AP Psychology : Psychological Abnormalities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #147 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following is true about gender dysphoria?

Possible Answers:

Gender dysphoria is common in Asian countries.

Gender dysphoria involves strongly identifying with and wishing to be another gender.

Gender dysphoria involves regret over the expression of behaviors that go against traditional gender norms.

Gender dysphoria is not included in the DSM-5. 

Gender dysphoria is more likely to occur among heterosexual people as opposed to homosexual people. 

Correct answer:

Gender dysphoria involves strongly identifying with and wishing to be another gender.

Explanation:

As stated in the DSM-5, the correct answer is "gender dysphoria involves feeling that your emotional and psychological identity as a certain gender is different than your biological sex." All of the other answer choices are false regarding gender dysphoria. 

Example Question #148 : Types Of Disorders

According to the DSM-V, which of the following is not an eating disorder?

Possible Answers:

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Bulimia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa

Pica

Binge eating disorder

Correct answer:

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Explanation:

"Chronic fatigue syndrome" is not an eating disorder; however, this syndrome is more commonly seen in individuals with poor nutritional habits (e.g. those with eating disorders). All of the other answer choices are categorized in the DSM-V as eating disorders. 

Example Question #149 : Types Of Disorders

Consider the following symptoms: a smooth ridge between nose and lips, small head, and an extremely low IQ (that is not associated with a chromosomal abnormality). These symptoms are most consistent with which of the following disorders? 

Possible Answers:

Huntington's disease

Parkinson's disease

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Down syndrome

Correct answer:

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Explanation:

All of these symptoms—in addition to problems with motor coordination, social perception, and cognitive functions and other distinctive facial features—are associated with "fetal alcohol syndrome" (FAS). This results from the individual’s mother ingesting alcohol during pregnancy, leading to abnormalities in fetal development. Down syndrome, while associated with lower IQ, typically involves a higher level of cognitive functioning than FAS. Additionally, Down syndrome is related to three (instead of the normal two) copies of chromosome 21. Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease are both more associated with abnormalities in motor function and muscular coordination; while some cognitive disturbances or slowing may occur, the IQ is not as drastically affected and the distinctive facial features listed have not been observed.

Example Question #151 : Types Of Disorders

Randall is complaining to his doctor of very strange episodes in which he "blacks out" and cannot remember where he is or what he is doing for large chunks of time. During these episodes he often regains his awareness miles away from where he last remembered being. Based on these data, Randall most likely suffers from a(n) _______________ disorder.

Possible Answers:

mood

dissociative

psychotic

anxiety

Correct answer:

dissociative

Explanation:

Randall's episodes are most likely a feature of a rare class of disorders called dissociative disorders. Dissociative disorders are a class of disorders in which people lose contact with portions of their consciousness or memory, resulting in disruptions in their sense of identity.

Example Question #152 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following are identifying clues in speech that suggest a person may be a psychopath?

Possible Answers:

The excessive use of the past as opposed to present tense

A focus on basic needs such as food and drink

An absence of remorse

Many cause and effect statements ("because", "so that")

All of these

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

There are many aspects of speech that could indicate a person is a psychopath. A combination of psychological and linguistic research has pointed to several factors that indicate psychopathology. The excess use of causatives in sentences are indicative of a psychopath's need to create a logical justification for their acts. The use of the past tense instead of present indicates a psychological detachment from the world as if they are looking in instead of a participant. Psychological factors such as a lack of remorse or an obsession with basic needs also point to psychopathy. 

Example Question #251 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following personality disorders possesses the highest suicide rate?

Possible Answers:

Antisocial/ psychopath disorder

Borderline personality disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Schizoid personality disorder

Correct answer:

Borderline personality disorder

Explanation:

While borderline personality disorder (BPD) does not have the highest suicide rate of any psychological disorder, it has the highest of the personality class. Some reports estimate that up to 10% of diagnosed patients carry through with suicide. The exact number depends on the study, but BPD holds the highest rate under any account.

Example Question #252 : Psychological Abnormalities

What is the most common type of dementia?

Possible Answers:

Alzheimer's disease

All of these

Dementia with Lewy bodies

Vascular dementia

Parkinson's disease

Correct answer:

Alzheimer's disease

Explanation:

Alzheimer's disease accounts for somewhere between 60 to 80% of all dementia cases. "Alzheimer's" and "dementia" are sometimes used interchangeably, but this is an error due to the great overlapping in cases. All Alzheimer's patients have dementia, but not all dementia patients have Alzheimer's disease.

Example Question #155 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following types of dementia have known causes:

I. Parkinson's disease

II. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

III. Huntington's disease

Possible Answers:

II only

II & III

II only

I & III

III only

Correct answer:

II & III

Explanation:

Exact known causes of Parkinson's disease are still unknown, but researchers are working towards a better understanding. On the other hand, a gene on chromosome 4 has been identified to cause Huntington's, and a thiamine deficiency has been identified to cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. These reductionist explanations suggest that Huntington's and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are caused by singular processes, but it is probably much more complex.

Example Question #1 : Theories Of Abnormal Psychology

What does the cognitive model postulate as the cause of unipolar depression?

Possible Answers:

None of these answers represent the cognitive model for explaining unipolar depression

Cognitive theorists believe that depression results when a person's relationships leave them feeling insecure and unsafe.

Cognitive theorists believe that unipolar depression results from significant changes in the number of rewards and punishments people receive in their lives.

Cognitive theorists believe that, due to over-active neurotransmitters in the brain, people gradually begin to experience stronger and stronger depressive thoughts.

Cognitive theorists believe that people with unipolar depression persistently view events and situations in life in negative ways. As a result of these defeatist perceptions, people sink into feelings of gloom, helplessness, and depression.

Correct answer:

Cognitive theorists believe that people with unipolar depression persistently view events and situations in life in negative ways. As a result of these defeatist perceptions, people sink into feelings of gloom, helplessness, and depression.

Explanation:

Cognitive theorists believe that the mind and patterns of thinking are largely in control of how a person views and responds to life's events. Cognitive theorists believe that people with unipolar depression persistently view events and situations in life in negative ways. As a result of these defeatist perceptions, such people sink into feelings of gloom, helplessness, and depression.

Example Question #2 : Theories Of Abnormal Psychology

Which of the following is not a reason why a person might develop post-traumatic stress disorder?

Possible Answers:

Natural disaster

All of these answers are likely reasons why a person might develop post-traumatic stress disorder

Sexual assualt

Torture

Combat

Correct answer:

All of these answers are likely reasons why a person might develop post-traumatic stress disorder

Explanation:

Any traumatic event can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of the most likely to do so include combat, disasters, abuse of any kind, victimization, and torture.

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