Disorders Practice Test, Fall 2010

Name: __________________________ Date: _____________

1. As Jordan watches, his brother receives an electric shock from touching the frayed
toaster cord. Jordan is now intensely afraid of toasters. This best illustrates that fear can
be learned through
A) linkage analysis.
B) stimulus generalization.
C) reinforcement.
D) observational learning.

2. Internal, stable, and global explanations of one's own failures are indicative of
A) pessimism.
B) optimism.
C) introversion.
D) extraversion.

3. The prominent feature of mood disorders is the experience of

A) paranoia.
B) emotional extremes.
C) social phobia.
D) flat affect.

4. One cluster of personality disorders marked by dramatic or impulsive behaviors is

exemplified by the ________ personality disorder.
A) catatonic
B) avoidant
C) histrionic
D) schizoid

5. Which perspective suggests that depression is a reaction to loss and the internalization
of unresolved anger toward parents?
A) learning
B) psychoanalytic
C) social-cognitive
D) biological

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 6. A generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by
A) alternations between extreme hopelessness and unrealistic optimism.
B) hyperactive, wildly optimistic states of emotion.
C) offensive and unwanted thoughts that persistently preoccupy a person.
D) a continuous state of tension, apprehension, and autonomic nervous system arousal.

7. By boosting serotonin, antidepressant drugs stimulate the growth of neurons in the

A) reticular formation.
B) sympathetic nervous system.
C) hippocampus.
D) cerebellum.

8. A major depressive disorder is most likely to be characterized by

A) alternations between extreme hopelessness and unrealistic optimism.
B) feelings of personal worthlessness.
C) delusions of persecution.
D) a persistent irrational fear of other people.

9. Disruptive or withdrawn behavior, poor peer relations, and solo play have been noted as
early warning signs of
A) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
B) schizophrenia.
C) panic disorder.
D) hypochondriasis.

10. Among schizophrenia patients, the fluid-filled areas of the brain are
A) abnormally small and the thalamus is abnormally large.
B) abnormally small and the thalamus is abnormally small.
C) abnormally large and the thalamus is abnormally large.
D) abnormally large and the thalamus is abnormally small.

11. Among women, the stresses and demoralization of poverty are especially likely to
precipitate
A) depression.
B) dissociative disorders.
C) ADHD.
D) schizophrenia.

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12. George Frideric Handel composed his Messiah during three weeks of intense, creative
energy. Many believe Handel suffered a mild form of
A) hypochondriasis.
B) agoraphobia.
C) a dissociative disorder.
D) bipolar disorder.

13. Larry has difficulty organizing his daily schedule of work responsibilities. He often
makes careless mistakes or fails to complete his work because he is easily distracted.
Larry's behavior is most characteristic of
A) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
B) hypochondriasis.
C) attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
D) generalized anxiety disorder.

14. Which of the following disorders was more common in Freud's day than it is today?
A) dissociative identity disorder
B) depression
C) anorexia nervosa
D) conversion disorder

15. Drugs that alleviate mania tend to reduce levels of the neurotransmitter
A) norepinephrine.
B) dopamine.
C) estrogen.
D) acetylcholine.

16. Rats that received unpredictable electric shocks in a laboratory experiment subsequently
became apprehensive when returned to that same laboratory setting. This best illustrates
that anxiety disorders may result from
A) classical conditioning.
B) stimulus generalization.
C) observational learning.
D) reinforcement.

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17. It has been suggested that compulsive acts typically exaggerate behaviors that
contributed to the survival of the human species. This idea best illustrates the ________
perspective.
A) psychoanalytic
B) biological
C) learning
D) humanistic

18. Mr. Hunt believes that he is the president of the United States and that he will soon
become the “King of the Universe.” Mr. Hunt is most clearly suffering from
A) hallucinations.
B) dissociative identity disorder.
C) obsessions.
D) delusions.

19. Sadie is so fearful of being overwhelmed by anxiety that she rarely steps outside her
apartment. The thought of going shopping and getting lost in a crowd terrifies her, so
she has her groceries delivered. Because of her fear, she earns her living as a freelance
writer, working at home. Sadie's behavior is most characteristic of
A) somatoform disorder.
B) agoraphobia.
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
D) generalized anxiety disorder.

