PSYC 435- Abnormal-Ch.1 Exam Questions
With Verified Answers Graded A+
Consider the criterion of subjective distress in the determination of a mental disorder. Which
statement best describes its usefulness in deciding whether a given situation is "abnormal"?
a) In order to consider something as abnormal, subjective distress is both necessary and sufficient.
b) Subjective distress is necessary but not a sufficient condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
c) Subjective distress is not necessary but is a sufficient condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
d) Subjective distress is not a sufficient or necessary condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
d) Subjective distress is not a sufficient or necessary condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
The vast majority of people have not climbed to the peak of Mount Everest. Those who have
represent a very small portion of the total population, but they would not be labeled as abnormal for
having done so. This demonstrates the pitfall of using __________ as a lone criterion of abnormality.
a) maladaptiveness
b) subjective distress
c) dangerousness
d) statistical deviancy
d) statistical deviancy
Which symptom represents the irrationality and unpredictability criterion of abnormality?
a) a person who adheres to a religion that is not regarded as being mainstream in her cultural
surroundings
b) a person who begins to speak in rhymes instead of using coherent sentences
c) a person who rides a roller coaster with their hands over their head, screaming in delight
throughout the ride
d) a person who is able to hold their breath under water for 3 full minutes
a person who begins to speak in rhymes instead of using coherent sentences
The current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, __________, was
published in 2013.
a) DSM-IV-TR
b) DSM-7.1
c) DSM-5
d) DSM-III-R
c) DSM-5
What is meant by the statement that the development of the most recent version of the DSM was
based on some contradictory themes?
a) The new DSM significantly reduced the number of identified mental disorders in an era where
mental illness appears to be increasing.
b) The process sought to maintain continuity with the previous edition while also placing no limits on
the changes that were needed.
,c) Diagnostic categories that have been validated by years of research were removed from the latest
DSM because insurance companies refused to pay for the treatment of these conditions.
d) The most recent DSM has separated diagnoses into those that are deemed "treatable" and those
that are believed to be "untreatable."
b) The process sought to maintain continuity with the previous edition while also placing no limits on
the changes that were needed.
Behaviour that interferes with our well-being and ability to enjoy our lives is called ____________
behaviour
maladaptive
Suffering, an element of abnormality, is often referred to as ________ distress
subjective
A ___________ condition would be one that all features of abnormality should ideally show to be
considered abnormal
necessary
In defining abnormality we sometimes make _________ value judgements
When people fail to follow the social and moral __________ of their society, we may consider their
behaviour to be abnormal
standards
At its most fundamental level, the classification of mental disorders gives us a __________, which
provide(s) clinicians with a common language and shorthand terms for complex clinical situations.
a) nomenclature
b) stereotype
c) set of assessment tools
d) stigma
a) nomenclature
Automatic beliefs concerning other people that we learn as we grow up in a given culture are called
__________.
a) nomenclatures
b) stereotypes
c) discriminations
d) prejudices
b) stereotypes
Goodwin (2014) analyzed 55 horror movies made between 2000 and 2012 and found that murderers
are most often people who are depicted as suffering from __________.
a) depression
b) a personality disorder
c) bipolar disorder
d) psychosis
, d) psychosis
Which of the following would be the best use of language to describe a person who has been
diagnosed with a psychiatric condition?
a) a 65-year-old insomniac
b) a 40-year-old manic-depressive
c) a 23-year-old person with schizophrenia
d) a 15-year-old anorexic
c) a 23-year-old person with schizophrenia
Which of the following would most likely reduce stigma toward people with mental illness?
a) participating in studies on mental illness
b) teaching people that mental illnesses are "brain disorders"
c) separating students with mental illnesses into their own classrooms so they do not slow down
other students
d) an assignment completed by a group of students, some of whom have mental illness and some of
whom do not
d) an assignment completed by a group of students, some of whom have mental illness and some of
whom do not
Which of the following examples best demonstrates how cultural variations impact people's beliefs?
a) People from Christian countries often believe that the number 13 is unlucky, while Japanese people
are more likely to avoid the number 4.
b) A person who grew up in Texas may use regional dialects that are different from someone who
grew up in New England.
c) People in Mexico may take an hour or two off in the middle of the day, a custom known as siesta.
d) There are no cultures in the world where homosexuality is regarded as the expected, primary
sexual orientation.
a) People from Christian countries often believe that the number 13 is unlucky, while Japanese people
are more likely to avoid the number 4.
A person who goes to a therapist and describes themselves as being depressed would most likely be
from which culture?
a) European American
b) Native American
c) Southeast Asian
d) Native Alaskan
a) European American
José's father, Bastian, immigrated to America from the Caribbean ten years ago. Two months ago,
Bastian's wife died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Bastian has recently been displaying crying fits,
seizure-like episodes and, at times, aggressive behaviors. Medical professionals have been unable to
identify a physical cause for Bastian's stress. Caribbean family members suspect that Bastian is
suffering from __________.
a) windigo
b) jinjinia bemar
c) ataque de nervios
With Verified Answers Graded A+
Consider the criterion of subjective distress in the determination of a mental disorder. Which
statement best describes its usefulness in deciding whether a given situation is "abnormal"?
a) In order to consider something as abnormal, subjective distress is both necessary and sufficient.
b) Subjective distress is necessary but not a sufficient condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
c) Subjective distress is not necessary but is a sufficient condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
d) Subjective distress is not a sufficient or necessary condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
d) Subjective distress is not a sufficient or necessary condition for us to consider something as
abnormal.
