following disorders would be least likely to meet the criteria for "insanity"

Accepted Answer

Insanity defense requires a defendant to have a mental state at the moment of the crime that prevents him or her from understanding the nature of the act or whether it was right or wrong. Antisocial personality disorder, also known as sociopathy or psychopathy, is not considered a disorder that impairs cognitive or volitional capacities needed for understanding the nature and consequences of the behavior at the time of the crime. Therefore, it is least likely to meet the criteria for "insanity" defense.

Question 10

Alexis and Alexander are fraternal twins.Boris and Bjorn are identical twins.Alexis and Boris have been diagnosed with schizophrenia.What is the likelihood that Alexander or Bjorn will be diagnosed with schizophrenia as well

Accepted Answer

Identical twins like Bjorn have a higher genetic risk for schizophrenia if one twin is diagnosed, compared to fraternal twins like Alexander.

Question 11

Kristine frequently hears her food talking to her.In particular,she hears pickles whispering about her whenever she opens the door of the fridge.What is the term for this symptom

Accepted Answer

Kristine is experiencing a hallucination, which involves perceiving something that is not actually there (i.e. hearing the pickles talking). Delusions involve having firm beliefs or ideas that are not based in reality, while disturbed emotions and irrational thoughts do not necessarily involve sensory experiences.

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter system has been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenic disorders

Accepted Answer

The dopamine neurotransmitter system has been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenic disorders. Excess dopamine activity in certain regions of the brain has been linked to positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Question 13

Timothy has very strange reactions to everyday situations.He often laughs when most people would be sad or frightened,and he gets very angry or agitated for no apparent reason.He often seems as if he is having a conversation or argument with someone who is not present.If Timothy is diagnosed with schizophrenia,which category fits his symptoms best

Accepted Answer

Timothy's symptoms of laughing in sad or frightening situations and having conversations with someone who is not present are examples of positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms are defined as experiences that are added to a person's typical way of thinking or behaving and are not typically present in healthy individuals. These symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking or speech, and bizarre behaviors. The other options (A) behavioral symptoms, (B) perceptual symptoms, and (D) negative symptoms, are not as appropriate for Timothy's symptoms as they do not fully capture the nature of his experiences.

Question 14

The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia asserts that certain factors in early life are associated with an increased vulnerability to schizophrenia.Which of the following is one of those factors

Accepted Answer

Prenatal viral infection is one of the factors associated with an increased vulnerability to schizophrenia according to the neurodevelopmental hypothesis. Exposure to viruses in utero can disrupt neuronal migration and brain development, leading to cognitive and behavioral impairments that may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.

Question 15

Ellen has a hard time keeping down a job because of her behaviour.She is very perfectionistic and doesn't trust anyone else to do a good job.As a result,she tries to do everything herself,and never feels like anything is good enough.This means that she never finishes projects on time.Which category of mental disorder fits this description best

Accepted Answer

Ellen's behaviour and thought patterns are indicative of a personality disorder, particularly of the obsessive-compulsive or avoidant type. She exhibits perfectionism, distrust towards others, and difficulty completing tasks on time, which are typical symptoms of such disorders. None of the other categories of mental disorders listed fit this description as closely.

Question 16

What was the focus of a recent approach to describing variations in schizophrenic disorders

Accepted Answer

The recent approach to describing variations in schizophrenic disorders focuses on the presence of positive or negative symptoms. Positive symptoms refer to the presence of something that should not be there, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. Negative symptoms refer to the absence of something that should be there, such as emotional expression, motivation, and social engagement. This approach is helpful for understanding the different presentations of schizophrenia and tailoring treatments to address specific symptoms.

Question 17

Shawna has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and lives at home with her parents.Her mother is always hovering around her and corrects her a lot.Her father is often very critical of her appearance and yells at her to go to her room whenever someone comes to the door.Which term is used to describe the behaviour of Shawna's parents

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the behavior of Shawna's parents is high expressed emotion. High expressed emotion refers to a family environment characterized by criticism, hostility, and emotional over-involvement, which can exacerbate symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia.

Question 18

Veronica seems very withdrawn from the world.She rarely speaks,and when she does it is somewhat empty of meaning and quiet.She doesn't seem to react with emotion to things going on around her,and she just seems generally dazed.If Veronica is diagnosed with schizophrenia,which category fits her symptoms best

Accepted Answer

Veronica's symptoms of withdrawal, lack of emotion, and empty speech are all characteristic of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. These symptoms involve a loss of normal functions, such as emotions, speech, and motivation.

Question 19

Which statement best describes people who show Antisocial Personality Disorder

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that Antisocial Personality Disorder is more commonly diagnosed in males than in females, although the reasons for this are not entirely clear.

Question 20

What do disorders like koro or anorexia nervosa reveal about the universality of mental disorders

Accepted Answer

Koro is a culture-bound syndrome unique to Asia, while anorexia nervosa is observed across different cultures. This indicates that culture plays a role in the existence and features of some disorders, which suggests that some mental disorders may not be universal.

Quiz 15: B: Psychological Disorders