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Essentials of Abnormal Psychology 8th Edition Barlow Test Bank
TRUE/FALSE
1 : Catharsis is a method of exorcising demons for religious and psychological purposes.
A : true
B : false
Correct Answer : B
2 : Defense mechanisms are used to reinforce desired behaviors in operant conditioning.
A : true
B : false
Correct Answer : B
MULTIPLE CHOICE
3 : According to the authors of your textbook, the definition of a psychological disorder is
associated with
A : stress.
B : impairment in functioning.
C : culturally expected responses.
D : psychotic symptoms.
Correct Answer : B
4 : A psychological dysfunction refers to
A : a breakdown in cognitive functioning.
B : a breakdown in emotional functioning.
C : a breakdown in behavioral functioning.
D : all of these are correct
Correct Answer : D
5 : Regarding the definition of abnormality, it is correct to state that
A : it is difficult to define normal and abnormal.
B : abnormality depends solely on subjective distress.
C : the definition is universal across cultures.
D : the criteria differ depending on whether the individual has a psychological disorder or a
psychological dysfunction.
Correct Answer : A
6 : The criterion that a particular behavior be atypical or not culturally expected is insufficient to
define abnormality because
A : behavior that occurs infrequently is considered abnormal in every culture.
B : the atypical behavior must also cause harm or impairment to be considered abnormal.
C : behaviors vary very little from one individual to another within each culture.
D : many people behave in ways that deviate from the average, but this doesnt mean that they
have a disorder.
Correct Answer : D
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7 : A new marine recruit at boot camp begins feeling sad and lonely. Although still able to go to
classes and continue the basic training exercises, the recruit is feeling down much of the time
and worries about what is happening.. Which part of the definition of abnormality applies to the
recruits situation?
A : Personal distress
B : Cultural factors
C : Impaired functioning
D : Violation of societal norms
Correct Answer : A
8 : Which of the following degrees is earned by a psychiatrist?
A : Ph.D.
B : Ed.D.
C : M.D.
D : Psy.D.
Correct Answer : C
9 : Ozzy Manson is a male rocker who wears outlandish makeup and womens clothing when
performing on stage. This behavior is considered
A : more abnormal than that of an accountant who starts to do so because rockstars are
supposed to be very masculine.
B : less abnormal than that of an accountant who starts to do so because it is consistent with his
professional success.
C : more abnormal than that of an accountant who starts to do so because its less common to
see a rockstar in makeup.
D : just as abnormal as that of an accountant who starts to do so because abnormality is
defined by the individual himself.
Correct Answer : B
10 : The prototype of a disorder reflects as described in DSM-5.
A : its history and prognosis
B : its biological underpinnings
C : The causes of pathology
D : the typical profile and diagnostic criteria
Correct Answer : D
11 : The scientific study of psychological disorders is called
A : psychopathology.
B : psychoanalysis.
C : pseudoscience.
D : parapsychology.
Correct Answer : A
12 : Dr. Smith is interested in how separation anxiety changes over time from childhood to
adolescence in the general population. What is his main field of study?
A : Oedipal theory
B : Behaviorism
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C : Child psychopathology
D : Developmental psychology
Correct Answer : D
13 : All of the following are ways in which mental health professionals might function as scientistpractitioners EXCEPT
A : analyzing their own motivations and reasons for helping people with psychological problems.
B : evaluating their own assessments and treatments for effectiveness.
C : conducting research leading to new information about mental disorders and their treatments.
D : using the most current diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Correct Answer : A
14 : Tameka, having earned her masters degree, has begun treating disorders and
concentrating on family problems. Tameka is probably a(n)
A : psychiatric social worker.
B : family therapist.
C : psychiatric nurse.
D : mental health counselor.
Correct Answer : A
15 : Statistical data are often relevant when discussing psychological disorders. For example, a
researcher might want to know how many new cases of depression are diagnosed each year, a
figure called the of the disorder.
A : prevalence
B : incidence
C : recurrence
D : ratio
Correct Answer : B
16 : Psychological disorders can be described as following a typical course or individual pattern.
For example, schizophrenia follows a chronic course. On the other hand, mood disorders,
including depression, follow a(n) course.
A : episodic
B : acute
C : cyclic
D : insidious
Correct Answer : A
17 : If a psychological disorder is said to have an acute onset, it means that the symptoms
developed
A : suddenly.
B : atypically.
C : gradually.
D : following a period of recovery.
Correct Answer : A
18 : When 20-year-old Ariel was first diagnosed with schizophrenia, her family wanted to know if
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and how the disorder would progress and how it would affect her in the future. In medical terms,
the family wanted to know Ariels
A : diagnosis.
B : prognosis.
C : pathophysiology.
D : disease etiology.
Correct Answer : B
19 : Etiology is:
A : The study of the biological effects of disorders on society.
B : The study of the origins of disorders.
C : The study of the impact of disorder on language use.
D : The study of the prevalence of disorders.
Correct Answer : B
20 : At various times in history, in an attempt to explain problematic, irrational behavior, humans
have focused on supernatural causes that include
A : witchcraft.
B : demons and evil spirits.
C : the moon and stars.
D : all of these are correct
Correct Answer : D
21 : Until the modern era, all of these theoretical models have been used to primarily explain our
behavior, thinking and emotions EXCEPT
A : psychological
B : biological
C : supernatural
D : physical
Correct Answer : B
22 : Toward the end of the 14th century and continuing into the 15th, the causes of madness
were generally attributed to
A : toxins in the blood.
B : heredity.
C : brain disease.
D : demons and witches.
Correct Answer : D
23 : Which of the following accurately describes the attitudes of the Catholic Church toward
mentally ill people during the turbulent political and religious events of the 14th and 15th
centuries?
A : They were considered to be suffering from inherited conditions and were cared for by
members of the church communities.
B : They were seen as possessed by evil spirits and blamed for all misfortunes.
C : They were regarded as basically good individuals who were not responsible for their
abnormal behavior.
D : They were provided with medical treatments and sometimes hospitalized because mental