1 | Page
Athabasca University
Psychology Abnormal Psyc - AU 435
Questions and Answers Latest 2026
ABAB design Ans: an experimental design, often involving a single
subject, wherein a baseline period (A) is followed by a treatment
(B). To confirm that the treatment resulted in a change in behavior,
the treatment is then withdrawn (A) and reinstated (B)
abnormal psychology Ans: field of psychology concerned with the
study, assessment, treatment, and prevention of abnormal
behavior
acute Ans: term used to describe a disorder of sudden onset,
usually with intense symptoms
analogue studies Ans: studies in which a researcher attempts to
emulate the conditions hypothesized as leading to abnormality
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
bias Ans: observer bias occurs when the researcher has
preconceived ideas and expectations that influence the
observations he or she makes in the research study
case study Ans: an in-depth examination of an individual or family
that draws from a number of data sources, including interviews
and psychological testing
chronic Ans: term used to describe a long-standing or frequently
recurring disorder, often with progressing seriousness
comorbidity Ans: occurrence of two or more identified disorders
in the same psychologically disordered individual
comparison or control group Ans: group of subjects who do not
exhibit the disorder being studied but who are comparable in all
other respects to the criterion group. Also, a comparison group of
subjects who do not receive a condition or treatment the effects of
which are being studied
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
correlation Ans: the tendency of two variables to change together.
With positive correlation, as one variable goes up, so does the
other; with negative correlation, one variable goes up as the other
goes down
correlational research Ans: a research strategy that examines
whether and how variables go together (covary) without
manipulating (changing) any variables
correlation coefficient Ans: a statistic that ranges from +1.0 to -1.0
and reflects the degree of association between two variables. The
magnitude of the correlation indicates the strength of the
association, and the sign indicates whether the correlation is
positive or negative
criterion group Ans: group of subjects who exhibit the disorder
under study
© 2025 All rights reserved
Athabasca University
Psychology Abnormal Psyc - AU 435
Questions and Answers Latest 2026
ABAB design Ans: an experimental design, often involving a single
subject, wherein a baseline period (A) is followed by a treatment
(B). To confirm that the treatment resulted in a change in behavior,
the treatment is then withdrawn (A) and reinstated (B)
abnormal psychology Ans: field of psychology concerned with the
study, assessment, treatment, and prevention of abnormal
behavior
acute Ans: term used to describe a disorder of sudden onset,
usually with intense symptoms
analogue studies Ans: studies in which a researcher attempts to
emulate the conditions hypothesized as leading to abnormality
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
bias Ans: observer bias occurs when the researcher has
preconceived ideas and expectations that influence the
observations he or she makes in the research study
case study Ans: an in-depth examination of an individual or family
that draws from a number of data sources, including interviews
and psychological testing
chronic Ans: term used to describe a long-standing or frequently
recurring disorder, often with progressing seriousness
comorbidity Ans: occurrence of two or more identified disorders
in the same psychologically disordered individual
comparison or control group Ans: group of subjects who do not
exhibit the disorder being studied but who are comparable in all
other respects to the criterion group. Also, a comparison group of
subjects who do not receive a condition or treatment the effects of
which are being studied
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
correlation Ans: the tendency of two variables to change together.
With positive correlation, as one variable goes up, so does the
other; with negative correlation, one variable goes up as the other
goes down
correlational research Ans: a research strategy that examines
whether and how variables go together (covary) without
manipulating (changing) any variables
correlation coefficient Ans: a statistic that ranges from +1.0 to -1.0
and reflects the degree of association between two variables. The
magnitude of the correlation indicates the strength of the
association, and the sign indicates whether the correlation is
positive or negative
criterion group Ans: group of subjects who exhibit the disorder
under study
© 2025 All rights reserved
