Deck 16: Clinical Psychology

Question 1

One concern about the DSM-5 is that

A) formal diagnoses exist only for the most severe disorders.
B) criteria fail to differentiate among unrelated problems.
C) diagnostic criteria have hardly changed in the past 50 years, despite scientific advances.
D) common feelings and behaviors are sometimes given diagnostic labels.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The DSM-5 would be most useful for determining whether someone

A) who feels depressed has a neurotransmitter imbalance.
B) who believes in odd government conspiracies qualifies for a diagnosis.
C) is too introverted for a sales position.
D) is too irrational to succeed in law school.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

To increase diagnostic reliability, the DSM-5 bases psychological diagnoses on

A) concrete descriptions of behavior and emotions.
B) carefully selected blood tests and brain scans.
C) measures of sympathetic nervous system activity.
D) the doctor's judgment and clinical expertise.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A psychiatrist would be more likely than a psychologist to

A) have a graduate degree.
B) do research on stereotypes and prejudice.
C) prescribe medication for schizophrenia.
D) be familiar with the DSM-5.

Question 5

Dr. Garcia teaches muscle relaxation strategies to her anxious patients, rather than prescribing them medication, as her state does not allow her to prescribe. She is most likely a

A) clinical psychologist.
B) psychiatrist.
C) psychodynamic therapist.
D) research psychologist.

Question 6

Howard Dully was given a lobotomy by a doctor after six other doctors concluded his behavior was normal. This raises concerns about

A) the use of multiple data sources as potentially limiting diagnostic accuracy.
B) the reliability of the seventh doctor's diagnosis.
C) basing diagnoses on the clinical significance of symptoms.
D) the shift toward dimensional models of mental disorders.

Question 7

One definition of substance abuse says people have a severe disorder if they feel substance use causes them serious problems. A second definition lists 11 symptoms and specifies that people must meet at least six for diagnosis. The second definition is

A) higher in reliability and validity.
B) higher in reliability but lower in clinical significance.
C) lower in reliability and validity.
D) higher in clinical significance but lower in validity.

Question 8

A diagnostic system with high validity will lead to

A) psychiatrists and psychologists using similar treatment plans.
B) over-diagnosis of people without significant problems.
C) common disorders being overlooked by healthcare providers.
D) identification of legitimate disorders in need of treatment.

Question 9

A man suffering from low energy and stomach pain was given different diagnoses by each of three doctors. This reveals a problem with diagnostic

A) reliability.
B) validity.
C) significance.
D) continuums.

Question 10

Jacob is terrified of insects so he does not walk through grass unless he is wearing long pants. Jacob is generally happy with his life, has close friends, and is successful at work. A psychologist would likely

A) diagnose Jacob with an anxiety disorder.
B) conclude that Jacob's anxiety is not clinically significant.
C) recognize that Jacob's apparent happiness is just a defense mechanism.
D) recommend treatment because Jacob's fear of insects is clearly abnormal.

Question 11

Diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia involve very different symptoms, but these are similar disorders in that they all

A) have high diagnostic reliability but poor diagnostic validity.
B) have low standardization but strong diagnostic validity.
C) are among the few disorders that do not fall along a continuum from mild to severe.
D) are diagnosed only when people show clinically significant distress or impairment.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of substance use disorders?

A) A person with three symptoms is as disordered as someone with six.
B) Tolerance and withdrawal are no longer symptoms in the DSM-5.
C) A person can use illegal drugs several times a week without qualifying for a diagnosis.
D) A person must show all 11 symptoms to receive a diagnosis.

Question 13

A major concern about labeling certain human conditions as disorders is that

A) a person diagnosed with a disorder faces permanent limitations on the things he or she can do.
B) the list of disorders continues to get longer and longer as new behaviors emerge.
C) different practitioners rarely agree on diagnoses for particular behaviors.
D) diagnosing can lead to unnecessary use of prescription medications.

Question 14

Which statement about the prevalence of mental disorders is true?

A) Prevalence is similar for African-Americans and Caucasians.
B) Risk for mental health problems increases throughout the lifespan.
C) Men are significantly more likely than women to be diagnosed with mental disorders.
D) Only about one percent of people meet diagnostic criteria.

Question 15

A new client indicates that for years he has been anxious about many areas of his life-school performance, personal relationships, his finances, and his parenting skills. These anxieties indicate

A) generalized anxiety disorder.
B) obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
C) agoraphobia.
D) social phobia.

