Title: Psychological Disorders
Course: Question Banks

Q: If I study with my preferred learning style will I learn more?
- Yes (Incorrect. While people may prefer to learn in certain ways, learning styles do not exist.)
- Yes, but only if you are an Audio-Visual learner (Incorrect. While people may prefer to learn in certain ways, learning styles do not exist.)
- No, learning styles do not impact learning (Correct. While people may prefer to learn in certain ways, learning styles do not exist.)
A: No, learning styles do not impact learning

Q: Do learning styles help you learn more effectively?
- Yes, pick any learning style and it will help (Incorrect. While people may prefer to learn in certain ways, learning styles do not exist.)
- Yes, just study with your preferred learning style (Incorrect. While people may prefer to learn in certain ways, learning styles do not exist.)
- No, learning styles do not help you learn more effectively (Correct. While people may prefer to learn in certain ways, learning styles do not exist.)
A: No, learning styles do not help you learn more effectively

Q: A condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is called
- mental etiology. (Incorrect. Etiology is another word for “causes,” which the field of psychopathology seeks to understand in psychological disorders.)
- psychopathology. (Incorrect. Psychopathology is most commonly used to describe the study of psychological disorders, or the manifestation of those disorders in an individual.)
- a psychiatric disease. (Incorrect. Although these words are similar to the correct answer, remember that not all psychological problems are dealt with through psychiatric measures, which often include medications.)
- a psychological disorder. (Correct. It is also important to note that these abnormal thoughts, feelings and behaviors are disruptive, dysfunctional, and distressing to the person experiencing them.)
A: a psychological disorder.

Q: The etiology for mental disorders is a description of its
- treatments. (Incorrect. Treatments, like the etiology for mental disorders are varied, but treatments aim to accurately treat disorders based, at least partially, on their etiology.)
- conditions. (Incorrect. A mental disorder can also be referred to as a condition, the terms being roughly synonymous.)
- symptoms. (Incorrect. The study of the symptoms of a mental disorder is important to helping understand its possible etiology, but symptoms themselves can be used as diagnostic criteria for the presence or absence of a given disorder.)
- causes. (Correct. The etiology of most mental disorders is a combination of nature and nurture, combining genetic and environmental factors. In most disorders, it is largely unknown to what extent each contributing factor is a cause because most studies on human beings can only study correlation, rather than causation.)
A: causes.

Q: According to the APA, a psychological disorder includes significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that reflect some type of dysfunction. These disturbances lead to
- expected and culturally approved responses to events. (Incorrect. The disturbances mentioned do not lead to typical patterns of behavior that are widely accepted and expected in one’s culture, instead, they usually defy culturally approved responses and expectations.)
- atypical behaviors that are found in less than 10% of the population. (Incorrect. More than 10% of the population meets the criteria for a psychological disorder at some point in their lifetimes. Also, atypical behaviors found in less than 10% of the population could include the creative, inventive behaviors of geniuses, which we would not label disordered.)
- deviant or atypical behaviors according to one’s society’s expectations. (Incorrect. This answer is culturally relative, and a behavior highly abnormal in one society may be commonplace in another, so this is not a proper indication of a psychological disorder.)
- significant distress or disability in one’s life. (Correct. The symptoms of a psychological disorder make it difficult to function as one would normally function, and causes the individual distress and difficulties in their daily lives.)
A: significant distress or disability in one’s life.

Q: Both distress and ________ are things a psychologist may look for in determining if a person has a mental disorder.
- rejection (Incorrect. Rejection is not a determining factor in diagnosing mental illness, although some people with mental illnesses may feel rejected as a result of their illness.)
- violence (Incorrect. It is dangerous and unwise to assume violence is a determining factor in diagnosing mental illness. The great majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent.)
- fear (Incorrect. Distress and fear may be an ordinary reaction to a novel situation for anyone, not just someone suffering from a mental disorder.)
- dysfunction (Correct. A mental disorder will cause a person significant distress and dysfunction in their personal lives.)
A: dysfunction

Q: Most mental health professionals use the ________ to diagnose and read about the details, symptoms, prevalence, and risk factors of mental disorders.
- International Classification of Diseases (Incorrect. While there is some agreement between the ICD and DSM, mental health professionals most frequently use the DSM, as it is also a valuable research tool. The ICD is used primarily for diagnosis.)
- Determining Statistical Manifestation of Disorders (Incorrect. This answer may seem correct because it contains the words statistical and disorders, but it is also important to remember what it is used for: diagnosis, and of what kind of disorders: mental.)
- Disease Standards Manual (Incorrect. This acronym contains the right letters, but fails to explain the purpose of the DSM, which serves as a valuable clue in remembering what DSM stands for.)
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Correct. The DSM is the standard tool mental health professionals use for these purposes.)
A: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Q: If a person has two diagnoses at the same time, like anxiety and depression, they fit the criteria for ________.
- prevalence (Incorrect. The person’s diagnoses would add information to statistics regarding prevalence of both disorders, but this would not categorize them with a different, special term to describe their co-occurrence.)
- a global disorder (Incorrect. A global disorder affects a person’s entire being, and is not localized on one specific trigger, fear, body part, etc.)
- generalization (Incorrect. Think of stimulus generalization and classical conditioning; in the context of having two diagnoses like anxiety and depression, this term doesn’t really fit.)
- comorbidity (Correct. If a person fits the diagnostic criteria for two diagnoses at once, the disorders are considered comorbid with one another.)
A: comorbidity

Q: Globally, the ________ is more frequently used for clinical diagnosis, whereas the ________ is more valued for research.
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; International Classification of Diseases (Incorrect. The order of these answers is reversed; you’re on the right track.)
- Determining Statistical Manifestation of Disorders; International Manual of Disorders (Incorrect. Globally, the DSM is valued for research, (and DSM stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), while the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) is used for clinical diagnosis)
- International Psychological Association Manual; American Standards of Diagnosis (Incorrect. The abbreviations to look for are DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and ICD, and the way to tell their purposes apart is the “I” in International Classification of Diseases (ICD).)
- International Classification of Disease; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Correct. The ICD is used worldwide for diagnosis, and the DSM is valued for research.)
A: International Classification of Disease; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Q: Historically, psychological disorders were often viewed as ________.
- socially constructed phenomenon (Incorrect. Historically, few societies understood psychological disorders in any form, and would not have believed such illnesses were social constructions. This is a more modern view.)
- common behavior (Incorrect. While not all psychological disorders were treated as maladies and some were revered as something that made the person who had the disorder uniquely gifted, their gifts or disorders were still not thought of as common behavior.)
- scientifically explainable (Incorrect. Historically speaking, it was not believed science could explain mental illness.)
- supernatural phenomenon (Correct. Before psychology was understood as a science, psychological disorders were often explained in supernatural terms: possession, witchcraft, prophecy, etc.)
A: supernatural phenomenon

Q: Attributing psychological disorders to genetic factors, chemical imbalances, and brain abnormalities gives merit to the ________ perspective.
- supernatural (Incorrect. These factors are rooted in science, whereas the supernatural perspective attributed psychological disorders to other, unknowable factors.)
- diathesis-stress (Incorrect. This might show the diathesis-stress model if these factors also included an inciting event or stressor that triggered these predispositions to manifest in outward symptoms.)
- biosocial (Incorrect. The biosocial perspective takes into account all of these factors, in addition to social factors from one’s environment.)
- biological (Correct. All of the factors listed above lend credence to the biological perspective.)
A: biological

