Deck 14: Abnormal Behavior

Question 1

How often does the legal defense "not guilty by reason of insanity" work?

A) always
B) often
C) rarely
D) never

Answer 1

rarely

Question 2

The first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical of Mental Disorder (DSM)was published in

A) 1952.
B) 1962.
C) 1972.
D) 1982.

Answer 2

1952.

Question 3

Most contemporary psychologists believe that biological factors

A) play at least some role in behavior disorders.
B) are the sole cause of behavior disorders.
C) play no role in behavior disorders.
D) are the primary cause of behavior disorders.

Answer 3

play at least some role in behavior disorders.

Question 4

One of the earliest biological theories of abnormal behavior was offered by Hippocrates,who believed that the ______ fluids or humors of the body,when out of balance,caused abnormal behavior.

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 7

Question 5

Why is it so difficult to define abnormal behavior?

A) Psychologists have no standardized diagnostic criteria.
B) Abnormal behaviors are rarely clearly distinguishable.
C) Diagnosis involves subjective judgments.
D) Supernatural components are involved.

Question 6

What does it mean to stigmatize someone with abnormal behavior?

A) We have negative perceptions of the person.
B) We try to diagnose them without training.
C) We are likely to participate in healthy behaviors with them.
D) We do not understand what they are going through.

Question 7

Actions,thoughts,and feeling that are harmful to yourself or others defines ______ behavior.

A) abnormal
B) violent
C) atypical
D) aberrant

Question 8

Which of the following statements is most consistent with the discontinuity hypothesis of abnormality?

A) A behavior that is taken to a dangerous extreme can be considered abnormal.
B) Alcoholism is a disease,not a character flaw.
C) Everybody has breakdowns once in a while.
D) Someone with a personality disorder is simply an enormous jerk.

Question 9

In the modern era,the first and most influential advocate of the view that psychological problems had psychological causes was

A) Hippocrates.
B) Richard von Krafft-Ebing.
C) Sigmund Freud.
D) Carl Rogers.

Question 10

In which context does the term "insanity" apply most appropriately?

A) hospital
B) courtroom
C) clinic
D) halfway house

Question 11

If you believe in the ______ hypothesis,then terms such as insanity and mental illness should not be used to describe abnormal behavior.

A) jurisprudence
B) continuity
C) Freudian
D) discontinuity

Question 12

The viewpoint that considers the causes of psychological disorders as stemming from bacterial infections or physical problems is known as the ________ viewpoint.

A) humanistic
B) psychoanalytic
C) neuropsychiatric
D) biological

Question 13

Which of the following describes the supernatural approach to understanding abnormal behavior? Abnormal behavior is caused by

A) evil spirits.
B) chemical imbalances.
C) maladaptive learning.
D) toxic environments.

Question 14

Psychologists who believe abnormal behavior is entirely different from normal psychological problems would be advocates of the ________ hypothesis.

A) continuity
B) discontinuity
C) biological
D) progression

Question 15

Early researchers discovered that ______ is an advanced stage of the venereal disease syphilis.

A) cirrhosis
B) paresis
C) catharsis
D) endometriosis

Question 16

Which hypothesis states that abnormal behavior is similar to normal behavior but is a more severe and harmful form of it?

A) continuity hypothesis
B) psychoanalytic hypothesis
C) discontinuity hypothesis
D) medical hypothesis

Question 17

The main contribution of Hippocrates to the understanding of abnormal behavior was his

A) belief that the mind was in the brain.
B) suggestion that human behavior had counterparts in animal behavior.
C) belief that abnormal behaviors have natural causes.
D) belief that the body contains four important fluids.

Question 18

Treatment for the disorder known as paresis was important in advancing the ________ theory of abnormal behavior.

A) supernatural
B) biological
C) psychological
D) interpersonal

Question 19

Abnormal behavior is defined in terms of ______ rather than _______.

A) rarity;commonness
B) the law;the psychologist
C) harm;unusualness
D) unusualness;legally

Question 20

In the DSM-IV system,there are five

A) personality traits.
B) problems.
C) diagnoses.
D) axes.

Question 21

How does generalized anxiety disorder differ from panic anxiety disorder?

A) Generalized anxiety can lead to agoraphobia.
B) Generalized anxiety is relatively mild in comparison.
C) Panic anxiety is more predictable.
D) Generalized anxiety can lead to extreme heart arhythmia and heart failure.

Question 22

A person who has a terrible fear of garbage cans,with no good reason to be afraid of garbage cans,is suffering from a(n)________ disorder.

