Quiz 1: Normal vs. Abnormal Behavior Flashcards
(10 cards)
Which scenario best illustrates the “danger” criterion in identifying abnormal behavior?
a. A student who experiences anxiety before exams and avoids eye contact
b. A man who suddenly becomes aggressive and threatens to harm coworkers with a weapon
c. A teenager who dresses unusually and refuses to follow school dress codes
d. A woman who feels hopeless and cries daily but isolates herself quietly at home
b. A man who suddenly becomes aggressive and threatens to harm coworkers with a weapon
A young adult with a family history of anxiety experiences a sudden panic attack after losing their job. Weeks later, they continue to struggle due to isolating themselves and using alcohol to cope. Which sequence of factors is most accurately represented in this case?
a. Perpetuating → Predisposing → Precipitating
b. Precipitating → Protective → Predisposing
c. Protective → Perpetuating → Precipitating
d. Predisposing → Precipitating → Perpetuating
d. Predisposing → Precipitating → Perpetuating
What is the most accurate example of a “presenting problem” in a clinical intake?
a. A client states, “I feel like I’m losing control and can’t focus at work.”
b. The therapist identifies unresolved grief as a factor in the client’s depression.
c. The treatment plan involves 10 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
d. A psychologist explains that major depressive disorder may run in families.
a. A client states, “I feel like I’m losing control and can’t focus at work.”
A young adult with generalized anxiety disorder responds quickly to therapy, returns to daily functioning, and has strong social support. What type of prognosis does this case likely indicate?
a. Guarded prognosis
b. Good prognosis
c. Poor prognosis
d. Variable prognosis
b. Good prognosis
Which of the following best differentiates normal behavior from abnormal behavior in psychological assessment?
a. Normal behavior never causes distress, while abnormal behavior always leads to criminal acts
b. Normal behavior is adaptive and situational, while abnormal behavior is persistent and impairs functioning
c. Normal behavior aligns with personal values, while abnormal behavior contradicts biological needs
d. Normal behavior involves no emotion, while abnormal behavior includes extreme happiness or sadness
b. Normal behavior is adaptive and situational, while abnormal behavior is persistent and impairs functioning
A client has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has shown persistent symptoms for several years despite treatment. Which description best fits the course of their disorder?
a. Time-limited
b. Regressive
c. Episodic
d. Chronic
d. Chronic
Which scenario best illustrates “dysfunction” rather than deviance, distress, or danger?
a. A woman cries excessively after a breakup and feels hopeless for weeks.
b. A teenager dresses in a highly unusual fashion that shocks their conservative community.
c. A student’s anxiety prevents them from concentrating, causing them to repeatedly fail school tasks despite their intelligence.
d. A man lives in isolation and hears voices commanding him to act against others.
c. A student’s anxiety prevents them from concentrating, causing them to repeatedly fail school tasks despite their intelligence.
Which of the following best reflects the concept of “etiology” in clinical psychology?
a. A clinician explores whether the client’s panic attacks stem from childhood trauma and family history of anxiety.
b. A client reports hearing voices and feeling unsafe.
c. A patient expresses difficulty sleeping and constant fatigue.
d. A psychiatrist prescribes medication to reduce depressive symptoms.
a. A clinician explores whether the client’s panic attacks stem from childhood trauma and family history of anxiety.
Which scenario best illustrates a “waxing and waning” course of a mental disorder?
a. A man begins with mild memory lapses that gradually develop into severe cognitive impairment.
b. A college student alternates between periods of intense energy and depressive episodes over several months.
c. A client reports no symptoms for six months after brief therapy for acute stress.
d. A woman experiences anxiety daily for years with little change in severity.
b. A college student alternates between periods of intense energy and depressive episodes over several months.
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies abnormal behavior according to psychological criteria, despite being socially accepted in a specific culture?
a. A student experiencing mild anxiety before public speaking
b. A person feeling irritable after sleep deprivation
c. A grieving person isolating themselves for two weeks after a loss
d. An individual engaging in self-starvation due to a distorted body image, despite being praised culturally for thinness
d. An individual engaging in self-starvation due to a distorted body image, despite being praised culturally for thinness
