Question 1

A patient arrives in your office with a severe fear of spiders. You treat this patient by gradually introducing her to snake images, snake toys, and eventually live snakes in order to show her that nothing bad happened in the presence of these objects. You are using the therapeutic technique called

Accepted Answer

The therapeutic technique described in the scenario is systematic desensitization. This technique involves gradually exposing the individual to the feared object or situation in a safe and controlled manner, with the guidance and support of a therapist. As the person becomes more comfortable and relaxed in the presence of the stimuli, their fear response gradually diminishes. This approach is often used in the treatment of specific phobias, such as a fear of spiders.

Question 2

The continual interaction of biological, psychological, and social influences and their effect on behavior is considered

Accepted Answer

The answer of The continual interaction of biological, psychological, and...

Question 3

All of the following are necessary conditions for the diagnosis of a personality disorder EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Although patient distress may be a common feature of personality disorders, it is not a necessary condition for diagnosis. The other three options (pervasive pattern of behavior, maladaptive functioning, and chronicity) are all necessary conditions for the diagnosis of a personality disorder.

Question 4

Some have proposed that the personality disorders be replaced or supplemented by a dimensional model in which individuals would be rated on a series of personality dimensions as well as a categorical diagnosis. It is believed that this would have advantages over a purely categorical system. Which of the following would be such an advantage?

Accepted Answer

A dimensional model in which individuals are rated on a series of personality dimensions as well as a categorical diagnosis would have the advantage of retaining more information about each individual, being more flexible, and avoiding arbitrary decisions involved in assignment to a diagnostic category. Therefore, all of the above would be advantages of such a model.

Question 5

The five-factor model of personality includes all of the following as personality dimensions EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The answer of The five-factor model of personality includes all...

Question 6

In the world, the prevalence of personality disorders is estimated to be approximately percent.

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are estimated to affect about 6% of the general population worldwide. This estimate may vary depending on the diagnostic criteria used and the specific population being studied.

Question 7

You just adopted a puppy and want to teach it to fetch the newspaper. What approach would

Accepted Answer

Using positive reinforcement by rewarding the puppy each time it gets closer to the desired behavior is an effective way to shape its behavior gradually.

Question 8

DSM-5 personality disorders are grouped into three clusters. Which of the following most accurately represents the three clusters?

Accepted Answer

DSM-5 personality disorders are grouped into three clusters: odd or eccentric, dramatic, emotional, or erratic, and anxious or fearful. Choice A and B are not accurate representations of the clusters, and choice C does not include the anxious or fearful cluster.

Question 9

A woman demonstrating a high degree of Western "stereotypical female" traits might well be diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder. Which of the following would probably occur if a man demonstrated very stereotypical masculine traits?

Accepted Answer

Demonstrating stereotypical masculine traits does not necessarily indicate the presence of a personality disorder, so it is unlikely that the man would be diagnosed with any personality disorder based solely on this characteristic.

Question 10

Unlike schizophrenia or an eating disorder, personality disorders can be viewed as disorders of

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are often viewed as disorders of degree rather than kind because they represent extreme variations of normal personality traits rather than entirely distinct categories of mental illness. This perspective emphasizes the continuum between normal personality variations and the more extreme manifestations observed in personality disorders.

Question 11

DSM-IV-TR divides personality disorders into distinct clusters.

Accepted Answer

DSM-IV-TR divides personality disorders into three distinct clusters. Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders. Cluster B includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

Question 12

What is one advantage of the categorical system over the dimensional system when it comes to classifying and diagnosing personality disorders?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is one advantage of the categorical...

Question 13

The Scientific Method is:

Accepted Answer

The Scientific Method is interdisciplinary and can be applied in studying personality disorders as well as normal and abnormal behaviors. Therefore, option D (all of the above) is the correct answer.

Question 14

Lu believes that he is being tracked by the FBI because he is a telepathy experiment "set loose," and he hears messages and instructions from others from the same experiment. What disorder would he most likely have?

Accepted Answer

Lu's belief that he is being tracked by the FBI and hearing messages and instructions from others suggests symptoms of delusions and possibly hallucinations, which are characteristic of schizophrenia, rather than the personality disorders listed.

Question 15

Clinicians who view personality disorders as extremes of normal personality rather than as the way the DSM classifies personality disorders. have criticized

Accepted Answer

Criticism of viewing personality disorders as extremes of normal personality is one of the criticisms of the DSM-5's approach to classifying personality disorders, which involves separate categories of disorders. Clinicians who take this view argue that it is more accurate to understand personality disorders as existing on a continuum of normal personality rather than as distinct categories of disorder. Therefore, the criticism is aimed at the categorization of disorders and not at medical conditions, biologically based traits, or impaired functioning.

Question 16

Research suggests that the gender differences observed in the prevalence of many personality disorders may be due to

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research suggests that the gender differences observed...

Question 17

The gender difference in the diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder has been criticized for

Accepted Answer

The gender difference in the diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder has been criticized as reflecting society's inherent bias, which unfairly pathologizes female behavior that is deemed attention-seeking or emotional.

Question 18

According to your textbook, the main reason that we do not have sufficient research examining the development of personality disorders is that

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to your textbook, the main reason...

Question 19

According to the definition of personality disorder, only individuals who show patterns of maladaptive behavior should be diagnosed with a personality disorder.

Accepted Answer

The definition of personality disorder includes the phrase "relatively permanent," indicating that the maladaptive behavior patterns are enduring and not just temporary reactions to specific situations or stressors. The answer choices A, B, and D do not accurately reflect the defining characteristics of personality disorder.

Question 20

The characteristic features of personality disorders tend to develop with

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders typically have an onset in childhood that is difficult to pinpoint. Their development is often slow and insidious, making it hard to identify a specific starting point. These disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture, are pervasive and inflexible, have an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, are stable over time, and lead to distress or impairment.

Quiz 1: Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context