AP Psychology : Psychological Abnormalities
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology
All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Theories Of Psychopathology
What do psychodynamic theorists propose to be the cause for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Psychodynamic theorists believe that OCD develops when children come to fear their own id impulses and use ego defense mechanisms to lessen the resulting anxiety. The id impulses usally take the form of obsessive thoughts, and the ego defenses appear as compulsive actions.
Psychodynamic theorists believe that certain people are predisposed to develop this disorder. Essentially, genetics is the determining factor and is solely responsible for this pattern of thinking/doing in certain people and not others.
Psychodynamic theorists believe that abnormally low levels of the neurotransmitter seratonin are responsible for obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions.
None of these answers accurately represents the psychodynamic perspective on obsessive-compulsive disorder
Psychodynamic theorists believe that all people have intrusive and unwanted thoughts. Some people, however, blame themselves for such thoughts; these people then start acting compulsively to neutralize the unwanted thoughts.
Psychodynamic theorists believe that OCD develops when children come to fear their own id impulses and use ego defense mechanisms to lessen the resulting anxiety. The id impulses usally take the form of obsessive thoughts, and the ego defenses appear as compulsive actions.
Psychodynamic theorists are very firm in their belief about the interactions between the id and ego during the early, formative years of a person's life. They propose that there is a battle between anxiety-provoking id impulses and anxiety-reducing defense mechanisms.
Example Question #1 : Theories Of Abnormal Psychology
Which of these cases supports the diathesis-stress model of psychopathology?
Logan had several stressful life events, but does not develop depression.
Ben has a family history of depression but does not develop it.
Cara developed OCD at age 10, with a strong predisposition to the disorder and no clear external factors or life events contributing to it.
David's schizophrenia seems to stem from his abuse of psychoactive drugs, rather than a genetic predisposition to the disorder.
Thomas's family has a history of bipolar disorder, and he developed it after a trauma in his teen years.
Thomas's family has a history of bipolar disorder, and he developed it after a trauma in his teen years.
The diathesis-stress model states that disorders are caused by both a predisposition to the disorder and a life stress that serves as a trigger. The only example that follows that pattern is Thomas's family history (diathesis) and stressful life events (trauma).
Example Question #1 : Theories Of Psychopathology
Which theory of psychopathology holds that disorders are the result of an imbalance between internal drives?
Cognitive
Biological
Developmental
Behaviorist
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic
The psychodynamic approach in psychology holds that internal drives for pleasure (the id) is in constant conflict with the rational mind (the ego) and the moral mind (the superego). When these forces are unbalanced, they can manifest themselves as a variety of mental disorders.
Example Question #4 : Theories Of Psychopathology
Which field employs a life course perspective in studying psychopathology?
Psychoanalysis
Adult psychopathology
Developmental psychopathology
Humanism
Existential psychopathology
Developmental psychopathology
Developmental psychopathology is the study of the development of psychological disorders, including autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia. This subfield of psychopathology focuses on a life course perspective in examining the trajectory of psychological disorders.
Example Question #6 : Theories Of Psychopathology
Which of the following is NOT a contributing factor to psychopathology according to any branch of psychology?
Cognitive biases
Failure of self-realization
Biochemical imbalances
Fate
Unconscious conflict
Fate
Each branch of psychology has many explanations for psychopathology, including failure of self-realization (humanistic), unconscious conflict (psychodynamic), cognitive biases (cognitive), and biochemical imbalances (psychobiological). Although some people may believe that fate plays a role in whether someone develops a disorder, fate is not a scientific phenomenon that any branch of psychology includes in the study of psychopathology.
Example Question #1 : Theories Of Abnormal Psychology
Which of the following characterizes the medical or biomedical theory of abnormal psychology?
Psychological disorders are due to unconscious conflict
Psychological disorders have biological causes, symptoms, and cures
Psychological disorders are caused by unhelpful thought patterns
Psychological disorders are the result of nonsecure parental attachments
Psychological disorders have to do with incorrect conditioning
Psychological disorders have biological causes, symptoms, and cures
The medical or biomedical theory of abnormality views the causes of abnormal psychology to be biological as well as the symptoms and cures. Examples of this might include hormone imbalances or differences in brain structure. Unconscious conflict would be classified under the psychanalytic psychology, attachment theory under social or developmental psychology, conditioning under behavioral psychology, and thought patterns under cognitive psychology.