A) obsessive-compulsive
B) phobic
C) schizophrenic
D) posttraumatic stress

Question 23

The fear of open spaces is known as

A) agoraphobia.
B) social phobia.
C) acrophobia.
D) envirophobia.

Question 24

Edwin is afraid to ride in elevators,and he quit his job because he was being moved to the 27th floor of his office building.He would probably be classified as exhibiting a

A) phobic reaction.
B) general anxiety disorder.
C) somatoform reaction.
D) hysterical reaction.

Question 25

If an individual is judged to be a direct danger to herself,himself,or to others,the term insanity is most likely being used to determine

A) involuntary commitment.
B) competency to stand trial.
C) an individual's guilt.
D) psychiatric treatment.

Question 26

Carol is constantly plagued with a wide variety of exaggerated worries such as "I might hurt myself" or "This is going to be a bad day." She may be suffering from

A) generalized anxiety disorder.
B) agoraphobia.
C) panic anxiety disorder.
D) a specific phobia.

Question 27

If an individual has excessive problems with nervousness,tension,worry,and fright,he or she may be suffering from a(n)

A) paresis.
B) anxiety disorder.
C) paranoid reaction.
D) conversion disorder.

Question 28

Larry's mother did not enjoy going to the mall.Whenever she went she invariably asked Larry to take her home within ten minutes.One day Larry wanted to stay and insisted that she wait for him.After about ten more minutes his mother reported feeling a smothering and choking sensation,like she was trapped and could not get enough air.Her symptoms are probably the result of a(n)

A) obsessive disorder.
B) conversion disorder.
C) compulsive disorder.
D) phobic disorder.

Question 29

In terms of the research on anxiety disorders,______ are more affected by anxiety disorders than ______.

A) smokers;non-smokers
B) high school graduates;college graduates
C) children;adults
D) women;men

Question 30

A ______ is linked to a specific situation,while ______ is a cause of anxiety that is not linked to a specific situation.

A) generalized anxiety disorder;bipolar disorder
B) phobia;generalized anxiety disorder
C) somatoform disorder;phobia
D) bipolar disorder;somatoform disorder

Question 31

Jennifer worries constantly about grades,classes,and about how her family and friends feel about her.She seems to be anxious about most things in her life.Her behavior best fits the diagnosis of

A) a social phobia.
B) generalized anxiety disorder.
C) hypochondriasis.
D) borderline panic disorder.

Question 32

A person with ______ experiences sharp,intensely uncomfortable attacks of anxiety.

A) generalized anxiety disorder
B) social phobia
C) panic anxiety disorder
D) post-traumatic stress disorder

Question 33

When the term insanity is used to determine whether or not a person should stand trial,it is used in the context of

A) criminality.
B) commitment.
C) medicine.
D) competence.

Question 34

If a defendant is given a "guilty but mentally ill" sentence,which of the following is true?

A) The defendant must be severely psychotic and untreatable.
B) The defendant will serve a prison sentence.
C) The defendant will receive mandatory psychiatric treatment but no prison time.
D) The defendant will be committed to a mental hospital for life.

Question 35

Whenever Joe is around more than three people,he becomes tense and apprehensive.Lately,Joe has been refusing to leave his home to avoid such feelings.Joe is suffering from

A) a somatoform disorder.
B) a conversion disorder.
C) a social phobia.
D) agoraphobia.

Question 36

Jack was sitting,reading a book when all of a sudden he felt he was "losing his mind." His heart beat faster and he began to sweat and tremble.His behavior mostly resembles __________ disorder.

A) generalized anxiety
B) specific anxiety
C) obsessive-compulsive
D) panic anxiety

Question 37

Brittany seems to be in a continuous state of anxiety but she is unable to identify the source of her feelings.The most likely diagnosis for Brittany is

A) generalized anxiety disorder.
B) simple phobia.
C) panic anxiety disorder.
D) somatoform disorder.

Question 38

A pattern of anxiety with long periods of calm broken by intensely uncomfortable anxiety attacks is

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

Question 39

Anxieties involving irrational fears,usually of a specific event or object,are called

A) compulsions.
B) obsessions.
C) conversions.
D) phobias.

Question 40

Insanity is best characterized as a ________ term.

A) medical
B) legal
C) psychological
D) psychiatric

Question 41

Mary has been changing doctors frequently and can't understand why none of her doctors can find anything wrong with her.She complains of nausea and tiredness and has recently started taking many different kinds of pills,hoping that something will help.Mary is displaying the characteristics of

A) conversion disorder.
B) somatization disorder.
C) compulsive disorder.
D) panic attack.

