All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #121 : Psychological Abnormalities
Which is not a physiological response of anxiety?
Increased blood pressure
Increased salivation
Increased heart rate
Sweating
Rapid breathing
Increased salivation
Increased salivation is not a physiological response to anxiety. The other four choices are examples of physiological responses that are commonly caused by anxiety.
Example Question #12 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
Liz frequently experiences unexpected periods of intense fear and discomfort accompanied by increased heart rate and respiration, shakiness, sweating, and fear of losing control. Liz most likely suffers from which of the following disorders?
Social anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Derealization
Depersonalization
Panic disorder
Liz frequently experiences unexpected periods of intense fear and discomfort accompanied by increased heart rate and respiration, shakiness, sweating, and fear of losing control. These are the symptoms of a panic attack. Panic can be defined as an extreme sense of fear with an extreme stress response. Panic attacks are periods in which the person feels extreme fear and discomfort and may experience a pounding heart, shortness of breath, shakiness, and sweating. Many times, the person is also afraid that they will lose control. A panic disorder is characterized by frequent, unexpected panic attacks and social limitations to avoid the onset of such attacks.
Example Question #19 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
In America, social anxiety stems from our fear of public humiliation and embarrassment. In Korea and Japan, taijin kyofusho refers to social anxiety caused by which of the following?
Inappropriate emotional response
Body odor and blushing
Messy hair
Unwanted body contact
Public embarrassment
Body odor and blushing
Taijin kyofusho refers to a culture specific social anxiety in Korea and Japan. A person with social anxiety in these cultures is most likely going to fear that their body odor or the act of blushing will be offensive to others.
Example Question #21 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
Which neurotransmitter inhibits excitation, and can promote a decrease in anxiety?
Acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
Dopamine
GABA
GABA
"GABA" (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and is found throughout the neurons of the cortex. GABA deficiencies have been linked to anxiety disorders, and some anxiolytics (anxiety medications) work by increasing quantities of GABA available at neuron receptor sites.
The other choices are incorrect. "Serotonin" is primarily associated with regulating mood, appetite, and sleep, and is also implicated in nociception (sensation of pain). This neurotransmitter plays a major role in depression, but not necessarily anxiety. "Dopamine" is a major component of the reward system, and plays a role in arousal, motivation, motor control. "Norepinephrine" is mainly involved in preparing the body for action, for instance the 'flight or fight' response. It increases vigilance and alertness, focuses attention and improves memory recall and formation. Raised levels of norepinephrine can result in anxiety by way of increased stress. Last, "acetylcholine" is associated with motor neurons, and provides signals for the body to contract muscles. Drugs affecting this neurotransmitter thus may lead to paralysis or convulsions. In the brain acetylcholine plays a role in attention, arousal, and motivation.
Example Question #21 : Types Of Disorders
According to the DSM-V, which of the following is not classified as an anxiety disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder
Anorexia nervosa
Specific phobia
Agoraphobia
Panic disorder
Anorexia nervosa
"Anorexia nervosa" is an eating disorder characterized by a low weight, a fear of gaining weight, a strong desire to be thin, and food restriction. Although anorexia nervosa involves symptoms of anxiety (e.g. worried about gaining weight), it is not classified as an anxiety disorder.
Example Question #22 : Types Of Disorders
A 6-year-old child, Lucas, is referred to psychological professional by his pediatrician. Lucas presents symptoms characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that occurs across a wide range of contexts and environments (e.g. school and home). He has difficulty falling asleep, is often irritable, and has trouble concentrating on classwork. Which of the following is the best diagnosis for Lucas?
Autism
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Depression
Separation anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
"Generalized anxiety disorder" (GAD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety and excessive worry and tension, even when nothing seems to be wrong. Lucas' symptoms best fit a diagnosis of GAD. Since Lucas' anxiety does not only occur during a separation from his primary caregiver, he should not receive a diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder (SAD). All of the other answer choices do not accurately represent Lucas' symptomology.
Example Question #24 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
_________________ disorders are a class of mental illnesses marked by feelings of excessive apprehension, nervousness, or worry.
Psychotic
Anxiety
Mood
Dissociative
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are marked by excessive anxiety such as apprehension, nervousness, or worry. Mood disorders have to do with severe changes in one's mood (e.g., depression). Psychotic disorders are characterized by losing touch with reality through hallucinations or delusions. Dissociative disorders involve losing contact with portions of their consciousness or memory.
Example Question #23 : Types Of Disorders
A(n) __________________ is a(n) _________________ disorder that is characterized by a persistent and irrational fear of an object or situation that presents no realistic danger.
panic attack . . . mood
phobia . . . mood
panic attack . . . anxiety
phobia . . . anxiety
phobia . . . anxiety
Phobias are anxiety disorders that are characterized by a strong fearfulness of an object (e.g., snakes, spiders, cars) or situation (being in an elevator, being in small spaces) that presents no realistic danger. A panic attack is not a disorder.
Example Question #26 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
post-traumatic stress disorder
no mental illness
bipolar disorder
depression
post-traumatic stress disorder
Example Question #27 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
What is the most commonly diagnosed type of eating disorder?
Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
All of these
Binge eating disorder
Bulimia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa
Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
The majority of eating disorders fall under the category “other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). Previously, the percentage of cases was between 62.3 to 72.9%. With the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) the projected rate has gone down to 32.6 to 50.8%. It is difficult to get exact statistics for a variety of reasons, and this is also one of the reasons that many eating disorders are diagnosed in the "other" category.
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