Question 1

The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5 (ADIS-5) is an example of a

Accepted Answer

The ADIS-5 is a standardized, semistructured clinical interview designed to assess the presence and severity of anxiety disorders according to DSM-5 criteria. It is not a personality inventory or projective test, and while behavioral interventions may be informed by the results of the ADIS-5, it is not itself a behavioral intervention.

Question 2

Which of the following people would make a good candidate for a behavioral assessment?

Accepted Answer

Both young children and individuals with cognitive deficits may have difficulty communicating their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to others. As a result, a behavioral assessment may be useful in gaining a better understanding of their actions and needs. While it is possible to administer a behavioral assessment to a very verbal adult, their ability to articulate their feelings and behaviors may make it less necessary than for individuals who struggle with communication.

Question 3

In a clinical interview, the law regarding "privileged communication" does NOT apply if the patient

Accepted Answer

If a patient is a danger to themselves or others, mental health professionals are required by law to report it to the appropriate authorities, and the doctrine of privileged communication is not applicable in such circumstances.

Question 4

Even though there is no evidence that this is true, Roger thinks that someone is following him. Roger is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Delusions of persecution involve a false belief that someone is out to harm or harass the individual. The fact that there is no evidence to support this belief further supports the idea that Roger is experiencing delusions. The other options, such as derailment (disorganized thoughts), psychomotor retardation (slowed movements), and delusions of grandeur (belief in one's own importance or special abilities), do not fit the scenario described.

Question 5

When Abernathy went to a psychologist for the first time, the clinician asked him what the date was, what time it was, what year was it, and where they were. Which category of a mental status exam do these questions cover?

Accepted Answer

The questions about the date, time, year, and location are part of the sensorium category of a mental status exam, which assesses the patient's orientation to reality.

Question 6

In regard to a mental status exam, which of the following questions is NOT related to the concept of sensorium?

Accepted Answer

Sensorium refers to a person's awareness of their surroundings and the ability to receive, process, and respond to sensory information. Questions related to sensorium include asking about the date, location, and personal identity. Asking about a person's age does not directly relate to their sensorium.

Question 7

An observation that involves identifying specific behaviors that are observable and measurable is called a(n) _______________.

Accepted Answer

A formal observation involves identifying specific behaviors that are observable and measurable in a standardized, structured manner. Informal observations are unstructured and may not involve specific behaviors. Self-observation involves observing one's own behavior, but may not be standardized or measurable. Unstructured observations do not involve a standardized method for observing specific behaviors.

Question 8

Maria-Christina tells stories which are disconnected with each other and with reality. A disorganized speech pattern is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The given scenario is describing derailment, which is a symptom of disorganized thought and speech patterns commonly seen in individuals with schizophrenia. Psychomotor retardation refers to slowed movements and responses, delusions of persecution involve believing that one is being targeted or harmed by others, and delusions of grandeur involve having an inflated sense of self-importance or abilities.

Question 9

The initial assessment of the patient in your textbook named Frank, who was anxious about his job and his marriage, revealed that he

Accepted Answer

The initial assessment revealed that Frank had intrusive thoughts, which is a common symptom of anxiety disorders. None of the other answer choices are mentioned in the assessment.

Question 10

An operational definition refers to identifying specific behaviors that are .

Accepted Answer

An operational definition refers to identifying specific behaviors that are measurable. It focuses on defining specific variables or behaviors in a way that enables researchers to measure or quantify them accurately.

Question 11

Behavioral assessments are used to formally assess an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behavior in ____________.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral assessments are designed to assess an individual's behavior within a specific context or situation. They are not intended to measure general thoughts or feelings. While theories may inform the assessment approach, they are not the focus of the assessment itself. The assessment is designed to be practical and applicable to the specific situation in which it is used.

Question 12

Determining mood and affect is an important part of the mental status exam. Although both of these terms refer to feeling states of the individual, it would be correct to say that affect is more than mood.