The vast majority of people have not climbed to the peak of Mount Everest. Those who have
represent a very small portion of the total population, but they would not be labeled as abnormal for
having done so. This demonstrates the pitfall of using __________ as a lone criterion of abnormality.
a) maladaptiveness
b) subjective distress
c) dangerousness
d) statistical deviancy
d) statistical deviancy
Which symptom represents the irrationality and unpredictability criterion of abnormality?
a) a person who adheres to a religion that is not regarded as being mainstream in her cultural
surroundings
b) a person who begins to speak in rhymes instead of using coherent sentences
c) a person who rides a roller coaster with their hands over their head, screaming in delight
throughout the ride
d) a person who is able to hold their breath under water for 3 full minutes
a person who begins to speak in rhymes instead of using coherent sentences
The current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, __________, was
published in 2013.
a) DSM-IV-TR
b) DSM-7.1
c) DSM-5
d) DSM-III-R
c) DSM-5
What is meant by the statement that the development of the most recent version of the DSM was
based on some contradictory themes?
a) The new DSM significantly reduced the number of identified mental disorders in an era where
mental illness appears to be increasing.
b) The process sought to maintain continuity with the previous edition while also placing no limits on
the changes that were needed.
,c) Diagnostic categories that have been validated by years of research were removed from the latest
DSM because insurance companies refused to pay for the treatment of these conditions.
d) The most recent DSM has separated diagnoses into those that are deemed "treatable" and those
that are believed to be "untreatable."
b) The process sought to maintain continuity with the previous edition while also placing no limits on
the changes that were needed.
Behaviour that interferes with our well-being and ability to enjoy our lives is called ____________
behaviour
maladaptive
Suffering, an element of abnormality, is often referred to as ________ distress
subjective
A ___________ condition would be one that all features of abnormality should ideally show to be
considered abnormal
necessary
In defining abnormality we sometimes make _________ value judgements
When people fail to follow the social and moral __________ of their society, we may consider their
behaviour to be abnormal
standards
At its most fundamental level, the classification of mental disorders gives us a __________, which
provide(s) clinicians with a common language and shorthand terms for complex clinical situations.
a) nomenclature
b) stereotype
c) set of assessment tools
d) stigma
a) nomenclature
Automatic beliefs concerning other people that we learn as we grow up in a given culture are called
__________.
a) nomenclatures
b) stereotypes
c) discriminations
d) prejudices
b) stereotypes
Goodwin (2014) analyzed 55 horror movies made between 2000 and 2012 and found that murderers
are most often people who are depicted as suffering from __________.
a) depression
b) a personality disorder
c) bipolar disorder
d) psychosis
, d) psychosis
Which of the following would be the best use of language to describe a person who has been
diagnosed with a psychiatric condition?
a) a 65-year-old insomniac
b) a 40-year-old manic-depressive
c) a 23-year-old person with schizophrenia
d) a 15-year-old anorexic
c) a 23-year-old person with schizophrenia
Which of the following would most likely reduce stigma toward people with mental illness?
a) participating in studies on mental illness
b) teaching people that mental illnesses are "brain disorders"
c) separating students with mental illnesses into their own classrooms so they do not slow down
other students
d) an assignment completed by a group of students, some of whom have mental illness and some of
whom do not
d) an assignment completed by a group of students, some of whom have mental illness and some of
whom do not
Which of the following examples best demonstrates how cultural variations impact people's beliefs?
a) People from Christian countries often believe that the number 13 is unlucky, while Japanese people
are more likely to avoid the number 4.
b) A person who grew up in Texas may use regional dialects that are different from someone who
grew up in New England.
c) People in Mexico may take an hour or two off in the middle of the day, a custom known as siesta.
d) There are no cultures in the world where homosexuality is regarded as the expected, primary
sexual orientation.
a) People from Christian countries often believe that the number 13 is unlucky, while Japanese people
are more likely to avoid the number 4.
A person who goes to a therapist and describes themselves as being depressed would most likely be
from which culture?
a) European American
b) Native American
c) Southeast Asian
d) Native Alaskan
a) European American
José's father, Bastian, immigrated to America from the Caribbean ten years ago. Two months ago,
Bastian's wife died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Bastian has recently been displaying crying fits,
seizure-like episodes and, at times, aggressive behaviors. Medical professionals have been unable to
identify a physical cause for Bastian's stress. Caribbean family members suspect that Bastian is
suffering from __________.
a) windigo
b) jinjinia bemar
c) ataque de nervios
