Deck 1: Conceptual Issues in Abnormal Psychology

Question 1

Which of the following does not form part of the definition of abnormal behaviour?

A) rarity
B) treatment
C) distress
D) dysfunction
E) norm violation

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following is not true of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

A) It was found to be an effective treatment for severe depression.
B) It is still used today.
C) It was developed in the 1930s.
D) It was found to have a calming effect on patients.
E) The way it works is well understood.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

According to psychoanalytic theory, the reasons for much human behaviour are:

A) genetic.
B) learned.
C) sociocultural.
D) hidden in the unconscious mind.
E) situational.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Behaviourists and psychoanalysts agree that:

A) learning explains most problem behaviours.
B) unconscious conflicts explain most problem behaviours.
C) therapy commences with functional analysis.
D) normal and abnormal behaviours are on a continuum.
E) problematic family relationships explain most psychopathology.

Question 5

Which of these is not a recognised disadvantage of diagnostic labelling of mental disorders?

A) the illusion that the diagnosis explains the symptoms
B) the sick role
C) standardised research
D) stigma
E) oppression of non-conformist behaviour

Question 6

Prior to the twentieth century, the concept of mental illness was virtually identical to the concept of:

A) sin.
B) neurosis.
C) retardation.
D) paralysis.
E) insanity.

Question 7

Psychoanalysts believe that defence mechanisms operate by:

A) activating the fight-flight response.
B) reducing re-uptake of neurotransmitters and hormones.
C) distorting impulses into acceptable forms or making them unconscious.
D) correcting dysfunctional thought patterns.
E) overcoming negative behaviour patterns.

Question 8

The rational-emotive therapist Albert Ellis believed that people respond to:

A) their conditioning.
B) their interpretations of events.
C) social expectations.
D) modelling.
E) interpersonal relationships.

Question 9

As a psychiatrist treating patients, Aaron Beck noticed repeated patterns which he labelled as:

A) cognitive distortions.
B) defence mechanisms.
C) systematic desensitisation.
D) conditioned responses.
E) rational behaviours.

Question 10

Which of the following does Maslow's hierarchy of needs not include?

A) safety
B) warm relationships with other people
C) self-actualisation
D) basic biological needs
E) social skills

Question 11

Critical psychologists argue that:

A) mental health professionals can be agents of oppression.
B) the social perspective is neglected in mental health services.
C) abnormal behaviour must be considered within its context.
D) All of the given options are correct.
E) None of the given options are correct.

Question 12

Most modern explanations of mental disorder include:

A) an evolutionary model.
B) a categorical model.
C) a continuum model.
D) a Diathesis-Stress Model.
E) a Family Systems Model.

Question 13

The main drawback of drug treatment for psychological problems is the:

A) high rate of relapse once the drug is stopped.
B) cost of the drug.
C) need for the drug to be prescribed by a doctor.
D) side-effects of the drug.
E) lack of efficacy.

Question 14

The basic principle of classical conditioning is that:

A) all behaviours can be understood in terms of their function.
B) all behaviours can be explained in terms of conditioned and unconditioned responses.
C) all behaviours followed by positive consequences are likely to be repeated.
D) all behaviours can be interpreted as a product of cognitive patterns.
E) scientific research must confine itself to events which can be observed.

Question 15

A functional analysis of behaviour:

A) describes behaviour and its environmental determinants objectively.
B) reduces incongruence and results in self-actualisation.
C) interprets behaviour in terms of unconscious conflicts.
D) associates a relaxation response with imagined feared stimuli.
E) connects behavioural responses to cognitive distortions.

Question 16

According to Carl Rogers, the main determinant of whether people fulfil their potential is whether or not they have experienced which of the following?

A) empathy
B) client-centred therapy
C) positive reinforcement
D) supportive family relationships
E) unconditional positive regard

Question 17

Humanistic theories and therapies are not:

A) easy to measure and evaluate.
B) used widely in counselling.
C) influential in the personal growth movement.
D) inclusive of human individuality and choices.
E) non-pathologising of the individual.

Question 18

The DSM-5 is based on the:

A) medical model.
B) psychological model.
C) stress-diathesis model.
D) sociocultural model.
E) humanistic model.

