Psychology Degree Abnormal Psychology and DSM 4

Question 1

Rosenhan's 1973 'On Being Sane in Insane Places' study primarily challenged:

Accepted Answer

The reliability and validity of psychiatric diagnosis

Answer

Rosenhan's pseudopatient study showed that psychiatric staff could not distinguish sane pseudopatients from real patients, raising serious questions about diagnostic reliability and labeling.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the difference between a delusion and an overvalued idea?

Accepted Answer

Overvalued ideas are held with less absolute certainty than delusions

Answer

An overvalued idea is an unreasonable, sustained belief held with less than delusional intensity—the person may acknowledge some doubt—whereas delusions are fixed, false beliefs held with absolute certainty.

Question 3

In DSM-5, Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) requires depressed mood for at least:

Accepted Answer

2 years

Answer

PDD requires depressed mood for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in children/adolescents), with no symptom-free period lasting more than 2 months.

Question 4

A combat veteran experiences flashbacks, avoids war movies, has negative beliefs about the world, and is hypervigilant. The DSM-5 PTSD criterion cluster that includes hypervigilance is:

Accepted Answer

Criterion E – Alterations in arousal and reactivity

Answer

Criterion E of DSM-5 PTSD covers alterations in arousal and reactivity, including hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbance, irritability, and reckless behavior.

Question 5

The term 'ego-syntonic' is most applicable to which of the following disorders?

Accepted Answer

Anorexia Nervosa

Answer

Ego-syntonic symptoms feel consistent with the person's values and self-image; in Anorexia Nervosa, restrictive eating is often experienced as desirable and consistent with self-concept, making treatment-seeking less likely.

Psychology Degree Practice Test

Psychology Degree Practice Test

Psychology Degree Abnormal Psychology and DSM 4