Q: Which view of mental illnesses integrates biological and psychosocial factors to predict the likelihood of a disorder?
- the biological model (Incorrect. The biological model only addresses biological factors as predispositions to mental illness, and does not take into account psychosocial factors.)
- the supernatural model (Incorrect. The supernatural model is outdated and unscientific, taking into account neither biological, nor psychosocial factors in a serious, constructive manner.)
- diathesis-biology model (Incorrect. This option includes only predispositions, which can be biological or psychological. This option has no activating stressful life event (a social factor) to make it complete.)
- diathesis-stress model (Correct. The diathesis-stress model integrates both factors, suggesting that a biological or psychological predisposition (diathesis) to a given mental illness may contribute to its manifestation following a traumatic event (stress).)
A: diathesis-stress model

Q: Jonte has such a extreme fear of flying that she almost never gets home to see family in Georgia, ever since she took a job in New Jersey. Her excessive, distressing, and persistent fear is considered a/an
- generalized anxiety disorder. (Incorrect. Generalized anxiety disorder has some similar characteristics as those Jonte displays, but if Jonte had GAD, she would feel a global sense of fear and anxiety, almost always. Her fear only involves flying, so it is more specific.)
- mood disorder. (Incorrect. Mood disorders involve severe disturbances in emotion and mood, while Jonte’s fear is reserved for flying and situations that involve the prospect of flying.)
- panic disorder. (Incorrect. Panic attacks are the signature of panic disorder, and Jonte does not appear to have acute panic attacks. Her fear is specific to flying.)
- specific phobia. (Correct. Jonte’s extreme fear of flying is an example of a specific phobia that causes significant distress in her life.)
A: specific phobia.

Q: Intense fear, anxiety, and avoidance of public places and spaces is known as
- acrophobia. (Incorrect. Acrophobia is a fear of heights (and fear of flying has a different name).)
- generalized anxiety disorder. (Incorrect. Generalized anxiety disorder is a more diffuse sense of general worry about everything, accompanied by a constant state of tension or apprehension.)
- panic disorder (Incorrect. Panic disorder requires the presence of panic attacks, which are acute, approximately 10-minute episodes of severe distress that often involve agonizing whole-body responses.)
- agoraphobia. (Correct. Agoraphobia translates as “fear of the marketplace,” and people who suffer from it avoid public spaces because these places may be difficult places to escape or get assistance should the individual require help.)
A: agoraphobia.

Q: Anxiety disorders are generally characterized by
- inability to control the body’s reaction to fear. (Incorrect. People suffering from anxiety can learn to control their bodily reactions to fear, with things like breathing exercises, meditation, cognitive therapy, and medication)
- sporadic, intense flashbacks. (Incorrect. These flashbacks are characteristic of PTSD.)
- the need to perform safety behaviors. (Incorrect. This might seem like the right answer, because it involves a coping technique, but remember that safety behaviors are specific to social anxiety, which seek to reduce the chance of negative social outcomes.)
- excessive, persistent fear and anxiety. (Correct. These are general characteristics of anxiety disorders)
A: excessive, persistent fear and anxiety.

Q: Monkeys were ________ to develop a fear of  fear-relevant stimuli, like toy snakes or a toy crocodile, as they were to fear-irrelevant stimuli, like flowers or a toy rabbit.
- less likely (Incorrect. Monkeys were more likely to develop a fear of a fear-relevant stimulus, likely due in part to the evolutionary advantage such learning lent the species over time.)
- just as likely (Incorrect. Some associations are easier to condition. With a fear response, it is much easier to associate something that naturally evokes a fear response with a conditioned stimulus than it is to form a fear response to something innocuous.)
- it could not be determined (Incorrect. There was a clear difference; it is much easier to condition fear responses to naturally fear-relevant stimuli than to fear-irrelevant stimuli.)
- more likely (Correct. Fear-relevant stimuli were easier to condition monkeys to fear because there is an evolutionary basis for fearing stimuli that can harm them.)
A: more likely

Q: Modeling, verbal transmission of information, and ________ are all ways that someone might come to develop a specific phobia.
- situational learning (Incorrect. Situational learning is learning while doing something. This would be difficult to associate with a specific phobia, because phobias are not usually associated with things we encounter and do in our daily lives. If one chooses a profession like snake handler, for example, it is unlikely she has a phobia of snakes.)
- evolution (Incorrect. Only in the very long term does evolution play a role in the development of phobias in a species as a whole.)
- generalization (Incorrect. Generalization of stimuli may occur in an individual, adding to their specific phobia, but this process is associated with classical conditioning (the actual learning mechanism).)
- classical conditioning (Correct. A specific phobia can be classically conditioned. For example, if Holly’s sister locked her in a trunk when she was little, she might develop a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia).)
A: classical conditioning

Q: If Jeremy has social anxiety disorder, which is a safety behavior he might adopt in order to reduce anxiety in social situations?
- engage in constant exercise (Incorrect. Although this might keep him away from other people, exercising would elevate Jeremy’s heart rate, mimicking one of the symptoms of anxiety, which might exacerbate his feelings of anxiety.)
- introduce himself to everyone (Incorrect. This behavior would be more likely to get Jeremy noticed and drawn into anxiety-provoking social interactions.)
- wearing ostentatious clothing (Incorrect. Jeremy’s flashy clothes are apt to start conversations, rather than avert them, so this would not help him reduce social anxiety.)
- ask other people lots of questions (Correct. This is a safety behavior because, while he is still engaging in social interaction, he is not the subject of scrutiny if he’s asking other people questions.)
A: ask other people lots of questions

Q: If Samaria demonstrates behavioral inhibition early in on life by crying or not speaking when in new situations or around unfamiliar people, she will be
- at a lower risk for developing social anxiety disorder. (Incorrect. Behavioral inhibition early in life is an established risk factor for social anxiety disorder.)
- at an increased risk for developing specific phobias. (Incorrect. Behavioral inhibition is not one of the main risk factors associated with the development of specific phobias.)
- at a decreased risk for developing specific phobias. (Incorrect. Behavioral inhibition is not associated with an increased or decreased risk for developing specific phobias, but it makes sense that if a person is behaviorally inhibited, one may be more fearful globally.)
- at a greater risk for developing social anxiety disorder. (Correct. Behavioral inhibition early in life is an established risk factor for social anxiety disorder.)
A: at a greater risk for developing social anxiety disorder.

Q: If conditioning theories about panic disorder are correct, how might it be treated?
- reverse classical conditioning (Incorrect. Reverse classical conditioning is not a psychological concept, and panic attack responses spontaneous by nature, so it is difficult to determine if an association has been extinguished. Thinking rationally about one’s responses and trying to reduce the stress one associates with the symptoms of a panic attack may help.)
- drugs to block stimulation of norepinephrine activity in the locus coeruleus (Incorrect. Neurobiological theory is likely guiding this treatment decision.)
- reducing thoughts about catastrophes caused by sensations (Correct. De-catastrophizing one’s thoughts about bodily sensations and instead telling one’s self that the symptoms are temporary and trying to relax can help weaken the conditioned fear response.)
A: reducing thoughts about catastrophes caused by sensations

Q: While nearly ¼ of Americans may experience a panic attack at some point during their lives, in order to be diagnosed with a ________, a person should have attacks along with at least one month of anxiety and worry about the attacks.
- generalized anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Generalized anxiety disorder can be described as free-floating, or global, and does not need to be punctuated with a panic attack for diagnosis.)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (Incorrect. Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves a pattern of intrusive, unwanted thoughts, and repetitive behaviors.)
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. People with social anxiety disorder feel anxious in social settings where they may draw attention to or embarass themselves, and engage in safety behaviors. Attacks are not a diagnostic criteria.)
- panic disorder (Correct. Anxiety about attacks is an important part of panic disorder, and may serve as a trigger for panic attacks.)
A: panic disorder