Question 42

Ever since Harry was nearly beaten to death by his fellow inmates in prison,his life has been miserable.He still has vivid memories of the episode that he can't get escape.Harry's symptoms sound most like

A) paranoid schizophrenia.
B) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
C) specific phobia.
D) post-traumatic stress disorder.

Question 43

The idea that stress reactions continue for years for soldiers even after a war is over is known as

A) panic anxiety disorder.
B) generalized anxiety disorder.
C) agoraphobia.
D) post-traumatic stress disorder.

Question 44

It is commonly found that persons suffering from panic attacks

A) are extremely sensitive to small changes in their heart rates.
B) interpret normal changes in their body functioning as catastrophic.
C) are very sensitive to changes in carbon dioxide levels.
D) Exhibit all of the above symptoms.

Question 45

Post-traumatic stress disorder falls under the classification of ________ disorders.

A) somatoform
B) dissociative
C) anxiety
D) mood

Question 46

Flashbacks,feelings of guilt over their survival,and pervasive tenseness are characteristic of persons suffering from

A) IV drug use.
B) a phobic disorder.
C) post-traumatic stress disorder.
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Question 47

Someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder suffers from ______ that occur ______.

A) post-traumatic stress;twice per month
B) one problem;every other week
C) two separate problems;together often
D) pre-traumatic stress;twice per week

Question 48

A person who feels compelled to repeat some behavior in a ritualistic manner has a(n)________ disorder.

A) obsessive-compulsive
B) conversion
C) somatization
D) dissociative

Question 49

What are the chief physical characteristics of a panic attack?

A) muscle tension and hyperactivity
B) shortness of breath,trembling,and helplessness
C) actual visual hallucinations involving danger
D) repetitive,ritualistic behaviors

Question 50

Somatoform disorders in which individuals experience serious somatic symptoms such as functional blindness,deafness,or paralysis are known as ________ disorders.

A) psychogenic pain
B) conversion
C) hypochondriacal
D) fugue

Question 51

Obsessions are ________,while compulsions are ________.

A) anxiety-provoking thoughts;irresistible urges to engage in behaviors
B) irresistible urges to engage in behaviors;anxiety-provoking thoughts
C) vague uneasy sensations of tension;the desire to run away from a threatening situation
D) the desire to run away from a threatening situation;vague uneasy sensations of tension

Question 52

Bill has recurrent thoughts about germs and spends a large portion of each day washing his hands.Which anxiety disorder is Bill experiencing?

A) panic anxiety disorder
B) generalized anxiety disorder
C) phobic disorder
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder

Question 53

Millie goes to the doctor at least twice a month and is always worried about becoming ill even though the doctor assures her that her health is perfect.Millie's pattern resembles

A) hypochondriasis.
B) somatoform disorder.
C) psychosomatic disorder.
D) organic mental disorder.

Question 54

Which of the following is a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder?

A) difficulty sleeping
B) enjoying the pleasures of life
C) hyperarousal
D) concentrating with ease

Question 55

Over the last two semesters,Henry has been experiencing sharp chest pains just before a test is scheduled.He has had a thorough medical exam but no physical cause for the pain has been found.Henry most likely has

A) a pain disorder.
B) hypochondriasis.
C) somatization.
D) a compulsion.

Question 56

Mr.West spends hours straightening his clothes closet and his desk drawers.He is very uncomfortable if they become the least bit disordered.Mr.West's behavior can be described as

A) phobic.
B) dissociative.
C) hysteric.
D) compulsive.

Question 57

Disorders in which an individual experiences symptoms of physical health problems that have psychological rather than physical causes are known as ________ disorders.

A) dissociation
B) psychomedical
C) somatoform
D) paranoid

Question 58

If someone feels an irrational need to touch every parking meter on the street as she walks along,she is probably suffering from

A) agoraphobia.
B) a dissociative state.
C) a compulsion.
D) obsessive rumination.

Question 59

Peggy is troubled by unwelcome thoughts of her children being harmed by a strange man.These thoughts will not go away,even when she tries hard to think of other things.Peggy's therapist told her she is having

A) compulsions.
B) hallucinations.
C) obsessions.
D) delusions.

Question 60

If you are suffering from anxiety-provoking thoughts that will not go away,you are suffering from

A) hallucinations.
B) delusions.
C) compulsions.
D) obsessions.

