BAPSY Abnormal Psychology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Derealization differs from depersonalization in that it involves:
- Feeling detached from one's body
- Perceiving the external world as unreal or dreamlike (Correct answer)
- Loss of autobiographical memory
- Experiencing two distinct identities
Correct answer: Perceiving the external world as unreal or dreamlike
Derealization involves a sense that the external environment is unreal, foggy, or dreamlike, while depersonalization refers to detachment from one's self.
Question 2: According to the cognitive model of depression developed by Aaron Beck, the 'cognitive triad' refers to negative views about:
- Self, others, and the future
- Self, world, and the future (Correct answer)
- Past, present, and future
- Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Correct answer: Self, world, and the future
Beck's cognitive triad consists of negative automatic thoughts about the self, the world (ongoing experience), and the future.
Question 3: Which anxiety disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks accompanied by persistent concern about future attacks?
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Panic disorder (Correct answer)
- Social anxiety disorder
Correct answer: Panic disorder
Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus at least one month of anticipatory anxiety or behavioral changes related to the attacks.
Question 4: A veteran re-experiences a combat trauma through vivid flashbacks, avoids trauma reminders, and has persistent negative alterations in mood. The most likely diagnosis is:
- Acute stress disorder
- Adjustment disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (Correct answer)
- Dissociative identity disorder
Correct answer: Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD requires symptoms in four clusters — intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions/mood, and hyperarousal — persisting more than one month after trauma.
Question 5: The primary distinction between delusional disorder and schizophrenia is:
- Delusional disorder lacks hallucinations and functional impairment is minimal (Correct answer)
- Schizophrenia always begins before age 30
- Delusional disorder requires at least two positive symptoms
- Schizophrenia cannot include delusions
Correct answer: Delusional disorder lacks hallucinations and functional impairment is minimal
Delusional disorder involves non-bizarre or bizarre delusions without prominent hallucinations, disorganized speech, or marked functional decline.
Question 6: Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
- Auditory hallucinations
- Flat affect (Correct answer)
- Grandiose delusions
- Disorganized speech
Correct answer: Flat affect
Negative symptoms represent a diminution of normal functions; flat affect (reduced emotional expressiveness) is a classic negative symptom.
Question 7: Which learning mechanism underlies the acquisition of a specific phobia according to the two-factor theory?
- Observational learning then operant conditioning
- Classical conditioning then operant conditioning (Correct answer)
- Operant conditioning then classical conditioning
- Insight learning then cognitive restructuring
Correct answer: Classical conditioning then operant conditioning
Mowrer's two-factor theory proposes that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through negative reinforcement (avoidance) via operant conditioning.
BAPSY Abnormal Psychology 3
Derealization differs from depersonalization in that it involves: