Assignment: Abnormal Psychology Multiple Choice Questions

Abnormal psychology is a division of psychology that studies people who are “abnormal” or “atypical” compared to the members of a given society. The definition of the word abnormal is simple enough but applying this to psychology poses a complex problem: what is normal? Whose norm? For what age? For what culture?

The concept of abnormality is imprecise and difficult to define. Examples of abnormality can take many different forms and involve different features, so that, what at first sight seem quite reasonable definitions, turns out to be quite problematic.

There are several different ways in which it is possible to define ‘abnormal’ as opposed to our ideas of what is ‘normal’.

Under this definition of abnormality, a person’s trait, thinking or behavior is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual.

With this definition it is necessary to be clear about how rare a trait or behavior needs to be before we class it as abnormal. For instance, one may say that an individual who has an IQ below or above the average level of IQ in society is abnormal.

Strength

The statistical approach helps to address what is meant by normal in a statistical context. It helps us make cut – off points in terms of diagnosis.

Limitations

However, this definition fails to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behavior. For example, obesity is statistically normal but not associated with healthy or desirable. Conversely, high IQ is statistically abnormal, but may well be regarded as highly desirable.

Top nursing paper writers on hand to assist you with assignment : Assignment: Abnormal Psychology Multiple Choice Questions

Many rare behaviors or characteristics (e.g. left-handedness) have no bearing on normality or abnormality. Some characteristics are

regarded as abnormal even though they are quite frequent. Depression may affect 27% of elderly people (NIMH, 2001). This would make it common but that does not mean it isn’t a problem.

The decision of where to start the “abnormal” classification is arbitrary. Who decides what is statistically rare and how do they decide? For example, if an IQ of 70 is the cut-off point, how can we justify saying someone with 69 is abnormal, and someone with 70 normal?

This definition also implies that the presence of abnormal behavior in people should be rare or statistically unusual, which is not the case.

Instead, any specific abnormal behavior may be unusual, but it is not unusual for people to exhibit some form of prolonged abnormal behavior at some point in their lives, and mental disorders such as depression are actually very statistically common.

QUESTION 1 1. One of the primary characteristics of antisocial personality disorders is: A. Lack of remorse B. Depression C. Mania D. Empathy 10 points QUESTION 2 1. Cluster A type personality disorders are primarily characterized by A. odd and eccentric behavior B. dramatic, emotional and aggressive behavior C. dependent D. prosocial behavior behavior 10 points QUESTION 3 1. All of the following are examples of Cluster B type personality disorders except A. antisocial personality disorder B. narcissistic C. paranoid personality disorder personality disorder D. borderline personality disorder 10 points QUESTION 4 1. The picture of the man in the clown suit in this week’s folder is that of John Wayne Gacey, a convicted serial killer. He was most likely suffering from the following personality disorder A. paranoid personality disorder B. antisocial personality disorder C. dependent D. schizoid personality disorder personality disorder 10 points QUESTION 5 1. One of the major characteristics of borderline personality disorder is A. experiencing visual hallucinations B. a lack of remorse C. a fear of real or imagined abandonment D. a feeling of over confidence 10 points QUESTION 6 1. Cluster C type personality disorders include A. avoidant personality disorder B. dependent C. obsessive D. all personality disorder compulsive personality disorder of the above 10 points QUESTION 7 1. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder typcally A. do not seek out therapy unless they are under significant distress B. seek out therapy to deal with their imagined imperfections C. are easier to treat than than those who suffer from other personality disorders D. none of the above 10 points QUESTION 8 1. People with dependent personality disorders A. lack the ability to empathize B. have a deep need to be cared for C. usually D. are do well on their own usually hostile and aggressive 10 points QUESTION 9 1. The most prevalent type of personality disorder is A. obsessive compulsive personality disorder B. dependent personality disorder C. antisocial personality disorder D. histrionic personality disorder 10 points QUESTION 10 1. People diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder A. have an increased risk for developing depression B. have a decreased risk for developing depression C. are actively engaged in a social setting D. are not at risk for developing schizophrenia 10 points

Assignment: Abnormal Psychology Multiple Choice Questions