AP Psychology : Psychological Abnormalities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

Which of the following is a treatment for bipolar disorder?

Possible Answers:

NMDA antagonists

Benzodiazepines

MAO inhibitors

Lithium

Correct answer:

Lithium

Explanation:

Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. The primary function of Litium in the treatment of bipolar disorder is to help control the frequency and severity of manic episodes.

MAO inhibitors are used to treat depression, benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, and NMDA antagonists are used as anesthetics.

Example Question #32 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

At dinner, Jerry was overly enthusiastic about his plan to use all of his savings to purchase a new car. He kept talking about how he was the smartest guy in his class and that he would easily be able to make the money back at any job. Which of the following best describes Jerry’s behavior?

Possible Answers:

Depressive episode

Disordered thought

Grandiose delusion

Hallucination

Hypomanic episode

Correct answer:

Hypomanic episode

Explanation:

In individuals with bipolar disorder, hypomanic episodes cause symptoms such as excessive elation, impulsiveness, and inflated self-esteem. Jerry’s dinnertime behavior exhibits all of these symptoms.

Example Question #141 : Psychological Abnormalities

What is the difference between Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II disorder?

Possible Answers:

Bipolar I disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but no full-blown manic episodes, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one manic episode.

Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II disorder are only different in that in Bipolar II disorder, hypomanic episodes occur more often.

Bipolar I disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one hypomanic episode.

None of the other answers is accurate.

Bipolar I disorder means at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but no full-blown manic episodes.

Correct answer:

Bipolar I disorder means at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but no full-blown manic episodes.

Explanation:

The correct answer provides the definition of the two differing Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders.

Example Question #41 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

Which of the following psychological disorders is characterized by periods of depression alternating with periods of mania?

Possible Answers:

Depressive disorder

Bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Dissociative disorder

Correct answer:

Bipolar disorder

Explanation:

Bipolar disorder involves periods of depression alternating with periods of mania, which can involve unusually elevated mood reckless behavior. Historically, bipolar disorder has been known as manic depression. Periods of mania do not occur in a depressive disorder.

Example Question #42 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

Which of the following is found in people diagnosed with Bipolar I but not Bipolar II disorder? 

Possible Answers:

Presence or history of at least one manic episode

Presence or history of at least one major depressive episode

Presence or history of at least one hypomanic episode

Presence or history of hallucinations

Correct answer:

Presence or history of at least one manic episode

Explanation:

Individuals with Bipolar I disorder must have at least one manic episode. Bipolar II is characterized by major depression and hypomania, a state of slightly less agitation than mania, but cannot have had a manic episode. 

Example Question #43 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

Which of the following is not symptomatic of mania?

Possible Answers:

Not sleeping

Talking a lot

Being more creative

Hallucinating

Being sexually promiscuous

Correct answer:

Hallucinating

Explanation:

"Hallucinating" is the correct answer. Hallucinating is not a common attribute of a manic state. It is more commonly paired with schizophrenia. During a manic state, bi-polar patients are elated, often talking a lot, not sleeping, engaging in promiscuous activities, and being more creative. 

Example Question #41 : Types Of Disorders

Sarah alternates between periods of sadness—where she has little interest in life and low energy—and periods of excessive energy—where she has little need for sleep and engages in reckless behavior. Given what you know about her symptoms, what is Sarah's most likely diagnosis?

Possible Answers:

Schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder

Depression

Borderline personality disorder

Correct answer:

Bipolar disorder

Explanation:

Sarah's symptoms are consistent with “bipolar disorder,” which includes alternating between periods of depression and mania. By definition, a manic episode must last at least one week and not be induced by drugs or alcohol. Even though Sarah experiences periods of “depression,” bipolar disorder is the more appropriate diagnosis due to her manic episodes. “Borderline personality disorder” includes symptoms related to instability in relationships, emotions, and self-image. “Generalized anxiety disorder” is characterized by excessive anxiety regarding a number of things that induces impaired functioning. Last, “schizophrenia” is a psychotic disorder that involves at least two of the following symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, disorganized behavior, and emotional flattening.

Example Question #1 : Depressive Disorders

Which of the following is not a symptom of major depressive disorder?

Possible Answers:

Ahnedonia (an inability to experience any pleasure at all)

Preoccupation with maintaining a rigid, productive schedule

Pessimism due to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

Disturbances in appetite and sleep

Lack of drive, initiative, and spontaneity

Correct answer:

Preoccupation with maintaining a rigid, productive schedule

Explanation:

People with major depressive disorder typically give up their productivity and their motivation to complete daily tasks. Below is a comprehensive list of some of the most common symptoms of major depressive disorder.

When people are living with major depressive disorder, they experience emotional symptoms (feeling sad and dejected), motivational symptoms (loss of desire to pursue usual activities and duties), behavioral symptoms (feeling less active and less productive), cognitive symptoms (holding negative views of self, like feeling inadequate, undersireable, inferior, worthy of blame), and physical symptoms (experiencing headaches, indigestion, constipation, dizzy spells, and general pain).

Preoccupation with schedules and productivity is more indicative of an obsessive-compulsive disorder than a depressive disorder.

Example Question #2 : Depressive Disorders

What is the term for the perception that an individual has no control over the rewards and punishments that he/she earns in life? This is a contributing factor to feelings of depression.

Possible Answers:

Attribution-thinking

Learned helplessness

Negative thoughts

Denial

Learned hopelessness

Correct answer:

Learned helplessness

Explanation:

Learned helplessness is the perception that, based on past experiences, an individual has no control over reinforcements (rewards, punishments) in his/her life. These individuals also tend to believe that they themselves are entirely responsible for this helpless state.

Example Question #3 : Depressive Disorders

What is the main difference between dsythymia and major depressive disorder?

Possible Answers:

Dsythymia occurs in children, while major depressive disorder occurs in teenagers and adults

Dsythymia includes hallucinations, while major depressive disorder does not

Dsythymia is an anxiety disorder, while major depressive disorder is a mood disorder

Dsythymia includes bipolar symptoms, while major depressive disorder does not

Dsythymia is a pervasive "low level" depression that lasts numerous years, while major depressive disorder is a single episode of severe depression

Correct answer:

Dsythymia is a pervasive "low level" depression that lasts numerous years, while major depressive disorder is a single episode of severe depression

Explanation:

Dsythymia and major depressive disorder are both mood disorders, specifically focused on depressive symptomology. The main difference between them is that dsythymia is a low grade depression that lasts multiple years, while major depressive disorder is a single, severe depressive episode.

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