Example Question #1 : Theories Of Abnormal Psychology
Which of the following is not a contributing factor to women having higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders than men?
Societal power and control differences between the sexes
Women have lower levels of aggression
Women are more likely to seek help for their disorders than men
Women are sexually assaulted at higher rates than men
Hormonal differences between the sexes
Women have lower levels of aggression
There are higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders in women for a combination of reasons, including hormonal differences, higher rates of sexual assault, less societal power and control, and more willingness to get help (which increases the rates, though not the occurances). The average woman is less aggressive than the average man, but that does not relate to anxiety/mood disorders and in fact brings down the rates of other types of disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder.
Example Question #3 : Theories Of Abnormal Psychology
Dissociative disorders are a category of psychological disorders in which a person's emotions, consciousness, perceptions, motor control, and identity are dissociated. Many people with dissociative disorders have experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse. Which of the following is considered to be the major paradigm for dissociative disorders?
Humanistic model: a model dependent on the idea that people are good, creative, and have free will.
Cognitive psychology: a psychological approach dependent on the idea that mental processes affect thinking, memory, behavior, and problem solving.
Psychoanalytic theory: a theory that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are the result of conscious and subconscious interactions in the mind.
Diathesis-stress model: a model dependent on the idea that psychological disorders occur when a person is predisposed to the disorder and experiences significant stress.
Learning model: a psychological approach dependent on the idea that behaviors result from learning and observation.
Diathesis-stress model: a model dependent on the idea that psychological disorders occur when a person is predisposed to the disorder and experiences significant stress.
The major paradigm for dissociative disorders is the diathesis-stress model. This model depends on the idea that psychological disorders occur when a person is predisposed to the disorder and experiences significant stress. Research has indicted that many dissociative patients experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse, which were the cause of significant stress. According to this model, these patients also had a predisposition, or diathesis, to dissociate easily. This means they are easily hypnotized and prone to engage in fantasy. Dissociation was a method of avoidance for these patients. In other words, dissociating from reality allowed them to escape their stressful experiences, protect themselves from emotional trauma, and block out unpleasant memories.
Example Question #371 : Ap Psychology
Which definition encapsulates the essence of the biological perspective on generalized anxiety disorder?
Biological theorists believe that generalized anxiety stems from the unhealthy thinking patterns in a person. When a person has maladaptive assumptions (inaccurate and inappropriate beliefs), they tend to worry excessively and inappropriately.
Biological theorists believe that generalized anxiety occurs when there are inadequacies in early relationships between children and their parents.
Biological theorists believe that generalized anxiety disorder is caused chiefly by biological factors. One associated belief is that, due to low activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), excessive worrying and anxiety manifests in a person.
Biological theorists believe that generalized anxiety arises when people stop looking honestly and acceptingly at themselves. Repeated denials of their true thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors make these people extremely anxious and unable to fulfill their potential as human beings.
None of these answers accurately represents the biological perspective on generalized anxiety disorder
Biological theorists believe that generalized anxiety disorder is caused chiefly by biological factors. One associated belief is that, due to low activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), excessive worrying and anxiety manifests in a person.
Biological theorists believe that generalized anxiety disorder is caused chiefly by biological factors. One associated belief is that, due to low activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), excessive worrying and anxiety manifests in a person. Biological treatments for generalized anxiety disorder include antianxiety drug therapy, relaxation training, and biofeedback.
Example Question #1 : Defining And Diagnosing Disorders
Why is a double blind study important to studying certain situations?
To conceal information from the tester in case the study is unethical
To conceal information from the participants that they would want to leak to other competing labs
To keep the participant from sharing information with other participants in the case of group studies
To make sure the tester does not help the participant with their answers to a survey
To make sure the tester cannot, intentionally or unintentionally, reveal information that may sway the results of the study
To make sure the tester cannot, intentionally or unintentionally, reveal information that may sway the results of the study
A double blind study is a study in which information that may change the results is kept both from the experimenter and from the participant. This is to keep the results of the study as neutral and unbiased as possible.
Certified Tutor
All AP Psychology Resources