Question 16

After Mike had several episodes of intense fear in a crowded grocery store, he began having his groceries delivered. He avoids driving over bridges because he does not think he could control his car if he had another episode. Mike is showing signs of

A) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
B) avoidant personality disorder.
C) agoraphobia.
D) generalized anxiety disorder.

Question 17

Agoraphobia is best defined as fear of

A) panicking in certain environments.
B) interacting with strangers.
C) public speaking.
D) one's own intrusive thoughts.

Question 18

A preschooler got water up her nose the first time she went swimming. She is now too afraid of water to take a bath. This is an example of

A) an obsession.
B) a compulsion.
C) systematic desensitization.
D) fear conditioning.

Question 19

Maya once had a panic attack in a movie theater and has not been able to go to the movies since. What kind of therapy would be best for Maya?

A) A strong dose of anti-anxiety medication followed by hours in a movie theater as the drug gradually wears off
B) Destruction of a minimal amount of brain tissue to numb the area that has caused anxiety in the past
C) Administration of a placebo followed by a night at the movie theater with friends
D) Gradual reintroduction to movie theaters to show her that she can be safe in that environment

Question 20

Which of these behaviors is an obsession?

A) Checking and rechecking locks
B) Counting aloud to 13 repeatedly
C) Uncontrollable thoughts about contamination
D) Repeated hand washing

Question 21

Jack worries constantly that he is teeming with germs. He has tried to distract himself by playing video games, but this has not stopped him from showering seven or eight times a day. Which of the following statements is true in Jack's case?

A) Showering is a compulsion.
B) Video game playing is a compulsion.
C) Showering is an obsession, and thoughts about germs are a compulsion.
D) Showering is a compulsion, and video game playing is an obsession.

Question 22

Benzodiazepines

A) take effect more slowly than SSRIs.
B) are no more effective than placebos.
C) boost GABA activity.
D) produce lower rates of dependency than SSRIs.

Question 23

A therapist has an anxious client run up and down the stairs until his heart is pounding, he is breathing hard, and he feels dizzy. This is likely

A) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.
B) treatment for panic disorder.
C) a manipulation of power.
D) fear conditioning.

Question 24

Riva is so fearful of social judgment that she is unable to speak or make eye contact around new people. A cognitive behavioral psychologist would begin treatment by

A) teaching relaxation techniques and mindfulness strategies.
B) prescribing antidepressant medication.
C) prescribing anxiolytics.
D) exploring the early childhood roots of Riva's fears.

Question 25

Malcolm has been unable to leave his home for five years due to fears that he will become dizzy and unable to breathe, leading to unbearable humiliation. Which of the following medications is most appropriate for Malcolm's treatment?

A) Lithium
B) Tricyclics
C) Neuroleptics
D) Xanax

Question 26

Which of the following people is most likely to benefit from SSRI treatment?

A) A man who hears the devil telling him to kill his neighbor
B) A man who has always been rigid, inflexible, and overly focused on irrelevant details
C) A woman with chronically low self-esteem and difficulty managing stress
D) A woman who cannot concentrate, feels unbearably sad, and has no appetite

Question 27

Greg has been deeply unhappy for the past three months. He has lost weight because he has no appetite and is on the verge of losing his job because he cannot concentrate. He is considering suicide. The most appropriate treatment for Greg would be

A) electroconvulsive therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and MAO inhibitors.
B) exercise, systematic desensitization, and tricyclic medications.
C) systematic desensitization, electroconvulsive therapy, and tricyclic medications.
D) exercise, cognitive behavior therapy, and SSRIs.

Question 28

A new medication enhances serotonin and norepinephrine release into synapses. It would most likely be prescribed to a woman who

A) feels hopeless and has lost interest in her hobbies and friendships.
B) is hyperactive, cannot stop talking, and sleeps only four hours a night.
C) is intensely self-focused and thinks she is more important than other people.
D) hears voices telling her to harm her children.

Question 29

Research on the timing of depressive episodes indicates that hospital admissions rise in

A) November, due to seasonal affective disorder.
B) December, due to the holiday blues.
C) spring, for reasons that are unknown.
D) early fall, because of dropping temperatures.

