AP Psychology : Psychological Abnormalities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #16 : Schizophrenia

Which of the following is not a structural trait of the brain of an individual with schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Smaller hippocampus, often disorganized cells

Smaller amygdala

Enlarged ventricles 

Lack of a cerebellum

Correct answer:

Lack of a cerebellum

Explanation:

Schizophrenia is marked by several unique brain traits, including: 

Enlarged ventricles 

Small/disorganized hippocampus

Small amygdala

The absence of a cerebellum would result in serious motor function deficits, but is absolutely not characteristic of the brains of patients with schizophrenia.

Example Question #17 : Schizophrenia

Which of the following is the most common type of sensory hallucination?

Possible Answers:

Tactile

Auditory

Visual

Olfactory

Gustatory

Correct answer:

Auditory

Explanation:

Many people with schizophrenia have hallucinations, which can be defined as sensory experiences without sensory stimulation. Although auditory, visual, tactile (touch), gustatory (taste), and olfactory (smell) hallucinations are all possible, auditory hallucinations, particularly hearing voices that no one else can hear, are by far the most common.

Example Question #101 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following is classified as a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Apathy

Delusions

Monotone speech

Flat affect

Avolition

Correct answer:

Delusions

Explanation:

Schizophrenia has positive symptoms (characteristics that do not exist in neurotypical people) and negative symptoms (the lack of something that neurotypical people have). Therefore, hallucinations or delusions are a positive symptom, whereas flat affect (lack of facial expressions), apathy (lack of passion), avolition (lack of motivation), and monotone speech (lack of tone variance in speech) are all negative symptoms. 

Example Question #211 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following best identify the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Hallucinations and delusions

Asociality and hallucinations

Asociality and delusions

Hallucinations and depression 

Depression and delusions

Correct answer:

Hallucinations and delusions

Explanation:

Positive symptoms are characteristics that are in excess or beyond typical experience. Hallucinations and delusions are not typically experienced in daily life, while depression is a decreased ability to feel pleasure and asociality is defined as a decrease in social integration.

Example Question #212 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is not a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Diminished speech

Social withdrawal

Diminished appetite

Lack of motivation and pleasure in previously enjoyed activities

Diminished emotional expression

Correct answer:

Diminished appetite

Explanation:

Negative symptoms are thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are present in the average person but diminished in a person with a mental disorder. Diminished appetite is the only option that is not a negative symptom of schizophrenia.

Example Question #213 : Psychological Abnormalities

One symptom of schizophrenia caused Margaret to assume awkward and uncomfortable positions for hours. This __________ behavior made it impossible for others to communicate with her.

Possible Answers:

negative

delusional

anti-social

catatonic

disorganized

Correct answer:

catatonic

Explanation:

Catatonia in individuals with schizophrenia causes limited reactivity to the environment and can include stereotyped behaviors such as repetitive movements or assuming bizarre poses for hours or even days. 

Example Question #112 : Types Of Disorders

Schizophrenics experience psychosis, an impaired ability to perceive reality. Which of the following are considered to be the two most common forms of psychosis experienced by schizophrenics? 

Possible Answers:

Hallucinations and delusions 

Disorganized speech and delusions 

Catatonia and hallucinations 

Tardive dyskinesia and dystonic reaction 

Disorganized speech and disorganized behavior 

Correct answer:

Hallucinations and delusions 

Explanation:

Schizophrenics experience psychosis through hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations are defined as vivid sensations that seem real even though they are not. Hallucinations can occur in any of the five primary senses, although they are most commonly experienced through the auditory system. On the other hand, delusions are defined as false beliefs that persist despite evidence that indicates their falsity. There are multiple kinds of delusions, such as persecutory delusions, delusions of control (i.e. thought insertion), grandiose delusions, and referential delusions. In persecutory delusions, the victim believes others are continually persecuting him or her. Delusions of control, or thought insertions, are related to the belief that other people are controlling the victim. A victim beliefs other people putting thoughts into his or her head; therefore, controlling him or her. Grandiose delusions occur when a person thinks that he or she is significantly more important, great, and powerful than they really are. Last, referential delusions occur when people believe that external events have special meaning for them, and only them.

Example Question #214 : Psychological Abnormalities

There are three types of major schizophrenia, marked by various different symptoms. What are the major differences between paranoid schizophrenia and disorganized schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Paranoid schizophrenics have delusions of grandeur, while disorganized schizophrenics do not. 

Paranoid schizophrenics have auditory hallucinations, while disorganized schizophrenics do not. 

Paranoid schizophrenics have a flat affect of emotions, while disorganized schizophrenics do not. 

Paranoid schizophrenics have a break between reality and a perception of reality, while disorganized schizophrenics do not. 

Paranoid schizophrenics possess waxy flexibility, while disorganized schizophrenics do not

Correct answer:

Paranoid schizophrenics have delusions of grandeur, while disorganized schizophrenics do not. 

Explanation:

The correct answer is "paranoid schizophrenics have delusions of grandeur, while disorganized schizophrenics do not." Two of the other answers, of auditory hallucinations and a break between reality and a perception of reality, are tendencies and symptomatic of all forms of schizophrenia. Waxy flexibility is a characteristic of catatonic schizophrenia. A flat effect of emotions is seen in disorganized schizophrenia, not paranoid schizophrenia. 

Example Question #115 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following is not true regarding Schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking

Dopamine has been linked to the positive symptoms of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia impacts 10-20% of the population

Treatment includes psychotropic medications and supportive psychotherapy

Identical twins have a 45-50% chance of also having Schizophrenia

Correct answer:

Schizophrenia impacts 10-20% of the population

Explanation:

It is incorrect that Schizophrenia impacts 10-20% of the population. Rather, depression has been found to impact 10-20% of the population. Schizophrenia is less common and impacts about 1% of the population. It is most commonly diagnosed in late adolescence and early adulthood. All of the other statements are correct. 

Example Question #116 : Types Of Disorders

Which of these is not a symptom of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Flat affect 

Delusions 

Waxy flexibility 

Split personalities 

Correct answer:

Split personalities 

Explanation:

Schizophrenics do not have split personalities. Instead, schizophrenia refers to a break from reality rather than a mental break within the patient. In other words, patients experience a split from their thinking processes and emotional responses, not within their personalities. This differentiates schizophrenia from dissociative identity disorder. On the other hand, the flat affect, waxy flexibility, delusions, and making up words are all symptoms of schizophrenia. 

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