20. A conversion disorder is most likely to be characterized by

A) very specific physical symptoms that have no apparent physiological basis.
B) alternations between extreme hopelessness and unrealistic optimism.
C) a continuous state of tensions, apprehension, and autonomic nervous system
arousal.
D) offensive and unwanted thoughts that persistently preoccupy a person.

21. People born in ________ during the month of ________ are at increased risk for
schizophrenia.
A) Europe; September
B) Australia; February
C) North America; February
D) Asia; September

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22. For the last month, Gabrielle has felt lethargic and has been unable to get out of bed in
the morning. She has withdrawn from friends and family because she feels worthless
and unlovable. Gabrielle is most likely suffering from
A) PTSD.
B) antisocial personality disorder.
C) major depressive disorder.
D) agoraphobia.

23. Obsessions are

A) periodic episodes of intense dread accompanied by frightening physical sensations.
B) offensive and unwanted thoughts that persistently preoccupy a person.
C) false beliefs of persecution or grandeur.
D) persistent, irrational fears of specific objects or situations.

24. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are major symptoms of

A) DID.
B) OCD.
C) PTSD.
D) ADHD.

25. The greatest shortcoming associated with explanations of psychological disorders in

terms of demon possession is that these explanations
A) led to some harsh and ineffective remedial treatments.
B) absolved people of personal responsibility for their own behavior.
C) encouraged many to believe there was no such thing as insanity.
D) were relevant only to severe disorders such as schizophrenia.

26. A sense of being separated from your body and watching yourself with a sense of
detachment is a symptom of
A) agoraphobia.
B) dissociation.
C) generalized anxiety disorder.
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder.

27. If identical twins share a single placenta rather than having separate placentas, their
chances of being similarly affected by ________ are dramatically increased.
A) antisocial personality disorder
B) hypochondriasis
C) schizophrenia
D) a dissociative disorder

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28. Compared with people in many Western countries, people in China more often
A) exhibit dissociative identity disorder.
B) report physical symptoms of psychological distress.
C) experience anorexia nervosa.
D) suffer from bipolar disorders.

29. An incapacitating and highly distressing fear about being embarrassed in the presence of
others is most characteristic of
A) antisocial personality disorder.
B) panic disorder.
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
D) social phobia.

30. Julius is obsessed with avoiding germs and feels compelled to bathe at least 10 times a
day. His therapist suggests that Julius continues his maladaptive bathing because this
behavior temporarily reduced his anxiety on many past occasions. The therapist's
suggestion most directly reflects a ________ perspective.
A) psychoanalytic
B) humanistic
C) learning
D) biological

31. Maladaptive behaviors that reduce worry and fear are most indicative of
A) an anxiety disorder.
B) attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
C) bipolar disorder.
D) catatonia.

32. Gender differences in depression are least noticeable among

A) old adults.
B) young adults.
C) preadolescent children.
D) teen children.

33. A breakdown in selective attention is most likely to be experienced by those who suffer
from
A) phobias.
B) generalized anxiety disorders.
C) schizophrenia.
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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34. Rishi, a college student, complains that he feels apprehensive and fearful most of the
time but doesn't know why. Without warning, his heart begins to pound, his hands get
icy, and he breaks out in a cold sweat. Rishi most likely suffers from
A) generalized anxiety disorder.
B) a phobia.
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
D) bipolar disorder.

35. In order to break the vicious cycle of depression, the social-cognitive perspective
suggests that people should be encouraged to explain their failures in terms that are both
A) external and global.
B) internal and global.
C) external and temporary.
D) internal and stable.

36. We can more easily extinguish a fear of driving a car than a fear of holding snakes. This
is best explained from a ________ perspective.
A) humanistic
B) learning
C) biological
D) psychoanalytic

37. The medical model of psychologically disordered behavior is most likely to be criticized
for neglecting the importance of
A) genetically influenced abnormalities.
B) the DSM-IV-TR.
C) social circumstances and psychological factors.
D) biological evolution.

38. William, an airplane pilot, is unable to remember anything of a bombing raid in which
his plane was severely damaged and two crew members were killed. Because he himself
suffered no physical injuries, psychologists suspect that William probably suffers from
A) a phobia.
B) bipolar disorder.
C) a dissociative disorder.
D) panic disorder.