Question 30

An insurance company looking for the least expensive treatment for depression would recommend

A) tricyclics.
B) SSRIs.
C) cognitive behavior therapy.
D) systematic desensitization.

Question 31

One reason SSRIs reduce depression is that they

A) trigger the placebo effect.
B) target genes that increase risk for depression.
C) block release of serotonin into the synapse.
D) increase hippocampal volume.

Question 32

To what extent do genetic factors increase risk for depression?

A) There is no clear link between genes and depression.
B) Genes play a clear role for late onset, but not early onset, of depression.
C) Many different genes increase risk.
D) Scientists have identified a single gene that triggers unipolar depression.

Question 33

A participant in an fMRI study shows an unusually thin frontal cortex, reduced hippocampal volume, and increased activity in the amygdala. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

A) Depression
B) Schizophrenia
C) Bipolar disorder
D) Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Question 34

Which of the following statements is true?

A) Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with unipolar depression.
B) Less than one percent of people ever experience clinical levels of depression.
C) SSRIs are far more effective for mild depression than for severe depression.
D) Relapse rates are lower for people treated with CBT than with SSRIs.

Question 35

Client 1 has frequent mood swings, acts impulsively, and fears abandonment. Client 2 is charming, lies often, and lacks remorse. Statistically, it is most likely that Client 1 is _______ and Client 2 is _______.

A) female; male
B) female; female
C) male; female
D) male; male

Question 36

Frank is a charming, highly successful businessman who saves his company money by bribing factory inspectors rather than meeting manufacturing regulations. He has shown no guilt about factory injuries that have occurred as a result. Frank would be most likely to meet the criteria for _______ personality disorder.

A) schizotypal
B) antisocial
C) borderline
D) dissociative

Question 37

Jake he has no true friendships. He lacks empathy for others but expects their admiration. His arrogance and self-importance drove his boss to fire him. It is most likely that Jake's social and behavioral problems developed

A) suddenly during his adult life and will fade gradually.
B) early in his childhood but will fade quickly now that he can see the consequences.
C) rapidly during adolescence and will fade by middle age.
D) throughout his childhood and are likely to persist.

Question 38

Many theorists suggest that personality disorders should be thought of as _______ rather than _______.

A) emotional; behavioral
B) behavioral; emotional
C) traits; types
D) types; traits

Question 39

An anti-government organization has built a heavily armed, rural compound to defend against a government takeover that they believe could happen at any time. The organization would be most likely to attract people with _______ personality disorder.

A) schizotypal
B) avoidant
C) borderline
D) antisocial

Question 40

Brian believes that his employees are disloyal and plotting to undermine him, that his wife is having an affair, and that his bank is attempting to scam him out of his life savings. Others see no evidence to support his concerns. Brian would likely be diagnosed with _______ personality disorder.

A) borderline
B) avoidant
C) schizotypal
D) obsessive-compulsive

Question 41

A sixth-grade boy is deceitful, gets into fist fights, lies to get what he wants, and shows no remorse. A therapist is likely to tell his parents that he

A) has narcissistic personality disorder.
B) is at risk for schizophrenia.
C) has antisocial personality disorder.
D) is at risk for antisocial personality disorder.

Question 42

Jay expects his co-workers to handle all the menial work because he sees himself as vastly more talented. He is excessively focused on his appearance and expects the women he dates to idolize him. Jay likely qualifies for a diagnosis of

A) mania.
B) narcissistic personality disorder.
C) psychopathy.
D) borderline personality disorder.

Question 43

A well-respected therapist is deciding whether a person qualifies for a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. As an alternative, the therapist would most likely consider

A) borderline personality disorder.
B) antisocial personality disorder.
C) bipolar disorder.
D) schizophrenia.

Question 44

Ava, a kind and talented 25-year-old, has no friends. She longs for close relationships, but her low self-esteem and fear of rejection keep her from speaking to people. Ava is likely to be diagnosed with _______ personality disorder.

A) avoidant
B) antisocial
C) borderline
D) dissociative

Question 45

Camilla aggravates her co-workers by being overly moralistic and focusing so much on following regulations that she cannot meet deadlines. During a software demonstration, she interrupts to inform the speaker that she should be saying, "double-click to launch the program," instead of just saying, "click." Camilla most likely has

A) narcissistic personality disorder.
B) obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
D) bipolar disorder.

