All AP Psychology Resources
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.
negative
anti-social
catatonic
disorganized
delusional
catatonic
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 #113 : 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?
Catatonia and hallucinations
Tardive dyskinesia and dystonic reaction
Disorganized speech and delusions
Disorganized speech and disorganized behavior
Hallucinations and delusions
Hallucinations and delusions
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?
Paranoid schizophrenics have delusions of grandeur, 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 auditory hallucinations, while disorganized schizophrenics do not.
Paranoid schizophrenics possess waxy flexibility, while disorganized schizophrenics do not
Paranoid schizophrenics have a flat affect of emotions, while disorganized schizophrenics do not.
Paranoid schizophrenics have delusions of grandeur, while disorganized schizophrenics do not.
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 #23 : Schizophrenia
Which of the following is not true regarding Schizophrenia?
Dopamine has been linked to the positive symptoms of Schizophrenia
Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking
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
Schizophrenia impacts 10-20% of the population
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 #24 : Schizophrenia
Which of these is not a symptom of schizophrenia?
Split personalities
Flat affect
Waxy flexibility
Delusions
Split personalities
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 #221 : Psychological Abnormalities
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?
Hallucinations
Borderline personality disorder
Depression
Delusions of grandeur
Mania
Delusions of grandeur
"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 #118 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
Which of the following is not a common symptom of schizophrenia?
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thought
Social isolation
Disorganized behavior
Social isolation
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 #25 : Schizophrenia
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?
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Lethargy
Borderline personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
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 #26 : Schizophrenia
Which of the following neurotransmitters is thought to be abnormally functioning in Schizophrenia?
Norepinephrine
Glutamate
Serotonin
Dopamine
GABA
Dopamine
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 #27 : Schizophrenia
What is a speech indicator of schizophrenia?
Disorganized speech, otherwise known as "world salads"
High anxiety
Paranoia
Organized speech, otherwise known as "good salads"
All of these
Disorganized speech, otherwise known as "world salads"
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).