Question 1

According to the behavioral viewpoint, compulsions are repeated because ________
A) they act of engaging in the behavior is pleasurable.
B) they serve to reduce anxiety.
C) they are reflexive responses that can't be controlled.
D) they permit the expression of repressed urges.

Accepted Answer

According to the behavioral viewpoint, compulsions are repeated because they serve to reduce anxiety. Through a process of operant conditioning, the compulsive behavior becomes reinforced because it provides temporary relief from the anxiety, even though the relief is only short-term. The person then continues the compulsive behavior to alleviate anxiety in the future.

Question 2

What do all of the compulsions seen in OCD have in common?
A) They all take 15 to 20 minutes to perform.
B) All involve counting.
C) They are engaged in as means of alleviating tension.
D) There is little desire to engage in the compulsion.

Accepted Answer

The compulsions seen in OCD are all engaged in as means of alleviating tension. This is a common feature across all of the different types of compulsive behaviors seen in the disorder. Options A and B are incorrect as they do not describe a universal feature of OCD compulsions. Option D is also incorrect as there is often a strong desire to perform the compulsion, even if the individual recognizes that it is irrational or excessive.

Question 3

Mark feels the need to tap everything within his arms reach twice. He doesn't have any particular thoughts associated with this, he just becomes anxious if he doesn't do it, because "something bad might happen." Mark ________
A) does not have obsessive compulsive disorder.
B) has obsessive compulsive disorder.
C) has an unusual type of specific phobia.
D) has no disorder.

Accepted Answer

Mark's behavior of feeling the need to tap everything within his arms reach twice and becoming anxious if he doesn't do it is a common symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Question 4

Jessica spends much of her day counting or saying certain words to herself. When she is not doing this, she is checking whether she left her doors unlocked. These symptoms illustrate ________
A) compulsions.
B) obsessions.
C) both obsessions (the counting and saying words) and compulsions (the checking).
D) neither obsessions nor compulsions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jessica spends much of her day counting...

Question 5

Which of the following is true of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A) Nearly six times more women than men suffer from OCD.
B) This disorder tends to begin in adolescence or early adulthood, but is not uncommon in children.
C) Once thought to be a fairly common disorder, with new diagnostic criteria, it is seen as quite rare.
D) Although most people have both obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals, rarely are the two issues related.

Accepted Answer

OCD typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but can also occur in children.

Answer: A is incorrect because OCD affects men and women equally.

Answer: C is incorrect because the prevalence of OCD has not changed with new diagnostic criteria, it is estimated to affect about 1-2% of the population.

Answer: D is incorrect because obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals are typically related in people with OCD.

Question 6

Which of the following is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD?
A) The presence of compulsive behaviors
B) A persistent awareness of the irrational nature of the obsessions experienced
C) Evidence of psychosis
D) The symptomatic behavior causes distress

Accepted Answer

The DSM-V diagnostic criteria for OCD include the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both, which are time-consuming or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. While awareness of the senseless nature of obsessions is a common feature of OCD, it is not necessary for a diagnosis. Evidence of psychosis is not a symptom of OCD. Therefore, the necessary component for a diagnosis of OCD is the presence of symptomatic behavior that causes distress.

Question 7

Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder ________
A) experience obsessions, but compulsions are relatively rare.
B) experience compulsions, but obsessions are relatively rare.
C) experience both obsessions and compulsions.
D) develop compulsions in childhood, and obsessions in adolescence or adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience both obsessions and compulsions. These thoughts and behaviors are intrusive and cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.

Question 8

The fact that dirt and contamination were threats to our ancestors suggests that ________
A) preparedness theory may help explain obsessive-compulsive disorder.
B) fear of these things is rational.
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder probably exists in many species, not just humans.
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder is one of the oldest disorders in existence.

Accepted Answer

Preparedness theory posits that humans are more likely to fear things that have historically posed a significant threat to survival, such as dirt and contamination, which can lead to illness. This theory can help explain why obsessive-compulsive behaviors, particularly those related to cleanliness and avoiding contamination, might have developed as exaggerated responses to these threats.