Question 46

Dissociative identity disorder

A) is an early warning sign of schizophrenia.
B) is caused by untreated manic episodes.
C) often occurs with psychopathy.
D) is not considered a valid diagnosis by many psychologists.

Question 47

Sarah has a long history of impulsive behavior, depression, mood swings, and intentional self-injury. She threatens to commit suicide each time she fights with her boyfriend. She likely qualifies for a diagnosis of

A) bipolar disorder.
B) schizophrenia.
C) narcissistic personality disorder.
D) borderline personality disorder.

Question 48

Treatment for borderline personality disorder is likely to

A) be completed within 15 sessions.
B) require attention to fears that the therapist will abandon the patient.
C) involve neuroleptic medication.
D) encourage clients to be more expressive, rather than holding emotions in.

Question 49

Positive symptoms are behaviors that _______. Negative symptoms are behaviors that _______.

A) are present but should not be; are absent but should not be
B) predict recovery; predict chronic schizophrenia
C) are socially appropriate; are socially inappropriate
D) increase aggression; decrease aggression

Question 50

Unusual beliefs that are not supported by evidence are _______, while sensory experiences that do not correspond to reality are _______.

A) hallucinations; dissociative episodes
B) obsessions; delusions
C) schizotypal; schizophrenic
D) delusions; hallucinations

Question 51

Your cousin has covered the inside of his bedroom in foil tarps to block mind-controlling transmissions from the nearby sheriff's office. This suggests your cousin is experiencing

A) dissociation.
B) anhedonia.
C) delusions.
D) catatonia.

Question 52

Your employee is describing the recent death of her beloved dog. Her tone of voice and facial expressions reveal no sign of distress. This is an example of

A) disorganized behavior.
B) blunted affect.
C) anhedonia.
D) alogia.

Question 53

Gus has imagined hearing insults from his dead father for the past several months. This is a

A) positive symptom.
B) negative symptom.
C) delusion of persecution.
D) symptom of alogia.

Question 54

A patient in a mental hospital responds to all questions with single words. He moves only when encouraged by the nursing staff to do so. These symptoms are called _______, and suggest that he has _______.

A) disordered thought and catatonia; schizophrenia
B) blunted affect and alogia; depression
C) catatonia and anhedonia; depression
D) alogia and catatonia; schizophrenia

Question 55

The positive signs of schizophrenia include _______, while the negative signs include _______.

A) poor hygiene; delusions
B) alogia; catatonia
C) hallucinations; social withdrawal
D) blunted affect; bizarre behavior

Question 56

People with schizophrenia tend to have

A) enlarged cerebral cortices.
B) underactive sympathetic nervous systems.
C) enlarged cerebral ventricles.
D) underactive amygdalae.

Question 57

Which of the following people is at highest risk for developing schizophrenia in the next year?

A) A 9-year-old girl whose older sister has been diagnosed with schizophrenia
B) A 45-year-old man whose wife and son have been diagnosed with schizophrenia
C) A 19-year-old man whose parents have been diagnosed with schizophrenia
D) A 53-year-old woman whose fraternal twin was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 20

Question 58

Jack, age 20, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Doctors told Frank, a family member, that this means he has a 50 percent chance of developing schizophrenia. Frank is likely Jack's

A) father.
B) cousin.
C) monozygotic twin.
D) dizygotic twin.

Question 59

Saul and Mira know their adopted son is at risk for schizophrenia. Which of the following decisions would most reduce their child's risk?

A) Exposing their son to crowded environments in order to build tolerance
B) Having their son start taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors before symptoms develop
C) Having their son work with an ophthalmologist to learn smooth eye-tracking movements
D) Moving from the inner city to the suburbs

Question 60

Which of the following people is most likely to recover from a first episode of schizophrenia?

A) A young man living in New York City
B) An accountant living in Chicago
C) A farmer living in a rural African community
D) A college student in Beijing

Question 61

A man consulting a new psychiatrist reports that the medication he has taken for the past several years causes him to thrust his tongue from his mouth and make uncontrollable chewing motions. The psychiatrist is likely to recommend a change to

A) lithium.
B) an SSRI.
C) a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
D) an atypical neuroleptic.

Question 62

The typical neuroleptics are similar in that they all

A) increase sympathetic nervous system activity.
B) block dopamine receptors.
C) prevent the reuptake of serotonin.
D) reduce hippocampal volume.

