Exam 11: Personality Disorders

Why is it important to consider a person's surrounding context when making a personality disorder diagnosis? Be sure to include an example to support your answer.

Explain the Five-Factor Model of personality. Why do proponents of this model favor it over the current categorical model of personality?

Personality disorders cause more distress for the patients than for those around them.

When compared with people who have schizotypal personality disorder, those who are diagnosed with schizophrenia show a decrease in ____________ lobe volume.

____________ theories look beyond the individual and include the role that cultural influences play in the development of personality.

Which perspective takes into account multiple factors in the development of personality disorders?

In order for antisocial personality disorder to be diagnosed, the patient must be at least

Choose a Cluster C personality disorder and describe its diagnostic criteria.

Structurally, volume abnormalities in the ____________ lobe are found in patients with schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia.

The DSM-5 follows the categorical model of personality; a person either has a personality disorder or does not. However, many researchers contend that a better approach to understanding personality disorders is the ____________ model, which displays the full range of a trait along a continuum.

Jocelyn is a sophomore in college who is majoring in elementary education. She sought counseling at the advice of one of her professors, who feels that she is not suited for the teaching profession. During her first visit, Jocelyn stated that since she could remember, she has always preferred to stay at home and either read or watch movies by herself. She has no friends and no inclination to date. The therapist noted that the most striking aspect of Jocelyn's personality was the complete lack of emotion. She did not seem concerned or angered by her professor's suggestion that she should switch majors, and, in fact, Jocelyn appeared highly detached from the world. Jocelyn may have _____ personality disorder.

In addition to traditional talk therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and inpatient stays, step-down programs have been effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. Step-down programs are defined as

Which personality disorder is marked by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration from others, and lack of empathy?

The personality disorder that includes a pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort, reduced capacity for close relationships, cognitive or personal distortions, and behavioral eccentricities is called ____________ personality disorder.

Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. These medications are also used to treat

The treatment of choice for personality disorders is psychotherapy.

Focusing on the role of early parental interactions in the formation of personality traits and disorders is a key concept of the ____________ perspective.

Alice has been ordered to attend counseling because she assaulted one of her husband's female coworkers. At the first session, she appeared highly guarded and refused to answer many of the questions posed to her. Eventually the therapist determined that Alice believed her husband was having an affair with the woman she attacked. Her husband has denied the affair and he, along with several other people, has repeatedly told Alice that the coworker is happily involved in a long-term relationship with her female partner. In the end, Alice angrily stomped out of the therapy session because she became convinced that the therapist was also attracted to her husband and was "just looking for dirt on her." Alice may have _____ personality disorder.

Although personality-related problems are one of the main reasons why people seek out therapy, as many as ____________ of these patients do not meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for a personality disorder.

Every person who engages in antisocial behaviors is not a criminal. However, there is a pervasive pattern of ______ for the violation of the rights of others.