AP Psychology : Psychological Abnormalities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is not a technique used by psychodynamic therapists?

Possible Answers:

Systematic desensitization

Projective tests

Dream analysis

Free association

Correct answer:

Systematic desensitization

Explanation:

Dream analysis, free association, and projective tests are all used by psychodynamic therapists to reveal the unconscious conflicts that cause clients' behaviors. Systematic desensitization is a behavioral technique used by therapists to help clients cope with anxiety or phobias through counterconditioning.

Example Question #12 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is a humanistic therapy?

 

Possible Answers:

Conditioning therapy

Virtual reality exposure therapy

Biomedical therapy

Client-centered therapy

Active listening 

Correct answer:

Client-centered therapy

Explanation:

Humanistic therapy focuses on boosting patient's self-fulfillment via growth in self-awareness and self-acceptance. Active listening is a technique that may be used in humanistic therapies, such as client-centered therapy, but is a tool used within that kind of therapy, not a discrete kind of therapy unto itself. The other options would be considered behavioral therapy. 

Example Question #13 : Psychological Abnormalities

Most psychotherapists would say they use a variety of different psychotherapies with their patients. This is known as __________.

Possible Answers:

Client-centered Therapy

comorbidity 

Insight Therapy

the Eclectic Approach

psychotherapy

Correct answer:

the Eclectic Approach

Explanation:

Using a blend of therapies is considered an approach in itself. While studying the various schools of psychology it is important to keep in mind that most practicing therapists are not actually ideologically focused in their approach, but rather choose to use a mix of therapies tailored to the needs of their specific clients. 

Example Question #14 : Psychological Abnormalities

Do antipsychotic drugs consistently treat the behaviors of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

No, they are ineffective at treating symptoms and behaviors

Yes, they can treat both behaviors and symptoms

Yes, they can only treat the beahaviors

No, they can only treat the symptoms

Correct answer:

No, they can only treat the symptoms

Explanation:

Antipsychotic drugs are popular and often effective at treating symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions or hallucinations but not the behaviors associated with the disorder. Long-term behavioral therapy is often necessary to treat behaviors that come with the mental disorder.

Example Question #15 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is not a characteristic of humanistic therapy as developed by Carl Rogers?

Possible Answers:

Empathy

Unconditional positive regard

Active listening

Mindfulness meditation

Non-directiveness

Correct answer:

Mindfulness meditation

Explanation:

Carl Roger's humanistic therapy involves active listening (asking questions and reflecting on what the client says), empathy, unconditional positive regard (the therapist is always kind and respectful of the patient no matter what happens), and non-directiveness (the therapist tries to help the client reach a solution rather than telling them what to do). Mindfulness meditation is a technique more often associated with cognitive therapy.

Example Question #16 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is true of group therapy as compared to individual therapy?

Possible Answers:

Provides peers and a social network

Helps patients relate to others in a healthier and more effective way

Often equally effective

Shows the sufferer that they are not alone

It is more expensive

Correct answer:

It is more expensive

Explanation:

Group therapy has many advantages, including social support, high levels of effectiveness, opportunities to practice social skills, and the realization that many people suffer from similar issues. In addition, group therapy is generally less expensive than individual therapy, which is another benefit. 

Example Question #17 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is a type of group therapy that does not involve a therapist present?

Possible Answers:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Mindfulness group therapy

Family therapy

Couples counseling

Cognitive therapy addiction groups

Correct answer:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Explanation:

There are many types of group therapy, including family therapy, couples counseling, mindfulness group therapy (focusing on techniques such as meditation), AA, and cognitive therapy addiction groups (focusing on how unhelpful thought patterns lead to addiction). Self-help groups like AA are distinct from the other types of groups because they do not involve a certified therapist, instead relying on a leader, group dynamics, and religion.

Example Question #18 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is true about the effectiveness of therapy?

Possible Answers:

The average non-treated client is better off than the average therapy-treated client

Therapy is effective but its success is mostly a function of the placebo effect

There is no difference between the wellbeing of the average therapy-treated client and non-treated client

There needs to be more research done before we can draw conclusions about the effectiveness of therapy

The average therapy-treated client is better off than the average non-treated client

Correct answer:

The average therapy-treated client is better off than the average non-treated client

Explanation:

Research shows that therapy is quite effective and the average therapy-treated client is better off than the average non-treated client. The placebo effect -someone getting better because they think they are being treated- is a concern with medication but hasn't been linked to the effectiveness of therapy.

Example Question #19 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is an example of the psychoanalytic concept of transference?

Possible Answers:

The patient begins to love the therapist because of a past relationship

All of the other answers are parts of the process of transference.

The patient begins to hate the therapist because of a past relationship

The patient begins to be jealous of the therapist because of a past relationship

The patient begins to view the therapist as a parental figure because of a past relationship

Correct answer:

All of the other answers are parts of the process of transference.

Explanation:

The psychoanalytic concept of transference occurs when a therapist begins to play a significant role in the patient's life, and patient transfers (carries over) some of the feelings from a past relationship, often a parent-child one, into the relationship with their therapist. Transference can be positive (love), negative (hatred, jealousy), or ambivalent, and its occurence is seen as a sign of success by Freudian psychotherapists.  

Example Question #20 : Psychological Abnormalities

How to Freudian psychodynamic therapists view the concept of resistance in therapy?

Possible Answers:

They believe that it is a conscious process  

They believe that is the sign that therapy should end 

They believe it is a sign of success and means that the therapist is interpreting the client correctly

They believe that it means the therapy has only just begun

They believe that it is a sign of failure and the therapist is doing their work poorly

Correct answer:

They believe it is a sign of success and means that the therapist is interpreting the client correctly

Explanation:

According to Freud, resistance is when a client rejects the therapist's interpretations of the emotions and behavior and often tries to hide aspects of themselves from their therapist. Psychodynamic therapists believe that it is an unconscious process that indicates the therapist's success and means they are close to figuring the client out (but not that therapy is ready to end).

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors