PSYCH401 Final Exam - Abnormal Behavior | Practice Test / Quiz / MCQs

1. Which statement best describes the history of paradigms in psychology?

There is a sequence of one paradigm replacing the other throughout the history of psychology.There have been several paradigms that operate simultaneously together throughout much of the history of psychology.There have only been two main paradigms, which have waxed and waned in popularity and are use throughout the course of the history of psychology.The medical model of mental illness has been the prevailing paradigm throughout the history of psychology.

2. Which statement is FALSE regarding the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)?

This assessment is similar in nature to the Rorschach test.This assessment falls under the category of a 'personality test.'This assessment is most closely associated with the phenomenological paradigm in abnormal psychology.This assessment is considered a projective test in that you are thought to project your own motives and wishes on to your interpretation of various picture scenes.

3. Bill keeps having the thought that he might scream 'FIRE' while in a public place.Although Bill recognizes that this is an irrational thought, he continues to experience these thoughts and is worried that he might act out on this thought at some point.This is an example of which of the following?

DelusionsTraumatic memoryCompulsive ritualObsessive thoughts

4. Which two terms are best associated with a situation in which psychological stress is interpreted as a psychological disorder?

Malingering and medicalizationSomatization and dissociationMalingering and diagnosingSomatization and medicalization

5. Bill is deciding whether or not to go to the beach or the mountains for his vacation this year.If he goes skiing in the mountains, he will enjoy the opportunity to ski but will spend more money.If he goes to the beach, he will spend less money but, as his extended family lives close by, will be obliged to spend time with his family and less time relaxing.This is an example of which of the following?

Double approach-avoidance conflictApproach-approach conflictApproach-avoidance conflictAvoidance-avoidance conflict

6. Random assignment in experimental studies does which of the following?

Allows researchers to rule out the possibility that the groups simply get better over time, as individuals tend to improve over time regardless of the treatmentAllows researchers to rule out the possibility that the experimental group(s)/control group(s) differ prior to treatment in a way that can interfere with the interpretation of the resultsAllow researchers to isolate specific treatment aspects that may be most effective in reducing/remitting psychiatric symptomsAllows researchers to control the dosage/degree of treatment within the experimental groups

7. Which of the following statements about Generalized Anxiety Disorders is FALSE?

People diagnosed with GAD tend to worry about many things rather than focusing on one issue.Approximately 70% of people diagnosed with GAD also have another AXIS I diagnosis.Diagnostic criteria C specifies that the anxiety and worry must be associated with at least 2 physical symptoms (e.g., muscle tension, sleep disturbances, etc.).Research has shown that the 12-month prevalence rate of GAD is about 4%.

8. A researcher samples a population of individuals with major depressive disorder and gives them two self-report scales in which participants indicate the degree to which they experience stress and the strength of their social support system (i.e., the degree to which they have available supportive others in their life).This would be an example of which of the following types of study?

Experimental studyCorrelational studyLongitudinal studyArchival study

10. Serika is a patient at a psychiatric hospital with schizophrenia.She complains that she does not want to spend time in the common room, because the news anchors on television are purposefully trying to make specific references to her which she finds 'annoying.'This description is best associated with which of the following?

Grandiose delusionAuditory hallucinationDelusion of referenceVisual hallucination

12. Which statement does NOT represent a benefit of having a diagnostic system in psychology?

Diagnostic labels can help clinicians form assumptions which hold true across individuals regardless of context.Diagnoses are used in both clinical and research settings, to help the psychological community know more about the statistics associated with particular disorders.Diagnoses are important for record keeping purposes so that individual mental health treatment facilities have information on what sorts of presenting issues are most common to its facility.Diagnoses represent a way to 'shorthand' communication in that one term/diagnosis contains a lot of potentially useful clinical information.

13. Specific phobias are usually characterized by sympathetic arousal (e.g., blood pressure increases) with the exception of which specific phobia

Situational typeAnimal typeBlood-injection-injury typeNatural environment type

14. Research has shown that somatization is positively associated with which of the following phenomenon?

Difficulty with the identification and expression of emotionsThe presence of the negative symptoms also associated with schizophreniaAn intense fear of criticism and failureFeelings of self-doubt, guilt, and worthlessness

15. Antwon was misdiagnosed as having major depressive disorder when, in fact, he has bipolar disorder.He was given an anti-depressant by his prescribing psychiatrist.Which of the following best describes what will likely result?

Antwon's symptoms will decrease, but she will not show the same improvement as she might on a mood stabilizer.Antwon may be propelled into a manic episode, as anti-depressants are contraindicated (i.e., cause harm rather than benefit) for bipolar disorder.Antwon will show no change in her symptoms.Antwon's symptoms will remit, and he will begin to function better.

16. Which statement best defines organic mental disorders?

Organic mental disorders are those disorders which have a physical basis.Organic mental disorders are those disorders which occur naturally and have no environmental triggers.Organic mental disorders are those with a physical basis that can be easily diagnosed using current technology.Organic mental disorders are those disorders in which diagnostic tools cannot determine the root cause.

18. Choose the best answer to fill in the blanks.The sleep hygiene recommendation that you get out of bed if you cannot fall asleep is most closely associated with the ________________ paradigm, as it can potentially involve principles related to ________________.

Cognitive, irrational thoughtsBiological, circadian rhythmsBiopsychosocial, hormonal disruptionsBehavioral, conditioning

19. Edward, a 17-year-old male, has become socially isolated and has started to decline in his academic performance.In addition, his friends have noticed that he has some odd or bizarre thinking.As Edward's psychologist, which of the following hypotheses would you likely NOT have?

All of theseEdward may have borderline personality disorder.Edward may be in the prodromal stages of the development of schizophrenia.Edward may have depression with some psychotic features.

20. According to the lectures in this course, what is one theory regarding the etiology of dissociative disorders?

The symptoms associated with dissociative disorders are a manifestation of repressed ego consciousness and id/ego conflict.Dissociative disorders are likely genetic, as there is a strong correlation of occurrence among family members.The symptoms associated with dissociative disorders are due to exposures to toxins in the environment.The symptoms associated with dissociative disorders serve to protect the individual in some fashion, as the precipitating event prior to onset is usually some distressing event.

21. Which disorder was originally called multiple personality disorder, and why did the name change?

Borderline personality disorder was originally called multiple personality disorder but changed, because it became clear that there was one 'predominate' personality.Dissociative identity disorder was originally called multiple personality disorder but changed, because it became clear that there was one 'predominate' personality.Borderline personality disorder was originally called multiple personality disorder but changed, because the original label was thought to be misleading in that the 'personalities' are actually 'personality states' and do not exactly match the notion of aDissociative identity disorder was originally called multiple personality disorder but changed, because the original label was thought to be misleading in that the 'personalities' are actually 'personality states' and do not exactly match the notion of a complete personality.

22. Ajay was an engineer who lived in Texas, and in May of 1997, he did not come home from work.His company laptop was pawned at a shop near the airport, and his company car was found in the airport parking lot.He could not recall who his identity or how he got to his current location.He took on a new name, got a job, and made friends.Finally, he decided to go to the police, who reunited him with his wife and family in Texas.Ajay most likely would be diagnosed with which of the following mental health disorders?

Depersonalization disorderDissociative fugue disorderDissociative amnesia disorderDissociative identity disorder

23. Kiran has been experiencing difficulty getting to sleep for the last three months.As a sleep disorders specialist, you have Kiran describe her daily routines.She reports that she goes for a run/shower after work around 6pm.She does more work after exercising for about 2 hours from 7:30pm-9:30pm and eats dinner directly after finishing her work from 9:30-10:00pm.She then gets into bed around 10pm and watches TV in bed until she is able to fall asleep.After hearing her daily routine, you make several suggestions.Which statement represents an UNHELPFUL suggestion?

You suggest that Kiran should eat dinner earlier, as a full meal before bed can disrupt normal sleep patterns.You suggest that Kiran should not watch TV in bed as it can engage the brain, which can disrupt normal sleep patterns.You suggest that Kiran should move up her work time as she may be working too late at night, which can disrupt normal sleep patterns.You suggest that Kiran should exercise in the early morning before work, as any exercise after 5pm can disrupt normal sleep patterns.

25. Which of the following statements regarding post-traumatic stress disorder is FALSE?

It has an immediate onset as symptoms occur directly after the traumatic event / One diagnostic criterion is 'survivor's guilt,' or the feeling that it is 'unfair' that the person survived while others did notIt has an immediate onset as symptoms occur directly after the traumatic event.One diagnostic criterion is 'survivor's guilt,' or the feeling that it is 'unfair' that the person survived while others did not.It is often characterized by avoidance of situations which remind the person of the trauma.

25 Questions

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25 Questions

❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | OSHA Basics Quiz | What Should We Know? Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson© 2026 Fatskills.com

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | OSHA Basics Quiz | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com