Question 9

Persistent and recurrent thoughts are ________
A) compulsions.
B) delusions.
C) hallucinations.
D) obsessions.

Accepted Answer

Persistent and recurrent thoughts are obsessions, which are a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are performed in response to an obsession, delusions are fixed false beliefs that are not based in reality, and hallucinations are sensory experiences that are not actually present in the environment.

Question 10

Tara believes that it is extremely important to be clean. She cleans her kitchen and bathroom daily and the rest of the house at least once every few days. She uses antibacterial soap and sterile water to clean. She says she wants people to be able to eat off her floors. Tara is very proud of her house and the way she keeps it. She ________
A) has obsessive compulsive disorder.
B) has specific phobia, situational type.
C) generalized anxiety disorder.
D) has no disorder.

Accepted Answer

Tara's behavior can be seen as a personal preference and does not significantly interfere with her daily life. As such, it does not meet the criteria for any particular disorder.

Question 11

Which of the following is characteristic of the obsessions seen in OCD?
A) The obsessions serve to alleviate the anxiety created by the compulsions.
B) The obsessions are clearly related to a traumatic life event.
C) The obsessions are rarely related to the compulsions exhibited.
D) Individuals with OCD know that their obsessions are irrational.

Accepted Answer

Individuals with OCD recognize that their obsessions are illogical and irrational, but are unable to control their intrusive thoughts and urges.

Question 12

Which of the following provides a unique challenge when trying to eliminate the obsessions seen in OCD?
A) The client is likely to feel that his or her concerns are justified.
B) Attempting to not think about something may lead to thinking about it more.
C) Obsessions are likely to only be experienced under certain environmental conditions.
D) Medications are ineffective in suppressing obsessions.

Accepted Answer

In OCD, the obsessive thoughts are often involuntary and attempting to suppress them can actually lead to an increase in them. This unique challenge requires a specialized approach in treatment.

Question 13

Which of the following is unique about OCD, as compared to other anxiety disorders?
A) It afflicts more men than women.
B) The incidence is about equal for men and women.
C) It usually begins in childhood.
D) It is a culture-bound disorder.

Accepted Answer

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is unique among anxiety disorders in that it affects men and women at roughly equal rates, unlike many other anxiety disorders which tend to be more prevalent in women.

Question 14

Which of the following is a disadvantage of treating GAD with a benzodiazepine?
A) A therapeutic response is not seen for several weeks.
B) There is a high risk of overdose.
C) Such drugs can create physical and psychological dependence.
D) The somatic symptoms are not treated.

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines can create physical and psychological dependence, leading to withdrawal symptoms when discontinued. This can make it difficult for patients to stop taking the medication and can increase the risk of misuse and addiction.

Question 15

Which of the following is one of the five primary types of compulsive acts seen in individuals with OCD?
A) Cleaning
B) Fear of contamination
C) Fear of danger
D) Scanning

Accepted Answer

Cleaning is one of the five primary types of compulsive acts seen in individuals with OCD. The other types are checking, repeating, counting/arranging, and hoarding/collecting. Fear of contamination is a common obsession that often leads to the compulsive act of cleaning. Fear of danger may lead to checking behaviors, and scanning may fall under the repeating category.

Question 16

Dagmar is a musician and she loves the fact that she constantly hears new melodies in her head. In fact, she cannot remember a time when she did not hear music. Why is this not an example of an obsession?
A) Obsessions must be accompanied by ritualistic actions.
B) Obsessions must come on suddenly in response to a stressful life event.
C) Obsessions must be voluntary thoughts that a person knows are irrational.
D) Obsessions must be intrusive thoughts the person finds disturbing.

Accepted Answer

Obsessions must be intrusive and cause distress or anxiety to the person. In Dagmar's case, her constant hearing of music does not seem to cause her any distress or anxiety, hence it is not an example of an obsession.

