Abnormal Psychology Chapter 11
Personality Disorders Exam Questions
with Complete Answers
Categorical vs. Dimensional Approach - ANSWER-categorical- one either has or
does not have a particular personality disorder
dimensional- captures the full range of a trait, wold consider personality to be on a
continuum
Paranoid personality disorder - ANSWER-pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of
others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, believe without any
evidence that others are out to exploit, harm or deceive them, hyper vigilant and bear
grudges
*does not extend to delusional thoughts
Schizoid personality disorder (general definition) - ANSWER-a pervasive pattern of
detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression
in interpersonal settings
Relationships of a person with schizoid personality disorder - ANSWER-may be
introverted, solitary, emotionally unexpressive,a and isolated
derive little enjoyment from or show little interest in belonging to families or social
groups, can be afraid of relationships that require closeness or intimacy
absorbed in their own thoughts or feelings
Emotional range of a person with schizoid personality disorder - ANSWER-do not
experience emotional extreme but rather stay in the middle
Schizotypal personality disorder (general definition) - ANSWER-pervasive pattern of
social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort, reduced capacity for
close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions and
Symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder - ANSWER-behavioral eccentricities
offbeat, peculiar, eccentric beliefs
extreme social anxiety and difficulty forming relationships
may react inappropriately, show no emotion or talk to themselves
unusual perceptual experiences or have odd patterns of thinking and speech
emotional expressions can be inappropriate and excessive or severely restricted
may have odd physical appearance reflected in their clothing and personal hygiene
Magical thinking - ANSWER-one can foretell the future or affect events by thinking
certain thoughts
, Ideas of reference - ANSWER-incorrect interpretations that events around them
have specific and unusual personal meaning, not as severe as delusions
Ideas of reference vs. delusions of reference - ANSWER-ideas are not as severe as
delusions, delusions develop a delusional pattern
Antisocial personality disorder (general definition) - ANSWER-also known as
psychopathy, sociopathy, and dyssocial personality disorder, pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of others
Who is most typically diagnosed with ASPD - ANSWER-more common in males than
females, at least 18 years old and who had symptoms of conduct disorder before
age 15
Childhood symptoms of ASPD - ANSWER-cruelty to animals and people,
destructions of property, deceitfulness or theft, or serious violations of rules
Behaviors of ASPD - ANSWER-fail to conform to social norms, which often leads to
legal difficulties including arrests, often lie, use aliases, con others for profit or
enjoyment, destroy property, harass others, and engage in behaviors and actions
that violate the basic rights, wishes, safety, and feelings of others, highly impulsive
and engage in problematic activities such as physical fights, temper outbursts,
reckless driving, irresponsibility in employment, fail to take responsibility and always
blamed the victim
Narcissistic personality disorder - ANSWER-pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need
for admiration and lack of empathy, have an exaggerated sense of self importance
and are often absorbed by fantasies of limitless success but actually have a very
fragile sense of self esteem
Behaviors of narcissistic personality disorder - ANSWER-seek constant attention and
may try to win admiration from others by flaunting or boosting about their perceived
social abilities
express a sense of entitlement or belief that they deserve only the best and should
associate inly with others who are of similarly high caliber
devaluation of what other do or what others have accomplished
patronizing and disdainful attitude
so self absorbed they have a lack of empathy for others
extremes in mood and self esteem
Borderline personality disorder - ANSWER-pattern of unstable interpersonal
relationships, self image, affect, and impulsivity, rapidly fluctuating states of anger,
depression, and anxiety
core is a deep feat of abandonment
Behaviors of borderline personality disorders - ANSWER-symptoms can be severe
and rapidly fluctuating, impulsive hostility, self injury, and drug or alcohol abuse
cognitive distortions and an unstable and conflicted sense of self and self worth
Personality Disorders Exam Questions
with Complete Answers
Categorical vs. Dimensional Approach - ANSWER-categorical- one either has or
does not have a particular personality disorder
dimensional- captures the full range of a trait, wold consider personality to be on a
continuum
Paranoid personality disorder - ANSWER-pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of
others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, believe without any
evidence that others are out to exploit, harm or deceive them, hyper vigilant and bear
grudges
*does not extend to delusional thoughts
Schizoid personality disorder (general definition) - ANSWER-a pervasive pattern of
detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression
in interpersonal settings
Relationships of a person with schizoid personality disorder - ANSWER-may be
introverted, solitary, emotionally unexpressive,a and isolated
derive little enjoyment from or show little interest in belonging to families or social
groups, can be afraid of relationships that require closeness or intimacy
absorbed in their own thoughts or feelings
Emotional range of a person with schizoid personality disorder - ANSWER-do not
experience emotional extreme but rather stay in the middle
Schizotypal personality disorder (general definition) - ANSWER-pervasive pattern of
social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort, reduced capacity for
close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions and
Symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder - ANSWER-behavioral eccentricities
offbeat, peculiar, eccentric beliefs
extreme social anxiety and difficulty forming relationships
may react inappropriately, show no emotion or talk to themselves
unusual perceptual experiences or have odd patterns of thinking and speech
emotional expressions can be inappropriate and excessive or severely restricted
may have odd physical appearance reflected in their clothing and personal hygiene
Magical thinking - ANSWER-one can foretell the future or affect events by thinking
certain thoughts
, Ideas of reference - ANSWER-incorrect interpretations that events around them
have specific and unusual personal meaning, not as severe as delusions
Ideas of reference vs. delusions of reference - ANSWER-ideas are not as severe as
delusions, delusions develop a delusional pattern
Antisocial personality disorder (general definition) - ANSWER-also known as
psychopathy, sociopathy, and dyssocial personality disorder, pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of others
Who is most typically diagnosed with ASPD - ANSWER-more common in males than
females, at least 18 years old and who had symptoms of conduct disorder before
age 15
Childhood symptoms of ASPD - ANSWER-cruelty to animals and people,
destructions of property, deceitfulness or theft, or serious violations of rules
Behaviors of ASPD - ANSWER-fail to conform to social norms, which often leads to
legal difficulties including arrests, often lie, use aliases, con others for profit or
enjoyment, destroy property, harass others, and engage in behaviors and actions
that violate the basic rights, wishes, safety, and feelings of others, highly impulsive
and engage in problematic activities such as physical fights, temper outbursts,
reckless driving, irresponsibility in employment, fail to take responsibility and always
blamed the victim
Narcissistic personality disorder - ANSWER-pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need
for admiration and lack of empathy, have an exaggerated sense of self importance
and are often absorbed by fantasies of limitless success but actually have a very
fragile sense of self esteem
Behaviors of narcissistic personality disorder - ANSWER-seek constant attention and
may try to win admiration from others by flaunting or boosting about their perceived
social abilities
express a sense of entitlement or belief that they deserve only the best and should
associate inly with others who are of similarly high caliber
devaluation of what other do or what others have accomplished
patronizing and disdainful attitude
so self absorbed they have a lack of empathy for others
extremes in mood and self esteem
Borderline personality disorder - ANSWER-pattern of unstable interpersonal
relationships, self image, affect, and impulsivity, rapidly fluctuating states of anger,
depression, and anxiety
core is a deep feat of abandonment
Behaviors of borderline personality disorders - ANSWER-symptoms can be severe
and rapidly fluctuating, impulsive hostility, self injury, and drug or alcohol abuse
cognitive distortions and an unstable and conflicted sense of self and self worth
