AP Psychology : Schizophrenia

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #221 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following are examples of disorganized speech?

Possible Answers:

Derailment

All of these

Tangentiality

Neologisms

Clanging (i.e. rhyming)

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

All of the choices represent manifestations of disorganized thoughts in the speech associated with a paranoid schizophrenia. This described as "disorganized speech" and represents a symptom that is characteristic of paranoid schizophrenia. "Tangentiality" is steering away from the topic at hand. For instance: 

Q: Have you been nervous or tense lately?

A: No, I got a head of lettuce.

"Derailment" occurs when the topic is constantly being changed. If asked whether or not they like TV, then a paranoid schizophrenic might respond with "My sister likes TV. I dance to what's on the TV. I like to draw and read stories." The patient can also cleverly coin new terms on the spot, which are called "neologisms." Last, excessive rhyming or almost poetic-like speech is calling "clanging." 

Example Question #222 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following are considered to be cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Poor concentration

Poor memory

Disorganized thinking

Difficulty expressing thoughts

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

All of the answer choices represent cognitive symptoms commonly associated with paranoid schizophrenia (i.e. symptoms regarding thinking, focus, and memory). Negative cognitive symptoms include a lack of concentration, memory, and an inability to express one's thoughts. On the other hand, positive cognitive symptoms include disorganized thinking that is generally chaotic and irrational.

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).

Example Question #223 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Affective flattening

None of these

Hallucinations

Avolition 

Alogia

Correct answer:

Hallucinations

Explanation:

Positive symptoms are defined as behaviors or patterns that are "added" to an individual possessing a mental disorder as opposed to symptoms that are taken away. "Affective flattening," "avolition," and "alogia" are all defined by the absence of certain aspects of cognition that a non-affected person would possess. On the other hand, "hallucinations," that is distortions in perception of what is real, are a positive symptom of paranoid schizophrenia. 

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).

Example Question #31 : Schizophrenia

What is "alogia"? 

Possible Answers:

The coining of new terms

Derailment of conversational topics

None of these

Tangential speech

A poverty of speech production and processing

Correct answer:

A poverty of speech production and processing

Explanation:

Alogia can be one of the symptoms that paranoid schizophrenic experiences. It is a negative symptom characterized by a lack of language production as a result of "blocked thought." This is often manifested in short, empty phrases.

Example Question #121 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders

Which of the following is the best definition of "delusions" as a symptom of paranoid schizophrenia?

Possible Answers:

Lies to oneself to make believe that he or she is sane

Beliefs in a higher power or deity

Thoughts that make one believe that he or she is an exception to the rules that govern society

Irrational misconceptions of perceptions of experiences

None of these

Correct answer:

Irrational misconceptions of perceptions of experiences

Explanation:

Delusions are firmly held erroneous beliefs that are a product of distortions or exaggerations of reasoning and/or misinterpretations of perceptions or experiences. When someone has paranoid schizophrenia, delusions of being followed or watched are common; furthermore, those suffering from this disorder may believe that radio or TV programs are sending them special messages. This is paranoid thinking, which is the identifying pattern of the illness. It creates a world for the affected person where everyone is "out to get them."

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).

Example Question #123 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following is an example of clanging? 

Possible Answers:

I had my lunch when it's brunch it makes a crunch in a bunch

I like fishing. Fish are creatures of the sea. Creatures can be fantasy or fiction, my brother really likes fantasy. He's tall.

None of these

I don't bike lats. ("I don't like bats")

I don't like her, she has too much "paucity"

Correct answer:

I had my lunch when it's brunch it makes a crunch in a bunch

Explanation:

Clanging is a positive symptom of schizophrenia where the affected person will rhyme words despite the resulting utterance meaning nothing. For instance, although "I had my lunch when it's brunch it makes a crunch in a bunch" may convey meaning it will often not mean anything in context. The other answers are examples of a neologism, tangentiality, and an unrelated speech production error common among non-affected people (e.g. "I don't bike lats").

Example Question #124 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following is a type of delusion typical of paranoid schizophrenics? 

Possible Answers:

Delusions of reference

Somatic delusions

All of these

Delusions of grandeur

Paranoid delusions

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

All of the answer choices are kinds of delusions that a paranoid schizophrenic typically experiences. "Paranoid delusions" are "beliefs of persecution" typified by a conception of the world as a place where everyone is out to get you. "Delusions of grandeur" involve beliefs that you possess special powers such as the ability to see the future. "Somatic delusions" involve false beliefs about abnormalities in the individual's body. Last, "delusions of reference" involve beliefs that things in your environment are directly related to you somehow, like believing someone built a random building for you. 

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).

Example Question #125 : Types Of Disorders

Which of the following are kinds of hallucinations a paranoid schizophrenic may experience?

Possible Answers:

Auditory

All of these

Tactile

Olfactory

Visual

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

All of these are kinds of hallucinations a paranoid schizophrenic may experience, an additional one being gustatory hallucinations (i.e. tasting things that aren't there). "Visual," "auditory," "tactile," and "olfactory" hallucinations are when one believes they are seeing, hearing, touching, and smelling things that are not there. Hallucinations are disturbing experiences that perpetuates the paranoid schizophrenic's sense of fear.

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).

Example Question #31 : Schizophrenia

Can schizophrenia be passed down genetically?

Possible Answers:

Schizophrenia is strictly related to genetics

All of these

No, schizophrenia is strictly related to nurture

Yes, though it will often take environmental factors for schizophrenia to develop

None of these

Correct answer:

Yes, though it will often take environmental factors for schizophrenia to develop

Explanation:

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that can be passed down genetically though is more often inherited by men. Symptoms are often seen in adolescence to early adulthood and are sometimes triggered by environmental stressors such as the death of a family member, physical illness or other trauma. Much research has been done on the disease and the exact causes and origins are largely unknown though nature and nurture play a huge role.  

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