Q: A ________ is a short period of extreme worry sometimes manifested by an accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, choking sensations, hot flashes or chills, dizziness or lightheadedness, fears of losing control or going crazy, and fears of dying.
- phobia (Incorrect. While a person facing a phobia may experience some of these symptoms, phobias are not associated with these short, acute attacks.)
- compulsion (Incorrect. A compulsion is a behavior one feels one must act upon in order to ease an obsessive thought plaguing them. These compulsions may at times be more prominent and feel more urgent than at other times, but they don’t go away; they are chronic, rather than acute.)
- flashback (Incorrect. Flashbacks, a characteristic symptom of PTSD, can vary in length from a few seconds to several days, and, unlike panic attacks, have a discernible cause: a traumatic event.)
- panic attack (Correct. A panic attack may manifest in all of these ways, and generally last about 10 minutes.)
A: panic attack

Q: Constant worry is a key feature of
- panic attacks. (Incorrect. Panic disorder involves a constant worry about when the next attack will come, but the attack itself is acute.)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder. (Incorrect. Obsessions are a form of worry, upon which people with OCD must act with obsessive, repetitive behaviors, but constant worry is associated with a more global type of anxiety.)
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Social anxiety disorder restricts the anxiety to social situations, where the individual may be embarrassed or scrutinized in ways that causes him/her increased anxiety.)
- generalized anxiety disorder. (Correct. People with generalized anxiety disorder tend to worry constantly and excessively, to the detriment of living a normal life.)
A: generalized anxiety disorder.

Q: Leini is constantly worried about nearly everything in her life. She worries she will perform poorly in school, she worries about her health, and she worries about her family and friends. All of the worry makes it hard for her to focus and concentrate. She could possibly be diagnosed with
- panic attacks. (Incorrect. Panic attacks are acute episodes, while Leini is chronically worried.)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder. (Incorrect. For Leini to fit the diagnostic criteria for OCD, her worries would have to take the form of obsessions, thoughts upon which she feels compelled to act in various rituals, in an effort to decrease her anxiety levels.)
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Leini is not just anxious in social settings; her anxiety is more global and non-specific.)
- generalized anxiety disorder. (Correct. Leini’s constant worry, which causes significant distress in her life fits with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder.)
A: generalized anxiety disorder.

Q: ________ is characterized by a continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and pointless worry and apprehension.
- Panic disorder (Incorrect. For a panic disorder diagnosis, at least one panic attack must have occurred.)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (Incorrect. OCD is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Worry does not qualify as an obsession unless one feels one must act (compulsions) in a certain way to reduce that worry.)
- Free-floating anxiety disorder (Incorrect. While this is a way to describe generalized anxiety disorder, the term free-floating anxiety is not used in contemporary diagnoses.)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (Correct. This describes symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.)
A: Generalized anxiety disorder

Q: The ________ is an area of the frontal lobe involved in learning and decision-making and the perceived emotional value of things. It plays a critical role in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- cingulate cortex (Incorrect. The anterior cingulate cortex is associated with hoarding disorder. Remember the frontal cortex is home to the “OCD circuit.”)
- precranial cortex (Incorrect. The prefrontal cortex is believed to be associated with body dysmorphic disorder, and the orbitofrontal cortex, associated with OCD, is located within the prefrontal cortex.)
- anterior cortex (Incorrect. The anterior cingulate cortex is associated with hoarding disorder. Remember the frontal cortex is home to the “OCD circuit.”)
- orbitofrontal cortex (Correct. The orbitofrontal cortex is especially active in brain scans of patients with OCD while their symptoms are provoked.)
A: orbitofrontal cortex

Q: Mahdi locks the door before she goes to bed at night, then checks it exactly 10 more times before she can actually fall asleep. This may be a sign that Mahdi suffers from
- social anxiety disorder. (Incorrect. There is no indication here that Mahdi has difficulties with social settings; rather, she cannot sleep until she satisfies a compulsion related to an obsessive, unwanted thought.)
- schizophrenia. (Incorrect. Mahdi still seems fully rooted to reality, but feels an obsessive need to check her door before she can feel relaxed enough to sleep.)
- post-traumatic stress disorder (Incorrect. Although some of Mahdi’s symptoms are similar to PTSD symptoms (hypervigilance, unwanted thoughts), we do not have any information about a traumatic event, so her symptoms are more likely to be obsessions (unwanted thoughts), and compulsions (hypervigilance--until the ritual of checking 10 times is complete).)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder. (Correct. Mahdii’s obsession may be safety-related, and the compulsion that makes her feel a decrease in safety-related obsession-driven anxiety is checking the door 10 times.)
A: obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Q: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions, which are ________ and/or compulsions, which are ________ .
- flashbacks; repetitive, distressing thoughts (Incorrect. Flashbacks, characteristic of PTSD, involve re-experiencing a traumatic event. Obsessions and compulsions do not always have a clear link between the obsessive thought and the compulsive behavior.)
- repetitive behaviors; distressing thoughts (Incorrect. Remember that obsessions are thoughts, and compulsions are actions.)
- episodes of intense worry; erratic bodily movements (Incorrect. Obsessions are an unwanted, disturbing fixation of thought, which could include worry. Erratic bodily movements are not associated with OCD, and are not driven by intent, like compulsions.)
- repetitive, distressing thoughts; repetitive behaviors (Correct. Obsessions are thoughts, and compulsions are actions.)
A: repetitive, distressing thoughts; repetitive behaviors

Q: Brian, an officer in the Air Force, was injured while serving in Iraq. He was involved in a roadside ambush and although he sustained only minor injuries to his arm, one of his soldiers was killed during the gunfire. He has had a hard time sleeping ever since and often has nightmares of the event. He often blames himself for what happened and feels terribly guilty about it all. Brian has symptoms of
- antisocial personality disorder (Incorrect. If Brian had antisocial personality disorder, he may not care very much that one of his soldiers died, not having empathy for the pain of others.)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (Incorrect. Brian seems to obsess over the event, but he’s not displaying any compulsive behaviors to try to alleviate his anxiety. His anxiety has a clear cause: the roadside ambush and the soldier’s death. Re-experiencing trauma from a specific event is not consistent with OCD.)
- major depressive disorder (Incorrect. Flashbacks are not a common symptom of major depressive disorder, and although disturbances in sleep patterns are signs of depression, Brian’s sleep disturbances sound like flashbacks.)
- posttraumatic stress disorder (Correct. Brian is experiencing significant emotional distress and life disturbances, associated with the ambush that killed one of his soldiers. He has flashbacks to the event. All of these signs point to PTSD.)
A: posttraumatic stress disorder

Q: Carrie was the first responder at a horrific car accident that happened right in front of her on the road. She’s had flashbacks to the accident almost daily and has been tense and irritable since then. She likely has
- antisocial personality disorder (Incorrect. Antisocial personality disorder is a mood disorder marked by a lack of empathy, using others, and impulsivity.)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (Incorrect. There is no evidence Carrie has any obsessions or compulsions; instead, she is traumatized by the car accident for which she was the first responder.)
- panic disorder (Incorrect. Panic disorder is marked by acute panic attacks and anxiety about future attacks. While flashbacks might at times resemble panic attacks, panic attacks are usually about 10 minutes long and cause the person severe physical and mental distress. Flashbacks, in contrast, are highly variable and subjective.)
- posttraumatic stress disorder (Correct. Carrie is having flashbacks and shows increased irritability. These are symptoms of PTSD.)
A: posttraumatic stress disorder

