Question 1

A relatively common symptom in schizophrenia is greatly reduced production of speech-the person's verbal responses are limited to very brief, empty comments. This particular symptom is termed:

Accepted Answer

This symptom is called alogia, which refers to a reduction in the amount or quality of speech. Alogia is also known as poverty of speech or speech deficit, and it is a common negative symptom of schizophrenia. Avolition (A) refers to a lack of motivation or drive, agoraphobia (B) is an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of public or unfamiliar places, and affective flattening (C) refers to a lack of emotional expressiveness.

Question 2

Which of the following factors has been linked to the development of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that having an older father, particularly one over the age of 50, is linked to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. Other factors that have been associated with schizophrenia development include genetics, prenatal and perinatal complications, and environmental stressors. Age of the mother at conception has not been consistently linked to schizophrenia development.

Question 3

Collectively, genetic studies have found that schizophrenia was associated with literally thousands of gene variations, both common and rare. Which of the following is NOT one of the conclusions researchers have drawn from these studies?

Accepted Answer

While there have been many genetic variations associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, no specific pattern of genetic variation has been identified as the direct cause. Additionally, while certain genetic variations may be more common in individuals with schizophrenia, no single gene has been found to solely determine an individual's risk for the disorder. Therefore, option D is incorrect as genes associated with a particular chromosome location have not been directly linked to the development of schizophrenia.

Question 4

The onset of schizophrenia:

Accepted Answer

Typically, the onset of schizophrenia occurs during early adulthood, between the ages of 18-30, although it can occur at any age throughout early and middle adulthood.

Note: Choice A and D are not supported by research evidence.

Question 5

According to the text discussion, which of the following statements about the role of genetics in schizophrenia is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Evidence of a genetic cause for schizophrenia does not necessarily refute the idea that environmental factors also play a role. In fact, most researchers in the field believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Therefore, statement C is false.

Question 6

Every year about _____ new cases of schizophrenia are diagnosed in the United States.

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 100,000 to 200,000 new cases of schizophrenia are diagnosed each year in the United States. Therefore, the best answer is B.

Question 7

Every year in the United States, approximately _____ Americans are treated for schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 1 million Americans are treated for schizophrenia each year.

Question 8

When Wayne's parents come to visit him on the psychiatric ward, Wayne is often still dressed in his pajamas and sitting in a corner of the commons area. Although he answers their questions, he seems apathetic to their presence and anything else occurring on the ward. As a symptom of his schizophrenia, Wayne's complete lack of goal-directed behavior is termed:

Accepted Answer

Avolition is a symptom of schizophrenia that involves a lack of motivation, goal-directed behavior, and self-initiated purposeful activities. This is consistent with Wayne's behavior of being apathetic towards his parents and not engaging in any activities on the ward. The other options, such as alogia (lack of speech), flat effect (lack of emotional expression), and catatonia (abnormal motor behavior), do not fully capture Wayne's presentation in this scenario.

Question 9

Susan was treated for an episode of schizophrenia before she was married. In recent weeks, her husband has noticed that Susan's speech and facial expressions have become flat and expressionless and that she seems to have little motivation. Assuming that Susan is on the verge of another episode of schizophrenia, these symptoms are referred to as _____ symptoms of schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are negative symptoms, which refer to a decrease or loss of normal functions or behaviors, such as emotional expression and motivation. Positive symptoms, on the other hand, refer to the presence of abnormal functions or behaviors, such as hallucinations and delusions. Primary symptoms refer to symptoms that are directly related to schizophrenia, while secondary symptoms are a result of factors such as medication or social isolation. However, in this case, the question does not provide enough information to determine whether these symptoms are primary or secondary.

Question 10

A relatively common symptom in schizophrenia is that the person responds with greatly reduced emotional expressiveness, including facial expressions. This particular symptom is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Flat affect refers to reduced emotional expressiveness, including facial expressions, which is a common symptom in schizophrenia. Alogia refers to reduced speech output or poverty of speech, while avolition refers to reduced motivation or inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed behavior.

Question 11

Research evidence links paternal age to the development of schizophrenia. What is the best explanation for why offspring of a father aged 45 or older might be at higher risk for developing schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

As men age, their sperm cells continue to divide, increasing the chance of accumulating genetic mutations, which can be passed on to offspring and potentially increase the risk of schizophrenia.

Question 12

Genetic studies have found that schizophrenia was associated with literally thousands of gene variations, both common and rare. Which of the following is NOT one of the three important results that emerged from this research?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Genes associated with a particular chromosome location have been linked directly to the development of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder" is actually one of the important results that emerged from genetic studies on schizophrenia. The other two important results are that a large number of gene variants were found on a specific chromosome that is also involved in the immune response (B), and several chromosome locations implicated in the development of schizophrenia are associated with genes that influence brain development, memory, and cognition (C). Therefore, the answer is A, which is the option that is not one of the important results.

Question 13

Based on their genetic relationship to a person with schizophrenia, which of the following people has the GREATEST risk of developing schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with both biological parents affected by schizophrenia (as in the case of Anne) have the highest risk of developing the disorder, estimated at around 40-50%. Biological siblings have a 10% risk, nonidentical twin siblings have a 17% risk, and biological children have a 10% risk of developing schizophrenia.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT true regarding the relationship between symptoms of schizophrenia and culture.

Accepted Answer

The statement that "the content of delusions within a single culture do not change over time" is not true. The content of delusions can change over time within a single culture due to changes in societal beliefs and attitudes.

Question 15

The viral infection theory of schizophrenia suggests that:

Accepted Answer

The viral infection theory suggests that exposure to a viral infection during prenatal development or early infancy can leave the offspring more vulnerable to developing schizophrenia later in life. This theory is based on studies that have found higher rates of schizophrenia among individuals who were born during flu epidemics, suggesting that prenatal exposure to the virus may be a contributing factor to the development of the disorder.

Question 16

Based on research tracking the course of schizophrenia, about _____ percent of those who experience an episode of schizophrenia will recover completely and never experience another episode.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that approximately 25% of individuals who experience an episode of schizophrenia may recover completely and not have another episode.

Question 17

Dennis is 45 years old, and both he and his 25-year-old wife are looking forward to being parents for the first time. They are aware of the risks associated with the parents' age and the development of schizophrenia. They recently read the results of a study by Dolores Malaspina and her colleagues (2001), which showed that _____ percent of the cases of schizophrenia in the study _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dennis is 45 years old, and both...

Question 18

Alice and Jane are identical twins. Alice has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to twin studies, Jane has roughly a _____ percent risk of developing schizophrenia at some point in her life.

Accepted Answer

Twin studies have consistently shown that if one identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin has approximately a 50% chance of developing the disorder. This suggests a strong genetic component in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that older paternal age is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring, with men over 50 having a higher likelihood of fathering children with this condition compared to younger fathers.

Question 20

Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

A reduced emotional expressiveness and speech is a negative symptom of schizophrenia, characterized by a lack of emotional responsiveness and limited communication with others. Severe disorganization, delusions, and hallucinations are all positive symptoms of schizophrenia, involving abnormal behaviors or experiences that are added to the person's normal functioning.

Quiz 13: Psychological Disorders