Practice Exam: Abnormal Psychology

Practice Exam: Abnormal Psychology Multiple Choice (Choose the best answer) Chapter 1: Introduction to Abnormal Psychology & Diagnosis 1.​ What is the DSM-V used for?​ a) Treating mental disorders​ b) Diagnosing mental disorders​ c) Providing medication for psychological disorders​ d) Conducting psychological experiments 2.​ How often is the DSM updated?​ a) Every 5 years​ b) Every 10-15 years​ c) Whenever new disorders emerge​ d) It is never updated 3.​ A diagnosis involves:​ a) Identifying symptoms and classifying disorders​ b) Providing therapy sessions​ c) Conducting experiments on abnormal behavior​ d) Teaching patients about their illness 4.​ Which of the following is NOT a step professionals use to diagnose a mental disorder?​ a) Conducting clinical interviews​ b) Using the DSM-V criteria​ c) Relying only on a patient’s self-report​ d) Considering cultural influences 5.​ A False Positive occurs when:​ a) A person is diagnosed correctly as having a disorder​ b) A person is diagnosed as having a disorder when they don’t​ c) A person is told they don’t have a disorder when they actually do​ d) A person is correctly identified as not having a disorder 6.​ Which of the following is a culture-bound syndrome?​ a) Schizophrenia​ b) Bulimia Nervosa​ c) Depression​ d) Epilepsy 7.​ The Mental Status Exam (MSE) is used to assess:​ a) A patient’s current cognitive, emotional, and behavioral function​ b) A patient’s intelligence level​ c) A patient’s personality type​ d) The patient’s ability to take medication 8.​ A structured interview differs from an unstructured interview because:​ a) It has a predetermined set of questions​ b) It allows the clinician to freely ask any question​ c) It focuses only on social history​ d) It does not involve any note-taking 9.​ Nosology refers to:​ a) Mental health classification systems​ b) Human thoughts and emotions​ c) Cultural influences on behavior​ d) The effects of medication on psychology 10.​What is the purpose of a Social History in psychological evaluation?​ a) To assess how a person’s past environment influences their current mental health​ b) To diagnose personality disorders​ c) To determine intelligence​ d) To prescribe medication Chapter 2: Understanding Psychological Disorders 11.​Abnormal psychology is the study of:​ a) The mind and body connection​ b) Psychological disorders and mental illness​ c) Physical and social behaviors​ d) Medication treatments for mental illness 12.​ Which of the following is NOT a criterion for determining abnormality?​ a) Social deviance​ b) Maladaptive behavior​ c) High intelligence​ d) Significant personal distress 13.​Hallucinations are:​ a) Sensory experiences without external stimuli​ b) Fixed false beliefs​ c) Extreme sadness and hopelessness​ d) Maladaptive behaviors 14.​Which is NOT considered an example of faulty perceptions or interpretations of reality?​ a) Seeing things that aren’t there​ b) Believing one has special powers​ c) Worrying about an upcoming test​ d) Hearing voices others don’t hear 15.​The medical model of abnormal behavior suggests that:​ a) Mental disorders are a result of supernatural forces​ b) Psychological disorders are diseases with biological causes​ c) Culture shapes all mental illnesses​ d) Abnormality is based on personal choice 16.​ Native American views on abnormal behavior often involve:​ a) Spiritual explanations and healing rituals​ b) Scientific explanations​ c) Cognitive distortions​ d) Classical conditioning 17.​During the Middle Ages, mental illness was often attributed to:​ a) Demonic possession​ b) Brain chemistry imbalances​ c) Childhood trauma​ d) Genetic mutations 18.​ Hippocrates believed mental illness was caused by :​ a) An imbalance of bodily fluids (humors)​ b) Demonic possession​ c) Poor parenting​ d) A weak will 19.