Question 19

The key issues raised in the construction of DSM-5 include all of the following except:

A) a rating system indicating the extent and quality of empirical research.
B) explicit guidelines for changing criteria from one edition of the DSM to the next.
C) the possibility of a dimensional approach.
D) the inclusion of a psychoanalytic perspective.
E)
All of the options are key issues relevant to the construction of DSM-5.

Question 20

The authors of the DSM-5 research agenda emphasised that one of the main shortcomings of the DSM-IV-TR was:

A) the lack of specific diagnostic criteria to define each disorder.
B) the dimensional classification system.
C) the absence of personality disorders.
D) the presence of theoretical models for each of the diagnoses.
E) the presentation of various diagnostic categories as if they were equal in validity.

Question 21

Which of the following is not one of the reasons experts have proposed a dimensional system of classification for DSM-5?

A) Psychiatric disorders are shown to exist on a continuum of severity.
B) Psychiatric disorders are separate and independent.
C) There are high rates of comorbidity among psychiatric disorders.
D) The point on a continuum at which a diagnosis is made is largely arbitrary.
E) It may improve the validity of the diagnostic system.

Question 22

Which one of the following has not been suggested to be an advantage of using both a categorical and a dimensional system of diagnosis for psychiatric disorders?

A) Clinicians will find the combination system simpler to use than the current system.
B) Clinicians can still use familiar categories to facilitate efficient communication.
C) Clinicians can use the dimensions to identify a patient's strengths and weaknesses.
D) Clinicians will be able to use the dimensional approach to assess initial severity.
E) Clinicians can use the dimensions to note changes in severity during treatment.

Question 23

The pattern and rates of co-occurrence among the mental disorders are thought to reflect:

A) the presence of personality disorders.
B) separate, independent causation.
C) the existence of higher order dimensions of psychopathology.
D) classical conditioning.
E) clinical bias.

Question 24

The Diathesis-Stress Model explains mental disorders in terms of:

A) brain abnormalities.
B) an interaction between biological and psychological factors.
C) neurotransmitter imbalance.
D) adverse life events.
E) personality types.

Question 25

Emil Kraepelin classified mental disorders in terms of their:

A) causes.
B) severity.
C) symptoms.
D) adverse life events.
E) All of the given options are correct.

Question 26

The behavioural perspective considers all behaviour, both normal and abnormal as the product of:

A) genetics.
B) brain abnormalities.
C) neurotransmitter imbalance.
D) learning
E) hormone deficiency.

Question 27

Which of the following is not an example of a cognitive distortion?

A) black and white thinking
B) over-generalising
C) catastrophising
D) repressing
E) jumping to negative conclusions

Question 28

The dimensional approach to mental disorders argues that disorders:

A) are categorical in nature.
B) are co-morbid.
C) exist along a continuum.
D) are arbitrary.
E) are socially constructed.

Question 29

According to psychoanalytic theory both normal and abnormal behaviours are the result of:

A) the pleasure principle.
B) the Oedipus complex.
C) conflict between the Oedipus complex and the pleasure principle.
D) conflict between the id, ego and superego.
E) repressed memories.

Question 30

Which does not typically form part of cognitive-behavioural treatment?

A) cognitive restructuring
B) behavioural experiments
C) dream analysis
D) thought diaries
E) altering behaviours

Question 31

What was one important limitation of the first two editions of the DSM?

A) too many diagnostic categories
B) too few diagnostic categories
C) a lack of reliability of the diagnostic categories
D) diagnostic categories that were too broadly defined
E) diagnostic categories that were too narrowly defined

Question 32

A mental disorder is a syndrome characterised by:

A) extreme anger.
B) heightened sensations.
C) disturbances in social skills.
D) disturbances in cognitions and behaviour.
E) depression.

Question 33

With reference to Wakefield's 'harmful dysfunction' analysis of mental disorders, what does the word 'dysfunction' refer to?

A) where a psychological process has failed to carry out its natural function
B) where an individual is unable to function in society
C) where an individual is behaving in a threatening manner
D) where an individual is unable to empathise
E) where an individual is unable to relate to others

Question 34

The DSM-5 adopted what approach in its classification of disorders?

A) a psychoanalytic approach
B) a neo-Kraepelinian approach
C) an eclectic approach
D) a causation approach
E) a theoretical approach

Question 35

The fact that not everyone will develop an affective disorder after the loss of a loved one is best explained by:

A) the 'harmful dysfunction' model.
B) the Diathesis-Stress Model.
C) genetics.
D) upbringing.
E) societal expectations.