PSY2214
Abnormal Psychology
Q & A w/ Rationales
2024
,1. John, a 25-year-old man, has been experiencing episodes
of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in his
usual activities for the past two months. He also has trouble
sleeping, eating, and concentrating. He sometimes thinks
about ending his life. John most likely meets the criteria
for:
a) dysthymia
b) bipolar disorder
c) major depressive disorder
d) adjustment disorder
Answer: c) major depressive disorder. John's symptoms
match the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder,
which is characterized by a persistent depressed mood
and/or anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) for at least
two weeks, along with other signs of impaired functioning.
Dysthymia is a milder but more chronic form of
depression, bipolar disorder involves episodes of both
depression and mania, and adjustment disorder is a short-
term reaction to a stressful life event.
2. Lisa, a 19-year-old college student, has been feeling very
anxious and fearful ever since she witnessed a car accident
three weeks ago. She has recurrent nightmares and
flashbacks of the event, and she avoids anything that
reminds her of it. She also feels detached from others and
has difficulty expressing her emotions. Lisa most likely
meets the criteria for:
a) generalized anxiety disorder
b) post-traumatic stress disorder
, c) acute stress disorder
d) panic disorder
Answer: b) post-traumatic stress disorder. Lisa's symptoms
match the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress
disorder, which is characterized by persistent re-
experiencing of a traumatic event, avoidance of trauma-
related stimuli, negative alterations in cognition and mood,
and increased arousal and reactivity. Generalized anxiety
disorder involves excessive and uncontrollable worry about
various aspects of life, acute stress disorder is similar to
PTSD but lasts for less than a month, and panic disorder
involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks.
3. Sam, a 32-year-old man, has been hearing voices that tell
him to harm himself and others. He also believes that he is
being followed by aliens who want to abduct him. He has
poor hygiene, social isolation, and impaired occupational
functioning. Sam most likely meets the criteria for:
a) schizophrenia
b) schizoaffective disorder
c) delusional disorder
d) brief psychotic disorder
Answer: a) schizophrenia. Sam's symptoms match the
diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, which is characterized
by positive symptoms (such as hallucinations and
delusions), negative symptoms (such as flat affect and
social withdrawal), and disorganized symptoms (such as
disorganized speech and behavior). Schizoaffective
disorder involves both psychotic and mood symptoms,
delusional disorder involves only non-bizarre delusions
Abnormal Psychology
Q & A w/ Rationales
2024
,1. John, a 25-year-old man, has been experiencing episodes
of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in his
usual activities for the past two months. He also has trouble
sleeping, eating, and concentrating. He sometimes thinks
about ending his life. John most likely meets the criteria
for:
a) dysthymia
b) bipolar disorder
c) major depressive disorder
d) adjustment disorder
Answer: c) major depressive disorder. John's symptoms
match the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder,
which is characterized by a persistent depressed mood
and/or anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) for at least
two weeks, along with other signs of impaired functioning.
Dysthymia is a milder but more chronic form of
depression, bipolar disorder involves episodes of both
depression and mania, and adjustment disorder is a short-
term reaction to a stressful life event.
2. Lisa, a 19-year-old college student, has been feeling very
anxious and fearful ever since she witnessed a car accident
three weeks ago. She has recurrent nightmares and
flashbacks of the event, and she avoids anything that
reminds her of it. She also feels detached from others and
has difficulty expressing her emotions. Lisa most likely
meets the criteria for:
a) generalized anxiety disorder
b) post-traumatic stress disorder
, c) acute stress disorder
d) panic disorder
Answer: b) post-traumatic stress disorder. Lisa's symptoms
match the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress
disorder, which is characterized by persistent re-
experiencing of a traumatic event, avoidance of trauma-
related stimuli, negative alterations in cognition and mood,
and increased arousal and reactivity. Generalized anxiety
disorder involves excessive and uncontrollable worry about
various aspects of life, acute stress disorder is similar to
PTSD but lasts for less than a month, and panic disorder
involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks.
3. Sam, a 32-year-old man, has been hearing voices that tell
him to harm himself and others. He also believes that he is
being followed by aliens who want to abduct him. He has
poor hygiene, social isolation, and impaired occupational
functioning. Sam most likely meets the criteria for:
a) schizophrenia
b) schizoaffective disorder
c) delusional disorder
d) brief psychotic disorder
Answer: a) schizophrenia. Sam's symptoms match the
diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, which is characterized
by positive symptoms (such as hallucinations and
delusions), negative symptoms (such as flat affect and
social withdrawal), and disorganized symptoms (such as
disorganized speech and behavior). Schizoaffective
disorder involves both psychotic and mood symptoms,
delusional disorder involves only non-bizarre delusions