​The discovery of syphilis was important to psychology because it:​ a) Showed that biological factors can cause mental illness​ b) Proved Freud’s psychoanalytic theory​ c) Introduced the concept of learned behaviors​ d) Provided the basis for cognitive therapy 20.​Which neurotransmitter is linked to schizophrenia?​ a) Dopamine​ b) Serotonin​ c) Acetylcholine​ d) GABA 21.​The frontal lobe is responsible for:​ a) Decision-making and impulse control​ b) Memory formation​ c) Sensory processing​ d) Vision 22.​Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with Alzheimer’s disease?​ a) Acetylcholine​ b) Dopamine​ c) Serotonin​ d) GABA 23.​What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?​ a) Processing sensory information​ b) Controlling emotions​ c) Coordinating movement​ d) Regulating sleep patterns 24.​The difference between classical and operant conditioning is:​ a) Classical conditioning involves learning through association, while operant conditioning involves consequences​ b) Classical conditioning focuses on rewards, while operant conditioning focuses on punishments​ c) Classical conditioning involves punishment, while operant conditioning involves reinforcement​ d) Classical conditioning only applies to animals 25.​The humanistic perspective emphasizes:​ a) Free will and personal growth​ b) Unconscious drives and conflicts​ c) Learned behaviors and conditioning​ d) Neurotransmitter imbalances 26.​The psychodynamic model was developed by:​ a) Sigmund Freud​ b) B.F. Skinner​ c) Carl Rogers​ d) Aaron Beck 27.​Which perspective focuses on thinking errors and cognitive distortions?​ a) Cognitive​ b) Behavioral​ c) Psychodynamic​ d) Biological 28.​Social deviance refers to:​ a) Behaviors that violate social norms​ b) Uncontrollable emotions​ c) Learning disabilities​ d) Self-improvement techniques 29.​Significant personal distress is a key feature of:​ a) Major depressive disorder​ b) Social deviance​ c) High intelligence​ d) Schizophrenia 30.​Which psychologist is associated with operant conditioning?​ a) B.F. Skinner​ b) Ivan Pavlov​ c) Carl Jung​ d) Erik Erikson 31.​In abnormal psychology, maladaptive behavior refers to:​ a) Behavior that interferes with daily functioning​ b) Behavior that is socially acceptable​ c) High creativity​ d) Risk-taking activities 32.​Delusions are:​ a) False beliefs​ b) Sensory hallucinations​ c) Severe depression symptoms​ d) Panic attacks 33.​What is an example of self-defeating behavior?​ a) Avoiding responsibilities due to fear of failure​ b) Practicing self-care routines​ c) Pursuing challenging career goals​ d) Joining a social club 34.​What was the Catholic Church’s role in the treatment of mental illness during the Middle Ages?​ a) Performing exorcisms​ b) Promoting medical research​ c) Developing psychoanalysis​ d) Encouraging cognitive therapy 35.​Which of the following BEST defines unusualness in abnormal psychology?​ a) A behavior that is rare or statistically infrequent​ b) A behavior that causes harm to others​ c) A behavior that is a personal choice​ d) A behavior that follows cultural norms 36.​Social deviance refers to:​ a) Behaviors that align with societal norms​ b) Behaviors that violate cultural or societal expectations​ c) Behaviors that are caused by medical conditions​ d) Behaviors that are always dangerous 37.​ Which of the following is an example of faulty perceptions or interpretations of reality?​ a) Having a strong work ethic​ b) Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations)​ c) Being socially introverted​ d) Enjoying solitary hobbies 38.​Which of the following BEST describes significant personal distress in mental illness?​ a) A brief moment of sadness after watching a sad movie​ b) Long-term emotional suffering that interferes with daily life​ c) Expressing happiness in social settings​ d) Experiencing occasional frustration at work 39.