AP Psychology : AP Psychology
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Example Questions
Example Question #291 : Ap Psychology
On which axis of the DSM-IV are personality disorders diagnosed?
Axis I
Axis IV
Axis II
Axis V
Axis III
Axis II
Personality disorders are diagnosed on axis II of the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual). However, the multiple axes have been abolished in the latest version of the DSM, called the DSM-V. Some of the most common personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.
Example Question #292 : Ap Psychology
Which of the following is characteristic of histrionic personality disorder?
Disorganized and delusional thinking, which is often reflected in incomprehensible and erratic behavior and speech
Dependency on others' approval and attention for a sense of self-worth, often manifesting in a dramatic presence and flirtacious behaviors
Fluctuating periods of extreme sadness and euphoria
A lack of regard for others' feelings, accompanied by the belief that the world is a cruel place
Chronic dependency on family members, friends, or spouse for emotional needs, decision making, and general support with an inability to independently support one's own needs
Dependency on others' approval and attention for a sense of self-worth, often manifesting in a dramatic presence and flirtacious behaviors
Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a strong need for attention from others, and manifests in dramatic, exaggerated, and potentially overly flirtacious actions and behaviors. One who suffers from histrionic personality disorder may be uncomfortable if not the center of attention, and may even threaten to commit suicide in order to get it. This disorder is thought to be mainly the result of parenting, where the child may have never received negative attention or received positive attention inconsistently. The disorder tends to run in families, so a genetic component is possible, but this could also be a result of learned behavior from the parents.
Example Question #293 : Ap Psychology
What is a common occurrence amongst those diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder?
Criminal deviance
Obsessive thought patterns
Intense mood swings between mania and anger
Exaggerated or dramatic behavior
None of these
Criminal deviance
Antisocial personality disorder is ultimately defined by a lack of empathy for other people and egocentrism, which entails a wide range of destructive symptoms. Many of those diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder disregard the division between right and wrong, and tend to tailor ethics to their own impulses, which can be destructive. As such, they can make harmful choices for which they could be incarcerated.
Example Question #294 : Ap Psychology
The term insanity is __________.
a colloquial term with no medical or legal significance
a legal definition
None of the other answers is correct.
a medical diagnosis
very common
a legal definition
Insanity is NOT a medical diagnosis, rather it is a legal definition used to evaluate a person's capacity to be legally held accountable for their actions. While "insanity" is often used colloquially, it DOES have legal significance.
Example Question #3 : Personality Disorders
Which of the following would least likely be true of a person with Antisocial Personality Disorder.
He or she would show little regret.
He or she would show concern for his friends and family.
He or she would most likely maintain low levels of cortisol while committing a crime.
He or she would feel and fear nothing.
He or she would not necessarily be a criminal.
He or she would show concern for his friends and family.
Antisocial Personality disorder is characterized by long-term patterns of behavior that disregard the rights and well-being of others. The individuals are known to show a lack of conscience when it comes to wrongdoing, regardless of their relationship to the wronged party.
Example Question #295 : Ap Psychology
People who experience intensely unstable relationships, highly impulsive behaviors, aversion to abandonment, idealization and devaluation of people in relationships, and inappropriate anger or paranoid may be diagnosed with __________.
Delusional Schizophrenia
Borderline Personality Disorder
Bipolar disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder is categorized by traits such as unstable relationships full of distrust and/or idealization, issues with abandonment fears, emotions such as emptiness and anger at inappropriate times, paranoia, and impulsiveness.
Example Question #296 : Ap Psychology
A client is presented for psychological evaluation with the following symptoms:
-Need for social isolation
-Anxiety in social situations
-Odd behavior and thinking
-Unconventional beliefs
-Odd reactions to conversations
-Misinterpreting situations or believing situations to have a strange meaning
Which of the following diagnoses might be appropriate for this individual?
Generalized anxiety disorder
Schizophrenia
Major depressive disorder
None of these
Schizotypal personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder affects about 3% of the population. It can be a precursor for Schizophrenia but often has a stable course and can be diagnosed by the symptoms provided in the question. Schizotypal personality disorder can be confused with schizophrenia. The main difference between the two disorders is that people with schizotypal personalities may experience brief psychotic episodes accompanied by delusions or hallucinations; however, these delusional episodes are not as frequent, prolonged, or intense as the psychosis experienced by individuals with schizophrenia.
Example Question #297 : Ap Psychology
According to the DSM-V, which of the following statements is true regarding personality disorders?
Personality disorders are not included in the DSM-V because the DSM-V focuses on developmental psychiatric illnesses.
Personality disorders are easily treatable with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Personality disorders are more commonly seen in indigenous countries.
Personality disorders are not comorbid with other psychiatric illnesses.
Personality disorders are typically diagnosed in adulthood.
Personality disorders are typically diagnosed in adulthood.
Personality disorders are not typically diagnosed until age 18. Children with symptoms of certain personality disorders may be diagnosed with other developmental psychiatric illnesses like conduct disorder (CD).
Example Question #298 : Ap Psychology
Which personality disorder is characterized by unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships?
Histrionic personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
The essential components of "borderline personality disorder" include a pattern of impulsivity and instability of behaviors, interpersonal relationships, and self-image. This personality disorder typically begins in early adulthood (ages 18-25), but has temperamental underpinnings in childhood and adolescence.
Example Question #296 : Ap Psychology
When John returned from the war in Iraq, he began to experience intense symptoms of anxiety without improvement over time. Which of the following is John most likely exhibiting?
Social phobia
Agoraphobia
Panic
Generalized anxiety
Post-traumatic stress
Post-traumatic stress
"Post-traumatic stress" is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense periods of anxiety after intense trauma. Examples of such trauma include warfare, car accidents, assault, etc. They are known to continue for long periods of time. As John has returned from warfare and his anxiety seems to be continuing, it is likely that he is experiencing post-traumatic stress.
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