Chapter 1

Which of the following is the MOST accurate conclusion about the state of abnormal psychology in the United States currently? A) There is no single definition of abnormality, no one theoretical understanding of the causes of mental illness, and no single best treatment. B) We do know what mental illness is, but we don't understand what causes it, or the best way to treat it. C) We haven't advanced much beyond the demonology era. D) Now we understand what causes mental illness and how best to treat it; plus, we can define it.

A) There is no single definition of abnormality, no one theoretical understanding of the causes of mental illness, and no single best treatment.

A person seeking help for a psychological abnormality is made to drink bitter herbal potions and then submit to a beating, in the hope that "evil spirits" will be driven from the person's body. This form of "therapy" is called: A) exorcism. B) shaman. C) couvade. D) trephination.

A) exorcism.

A flash mob is MOST similar to: A) mass hysteria. B) melancholia. C) trephination. D) eco-terrorism.

A) mass hysteria.

People who engage in frenetic, manic activity may not experience distress. They are: A) nevertheless considered to be abnormal. B) not abnormal because abnormality requires distress. C) doing something illegal, not abnormal. D) no longer considered abnormal, but were in the past.

A) nevertheless considered to be abnormal.

Which of the following pairs of words best describes the current emphasis in mental health? A) prevention and positive psychology B) promotion and public psychology C) perfection and primary psychology D) people and professional psychology

A) prevention and positive psychology

Studies show that eccentrics are more likely than those with mental disorders to say: A) I feel like my behavior has been thrust on me. B) I'm different and I like it. C) I am in a lot of pain and I suffer a great deal. D) I wish I were not so "unique."

B) I'm different and I like it.

So, how did deinstitutionalization work out? A) Fine; most people with severe disturbances are receiving treatment. B) Not so well; many people with severe disturbances are in jail or on the street. C) Better than hospitalization; at least care is consistent and there is no shuttling back and forth through different levels of care. D) Well; communities have been able to pick up the care of those with severe disturbances and provide effective treatment for most all of them.

B) Not so well; many people with severe disturbances are in jail or on the street.

Hippocrates believed that treatment for mental disorders should involve: A) releasing evil spirits trapped in the brain. B) bringing the four body humors back into balance. C) punishing the body for its sins. D) bloodletting.

B) bringing the four body humors back into balance.

A person who is so miserable that he or she can see no reason for living, BEST fits which of the following definitions of abnormality? A) deviance B) distress C) dangerousness D) dysfunction

B) distress

The finding that syphilis causes general paresis is important because it supports the idea that: A) mental patients should be deinstitutionalized. B) organic factors can cause mental illness. C) antibiotics cannot "cure" viral diseases. D) physicians should be the ones treating mental illnesses.

B) organic factors can cause mental illness.

The fact that some people in the advanced stages of AIDS experience neurological damage that results in psychological abnormality supports what type of perspective about abnormal psychological functioning? A) somatogenic B) psychogenic C) moral D) deterministic

B) psychogenic

Which of the following depressed people would be the least likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder—because of specific circumstances? A) someone whose mother was depressed B) someone whose community was destroyed by a tornado C) someone who was experiencing a chemical brain imbalance D) someone who was also an alcoholic

B) someone whose community was destroyed by a tornado

For those who hold the somatogenic view of mental illness, the best treatment setting for those with mental disorders would be a: A) community center. B) spa and retreat center. C) counselor's office. D) hospital.

B) spa and retreat center.

Lady Gaga and other eccentrics are usually not considered to be experiencing a mental illness because: A) they are not deviant. B) they freely choose and enjoy their behavior. C) they are only dangerous to others, not to themselves. D) while they are distressed by their behavior, others are

B) they freely choose and enjoy their behavior.

Eugenics had as its goal sterilization of people with mental disorders, a policy based on the idea that mentally ill people: A) could not provide a good environment for their children. B) were mentally defective (that is, developmentally delayed). C) reproduced at a rate higher than that of the general population. D) should not be allowed to pass on their defective genes.