​Maladaptive or self-defeating behavior is defined as:​ a) Behavior that enhances personal well-being​ b) Behavior that prevents an individual from functioning effectively in daily life​ c) Behavior that is culturally accepted but uncommon​ d) Behavior that increases personal satisfaction 40.​Dangerousness in abnormal psychology refers to:​ a) Any behavior that is considered strange by others​ b) Behavior that poses a risk of harm to oneself or others​ c) Behaviors that involve physical exercise or competition​ d) Being introverted or shy in social settings Bonus Questions (Extra Review on Criteria for Abnormality) 41.​A person who isolates themselves completely, avoids all social interaction, and experiences extreme loneliness could be experiencing:​ a) Social deviance​ b) Significant personal distress​ c) Maladaptive behavior​ d) All of the above 42.​A person who repeatedly engages in reckless driving despite previous accidents and injuries is demonstrating:​ a) Unusualness​ b) Dangerousness​ c) Faulty perceptions of reality​ d) Significant personal distress 43.​Which of the following is an example of social deviance?​ a) Wearing formal clothing to a business meeting​ b) Talking to oneself in public in a way that disrupts others​ c) Being an introvert who prefers quiet environments​ d) Expressing emotions through art 44.​Which of the following statements about abnormal behavior is TRUE?​ a) A single criterion is enough to determine if a behavior is abnormal​ b) Abnormality is always caused by biological factors​ c) Cultural norms influence what is considered abnormal​ d) Any unusual behavior is automatically a disorder 45.​Which of the following behaviors would MOST LIKELY be considered maladaptive?​ a) Staying up late occasionally to finish work​ b) Missing important life responsibilities due to excessive video game use​ c) Preferring to work alone instead of in groups​ d) Choosing a career in the arts instead of a traditional field 46. Low levels of which neurotransmitter are most commonly linked to depression? a) Dopamine​ b) Acetylcholine​ c) Serotonin​ d) GABA 47. Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for movement, learning, and the brain’s reward system? a) Dopamine​ b) GABA​ c) Norepinephrine​ d) Glutamate 48. Which neurotransmitter plays a major role in muscle contractions, memory, and attention? a) Serotonin​ b) Acetylcholine​ c) Glutamate​ d) Endorphins 49. The body’s natural painkillers, which help relieve pain and induce pleasure, are known as: a) Dopamine​ b) Endorphins​ c) Norepinephrine​ d) Serotonin 50. Which neurotransmitter is essential for the "fight-or-flight" response and is involved in arousal and mood? a) Serotonin​ b) Norepinephrine​ c) GABA​ d) Dopamine 51. Which inhibitory neurotransmitter helps regulate anxiety, promotes sleep, and reduces neural excitability? a) Dopamine​ b) Serotonin​ c) GABA​ d) Acetylcholine 52. Alcohol enhances the effects of which inhibitory neurotransmitter, leading to relaxation and drowsiness? a) Acetylcholine​ b) GABA​ c) Dopamine​ d) Serotonin 53. Which neurotransmitter is the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter, playing a key role in learning and memory? a) Serotonin​ b) Dopamine​ c) Glutamate​ d) GABA 54. A deficiency in which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with Alzheimer's disease? a) Acetylcholine​ b) Dopamine​ c) Serotonin​ d) GABA 55. Which neurotransmitter is associated with addiction due to its role in pleasure and reward? a) Norepinephrine​ b) Glutamate​ c) Dopamine​ d) Endorphins 56. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in Parkinson’s disease? a) Serotonin​ b) Dopamine​ c) Acetylcholine​ d) Glutamate 57. Which neurotransmitter is most responsible for mood regulation and is commonly targeted by antidepressants? a) Dopamine​ b) Norepinephrine​ c) Serotonin​ d) Glutamate 58. A deficiency in which neurotransmitter is linked to memory loss in Alzheimer's disease? a) Acetylcholine​ b) GABA​ c) Dopamine​ d) Serotonin 59. Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for inhibiting brain activity and reducing anxiety? a) Dopamine​ b) GABA​ c) Glutamate​ d) Norepinephrine 60. Which neurotransmitter is the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter and plays a role in learning and memory? a) GABA​ b) Glutamate++​ c) Acetylcholine​ d) Dopamine 61. A rush of which neurotransmitter is associated with the "runner's high" and natural pain relief? a) Endorphins​ b) Dopamine​ c) Serotonin​ d) Norepinephrine 62. Which neurotransmitter is involved in both arousal and the body's "fight-or-flight" response? a) Acetylcholine​ b) Norepinephrine​ c) GABA​ d) Glutamate 63. Which neurotransmitter is associated with addiction and the brain's reward system? a) Dopamine​ b) Serotonin​ c) Glutamate​ d) Acetylcholine 64. Alcohol enhances the effects of which inhibitory neurotransmitter, leading to relaxation and drowsiness? a) Acetylcholine​ b) Serotonin​ c) GABA​ d) Dopamine 65. Which neurotransmitter helps regulate sleep, mood, and appetite? a) Serotonin​ b) Dopamine​ c) Endorphins​ d) Glutamate Answer Key Multiple Choice Answers Chapter 1: Introduction to Abnormal Psychology & Diagnosis 1.​ b - Diagnosing mental disorders 2.​ b - Every 10-15 years 3.​ a - Identifying symptoms and classifying disorders 4.​ c - Relying only on a patient’s self-report 5.​ b - A person is diagnosed as having a disorder when they don’t 6.​ b - Bulimia Nervosa 7.​ a - A patient’s current cognitive, emotional, and behavioral function 8.​ a - It has a predetermined set of questions 9.​ a - Mental health classification systems 10.​ a - To assess how a person’s past environment influences their current mental health Chapter 2: Understanding Psychological Disorders 11.​ b - Psychological disorders and mental illness 12.​ c - High intelligence 13.​ a - Sensory experiences without external stimuli 14.​c - Worrying about an upcoming test 15.​b - Psychological disorders are diseases with biological causes 16.​ a - Spiritual explanations and healing rituals 17.​ a - Demonic possession 18.​ a - An imbalance of bodily fluids (humors) 19.​ a - Showed that biological factors can cause mental illness 20.​a - Dopamine 21.​ a - Decision-making and impulse control 22.​a - Acetylcholine 23.​a - Processing sensory information 24.​a - Classical conditioning involves learning through association, while operant conditioning involves consequences 25.​a - Free will and personal growth 26.​a - Sigmund Freud 27.​ a - Cognitive 28.​a - Behaviors that violate social norms 29.​a - Major depressive disorder 30.​a - B.F. Skinner 31.​ a - Behavior that interferes with daily functioning 32.​a - False beliefs 33.​a - Avoiding responsibilities due to fear of failure 34.​a - Performing exorcisms 35.​a 36.​b 37.​ b 38.​b 39.​b 40.​B 41.​d 42.​b 43.​b 44.​c 45.​B 46.​C 47.​A 48.​B 49.​B 50.​B 51.​C 52.​B 53.​C 54.​A 55.​C 56.​B 57.​ C 58.​A 59.​B 60.​B 61.​ A 62.​B 63.​A 64.​C 65.​A Written Question Sample Answer Describe the criteria for determining abnormal behavior and explain why culture plays a role in defining psychological disorders. Abnormal behavior is typically determined by six key criteria: unusualness, social deviance, faulty perceptions or interpretations of reality, significant personal distress, maladaptive or self-defeating behavior, and dangerousness. If an individual's behavior significantly deviates from cultural norms or poses harm to themselves or others, it may be considered abnormal. However, culture plays a crucial role in defining psychological disorders because what is considered "abnormal" varies across societies. For example, hallucinations may be a symptom of schizophrenia in Western medicine, but in some cultures, they are seen as spiritual experiences. Understanding cultural context helps clinicians avoid misdiagnosis and ensures appropriate treatment.