Q: Who would be statistically more likely to develop PTSD: Tanya, who experienced sexual assault, or Miguel, who lost his house during a devastating tornado?
- Miguel (Incorrect. A natural disaster is devastating, but is more likely to be a shared experience and, as a naturally occurring phenomenon, it is easier to understand and explain why it happened.)
- they are equally likely to develop PTSD (Incorrect. People who experience attacks carried out by others are statistically more likely to develop PTSD.)
- it is not possible to determine (Incorrect. People who experience attacks carried out by others are statistically more likely to develop PTSD.)
- Tanya (Correct. Tanya experienced a violation of her body, perpetrated by another person, and this type of attack is more likely to lead to a victim experiencing PTSD.)
A: Tanya

Q: Which of the following is a behavior associated with depression?
- extreme nervousness around people (Incorrect. These symptoms sound more like social anxiety disorder, because the focus is discomfort around people.)
- flashbacks (Incorrect. Flashbacks are typically associated with posttraumatic stress disorder.)
- continual, excessive worry (Incorrect. These symptoms are more closely related to generalized anxiety disorder.)
- feelings of hopelessness (Correct. Feelings of hopelessness are associated with depression.)
A: feelings of hopelessness

Q: Which of the following is a behavior associated with depression?
- sudden interest in new hobbies (Incorrect. It may be that depression leaves a person with no interest in new hobbies, but to differentiate depression from one’s normal behavior, look for them to change something they’ve always done.)
- mania (Incorrect. Mania involves euphoria, and intense emotional highs, while depression involves the very lows of emotional states, such as hopelessness. When a person exhibits both depression and mania, this is indicative of bipolar disorder.)
- loosening of inhibitions, acting in impulsive ways (Incorrect. These symptoms might be associated with a manic episode or indicate a mood disorder, and are not associated with depression.)
- loss of interest in usual activities (Correct. Loss of interest in activities that usually give one pleasure is a sign of depression.)
A: loss of interest in usual activities

Q: Major depressive disorder is often ________, meaning its symptoms are typically present at their full magnitude for a certain period of time and then gradually abate.
- asymptomatic (Incorrect. Asymptomatic means there is a lack of symptoms. For major depressive disorder to be asymptomatic, it would be considered in remission (or just not present).)
- seasonally patterned (Incorrect. The period of time is not specified here as coinciding with any particular season, so this is not the best answer.)
- dysthymic (Incorrect. Persistent depressive disorder used to be known as dysthymia, which is a milder form of persistent depression that can be punctuated by episodes of major depressive disorder.)
- episodic (Correct. Major depressive disorder is often episodic, abating and reappearing at different periods of time.)
A: episodic

Q: Risk factors for depression include being unemployed, being separated, divorced, or widowed, earning less than $20,000 per year, and living in ________.
- rural areas (Incorrect. Living in rural areas is not associated with an elevated risk for depression.)
- Asia (Incorrect. Depression rates are lower in Asia than in the Americas and Europe.)
- suburban areas (Incorrect. There is no evidence suburban living is a significant risk factor for depression.)
- the Americas or Europe (Correct. Depression rates are higher in the Americas and Europe than in other parts of the world.)
A: the Americas or Europe

Q: If someone is generally depressed in the winter or has “winter blues”, they may have ________ depression.
- peripartum onset (Incorrect. Peripartum onset depression is also known as postpartum depression, meaning it occurs after one has given birth.)
- persistent depressive disorder (Incorrect. Persistent depressive disorder can manifest symptoms year-round, and does not depend on the seasons.)
- episodic (Incorrect. Major depressive disorder is considered episodic, as it can be very intense at times, and wane at others. Its hallmark is the overwhelming, debilitating episodes of depression known as major depression.)
- seasonal pattern (Correct. Seasonal pattern depression often occurs during the winter season for people who experience this type of depression.)
A: seasonal pattern

Q: Giada is sad and melancholy much of the time, and has felt that way for several years. Her symptoms are milder than major depressive disorder, so she likely has ________.
- seasonal pattern depression (Incorrect. Giada suffers from mild depression all of the time, not just seasonally.)
- peripartum onset depression (Incorrect. This type of depression accompanies pregnancy and childbirth, and we do not have any evidence to suggest Giada has recently given birth or that her depression is birth related.)
- manic depressive disorder (Incorrect. For Giada’s symptoms to indicate bipolar disorder, she would need to have at least one manic episode, which is not indicated here.)
- persistent depressive disorder (Correct. Giada’s depression is persistent, yet she is probably able to cope fairly well with daily life, in contrast to the major disruptions major depressive disorder may cause.)
A: persistent depressive disorder

Q: ________ typically lasts a ________ time and is less severe than major depressive disorder.
- Persistent depressive disorder; short (Incorrect. Persistent depressive disorder can endure over a prolonged period of time.)
- Seasonal pattern depression; long (Incorrect. The word “seasonal,” should be a clue that this pattern of depression has a limited duration.)
- Peripartum onset depression; long (Incorrect. Peripartum onset depression occurs during or after a pregnancy, and when identified quickly, can be treated and last for a relatively short duration, though it can be quite severe.)
- Persistent depressive disorder; long (Correct. Persistent depressive disorder can involve a low mood over an extended period of time.)
A: Persistent depressive disorder; long

Q: Nearly ________ of women who had recently given birth screen positive for peripartum onset depression.
- 35% (Incorrect. This is closer than higher numbers, but still an overestimate- this implies over 1/3 of women pregnant or giving birth experience this type of depression.)
- 45% (Incorrect. This is a significant overestimate. Remember, prevalence rates do not have to be this high to be significant.)
- 80% (Incorrect. This is a gross overestimate, which implies peripartum depression is the norm, not the exception.)
- 15% (Correct. While a 15% prevalence rate makes peripartum onset depression fairly common, it is important to remember that it is still an episode of major depression, which falls outside of the normal mood spectrum.)
A: 15%

Q: If a person experiences mood states that vacillate between depression and mania, they may have ________.
- persistent depressive disorder (Incorrect. Persons with persistent depressive disorder tend to experience mostly low mood states. Euphoric, manic states are not a characteristic of this long-term low-level type of depression.)
- major depression (Incorrect. Major depressive disorder is characterized by only the lowest of moods, not the heights of mania.)
- seasonal affective disorder (Incorrect. Another term for seasonal onset depression, this type of depression comes seasonally, but is not contrasted in its off-seasons by manic episodes.)
- bipolar disorder (Correct. Bipolar disorder is marked by at least one manic episode, often accompanied by vacillating mood states between depression and mania.)
A: bipolar disorder

Q: Which is the symptom of bipolar disorder that involves abruptly switching conversation from one topic to another?
- mania (Incorrect. Mania is the overall term for the euphoric, grandiose, uninhibited state that contrasts with depression in bipolar disorder.)
- panic (Incorrect. Switching topics rapidly reflects an inability to focus, not panic.)
- word salad (Incorrect. The term “word salad” is sometimes used to describe the garbled form of speech a person with schizophrenia will display as a symptom of disorganized thought processes.)
- flight of ideas (Correct. This abrupt topic-switching inability to focus on one subject is known as flight of ideas.)
A: flight of ideas