Question 17

Which of the following is a common type of obsession seen in OCD?
A) Fear of contamination
B) Counting over and over
C) Hand washing
D) Double checking locked doors

Accepted Answer

Fear of contamination is a common type of obsession in individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), where they may excessively worry about germs, dirt, or getting sick.

Question 18

Some things seem to be consistent across all the different forms that obsessive-compulsive disorder takes. These include ________
A) a tendency to have an aggressive, impulsive personality.
B) an overwhelming fear that something terrible will happen to the person or to others for which they are responsible.
C) a strong resistance to depressive and other mood disorders.
D) an inability to see that the compulsive actions they engage in are unnecessary and ridiculous.

Accepted Answer

A hallmark of OCD is the presence of intrusive, obsessive thoughts that lead to extreme anxiety and fear that something terrible will happen to oneself or others. This is often followed by compulsive behaviors or mental rituals intended to alleviate the anxiety.

Answer: D
 Typically, individuals with OCD are aware that their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are irrational and unnecessary, but they feel compelled to engage in them nonetheless. This is why OCD is often referred to as an ego-dystonic disorder, meaning that the symptoms are inconsistent with the individual's self-concept and personal values.

Therefore, the correct answer is B and D.

Question 19

Which of the following is a true statement about Mowrer's two-process theory of avoidance learning?
A) It provides an explanation for the development of all anxiety disorders.
B) While it suggests mechanisms for the development of GAD, it does not account for the development of panic disorder and OCD.
C) It does not account for the effectiveness of extinction procedures in the treatment of OCD.
D) It has not been helpful in explaining why people with OCD develop obsessions in the first place and why some people never develop compulsive behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Mowrer's two-process theory of avoidance learning provides an explanation for the maintenance of compulsive behaviors but does not account for the development of obsessions in the first place, making option D the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because Mowrer's theory is not comprehensive enough to explain all anxiety disorders. Option B is incorrect because it only mentions GAD while Mowrer's theory does not account for any anxiety disorder's development. Option C is incorrect because the effectiveness of extinction procedures is actually consistent with Mowrer's theory as it involves replacing the avoidance response with a new response (i.e., not avoiding the feared object or situation).

Question 20

What of the following are among the most common obsessive thoughts in people with OCD?
A) Worry about humiliating oneself in public
B) Fear of contamination and fear of harming others
C) Being the victim of crime and having a panic attack in public
D) Desire to get intoxicated on drugs and alcohol

Accepted Answer

Fear of contamination and fear of harming others are common obsessive thoughts in people with OCD. A, C, and D are not typically associated with OCD.

Quiz 6: Panic, Anxiety, Obsessions, and Their Disorders

According to the behavioral viewpoint, compulsions are repeated because ________

What do all of the compulsions seen in OCD have in common?

Mark feels the need to tap everything within his arms reach twice. He doesn't have any particular thoughts associated with this, he just becomes anxious if he doesn't do it, because "something bad might happen." Mark ________

Jessica spends much of her day counting or saying certain words to herself. When she is not doing this, she is checking whether she left her doors unlocked. These symptoms illustrate ________

Which of the following is true of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Which of the following is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD?

Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder ________

The fact that dirt and contamination were threats to our ancestors suggests that ________

Persistent and recurrent thoughts are ________

Which of the following is characteristic of the obsessions seen in OCD?

Which of the following provides a unique challenge when trying to eliminate the obsessions seen in OCD?

Which of the following is unique about OCD, as compared to other anxiety disorders?

Which of the following is a disadvantage of treating GAD with a benzodiazepine?

Which of the following is one of the five primary types of compulsive acts seen in individuals with OCD?

Dagmar is a musician and she loves the fact that she constantly hears new melodies in her head. In fact, she cannot remember a time when she did not hear music. Why is this not an example of an obsession?

Which of the following is a common type of obsession seen in OCD?

Some things seem to be consistent across all the different forms that obsessive-compulsive disorder takes. These include ________

Which of the following is a true statement about Mowrer's two-process theory of avoidance learning?

What of the following are among the most common obsessive thoughts in people with OCD?