B) were mentally defective (that is, developmentally delayed).

Which of the following statements is TRUE about the participation of women in the mental health professions? A) There are more women in social work than in counseling professions. B) Women are least often found in medicine and most often found in social work. C) The professions with the highest percentage of women is counseling. D) The majority of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are men.

C) The professions with the highest percentage of women is counseling.

If you were receiving multicultural therapy, you could expect all of the following except: A) greater sensitivity to cultural issues in therapy. B) a focus on the uniqueness of the issues you face. C) a focus on healthy feelings and actions rather than on problems. D) sensitivity to the traditions of your particular culture.

C) a focus on healthy feelings and actions rather than on problems.

Dave is confused and usually thinks that he is King David (Old Testament). If his psychiatrist ordered medication, it would most likely be a(n): A) stimulant drug. B) antianxiety drug. C) antipsychotic drug. D) antidepressant drug.

C) antipsychotic drug.

Which of the following "new diagnoses" would someone experiencing overwhelming concern about where the safest neighborhoods and schools are most likely receive? A) eco-anxiety B) terrorism terror C) crime phobia D) cyber fear

C) crime phobia

If you are a typical person undergoing therapy in the United States, your therapy will last for A) a year, with weekly sessions. B) about 100 hours. C) fewer than five sessions. D) 24 hours, in an inpatient facility.

C) fewer than five sessions.

One who studies the history of the field of abnormal psychology most likely would compare our current understanding of abnormal behavior to a book that: A) hasn't even been begun. B) has received a title, but no text. C) is in the process of being written. D) is completed, and needs only to be read to be understood.

C) is in the process of being written.

Regarding the cause of mental disorders, more people today believe that mental illness is caused by which of the following? A) sinful behavior B) lack of willpower C) lack of self-discipline D) something external to the person

C) lack of self-discipline

Drugs that alleviate the symptoms of mental dysfunction by affecting the brain are called: A) psychedelics. B) antineurotics. C) psychotropics. D) psychophysiologicals.

C) psychotropics.

Which of the following examples would NOT be considered abnormal, despite the fact that it is dysfunctional? A) someone who is too confused to drive safely B) someone who parties so much that he or she cannot go to class C) someone who goes on a hunger strike to protest social injustice D) someone who cannot stay alone for even one night

C) someone who goes on a hunger strike to protest social injustice

If your primary symptom were excessive worry, the psychotropic drug for you would be an: A) antipsychotic. B) antidepressant. C) antiemetic. D) antianxiety medication.

D) antianxiety medication.

Jena is very unhappy. The condition is chronic and severe. If her psychiatrist prescribed medication it would likely be a(n): A) stimulant drug. B) antianxiety drug. C) antipsychotic drug. D) antidepressant drug.

D) antidepressant drug.

A researcher spends 15 or more hours per day conducting experiments or doing library reading and records observations on color-coded index cards. This person lives alone in the country, but doesn't interfere with others' lives. The best description of the researcher's behavior is that it is: A) eccentric. B) abnormal. C) dangerous. D) dysfunctional.

D) dysfunctional.

The "moral treatment" movement rapidly declined in the late nineteenth century because: A) prejudice against those with mental disorders decreased. B) fewer and fewer immigrants were being sent to mental hospitals. C) all patients needing treatment had to be helped. D) hospitals became underfunded and overcrowded.

D) hospitals became underfunded and overcrowded.

During the Middle Ages in Europe, demonology dominated views of abnormality for all of the following reasons except: A) the power of the clergy increased greatly. B) the church rejected scientific forms of investigation. C) the church controlled education. D) the culture rejected religious beliefs.

D) the culture rejected religious beliefs.

People with severe mental illnesses are LESS likely to be ______ than they were 50 years ago. A) medicated with psychotropic drugs B) hospitalized in mental institutions C) homeless or in prison D) treated in outpatient facilities

D) treated in outpatient facilities