Q: On Saturday, Ramon felt hopelessly sad, overwhelmed, and unmotivated. On Tuesday, however, he felt energized, and powerful, and decided to buy a new car. Ramon may have
- post-traumatic stress disorder (Incorrect. PTSD involves flashbacks and distress associated with a particular traumatic event.)
- schizophrenia (Incorrect. Schizophrenia is unlikely because Ramon does not appear to have any trouble discerning reality from delusions, and his symptoms do not align with schizophrenia.)
- impulse control disorder (Incorrect. While Ramon’s decision to buy a new car was likely impulsive, depression preceded this impulsive decision and his grandiose mood, so both mood states need to be considered.)
- bipolar disorder (Correct. Ramon may have bipolar disorder, as it appears he has cycled from depression to a manic episode with lowered inhibitions.)
A: bipolar disorder

Q: Genetic factors play a large role in ________. Twin studies show that identical twins are have a 67% chance of getting this disorder if their twin has it as well.
- major depression (Incorrect. Genetics do play a significant role in major depression, but the concordance rate for identical twins is around 50%.)
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. While concordance rates among identical twins for most psychological disorders are stronger than for non-twins, social anxiety does not have such a strong identifiable genetic component.)
- obsessive- compulsive disorder (Incorrect. There is a strong genetic component in OCD, but concordance rates are closer to 50% for identical twins. Most disorders result from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors.)
- bipolar disorder (Correct. Bipolar disorder has a very high concordance rate among identical twins, suggesting genetics play a significant role in this mood disorder.)
A: bipolar disorder

Q: Research finds that chronic stress may activate one’s biological or psychological stress response system over an extended period of time, which is related to an increased risk of major depressive disorder. This is consistent with ________.
- the supernatural (Incorrect. The supernatural view does not incorporate scientific research into its theory of depression; instead it relies on forces beyond human understanding such as deity or otherworldly powers.)
- hopelessness theory (Incorrect. Hopelessness theory suggests the person experiencing depression believes his/her situation is both global and stable, and they lose hope in their ability to change their circumstances; it does not account for activation of a biological or psychological response system.)
- serotonin theory (Incorrect. The model described attributes both internal and external factors. A variation of a specific serotonin transporter gene may give a person a predisposition to developing depression, but this does not address the external factors (stressors).)
- the diathesis-stress model (Correct. The diathesis-stress model combines a predisposition toward depression with stressors to explain the development of major depressive disorder.)
A: the diathesis-stress model

Q: Studies on genes that regulate serotonin reveal that if a person has 1 or 2 short versions of a specific gene (5-HTTLPR), they may be ________ to develop major depressive disorder.
- less likely (Incorrect. Research indicates the opposite is true: having the short version of the 5-HTTLPR gene conveys a greater risk.)
- just as likely as their parents (Incorrect. There is research to indicate having two short versions (alleles) of the 5-HTTLPR gene carries with it an increased risk of developing major depressive disorder.)
- certain (Incorrect. No genetic predisposition for mental illness carries with it a 100% certainty of passing to the next generation.)
- more likely (Correct. Research suggests that individuals with two of the short versions (alleles) of the 5-HTTLPR (serotonin transporter gene) are more likely to develop major depressive disorder; and even one of the short alleles conveys some risk.)
A: more likely

Q: Which neurotransmitter is connected to suicide when there are low levels present in the brain?
- epinephrine (Incorrect. Epinephrine is the “fight or flight” neurotransmitter, which provides the body with energy (adrenaline); low levels of may be associated with depression and anxiety, but not specifically with suicide.)
- dopamine (Incorrect. Dopamine feeds the reward centers of the brain. A deficiency in reward does not equate to suicidal behavior.)
- norepinephrine (Incorrect. Norepinephrine increases blood pressure, so low levels of this neurotransmitter are more likely to lower one’s blood pressure than increase suicidal ideation.)
- serotonin (Correct. Low levels of serotonin in the synapse have been associated with severe depression, low impulse control, and suicidality.)
A: serotonin

Q: What percentage of those who commit suicide have a mental disorder?
- 25% (Incorrect. Unfortunately, the percentage is much higher.)
- 70% (Incorrect. The prevalence of mental disorders among those who commit suicide is astoundingly high.)
- 10% (Incorrect. Unfortunately, the prevalence is much closer to 100%.)
- 90% (Correct. The prevalence rate is so high, especially for mood disorders, that one of the criteria for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder is suicidal ideation.)
A: 90%

Q: Suicide among ________ is more common that among ________.
- Hispanics; whites (Incorrect. Non-Hispanic whites have a higher suicide rate than Hispanics.)
- those living in the Southeast United States; those living in the Western United States (Incorrect. Suicide is most common among those living in the Western United States.)
- teenagers; those above 65 (Incorrect. Suicide is more common among those aged 65 and older.)
- males; females (Correct. Suicide is more common among males, partially because they more frequently use lethal means like firearms.)
A: males; females

Q: Suicide among ________ is more common that among ________.
- teenagers; those above 65 (Incorrect. Suicide is more common among those over the age of 65 than among the teenage population.)
- Blacks; Native Americans (Incorrect. Native Americans are among those with the highest rates of suicides in the U.S.)
- Hispanics; whites (Incorrect. The prevalence of suicide is greater among non-hispanic whites.)
- males; females (Correct. Males more often complete suicide than females, partially because they more frequently use more lethal means, such as firearms.)
A: males; females

Q: Major disturbances in thought, emotion, perception, and behavior characterize  ________.
- bipolar disorder (Incorrect. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, wherein the individual experiences extremes of emotion: depression and mania, but still perceives the world as it is.)
- panic disorder (Incorrect. Panic disorder is marked by intense episodes of severe anxiety, where an individual may think he/she is dying.)
- manic panic disorder (Incorrect. There is no disorder called manic panic disorder. This combines mania (highs of emotion) and panic (severe attacks of terror). Manic panic is a brand of colorful hair dye.)
- schizophrenia (Correct. Schizophrenia involves these symptoms as part of an overall disconnection from reality.)
A: schizophrenia

Q: Devin was convinced that people were following him. He started hearing voices, and would stare out the window for hours without moving. He eventually dropped out of school and lost his job because of the paranoia. Devin most likely has ________.
- bipolar disorder (Incorrect. Devin’s symptoms seem to disconnect him from reality and impair his ability to function in the world; he does not display any signs of manic behavior with grandiose moods, nor is there evidence of a low extreme (depression) in his mood.)
- panic disorder (Incorrect: Devin is not displaying any symptoms of panic attacks, acute episodes of intense anxiety that make him feel like he might die; instead, he seems generally disconnected from and suspicious of the world around him.)
- dissociative identity disorder (Incorrect. Dissociative identity disorder involves the integration of more than one separate personality or identity within the same individual. Devin is experiencing paranoia and delusions, but not multiple personalities.)
- schizophrenia (Correct. Devin seems to be displaying the positive symptoms of delusions and audible hallucinations, and the negative symptom of catatonia, that make it difficult for him to function, consistent with schizophrenia.)
A: schizophrenia

Q: Paranoid delusions are those
- in which a person believes that they special power, unique knowledge, or are extremely important. (Incorrect. These are delusions of grandeur- the belief that one is more unique or special than everyone else in some extraordinary way.)
- that involve the belief that something highly abnormal is happening to one’s body. (Incorrect. These are somatic delusions. Somatic symptoms refer to the body.)
- that involve the person believing they are more than one person in the same body. (Incorrect. This sounds more like dissociative identity disorder than paranoid delusions, a positive symptom of schizophrenia.)
- that involve the (false) belief that other people or agencies are plotting to harm the person. (Correct. Paranoid delusions involve the false belief in plots or conspiracies against one’s self.)
A: that involve the (false) belief that other people or agencies are plotting to harm the person.

Q: If Jamie, who has schizophrenia, shows signs of avolition by not engaging or caring about taking a shower or getting her hair out of her face. This is considered a ________.
- positive symptom (Incorrect. Jamie is displaying a lack of volition regarding personal hygiene. Positive symptoms require something to be added.)
- pattern of disorganized thinking (Incorrect. This doesn’t really show us Jamie’s thought process to know if it’s disorganized, so this isn’t the best explanation for her behavior or lack thereof.)
- somatic delusion (Incorrect. Somatic delusions involve believing something strange is happening within or to one’s body, and Jamie seems not to notice or pay attention to her body in any significant way.)
- negative symptom (Correct. The prefix a- is a good clue that something is a negative symptom. In this case, avolition means a lack of will, so Jamie is displaying a negative symptom.)
A: negative symptom

Q: Neuroimaging studies show that patients with schizophrenia often have enlarged ________.
- thalamus (That’s incorrect. The thalamus relays motor and sensory information from the body to the cerebral cortex. These functions are often impaired in schizophrenia.)
- temporal lobes (That’s incorrect. The temporal lobes, which are the area of the brain primarily responsible for speech, are typically smaller in people with schizophrenia. The correct answer is a structure that is larger in people with schizophrenia.)
- hypothalamus (That’s incorrect. Stimulation of the hypothalamus is involved with pleasure, and patients with schizophrenia can experience anhedonia, or a lack of pleasure.)
- ventricles (That’s correct! Patients with schizophrenia often have enlarged ventricles--the fluid-filled spaces in the brain. This is because of loss of neurons in the brain.)
A: ventricles

Q: Based on the effectiveness of drugs used to treat schizophrenia, researchers believe that the neurotransmitter ________ has a primary role in the disease.
- GABA (That’s incorrect. The mental disorder most commonly associated with GABA is anxiety.)
- serotonin (That’s incorrect. Although we think serotonin has some role in schizophrenia, dopamine seems to have the primary role. Also, medications for schizophrenia affect the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is how researchers discovered the role of dopamine in the disease.)
- adrenaline (Incorrect. One of the primary theories about schizophrenia involves the levels of dopamine, not adrenaline levels.)
- dopamine (That’s correct! Although we now know that the mechanism is more complicated than what was once believed, high levels of dopamine are associated with schizophrenia.)
A: dopamine

Q: Minor symptoms of psychosis, problems at school or work, or a decline in social functioning are all considered ________ of schizophrenia.
- negative symptoms (Neither positive nor negative symptoms are more or less severe than the other. Negative symptoms involve a lack of something that is normally present.)
- positive symptoms (Incorrect. Neither positive nor negative symptoms are more or less severe than the other. Positive symptoms are those that are notable for their presence.)
- postdromal symptoms. (Incorrect. These are not a type of symptom associated with schizophrenia. The prefix, post-, means after, so these would be symptoms that come later and would thus be ineffective predictive tools.)
- prodromal symptoms. (Correct. These are minor symptoms that may indicate a worsening in the condition to follow, denoted by the prefix, pro-, meaning they come before other, more severe symptoms.)
A: prodromal symptoms.

Q: Which of the following has been shown to have a connection with schizophrenia?
- emotional stress while breastfeeding (Incorrect. There is evidence, however, that there is an elevated risk of schizophrenia in the child if the mother experiences this emotional distress while pregnant, especially during the first trimester.)
- low levels of epinephrine (Incorrect. Low levels of epinephrine (adrenaline) have not been associated with schizophrenia.)
- status as a twin (Incorrect. While it is more likely an identical twin of a person who has schizophrenia will develop schizophrenia than a non-identical twin sibling, one’s status as a twin does not count as a risk factor by itself.)
- marijuana use (Correct. There is evidence of a correlation between schizophrenia and marijuana use, and although causation cannot be determined definitively, some research suggests marijuana use during brain development (early use), may alter development.)
A: marijuana use

Q: Which of the following has been shown to have a connection with having a greater risk for schizophrenia?
- having an alcoholic parent (Incorrect. While this might provide an environmental risk if one is genetically predisposed, there is no strong connection.)
- having low levels of epinephrine (Incorrect. Low levels of epinephrine (adrenaline) have not been correlated with a greater risk for schizophrenia.)
- the death of a family member while breastfeeding (Incorrect. There is evidence that the death of a family member during pregnancy can increase the risk for schizophrenia in offspring.)
- having an identical twin with schizophrenia (Correct. Concordance rates for schizophrenia are high between identical twins.)
A: having an identical twin with schizophrenia

Q: John was the victim of a violent crime when he was a freshman in college. While he suffered no head injuries as a result, he cannot remember anything from the time period of his assault. He most likely may be diagnosed with the following:
- Dissociative identity disorder (Incorrect. There is no indication that John went on to form additional personalities as a result of his attack.)
- Dissociative fugue (That’s not quite right. While John could have fled and his identity may have been affected by this trauma, there is no indication that this happened from the information given.)
- Dissociative aphasia (Incorrect. Aphasia means a lack of speech, so this isn’t really John’s problem; he can’t verbalize what happened to him because he can’t remember it.)
- Dissociative amnesia (Correct! John appears to have lost memory of the event due to the psychological trauma associated with it.)
A: Dissociative amnesia

Q: Dissociative identity disorder is controversial because the rates of the disorder suddenly skyrocketed in the 1980s and then rapidly declined and also because
- only those with enlarged brain ventricles will develop the disorder. (Incorrect. Enlarged ventricles are found in persons with schizophrenia, and if this also applied to persons with dissociative identity disorder, the enlarged ventricles would provide a piece of biological evidence in support of the disorder’s existence, and likely diminish some controversy over it.)
- there is no evidence that adopting multiple personalities is a coping mechanism. (Incorrect. There is strong evidence supporting the claim that adopting multiple personalities may be a coping mechanism for those who have suffered abuse.)
- there is no evidence trauma could potentially trigger a dissociative response (Incorrect. There is strong evidence supporting the claim that multiple personalities may arise as a coping mechanism after suffering abuse and trauma.)
- people may fake symptoms to avoid punishment. (Correct. Both of these are reasons dissociative identity disorder is controversial. Popular culture in the 1980s contributed to increasing rates of diagnoses, and it provides a convenient excuse for criminal offenders.)
A: people may fake symptoms to avoid punishment.

Q: Diana exhibits two separate personalities, each well-defined with distinct characteristics. She could be diagnosed with ________ disorder.
- anxiety (Incorrect. People with anxiety disorders still have awareness of the world as it is, but experience heightened tension within it, brought on by various stressors.)
- personality (Incorrect. Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters, which are categorized under a different portion of the DSM-5’s classification system than dissociative disorders.)
- phantom somatic (Incorrect. A phantom somatic disorder would be something a person feels that is not in their own body, or believing they have a disorder or illness they do not have. This may come in the form of somatic delusions, associated with schizophrenia.)
- dissociative identity (Correct. Diana’s symptoms are consistent with dissociative identity disorder, having more than one distinct personality.)
A: dissociative identity

Q: A/An ________ is a style of thinking, feeling, behaving and relating to others is significantly different from normal cultural expectations.
- cluster A disorder (Incorrect. Cluster A encompasses only one type of personality disorder, all of which differ significantly from the cultural norm and its expectations.)
- anxiety disorder (Incorrect. An anxiety impairs an individual’s function in life, and may be displayed in behaviors different from the norm, but this example is looking for a disorganized pattern of thinking as it relates to one’s self-image.)
- cluster B disorder (Incorrect. Cluster B is only one subset of the overarching category of personality disorders, and includes borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders.)
- personality disorder (Correct. If one’s personality is defined as their style of thinking, behaving, and relating to others, then a disorder of the personality would differ significantly from the norm and often causes disruptions in interpersonal relationships.)
A: personality disorder

