AP Psychology : Psychological Abnormalities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Psychological Abnormalities

Sherry's cognitive behavioral therapist tends to talk with her about her general way of thinking that guides her perceptions and interpretations of events. For Sherry, this general way of thinking tends to be underlying negative beliefs and attitudes. Her therapist wants her to be able to focus on these negative thoughts and alter them to be more positive.

What does Sherry's therapist want her to work on?

Possible Answers:

Depressed schemas

Delusions

Sadness

Disorganized thoughts

Negativity

Correct answer:

Depressed schemas

Explanation:

Depressed schemas are how an individual views the world and sees events around them. They guide perceptions are tend to be negative beliefs and attitudes. In this case Sherry's therapist is focused on here "general underlying negative beliefs," which is synonymous with "depressed schemas."

Example Question #162 : Psychological Abnormalities

In the past two months, Ann has had very little motivation to get out of bed. She sleeps upwards of twenty hours a day and is no longer interested in activities that she used to enjoy. She has very little energy to care for herself, and also has lost a significant amount of weight. Which of the following is a likely diagnosis for Ann?

Possible Answers:

Major depressive episode

Dysthymic disorder

Major depressive disorder

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

Correct answer:

Major depressive episode

Explanation:

Major Depressive Episode is correct, because going off of the description we do not know if Ann has had a manic episode in the past or not. In order to have Major Depressive Disorder, an individual cannot have had a manic episode in the past. The answer would not be Dysthymic Disorder, because those symptoms must persist for two years or more, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is characterized by outbursts of severe temper in addition to depressive symptoms. 

Example Question #59 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

Depression is associated with low levels of which of the following neurotransmitters? 

Possible Answers:

Serotonin 

GABA

Epinephrine 

Dopamine

Correct answer:

Serotonin 

Explanation:

Low levels of serotonin or abnormalities with serotonin receptors are generally associated with depression and other mood disorders. 

Example Question #163 : Psychological Abnormalities

Major depressive disorder falls under which of the following categories of psychological disorders?

Possible Answers:

Dissociative disorders

Somatoform disorders

Anxiety disorders

Personality disorders

Mood disorders

Correct answer:

Mood disorders

Explanation:

"Mood disorders" is the correct choice. Mood disorders are characterized by disturbances in the emotional state. Mood disorders tend to be episodic. 

 

Example Question #164 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is not a common symptom of depression?

Possible Answers:

Recurrent thoughts of death

Impaired concentration

Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities

Increased energy levels

Sleep problems (hypersomnia or insomnia) 

Correct answer:

Increased energy levels

Explanation:

When a person suffers from major depression, it can be very difficult for the individual to maintain normal levels of functioning in school, work, and at home. Major depression is associated with decreased energy levels and fatigue, not "increased energy levels." All of the other answer choices are common symptoms that are indicative of depression.

Example Question #18 : Depressive Disorders

Which of the following is a mood disorder?

Possible Answers:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Schizophrenia

Major depressive disorder

Correct answer:

Major depressive disorder

Explanation:

Mood disorders are a class of disorders that involve gross changes in mood such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, OCD and PTSD are also not mood disorders.

Example Question #165 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following psychological disorders are affective disorders?

Possible Answers:

Schizophrenia, sociopathy, and obsessive compulsive disorder

Depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder

None of these

Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders

Narcisssistic, histrionic, and dependent disorders

Correct answer:

Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders

Explanation:

Affective disorders are defined by heightened and prolonged emotional states. In the instance of anxiety, which can manifest in many forms, one experiences a consistent state of fear that may or may not have a specific set of triggers. Depression is a prolonged state of sadness and apathy, which often involves a general lack of motivation or pleasant emotions, irritability, difficulty focusing, and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. Bipolar disorder includes this kind of depressive state, yet also a manic one. During the manic state, there is a general feeling of euphoria, an "on top of the world" kind of feeling that may invite impulsive decision-making and an inflated sense of self-importance.

Psychological disorders that are not affective have to do with delusional thinking patterns, personality, attention deficits, addictions, psychosexuality, or developmental problems. While they may share commonalities and even intersect, affective disorders have distinctly to do with prolonged and extreme emotional states, which can be caused by biological or environmental factors.

Example Question #166 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is not true about dysthymic disorder?

Possible Answers:

Dysthymic disorder is a longer version of major depressive disorder; it is diagnosed when a person has been experiencing depressive-like symptoms for more than two years

Dysthymic disorder is a less-disabling form of major depressive disorder

None of the other answers

Dysthymic disorder is a shorter form of major depressive disorder; it typically lasts less than one month

Dysthymic disorder is one of the possible patterns of unipolar depression

Correct answer:

Dysthymic disorder is a longer version of major depressive disorder; it is diagnosed when a person has been experiencing depressive-like symptoms for more than two years

Explanation:

Dysthymic disorder is a mood disorder that is similar to, but longer-lasting and less disabling, than major depressive disorder. It is diagnosed after at least two years of on-going, mild symptoms of unipolar depression.

Example Question #167 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is not a common symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Possible Answers:

Compulsions to reduce anxiety

A fear of contamination

Avoidance of situations that may trigger obsessions

Anxiety stemming from a traumatic injury

Intense stress when objects are not in order

Correct answer:

Anxiety stemming from a traumatic injury

Explanation:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric illness characterized by excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive, maladaptive behaviors (compulsions). Common obsessions include a fear of contamination and/or a need to keep things orderly. Common compulsions include obsessive handwashing and counting in certain patterns.

OCD does not arise from a traumatic injury; it results from a combination of psychological and biological factors.

Example Question #168 : Psychological Abnormalities

When John leaves his house in morning, he always has to check multiple times to make sure that he has locked his front door. If John tries to leave his house without checking his door, or after only checking it once, he is filled with such anxiety and dread that he must abandon whatever else he is doing to return home and check his front door again. John is most likely struggling with a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

mania

stigma

obsession

ethical dilemma

compulsion

Correct answer:

compulsion

Explanation:

A compulsion is a behavior that one feels driven to perform repeatedly, aiming to reduce stress or prevent the occurrence of something horrible. These compulsive behaviors are quite often linked to obsessive thoughts in cases of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

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