AP Psychology : Schizophrenia

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Schizophrenia

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:

catatonic

delusional

negative

disorganized

anti-social

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 #111 : 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:

Disorganized speech and disorganized behavior 

Hallucinations and delusions 

Disorganized speech and delusions 

Tardive dyskinesia and dystonic reaction 

Catatonia and hallucinations 

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 #22 : Schizophrenia

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 possess waxy flexibility, while disorganized schizophrenics do not

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

Paranoid schizophrenics have a flat affect of emotions, 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 #22 : Schizophrenia

Which of the following is not true regarding Schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Dopamine has been linked to the positive symptoms of Schizophrenia

Treatment includes psychotropic medications and supportive psychotherapy

Schizophrenia impacts 10-20% of the population

Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking

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 #23 : Schizophrenia

Which of these is not a symptom of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Split personalities 

Delusions 

Flat affect 

Waxy flexibility 

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. 

Example Question #24 : Schizophrenia

Seymour is walking across the freeway and screaming, "I am God! No one can bring me down. I know the government is planning a nuclear attack against Brazil!"

Based on this example, Seymour may be experiencing which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Hallucinations

Mania

Delusions of grandeur

Borderline personality disorder

Depression

Correct answer:

Delusions of grandeur

Explanation:

"Delusions of grandeur" is the correct answer. Delusions of grandeur are fixed, false beliefs that oneself is superior (e.g. in fame, wealth, omnipotence, power). While this is a form of hallucination, the most correct answer is delusions of grandeur.

Example Question #25 : Schizophrenia

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

Possible Answers:

Hallucinations

Disorganized thought

Social isolation

Delusions

Disorganized behavior

Correct answer:

Social isolation

Explanation:

Although "social isolation" may occur in individuals with schizophrenia, the other answer choices are widely accepted symptoms of schizophrenia that are assessed by mental health practitioners when making a schizophrenia diagnosis. In other words, social isolation in and of itself is not indicative of schizophrenia. 

Example Question #112 : Types Of Disorders

A 26-year-old woman, Ms. Johnson, comes into the office of a psychological professional office. She complains of hearing voices that are encouraging her to do "bad things" like shoplift at her favorite clothing store. Additionally, she has numerous false beliefs that are not grounded in reality. Specifically, she believes the government has implanted a tracking device under her skin while she was sleeping. Which of the following is the best diagnosis for Ms. Johnson?

Possible Answers:

Lethargy

Borderline personality disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Schizoid personality disorder

Schizophrenia

Correct answer:

Schizophrenia

Explanation:

Ms. Johnson presents symptoms characterized by hallucinations and delusions—two hallmark symptoms of "schizophrenia." Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric illness in which people have trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality. Among women, schizophrenia typically begins in the late 20s.

Example Question #21 : Schizophrenia

Which of the following neurotransmitters is thought to be abnormally functioning in Schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Serotonin

GABA

Glutamate

Norepinephrine

Dopamine

Correct answer:

Dopamine

Explanation:

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder hallmarked by "psychosis" - losing touch with reality. The major neurotransmitter implicated in this disorder is dopamine. Imbalances in dopamine are responsible for the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Example Question #122 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

What is a speech indicator of schizophrenia? 

Possible Answers:

Paranoia

All of these

High anxiety

Disorganized speech, otherwise known as "world salads"

Organized speech, otherwise known as "good salads"

Correct answer:

Disorganized speech, otherwise known as "world salads"

Explanation:

One of the characteristics of speech of the paranoid person is disorganized ranting. There is no logical sequence to what's being said and it will often sound like the person is speaking to or of an imaginary entity. The speech is often tangential and off-topic.

Works Cited:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, 1999. (https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/ps/access/NNBBHS.pdf).

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