Q: Which option correctly matches a personality disorder cluster to the type of disorders in that cluster?
- Cluster C – dramatic/erratic (That's incorrect. Cluster C is anxious and inhibited.)
- Cluster B – anxious/inhibited (That's incorrect. That is a description of Cluster C.)
- Cluster B – odd/eccentric (That’s incorrect. Cluster B is dramatic/erratic.)
- Cluster A – odd/eccentric (That's correct. Cluster A is odd/eccentric.)
A: Cluster A – odd/eccentric

Q: Shianne harbors a pervasive and unjustifiable suspiciousness and mistrust of others and has a hard time making or keeping friends. Daniel has unusual perceptual experiences, idiosyncratic speech, and displays inappropriate emotions. Shianna and Daniel both have personality disorders categorized in  ________ of the DSM-V.
- cluster B (Incorrect. Neither individual seems to have overly dramatic, intense, and even usurious relationships with other people that one might expect to see in cluster B personalities: antisocial, histrionic, borderline, and narcissistic, or “dramatic/erratic.”)
- cluster C (Incorrect. Cluster C personality disorders are nervous and fearful, anxious and inhibited, but these two individuals sound like they have cluster A disorders, with suspicion of others and eccentricities.)
- dissociative (Incorrect. Dissociative identity disorder involves having multiple personalities- Shianne and Daniel’s personality disorders sound more like Cluster A disorders.)
- cluster A (Correct. These both sound like cluster A disorders, which are: schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid. Shianne seems quite paranoid, while Daniel’s eccentricities suggest a likely schizotypal personality.)
A: cluster A

Q: Carrie is dramatic and emotionally volatile. She rapidly forms intense relationships that seem to blow up or fall apart just as quickly. Although she tends to distrust others, she also needs their attention. Carrie might be diagnosed with ________ personality disorder.
- antisocial (That's incorrect. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by repeatedly breaking the rules and violating the rights of others.)
- narcissistic (That's incorrect. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance.)
- avoidant (That’s incorrect. Carrie seeks close relationships, but they are volatile; if her personality disorder was avoidant, she might instead have trouble making friends, feeling at once an intense need for them and an intense fear of rejection.)
- borderline (That's correct! Carrie most likely has borderline personality disorder.)
A: borderline

Q: Which of the following is a sign of borderline personality disorder?
- self-love and conceit (Incorrect. This is a characteristic of narcissistic personality disorder.)
- violence towards others (Incorrect. Violence toward others is more frequently found in those with antisocial personality disorder.)
- emotional coldness and detachment (Incorrect. This is a sign of schizoid personality disorder.)
- impulsivity (Correct. Those with borderline personality disorder can be impulsive, unpredictable, and self-damaging.)
A: impulsivity

Q: Which of the following is a sign of borderline personality disorder?
- odd or erratic thought patterns (Incorrect. Odd or erratic thought patterns can be associated with schizotypal personality disorder.)
- deceit and violence (Incorrect. Deceit and violence are signs of antisocial personality disorder.)
- unjustified suspicion of others (Incorrect. This is a characteristic of a paranoid personality disorder.)
- unstable emotions (Correct. Emotional instability is a sign of borderline personality disorder.)
A: unstable emotions

Q: Which is a defining symptom of antisocial personality disorder?
- self-destructive and defeating behavior (Incorrect. Self-destructive and defeating behavior are more characteristic of borderline personality disorder.)
- unstable emotions (Incorrect. While instability in general can describe many different personality disorders, and emotional instability takes varying forms in different personality disorders, there is not enough information in this answer to definitively pin it to one disorder, and it does not best fit APD.)
- suspiciousness of other people’s motives (Incorrect. This symptom is more in line with paranoid personality disorder.)
- no regard for other people’s rights or feelings (Correct. This is a defining symptom of antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy.)
A: no regard for other people’s rights or feelings

Q: Paris is manipulative and impulsive. She frequently steals or commits minor crimes and feels no remorse. What personality disorder seems to describe her?
- borderline personality disorder (Incorrect. Borderline personality disorder is marked by instability in relationships with other people and impulsivity, but does not feeling no remorse is not characteristic to BPD.)
- antagonistic personality disorder (Incorrect. While Paris’s behaviors are antagonistic, there is no personality disorder in the DSM-5 called antagonistic personality disorder, not to be confused with antisocial personality disorder.)
- schizoid personality disorder (Incorrect. The schizoid personality disorder involves a lack of interest in other people and detachment from them, but not mistreatment of them.)
- antisocial personality disorder (Correct. Paris’s actions most accurately reflect antisocial personality disorder, having no regard for others and their feelings.)
A: antisocial personality disorder

Q: Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by
- unstable emotions and relationships. (Incorrect. These are characteristics of borderline personality disorder.)
- mistrust and fear of other people. (Incorrect. Mistrust of other people is characteristic of paranoid personality disorder, while fear of others and their negative evaluations is a characteristic of avoidant personality disorder. These symptoms don’t fit APD very well.)
- feelings of superiority and specialness compared to others (Incorrect. This more accurately describes narcissistic personality disorder, though APD is in the same cluster, so it is not uncommon to see some overlap in symptoms or traits.)
- a lack of regard for other people’s rights or feelings. (Correct. Antisocial personality disorder is sometimes called sociopathy, which brings to mind these characteristics.)
A: a lack of regard for other people’s rights or feelings.

Q: People with ADHD show less activity of the neurotransmitter ________.
- epinephrine (Incorrect. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is not strongly associated with ADHD.)
- GABA (Incorrect. GABA is more commonly associated with anxiety disorders.)
- serotonin (Incorrect. Low serotonin levels are common in people with depression.)
- dopamine (Correct. ADHD medications seek to increase dopamine activity in patients.)
A: dopamine

Q: Genetic and neurological factors have a ________ impact on ADHD compared to social or environmental factors.
- lesser (Incorrect. Genetic and neurological factors have a greater impact on ADHD than environmental or social factors.)
- less obvious (Incorrect. This one may be tough to determine because often environmental and social situations are visible for a given snapshot in time, but the genetic factor can be apparent when, for example, siblings (especially identical twin siblings), or parents and children share ADHD and showcase its heritability.)
- similar (Incorrect. Genetic and neurological factors have a greater impact on ADHD than environmental or social factors.)
- greater (Correct. Genetic and neurological factors have a greater impact on ADHD than environmental or social factors.)
A: greater

Q: Which disorder includes symptoms of inattentiveness and impulsive behavior?
- autism (Incorrect. Autism spectrum disorders are marked by deficits in communication and social interaction, and repetitive patterns or highly structured behaviors.)
- schizoid personality disorder (Incorrect. A person with schizoid personality disorder is more likely to be disinterested in others and disconnected.)
- narcissistic personality disorder (Incorrect. Narcissistic personality disorder is marked by beliefs in one’s superiority over others and often unfounded confidence.)
- ADHD (Correct. These symptoms of ADHD interfere with normal functioning and make many aspects of life difficult.)
A: ADHD