Accepted Answer

Affect refers to the emotional expression that an individual displays in the moment, while mood is a more stable emotional state that can persist over a longer period of time. Therefore, "immediate" is the best choice as it represents the temporary and current emotional state that affect is describing. The other options (severe, problematic, stable) are not applicable as they do not accurately reflect the concept of affect.

Question 13

A mental status exam covers all of the following categories EXCEPT .

Accepted Answer

A mental status exam does not typically cover physical symptoms, as it is focused on assessing a person's mental and emotional state. The other categories listed (intellectual functioning, appearance, behavior) are commonly evaluated in a mental status exam.

Question 14

All of the following describe how a psychologist conducts a clinical interview EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

While confidentiality is an important aspect of the psychologist-patient relationship, it is not a description of how a psychologist conducts a clinical interview. A psychologist may disclose information in certain circumstances such as when there is a threat of harm to the patient or others, or when required by law. The other choices - facilitating communication, using non-threatening ways of seeking information, and applying appropriate listening skills - are all integral parts of conducting a clinical interview.

Question 15

Javon, who is normally energetic and lively, is walking and talking slowly. The therapist thinks that Javon may be depressed because ______can indicate severe depression.

Accepted Answer

Psychomotor retardation, or slowed physical and mental activity, is often associated with severe depression. This can include slowed movements, monotone speech, and reduced facial expressions. Derailment, delusions of persecution, and delusions of grandeur are not necessarily indicative of severe depression.

Question 16

In a mental status exam, it is important to determine if the individual's sensorium is clear and if he/she is "oriented times three." This refers to

Accepted Answer

Being "oriented times three" means the individual is aware of their current situation in terms of person (knowing who they are), place (knowing where they are), and time (knowing what day/time it is). This is important as it shows the individual's level of awareness and consciousness. The other options (B, C, and D) are not directly related to orientation in terms of person, place, and time.

Question 17

A clinician who wished to assess the effects of treatment over a period of time would be most likely to do so by repeatedly administering a(n) .

Accepted Answer

A behavior rating scale, such as the Child Behavior Checklist or the Behavior Assessment System for Children, would be the most appropriate tool for assessing treatment effects over time. These scales involve the repeated assessment of specific behaviors or symptoms, allowing for comparison of scores before and after treatment. Neuropsychological test batteries and intelligence tests are typically used to assess cognitive functioning and would not be the best choice for measuring treatment effects. Projective tests, such as the Rorschach inkblot test, are used to assess personality characteristics and would also not be appropriate for this purpose.

Question 18

As part of a behavioral assessment, psychologists sometimes use do direct observation in a naturalistic setting.

Accepted Answer

Direct observation in a naturalistic setting refers to observing behavior in a real-world environment rather than a controlled environment. This is called an analogue assessment, which involves simulating real-life situations in the laboratory to observe and record behavior. Therefore, the best choice is C - analogue. The other options (imaginary, empirical, virtual) do not accurately describe the type of observation being used.

Question 19

The ABCs of observation refer to the sequence.

Accepted Answer

Antecedent refers to the events or circumstances that occur before the behavior, Behavior refers to the action or response of an individual, and Consequence refers to the events that occur immediately after the behavior. This sequence is commonly used in behavior analysis to understand the relationship between antecedents, behaviors, and consequences and how they influence one another. Affect (emotions) and cognition (thoughts) may be important factors to consider, but they do not necessarily follow this sequence in observation.

Question 20

Four-year-old Roberto is very aggressive toward his peers, which results in poor peer relationships. A psychologist has been asked to assess Roberto's aggressiveness and determine if he needs intervention. The psychologist would probably do what type of assessment?

Accepted Answer

Given the specific concern of aggressive behavior towards peers, a behavioral assessment would be the most appropriate. It focuses on observable behaviors and can provide information on the antecedents and consequences of Roberto's aggression. This information can then inform the development of an intervention plan to address his behavior. General assessments are too broad, projective assessments are typically used for personality and emotional functioning, and cognitive assessments focus on cognitive abilities and functioning.

Quiz 3: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis