Question 1

A researcher who provides a certain treatment for one group and withholds treatment from a completely comparable group is using the ________ research method.

Accepted Answer

A)   correlational
B)   epidemiological
C)   case study
D)   experimental D

Question 2

What is an observational research design and how can such an approach further our understanding of abnormal behavior. What limitations are there of such designs and how can these be overcome?

Accepted Answer

When an observational research design is employed, no manipulation is made, and data is merely gathered on the subject or subjects of interest. A group that is at risk for some disorder or one that has a particular disorder may be studied in order to gather information as to the factors that might influence the development of the disorder or the progression of the disorder. Just as a control group is used in an experiment, a control group must be used when conducting observational research. It is important, however, to recognize that no conclusions can be made about cause and effect. Correlational data, observing that two factors are related, does not permit such conclusions to be made as other factors may be the true cause for the observed relationship. For example, if a researcher observes a correlation between obesity and depression, it can't be concluded that depression causes obesity or that obesity causes depression. While either may be true, it cannot be determined from such data. In addition to these obvious causal connections, there could be additional factors that are causing both problems. Thus, while observational research designs provide information as to how things are related, no conclusions can be made as to cause and effect.

Question 3

A clinical psychologist is

Accepted Answer

A)   a Ph.D. in psychology with experience in mental health.
B)   a person with doctoral training and experience in academic and learning problems.
C)   an M.D. or Ph.D. with intensive experience in psychoanalysis.
D)   a Ph.D. in social work. A

Question 4

________ rates may be reported in terms of the lifetime risk of contracting a particular disorder.

Accepted Answer

A)   Prevalence
B)   Point prevalence
C)   Point incidence
D)   Incidence

Question 5

Explain what a culture-specific syndrome is and provide an example of one.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain what a culture-specific syndrome is and...

Question 6

What term refers to the number of new cases of a disorder that occur over a given time period?

Accepted Answer

A)   Point prevalence
B)   One-year prevalence
C)   Incidence
D)   Valence

Question 7

According to the DSM, when is deviant behavior viewed as indicative of a mental disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)   Always
B)   Only when the behavior is inconsistent with cultural norms
C)   When it is a symptom of a dysfunction in the individual
D)   Never

Question 8

In the United States, the standard for defining types of mental disorders is contained in the

Accepted Answer

A)   American Psychological Association's bylaws.
B)   American Psychiatric Association's bylaws.
C)   World Health Organization's classification code.
D)   Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Question 9

Which of the following is a sufficient element to determine abnormality?

Accepted Answer

A)   Suffering
B)   Maladaptiveness
C)   Deviancy
D)   There is no sufficient element.

Question 10

Briefly discuss why research in abnormal psychology is important.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly discuss why research in abnormal psychology...

Question 11

What is important to remember about the apparent high lifetime rate of mental disorders?

Accepted Answer

A)   Many people were probably misdiagnosed.
B)   So many people have disorders and have them seriously that this has become a major health issue.
C)   Many people with disorders are not seriously affected by them or may have them for only a short time.
D)   A large majority of people with disorders seek treatment, so the problem is not as bad as it seems.

Question 12

Most people with psychological disorders

Accepted Answer

A)   seek treatment as soon as they realize there is a problem.
B)   recover only if they seek treatment.
C)   delay seeking treatment, sometimes for many years.
D)   exaggerate their symptoms so it takes longer for them to recover.

Question 13

What are the benefits of classifying mental disorders?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the benefits of classifying mental...

Question 14

In Dr. Lu's study of eating disorders, she looked at the academic histories of girls with an eating disorder and girls who did not have such problems. In this example, the girls with eating disorders are the ________ group.

Accepted Answer

A)   comparison
B)   control
C)   criterion
D)   treatment

Question 15

What does the case of JGH, a Native American elder, illustrate?

Accepted Answer

A)   Alcoholism has long lasting effects on mood and behavior, even when drinking has ceased.
B)   A person may focus on somatic symptoms, rather than mood, when depressed.
C)   Depression is not universal.
D)   The symptoms of some illnesses are not apparent until after lengthy psychological evaluation.

Question 16

What does it mean if a disorder is said to be highly prevalent?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is common.
B)   It is not curable.
C)   It is treatable.
D)   It is contagious.

Question 17

If the score on one variable is high and the score on another variable is low, this is known as a __________ correlation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the score on one variable is...

Question 18

What does the notation p < .05 next to a correlation mean?

Accepted Answer

A)   The probability that a correlation would occur purely by chance is less than 95 out of 100
B)   The probability that a correlation would occur purely by chance is less than 5 out of 100
C)   The probability that a positive correlation will be found purely by chance
D)   The probability that a negative correlation will be found purely by chance

Question 19

What makes defining abnormality difficult?

Accepted Answer

A)   There are so many types of abnormal behavior that they can't be accurately described.
B)   There is no one behavior that serves to make someone abnormal.
C)   Most of us are abnormal much of the time so that we cannot tell what is normal.
D)   Criteria for abnormality have yet to be developed.

Question 20

The fact that body piercings are commonplace today while they would once have been viewed as abnormal illustrates that

Accepted Answer

A)   modern society is always open to change.
B)   what is acceptable for men and women is no longer different.
C)   American culture values independence.
D)   the values of a society may change over time.

Exam 1: Abnormal Psychology: an Overview