Q: James is 6 years old and in first grade. His teacher notices that he has serious problems relating to adults and other children. He won’t make eye contact with other people and barely speaks. He often fidgets and wiggles his fingers when he sits at his desk. He gets very upset whenever his teacher doesn’t follow the usual classroom schedule. She has spoken to his parents about it, and they told her that he has had trouble communicating with others since he was a toddler. His pediatrician noticed that James’s limited level of communication is abnormal compared to other children his age.
- ADHD (That’s incorrect. Although kids with ADHD often have problems with their peers, this is not the best fit for James. His problem is more than just having peer problems--he seems to have communication problems as well.)
- social anxiety disorder (That’s incorrect. James doesn’t really speak with others and won’t make eye contact, but he doesn’t really show signs of anxiety; it’s more a problem with communication.)
- schizophrenia (That’s incorrect. Schizophrenia usually has a later age of onset, and James does not appear to be disconnected from reality, just from interactions with other people.)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (That’s correct! This severe level of impairment in communication and social interaction is consistent with Autism spectrum disorder.)
A: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Q: Javier is an 8 year old boy in third grade. His parents knew for some time that he was different than other children. Javier didn’t appear to demonstrate or reciprocate with feelings of love and affection and lacked expression on his face. He would often choose to play by himself, rather than with others, and would get confused and frustrated often when he was around other children because he didn’t understand what they were trying to communicate or how to appropriately interact with them. Javier has developed a special interest in dinosaurs and knows many of their names, eating habits, behaviors, and any other relevant information. He also has a large vocabulary and does well on his school assignments. Which disorder best fits this description?
- ADHD (That's incorrect. Javier hasn’t demonstrated an inability to sustain attention.)
- Social anxiety disorder (That’s incorrect. Javier doesn’t display anxiety; but a lack of comprehension or ability to communicate with others in a normal social manner.)
- Paranoid personality disorder (That’s incorrect. Javier doesn’t seem to be especially wary of the world and people around him; instead, he seems puzzled by their emotions and how to interact with them socially.)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (That's correct! Javier primarily has difficulty with social interactions and social cues and meets the criteria for Autism spectrum disorder)
A: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Q: Which of the following is an example of behavior consistent with someone who has autism?
- Kaylie steals things with no remorse and is often manipulative, irritable and aggressive with family and friends. (Incorrect. Kaylie displays symptoms more in line with antisocial personality disorder, seeming to have no regard for the feelings of others.)
- Blessin has a hard time sitting still in school, rarely finishes her homework, and can never keep her room clean. (Incorrect. Blessin seems to have trouble with maintaining attention and staying calm and on task, consistent with ADHD.)
- Roman likes to write all of his assignments in green ink, goes to bed at the same time every day, and greets his teacher every morning with the same greeting. (Incorrect. While Roman practices routines, there is little else to base a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder upon, so his behavior does not exemplify autism.)
- Joshua has a hard time relating to others, is an expert on bugs, and gets angry if the drive to school takes longer than the normal 10 minutes. (Correct. Having a hard time relating to others and being upset when a routine is broken are consistent with autism spectrum disorder.)
A: Joshua has a hard time relating to others, is an expert on bugs, and gets angry if the drive to school takes longer than the normal 10 minutes.

Q: Which is a major reason that parents do not want to vaccinate their children for fear of them developing autism?
- Over 20% of children who receive vaccinations before age 2 developed autism. (Incorrect. This statistic is much higher than the actual prevalence of children with autism, vaccinated or not.)
- The MMR and polio vaccines trigger a genetic change within children. (Incorrect. The purpose of these vaccinations is to inoculate children from developing life-threatening illnesses by building immunities.)
- Their pediatricians advise them not to have their children vaccinated. (Incorrect. A pediatrician advising parents not to have their children vaccinated would be highly suspect.)
- A medical journal published an article saying autism was linked with the MMR vaccine. (Correct. This article was later redacted, but many people had taken the article as the irrefutable truth, and non-scientific media continue to propagate that message.)
A: A medical journal published an article saying autism was linked with the MMR vaccine.

Q: Recent studies on autism show that
- there is a slight correlation between vaccines and autism. (Incorrect. There is no evidence to suggest even a weak correlation between vaccinations and autism.)
- there is a strong correlation between vaccines and autism. (Incorrect. There is no evidence to suggest a correlation between vaccinations and autism.)
- vaccines almost certainly cause autism. (Incorrect. Causality is very difficult to determine and there is little evidence vaccines play any role in the development of autism.)
- there is no correlation between vaccines and autism. (Correct. There is no evidence to suggest a correlation between vaccinations and autism.)
A: there is no correlation between vaccines and autism.

Q: Which of the following is the best example of a specific phobia?
- fear of interacting with other people (Incorrect. This is not a specific phobia, because it involves many different situations in which an individual could interact with others, so this best describes social anxiety disorder.)
- a relatively continuous state of tension and apprehension. (Incorrect. This state of continuous tension and apprehension describes generalized anxiety disorder, not a specific phobia, which would be more limited.)
- fear of leaving the safety of one’s house (Incorrect. In this example, we must consider why the person is afraid of leaving the house to arrive at a more generalized answer: encountering situations one might not be able to escape from (agoraphobia).)
- fear of snakes (Correct. This is a specific phobia, as it is limited to one thing: snakes.)
A: fear of snakes

Q: Which of the following describes PTSD?
- unpleasant thoughts causes repetitive behaviors (Incorrect. This is a description of OCD.)
- mood states that vacillate between sadness and euphoria (Incorrect. This describes bipolar disorder.)
- an extreme fear of and avoidance of social situations (Incorrect. This describes social anxiety disorder.)
- a stressful event causes intrusive memories, detachment, flashbacks, and outbursts (Correct. This describes PTSD.)
A: a stressful event causes intrusive memories, detachment, flashbacks, and outbursts

Q: Which of the following is a severe psychotic disorder characterized by a complete breakdown in one’s ability to function in life?
- major depressive disorder (Incorrect. While episodes of major depressive disorder can seriously impede an individual’s functioning, it is not due to a break in reality, like schizophrenia.)
- derealization disorder (Incorrect. Derealization disorder is a dissociative disorder in which the individual feels disconnected from the world, like an outsider looking in or through a fog.)
- bipolar disorder (Incorrect. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, characterized by episodes of major depression and mania, elated, reckless episodes.)
- schizophrenia (Correct. Schizophrenia involves an essential disconnect from reality.)
A: schizophrenia

Q: Malik shows no sign of anxiety or stress, but his normal temperament seems a bit odd. He distrusts others, mostly sticks to himself, and is often described by others as strange. Which disorder may best fit Malik’s behavior?
- bipolar disorder (Incorrect. Nothing in the description of Malik’s behaviors indicates manic or depressive states.)
- dissociative identity disorder (Incorrect. Nothing in the description of Malik’s personality indicates he may have more than one separate identity.)
- antisocial personality disorder (Incorrect. We often use the term “antisocial” to simply mean aloof or apart from others, but in psychological terms, if someone has antisocial personality disorder, their tendencies are to use other people and feel no remorse. This doesn’t fit the description of Malik’s behavior.)
- schizotypal personality disorder (Correct. Malik’s type of eccentricities are not associated with autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia, but are part of his personality.)
A: schizotypal personality disorder

Q: Which personality disorder is the most controversial?
- major depression (Incorrect. Major depression is a mood disorder, and is quite common, so it is not controversial.)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (Incorrect. OCD is an anxiety-related disorder, and it is often misunderstood or behaviors are mislabeled as “OCD,” but it is not generally controversial.)
- antisocial personality disorder (Incorrect. People who are diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder might be quite controversial figures, but the disorder itself is well-recognized with little controversy.)
- dissociative identity disorder (Correct. This is the most controversial personality disorder because it relies on the premise that more than one personality reside in the same individual, which tests the human imagination.)
A: dissociative identity disorder