Question 61

One of your colleagues from work has been diagnosed with dissociative amnesia.This means that he is experiencing memory loss that is

A) caused by imagination.
B) chemically caused.
C) physically caused.
D) psychologically caused.

Question 62

Unhealthy feelings,no energy,poor appetite,and apathy are characteristics of someone suffering from

A) posttraumatic stress disorder.
B) hypochondriasis.
C) psychogenic amnesia.
D) major depression.

Question 63

Your friend has somatic symptoms,and her thoughts are dominated by health concerns.She overreacts to minor coughs and pains,and she goes to unusual lengths to avoid germs and carcinogens.Which of the disorders below best fits the description of your friend?

A) bipolar disorder
B) phobia
C) hypochondriasis
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder

Question 64

The good news about major depression is that it is episodic,meaning that

A) it doesn't get worse over time.
B) it is treatable with medication.
C) for many people it goes away.
D) certain types of memories are lost.

Question 65

One of the characteristics of conversion disorder is la belle indifference,which means that the person

A) is not upset by their condition.
B) has no knowledge of their condition.
C) knows of no cure for their condition.
D) is extremely upset by their condition.

Question 66

Which of the following is an example of a somatoform disorder?

A) generalized anxiety disorder
B) hypochondriasis
C) schizophrenia
D) post-traumatic stress disorder

Question 67

Which of the following is an example of a dissociative disorder?

A) schizophrenia
B) social phobia
C) depersonalization
D) hypochondriasis

Question 68

In depersonalization,an individual feels that his or her body is

A) at rest.
B) feeling normal.
C) recovering from stress.
D) out of voluntary control.

Question 69

If you were to be diagnosed with somatoform pain disorder,you would

A) feel pain but no physical cause could be determined.
B) not feel pain but you would say you were in pain to get out of work.
C) feel pain but the feelings of pain would be over-exaggerated.
D) not feel pain because of your constant self-medication.

Question 70

Sarah felt unreal,like a robot.Her hands seemed too large for the rest of her body and they seemed to move of their own free will.She knew that her perceptions were not accurate but they had an eerie sense of reality to them.Her altered state of consciousness was temporary and could be considered

A) depersonalization.
B) a conversion disorder.
C) psychogenic fugue.
D) delusional schizophrenia.

Question 71

After a very stressful period,Mr.Stepanek quit his job,stayed home,and shut out his family and friends.He appeared to get better,but one day he walked out on his family.He worked as a cook in a truck stop in another state.Two months later he came home depressed and wouldn't talk with anybody.Mr.Stepanek is probably suffering from

A) paranoid schizophrenia.
B) undifferentiated schizophrenia.
C) a mood disorder.
D) a dissociative reaction.

Question 72

A woman wandered away from her hometown and was discovered five years later in a distant city under a different name and identity.She is probably suffering from

A) multiple personality.
B) depersonalization.
C) dissociative identity disorder.
D) dissociative fugue.

Question 73

Experiences of depersonalization are more common among

A) elderly people.
B) young adults.
C) children from unstable homes.
D) fully self-actualized people.

Question 74

In dissociative identity disorder,the individual's original personality is usually

A) completely destroyed.
B) sensual and uninhibited.
C) rebellious and unconventional.
D) moralistic and unhappy.

Question 75

Social learning theorists have hypothesized that dissociative identity disorder results from a patient's high degree of

A) rebelliousness toward the therapist.
B) egocentric thought processes.
C) autonomic arousal.
D) suggestibility to the idea of hidden personality.

Question 76

Which of the following somatoform disorders is the most dramatic?

A) somatoform pain disorder
B) somatization disorder
C) hypochondriasis
D) conversion disorder

Question 77

Dan was the only survivor of a train wreck;however,he has no memory of the accident.How would Dan's memory loss be categorized?

A) dissociative fugue
B) dissociative catatonia
C) dissociative amnesia
D) dissociative posttraumatic stress

Question 78

What characteristic do dissociative amnesia and dissociative fugue have in common?

A) Both are very temporary.
B) Both involve memory loss.
C) Both involve intermittent wandering.
D) A change in personality occurs in both.

Question 79

A class of disorders that are characterized by sudden alterations in cognition in the areas of memory,perception,or identity are called _______ disorders.

A) dissociative
B) somatoform
C) affective
D) anxiety

Question 80

Amnesia caused by extensive psychological stress is termed ________ amnesia.

A) physiogenic
B) dissociative
C) retrograde
D) anterograde