Question 63

A new medication is a dopamine antagonist. It would most likely be prescribed to a man who

A) feels anxious about most areas of his life.
B) lies frequently, gets in physical fights, and lacks remorse for his actions.
C) believes he is the reincarnation of Abraham Lincoln.
D) has lost his appetite, cannot sleep, and feels extremely pessimistic.

Question 64

Compared to neuroleptics, atypical neuroleptics

A) are significantly more effective.
B) better reduce risk for tardive dyskinesia.
C) trigger dangerous levels of weight loss.
D) more rapidly increase dopamine receptor activity.

Question 65

Which of the following is no longer used as a treatment for schizophrenia?

A) Psychosurgery
B) Neuroleptics
C) Behavior therapy
D) Dopamine agonists

Question 66

In 1935, the most likely treatment for a man who had been hospitalized for intense paranoia, disorganized speech patterns, and hallucinations of secret agents would have been

A) administering multiple doses of typical neuroleptics.
B) severing his frontal lobes from other parts of his brain.
C) providing months of intensive psychotherapy.
D) prescribing tricyclic medications.

Question 67

After a long period of severe depression, Mike has been feeling on top of the world, speaking too quickly, acting impulsively, and overflowing with ideas. Which medication would be most likely to help?

A) Prozac
B) Valium
C) Thorazine
D) Lithium

Question 68

Lithium treatment is somewhat problematic because

A) lithium is extremely rare and very expensive.
B) lithium causes tardive dyskinesia.
C) patients sometimes choose to stop using it.
D) patients benefit only about 15 percent of the time.

Question 69

Evidence suggests that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are related in that both

A) are associated with enlarged cerebral ventricles.
B) are associated with an overactive hippocampus.
C) respond to treatment with monoamine enhancers.
D) respond to treatment with SSRIs.

Question 70

Bonnie believes her dead husband communicates through her television set. She has seen the devil in her house several times and wears a cross for protection. Though she has no history of violence, her neighbors fear her. How does her risk for violence compare with that for most other people?

A) It is not possible to predict her risk for violence given only this information.
B) Based on her past behavior, her risk for violence is only slightly higher.
C) She is about ten times as likely to become excessively violent over time.
D) The vast majority of people with similar mental health issues are known for violent behavior.

Question 71

Which disorder is most strongly linked to aggressive and violent behavior?

A) Schizophrenia
B) Schizotypal personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Bipolar disorder

Question 72

Which of the following statements best reflects the link between psychotic disorders and violent behavior?

A) People with schizophrenia are generally less violent than the overall population.
B) Schizophrenic people are slightly more likely to display violent behavior than other people.
C) About 80 percent of people with schizophrenia have committed violent acts.
D) Most violent crimes are committed by people with schizophrenia.

Question 73

Refer to the figure below.
The line on each screen reflects the eye movements of a patient tracking a moving cursor. Which of the following statements is most likely to be true?

A) Patient 1 has schizophrenia but Patient 2 does not.
B) Patient 2 has schizophrenia but Patient 1 does not.
C) Patient 1 has a higher risk for schizophrenia than Patient 2.
D) Patient 2 has a higher risk for schizophrenia than Patient 1.

Question 74

The link between risk for _______ and _______ is an example of an endophenotype.

A) agoraphobia; panic attacks
B) schizophrenia; bipolar disorder
C) antisocial personality disorder; aggressive behavior
D) schizophrenia; jerky eye movements

Question 75

When your sister finishes her education, she will do diagnostic evaluations, prescribe medications, and provide cognitive behavioral therapy. She is training to be a _______.

Question 76

Unusual beliefs and behaviors alone do not qualify a person for a diagnosis because all diagnoses require that a person experience _______.

Question 77

The decision to combine several separate DSM-IV diagnoses into a single autistic spectrum disorder diagnosis in DSM-5 reflects a shift toward thinking of disorders along a _______.

Question 78

A therapist is treating a boy's phobia of dogs by having him watch videos of dogs in an environment he knows is safe. This is an example of _______.

Question 79

A new mother has extremely distressing thoughts about smothering her baby. She manages those thoughts by chanting "I am a loving mother" over and over. She would likely be diagnosed with _______.

Question 80

A new medication enhances the release of serotonin into synapses and makes receptors more sensitive to serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It is likely intended as a treatment for _______.