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39. According to the ________ perspective, anxiety is sometimes produced by the
submerged mental energy associated with repressed impulses.
A) psychoanalytic
B) biological
C) social-cognitive
D) learning

40. Psychological disorders characterized by inflexible, enduring, and socially maladaptive

behavior patterns are called ________ disorders.
A) personality
B) acute
C) free-floating
D) reactive

41. Melissa is fearful of men and refuses to go out on dates. Her therapist suggests that she
is fearful because she was sexually abused by her father when she was young. The
therapist's suggestion most clearly reflects a ________ perspective.
A) biological
B) humanistic
C) psychoanalytic
D) learning

42. The billionaire aviator Howard Hughes insisted that his assistants carry out elaborate
hand-washing rituals and wear white gloves when handling any document he would later
touch. His behavior best illustrated the symptoms of
A) bipolar disorder.
B) schizophrenia.
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
D) antisocial personality disorder.

43. Positive psychological changes that result from struggling with extremely challenging
life crises demonstrate
A) post-traumatic growth.
B) dissociation.
C) the medical model.
D) linkage analysis.

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44. Repeatedly thinking about your own death is to ________ as repeatedly washing your
hands is to ________.
A) delusion; phobia
B) obsession; compulsion
C) depression; mania
D) schizophrenia; dissociation

45. Noah's therapist suggests that Noah developed a dissociative identity disorder in order to
misbehave without feeling a strong sense of personal shame. The therapist's suggestion
most directly reflects a ________ perspective.
A) psychoanalytic
B) biological
C) social-cognitive
D) humanistic

46. Although Mrs. Petrides usually sits passively in a motionless stupor, she sometimes
repetitiously shakes her head or waves her arms. She most likely suffers from
A) an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
B) a somatoform disorder.
C) catatonia.
D) a bipolar disorder.

47. One facet of the positive psychology movement has been the introduction of a
classification system designed to aid in the process of
A) explaining psychological disorders.
B) shortening the time it takes to classify psychological disorders.
C) assessing human strengths.
D) reducing current reliance on the DSM-IV-TR.

48. One of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia is

A) uncontrollable outbursts of rage.
B) inappropriate laughter.
C) an expressionless face.
D) loud and meaningless talking.

49. Those with narcissistic personality disorder are likely to be preoccupied with
A) delusions of persecution.
B) their own self-importance.
C) an irrational fear of people.
D) physical symptoms of distress.

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50. ADHD is diagnosed ________ often in girls than in boys. In the decade after 1987, a(n)
________ proportion of American children have been treated for this disorder.
A) less; decreasing
B) less; increasing
C) more; increasing
D) more; decreasing

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Answer Key
1. D
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 8
Page: 606
2. A
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 13
Page: 619
3. B
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 12
Page: 611
4. C
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 18
Page: 628
5. B
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 13
Page: 615
6. D
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 4
Page: 602
7. C
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 13
Page: 618
8. B
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 12
Page: 612
9. B
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 17
Page: 628
10. D
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 16
Page: 625
11. A
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 19
Page: 632

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12. D
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 12
Page: 613
13. C
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 1
Page: 595
14. D
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 9
Page: 608
15. A
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 13
Page: 617
16. A
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 8
Page: 606
17. B
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 8
Page: 607
18. D
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 14
Page: 622
19. B
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 5
Page: 603
20. A
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 9
Page: 608
21. C
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 16
Page: 625
22. C
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 12
Page: 612
23. B

Page 12
 Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 6
Page: 603
24. D
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 1
Page: 595
25. A
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 2
Page: 596
26. B
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 10
Page: 609
27. C
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 17
Page: 626
28. B
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 9
Page: 608
29. D
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 5
Page: 603
30. C
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 8
Page: 606
31. A
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 4
Page: 601
32. C
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 13
Page: 614
33. C
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 14
Page: 622
34. A

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 Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 4
Page: 602
35. C
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 13
Page: 620
36. C
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 8
Page: 606-607
37. C
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 2
Page: 596, 597
38. C
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 10
Page: 609
39. A
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 8
Page: 606
40. A
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 18
Page: 628
41. D
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 8
Page: 606
42. C
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 6
Page: 603
43. A
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 7
Page: 605
44. B
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 6
Page: 603
45. A

Page 14
 Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 11
Page: 611
46. C
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: 14
Page: 623
47. C
Difficulty: Easy
Objective: 3
Page: 599
48. C
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 15
Page: 623
49. B
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 18
Page: 628
50. B
Difficulty: Medium
Objective: 1
Page: 595

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