Question 1

A reliable test or measure is one that:

Accepted Answer

A)   shows results that are similar to the ones expected.
B)   measures what it was intended to measure.
C)   demonstrates consistency in scores obtained.
D)   is logical and does not show any logical fallacies. C

Question 2

As the text explains, it was difficult to diagnose Andrea Yates, who murdered her children, because she:

Accepted Answer

A)   was originally diagnosed with minor depression.
B)   was uncooperative in her clinical interviews.
C)   showed no remorse for the killings and was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
D)   showed signs and symptoms of more than one disorder. D

Question 3

Which statement is TRUE about comorbidity?

Accepted Answer

A)   The case of Andrea Yates shows a person diagnosed with both major and minor depression.
B)   Comorbidity refers to the fact that people who are depressed are often morbid about more than one thing.
C)   Substance abuse disorder is most often associated with the diagnosis of another disorder.
D)   Comorbidity presents few problems for the differential diagnosis of mental disorders. C

Question 4

Should we try to reduce superstition and magical thinking? Examine both the pro and con positions on this question, using research on superstition as evidence to support a position whenever it is appropriate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Should we try to reduce superstition and...

Question 5

A _____ consists of a set of symptoms, signs, behaviors, and other features that go together and have a specific outcome and course.

Accepted Answer

A)   disease
B)   psychological problem
C)   syndrome
D)   constellation of symptoms

Question 6

Explain how to engage in good thinking and assessment practices that are more likely to lead to a correct diagnosis of a mental disorder, including how to avoid thinking errors that may occur during the assessment phase.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how to engage in good thinking...

Question 7

Both psychosis and delusions:

Accepted Answer

A)   are mild mental disorders, and the media exaggerates their importance.
B)   appear only in persons with schizophrenia.
C)   may occur in some cases of depression.
D)   seldom involve thought disorder and disconnection from conventional reality.

Question 8

Andrea Yates, who murdered her children, was diagnosed with postpartum depression, had flat affect (showed little emotional response), experienced social withdrawal, and had delusions and other psychotic symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Taken together, these facts and symptoms suggest that she:

Accepted Answer

A)   was incorrectly diagnosed with depression.
B)   was showing signs of comorbidity of mental disorders.
C)   had no real grounds for an insanity plea.
D)   may have also suffered from an anxiety disorder that went undetected.

Question 9

When trying to diagnose Tanika's problem, her psychologist observed that she was showing delusions and other serious thought disturbances. Her psychologist then used the DSM-5 to check whether Tanika had a history of a communication disorder and signs of depression as a way to:

Accepted Answer

A)   determine whether Tanika had a mental disorder.
B)   conduct a differential diagnosis of Tanika.
C)   make sure that Tanika was not suicidal.
D)   use excessive backward reasoning with the DSM-5.

Question 10

Explain how abnormal behavior is defined and how mental disorders are diagnosed by those using the DSM system. Compare this DSM view to alternative ways of defining abnormal behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how abnormal behavior is defined and...

Question 11

Suppose someone drawing a conclusion from the research on expertise noted that many studies have found that people show more expert-like performance after considerable, deliberate practice in various domains such as chess, musical performance, mathematics, acting, and memory performance. The person then concludes that psychotherapists show more expert performance after years of practice, which is:

Accepted Answer

A)   a faulty conclusion because some people are just naturally better therapists even without much experience.
B)   a good conclusion that follows reasonably from all of the evidence in various domains.
C)   a faulty conclusion based on a sweeping generalization and is not supported by research.
D)   probably a good conclusion as long as the research supporting it in the other areas of expertise is of high quality.

Question 12

Andrea Yates, who murdered her children, was diagnosed with postpartum depression, had attempted suicide, had shown symptoms of psychosis and delusions, and had been treated repeatedly by mental health professionals. Yet her defense of "not guilty by reason of insanity" failed. Why might this outcome surprise many people?

Accepted Answer

A)   The "insanity" plea succeeds only 15% of the time.
B)   Someone who commits murder should spend time in prison.
C)   Yates had no real grounds for an insanity plea.
D)   Yates has also suffered from an anxiety disorder that went undetected.

Question 13

To make a good diagnosis of a client, a clinician should:

Accepted Answer

A)   make a differential diagnosis based on ample, valid information obtained from the client.
B)   use backward reasoning that emphasizes the clinician's vast experience with a disorder.
C)   conduct assessments that use multiple projective techniques to isolate the client's real problem.
D)   use only forward reasoning and select a diagnosis that is most likely to be helped by a therapy that is supported by the best research.

Question 14

An advantage of the view that psychological disorders are on a continuum and differ by degree is that this view is:

Accepted Answer

A)   the approach taken by the DSM-5, so most clinicians have learned about it in their undergraduate and graduate training.
B)   supported by research showing that the more symptoms a person has, the more likely the person will later develop a disorder.
C)   more likely to stigmatize people with a negative diagnostic label when compared to a categorical approach.
D)   based on the assumption that people can be classified as having one mental disorder versus having another disorder.

Question 15

According to the text, it is a misconception to think that diagnostic labels are always bad, because for some people:

Accepted Answer

A)   being stigmatized by a name for a mental disorder makes clients stronger.
B)   receiving a diagnosis makes it possible for clients to find their own diagnosis.
C)   knowing the name for their mental disorder encourages clients to talk more about it.
D)   having a name they can identify for what they are experiencing is something that clients like.

Question 16

In clinical settings, the Barnum effect is likely to be a problem when a clinician:

Accepted Answer

A)   writes case descriptions that are very general.
B)   does not follow the DSM criteria in diagnosing a disorder.
C)   treats mental disorders that are not easily diagnosed.
D)   uses behavioral confirmation to understand a client's problem.

Question 17

According to the text, which one of the three basic, preliminary questions helps to decide if a person has a severe psychological problem?

Accepted Answer

A)   Is the problem or situation one that is likely to terminate soon?
B)   Is the problem something that the person has experienced before?
C)   Does the problem cause the person to experience distress?
D)   Does the problem run in the family or is it similar to a relative's problem?

Question 18

Validity in testing or measurement is demonstrated when a measure:

Accepted Answer

A)   produces results that are similar to the ones expected.
B)   is shown to be measuring what it is intended to measure.
C)   demonstrates consistency in scores obtained through multiple administrations.
D)   is logical and does not show any logical fallacies.

Question 19

Which component of clinical assessment is especially involved in evaluating various aspects of psychological functioning?

Accepted Answer

A)   The use of interview data from family members
B)   The use of projective tests
C)   A mental status examination
D)   A collection of case history information

Question 20

Which description is accurate concerning the mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is another name for the diagnosis of a mental disorder.
B)   It involves assessment of a person's attitude, mood, emotion, motor function, and cognition.
C)   It is primarily what a clinician uses to decide whether a client has recovered from after receiving a particular psychotherapy.
D)   It is mostly based on a client's self-report of his or her own mental functioning and why the person has sought help.

Exam 13: Critical Thinking in Clinical Reasoning and Diagnosis