Psychological Disorders: Study Guide
Those with an avoidant personality disorder are most likely to display
a fear of social rejection
An antisocial personality disorder is most likely to be characterized by
a lack of guilt feelings.
The experience of multiple personalities is most likely to be characterized by
a massive dissociation of self from ordinary consciousness
Jeremy experiences so much anxiety about taking the elevator that he climbs 10 flights of stairs to get to his office each workday. Jeremy appears to suffer from
a specific phobia
Mrs. Swift is alarmed by her own intrusive and irrational thoughts that her house is contaminated by germs. Her experience best illustrates the agitating effects of
an obsession
A fundamental problem with the diagnostic labeling of psychologically disordered behaviors is that the labels often
bias our perceptions of the labeled person
After George learned that Mrs. Min suffered from schizophrenia, he mistakenly concluded that her tendencies to laugh easily and smile frequently were symptoms of her disorder. This best illustrates the
biasing power of diagnostic labels
After several weeks of feeling apathetic and dissatisfied with his life, Mark has suddenly become extremely cheerful and so talkative he can't be interrupted. He seems to need less sleep and becomes irritated when his friends tell him to slow down. Mark's behavior is indicative of
bipolar disorder
Mania is most likely to be associated with a(n)
bipolar disorder
Although Mrs. Reynoso usually sits passively in a motionless stupor, she sometimes repetitiously shakes her head or waves her arms. She most likely suffers from
catatonia
False beliefs of persecution that may accompany schizophrenia are called
delusions
Abnormally low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin are associated with
depression
Because it is so pervasive, ________ is often considered "the common cold" of psychological disorders.
depression
A sense of being separated from your body and watching yourself with a sense of detachment is a symptom of
dissociation
William, an airplane pilot, is unable to remember anything of a bombing raid in which his plane was severely damaged and two crew members were killed. Because he himself suffered no physical injuries, psychologists suspect that William probably suffers from a
dissociative disorder
Schizophrenia is associated with an excess of receptors for
dopamine
The prominent feature of mood disorders is the experience of
emotional extremes
The DSM-5 does NOT
explain the causes of the various psychological disorders
Indira, a third-grade teacher, frequently suffers from dizziness, heart palpitations, muscular tension, and fatigue. She is also continually agitated and unable to relax outside the classroom, but she cannot pinpoint a reason for her problems. Her behavior is most indicative of a(n)
generalized anxiety disorder
Seeing one-eyed monsters would be a(n) ________. Believing that you are Christopher Columbus would be a ________.
hallucination; delusion
One of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia includes
hallucinations.
Vigorous activity in the thalamus of schizophrenia patients has been found to be associated with
hearing voices
One cluster of personality disorders marked by dramatic or impulsive behaviors is exemplified by the ________ personality disorder.
histrionic
Cognitive changes that accompany depression include a(n)
increased expectation of negative outcomes
A therapist suggests that Mr. Bohannan continues to bite his fingernails because this behavior often reduced his feelings of anxiety in the past. The therapist's suggestion most clearly reflects a ________ perspective.
learning
Luke suffers from acrophobia, a fear of high places. Luke's therapist suggests that his reaction to heights is a generalization of the fear triggered by a childhood playground accident in which he fell off a sliding board. The therapist's suggestion reflects a ________ perspective.
learning
Feelings of worthlessness are most likely to be associated with
major depressive disorder
Quinn, an 18-year-old college freshman, has missed almost all his classes during the past month. He spends most of his time in his bedroom, frequently not even bothering to get dressed or eat meals. He thinks his whole life has been a failure and blames himself for being a social misfit. Quinn is most likely suffering from
major depressive disorder
Psychiatrists and psychologists label behavior as disordered when it is
maladaptive, distressful, and dysfunctional
The conception of psychological disorders as biologically based sicknesses is known as the
medical model
The major characteristic of dissociative disorders is a disturbance of
memory
Drugs that alleviate mania tend to reduce levels of the neurotransmitter
norepinephrine
As Jordan watches, his brother receives an electric shock from touching the frayed toaster cord. Jordan is now intensely afraid of toasters. This best illustrates that fear can be learned through
observational learning
Repeatedly thinking about your own death is to ________ as repeatedly washing your hands is to ________.
obsession; compulsion
Ravi brushes his teeth 18 times a day. Each time, he uses exactly 83 strokes up and 83 strokes down. After he eats, he must brush twice with two different brands of toothpaste. Ravi suffers from a(n)
obsessive-compulsive disorder
The disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and actions is called a(n)
obsessive-compulsive disorder
Which of the following disorders is characterized by the most sudden and unpredictable episodes of distress?
panic disorder
A PET scan study of people with ________ found increased activity in the amygdala
paranoia
Anxiety is considered disordered if it is
persistent and distressing
Psychological disorders characterized by inflexible, enduring, and socially maladaptive behavior patterns are called ________ disorders.
personality
Internal, stable, and global explanations of one's own failures are indicative of
pessimism
Cancer survivors who develop a fresh delight in their children and savor the joy of each new day best illustrate
post-traumatic growth
Repeated distressing dreams and intrusive memories of an intensely fearful and life-threatening experience are symptoms most commonly associated with
post-traumatic stress disorder
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are the ________ of inappropriate behaviors, and negative symptoms are the ________ of appropriate behaviors.
presence; absence
The chances for recovery from schizophrenia are considered to be greatest when the disorder develops
rapidly in response to a stressful life situation
One cluster of personality disorders marked by noticeably odd or eccentric behavior is exemplified by the ________ personality disorder.
schizoid
An abnormal shrinkage of cerebral tissue is most likely to be associated with
schizophrenia
Evidence suggests that prenatal viral infections contribute to
schizophrenia
Mr. McGee, a long-term government employee, falsely believed that his supervisor was a communist agent who was putting poison in the employees' coffee. When Mr. McGee was referred to a psychiatrist, he claimed to be the grandson of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. McGee is most likely suffering from
schizophrenia
Some psychological disorders occur primarily in one culture. However, ________ occurs worldwide.
schizophrenia
Which group of severe disorders is characterized by disorganized thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions?
schizophrenia
A therapist believes that Chet is chronically depressed because he takes too little credit for his many achievements and assumes too much responsibility for his few failures. The therapist's interpretation reflects a ________ perspective.
social-cognitive
Which perspective has emphasized the impact of learned helplessness on depression?
social-cognitive
Those with a narcissistic personality disorder are likely to be preoccupied with
their own self-importance
Adults who are diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) experience a mildly depressed mood more often than not for at least
two years
