Abnormal Psychology Exam Preparation Guide
Course Introduction
Abnormal Psychology explores the scientific study of psychological disorders, including their symptoms, causes, and treatments. This course covers major categories of mental disorders such as anxiety, mood, personality, dissociative, psychotic, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Students examine diagnostic criteria, etiological theories, and the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that contribute to abnormal behavior. Emphasis is also placed on current approaches to assessment, evidence-based interventions, and ethical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Through case studies and research findings, students gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in defining, classifying, and addressing psychological abnormality.
Recommended Textbook
Clinical Psychology 8th Edition by Timothy J. Trull
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
19 Chapters
1138 Verified Questions
1138 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/2282
Page 2
Chapter 1: Clinical Psychology: An Introduction
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45335
Sample Questions
Q1) According to recent demographic data,__________ of current clinical psychologists are women.
A) a small minority (fewer than 10%)
B) about a third
C) about half
D) a large majority
Answer: B
Q2) According to recent research on the topic,which two activities are most commonly engaged in by clinical psychologists?
A) psychotherapy and teaching
B) teaching and research
C) research and assessment/diagnosis
D) assessment/diagnosis and psychotherapy
Answer: D
Q3) The predominant training philosophy in clinical psychology today is the
A) clinical science model.
B) scientist-practitioner model.
C) research specialization model.
D) ethical practitioner model.
Answer: B
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 3
Chapter 2: Historical Overview of Clinical Psychology
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45336
Sample Questions
Q1) ALL BUT WHICH of the following is true of cognitive therapy?
A) It was developed by Aaron Beck.
B) It is used exclusively for the treatment of depression.
C) It focuses on the ways individuals think about themselves and the world around them.
D) It has proven to be one of the most effective psychological treatments ever developed.
Answer: B
Q2) Up until the end of WWII,one of the main focuses of clinical assessment and treatment was
A) youth.
B) the elderly.
C) addiction.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
4
Chapter 3: Current Issues in Clinical Psychology
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45337
Sample Questions
Q1) Jim wants to quit smoking secondary to some recent,serious health concerns.He and his therapist communicate frequently via e-mails and phone calls.In addition,his therapist periodically sends him links to webpages that offer useful techniques for dealing with cravings,and sends him automated text messages when he's likely to be at a high risk of relapse (e.g.,when on break at work,following meals).This treatment is an apt example of what is known as
A) an electronic therapy protocol.
B) ambulatory assessment.
C) computer-assisted therapy.
D) virtual therapy.
Answer: C
Q2) Which of the following is true regarding licensure as a psychologist?
A) Licensure laws are uniform across all 50 states.
B) Licensure usually requires a master's degree.
C) Licensure usually requires passing a written exam.
D) Licensure is automatic for graduates of Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology.
Answer: C
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 5
Chapter 4: Research Methods in Clinical Psychology
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45338
Sample Questions
Q1) When we are not sure that the obtained result of an experimental study is really attributable to our manipulation of the independent variable,we are questioning the __________ of the study.
A) generalizability
B) external validity
C) internal validity
D) correlational nature
Q2) Briefly compare and contrast cross-sectional and longitudinal designs.
Q3) The lifetime prevalence rate of schizophrenia is 1%,suggesting that
A) a member of the general population has a 1 in 100 chance of developing this disorder in his/her lifetime.
B) a member of the general population has a 1 in 100 chance of developing this disorder in the next 12 months.
C) if a member of the population is diagnosed with schizophrenia, he/she has a 1 in 100 chance of retaining the diagnosis for the remainder of his/her lifetime.
D) currently, 1 of every 100 members of the general population has this disorder.
Q4) What are the strengths and weaknesses of the case study method?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
6
Chapter 5: Diagnosis and Classification of Psychological Problems
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45339
Sample Questions
Q1) ALL BUT WHICH of the following is a disadvantage of using the subjective distress definition of abnormal behavior?
A) It doesn't recognize the validity of the individual's own experience.
B) Not everyone who appears "disordered" to others reports distress.
C) It's unclear how much distress is enough to be considered abnormal.
D) It's unclear how long distress must persist in order to be considered abnormal.
Q2) Structured diagnostic interviews
A) increase diagnostic reliability over unstructured interviews.
B) do not yet exist, but are being developed for both Axis I and Axis II disorders.
C) yield equally reliable diagnoses for all DSM-IV-TR disorders.
D) more than one of the above
Q3) A "psychopathologist" is
A) an individual currently diagnosed with a mental disorder.
B) a scientist who studies the development and causes of mental disorders.
C) an individual currently diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
D) a clinical psychologist who endorses the "violation of social norms" definition of abnormality above all others.
Q4) Identify three major purposes of psychiatric diagnosis.
Page 7
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 6: The Assessment Interview
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45340
Sample Questions
Q1) Intake-admission interviews
A) are conducted increasingly over the telephone
B) are conducted exclusively by clinical psychologists.
C) are intended to alleviate an immediate crisis.
D) are intended to assess for cognitive difficulties.
Q2) Mr.and Mrs.Hargett set up an assessment appointment for their 15-year-old son,Tommy; when they bring him in,they say that they want to find out "what is wrong" with him.According to the text,what should the psychologist do in this case?
A) The psychologist should conduct a comprehensive assessment of Tommy, examining him for every type of psychological problem.
B) The psychologist should tell the parents that their referral question is inappropriate, and that they should take their son elsewhere.
C) The therapist should talk with the parents to help them narrow down their questions about Tommy, and then conduct an assessment around these questions.
D) The psychologist should conduct a focused assessment of Tommy, examining him for the problems most commonly observed in 15-year-old males.
Q3) Briefly describe the ideal physical environment for a clinical interview.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 8
Chapter 7: The Assessment of Intelligence
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45341
Sample Questions
Q1) A test that is supposed to measure overall intelligence includes only mathematical questions.This test clearly lacks __________ validity.
A) content
B) discriminant
C) predictive
D) concurrent
Q2) Erika is referred for IQ testing,and she performs exceptionally well on the Arithmetic,Digit Span,and Letter-Number Sequencing subtests.Based on this information alone,we could assert that Erika has a relative strength with regard to A) mathematical ability.
B) working memory.
C) processing speed.
D) none of the above
Q3) Briefly describe the four index scores of the WAIS-IV.What general type of ability does each refer to?
Q4) Briefly compare and contrast the Stanford-Binet Fifth Edition and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
9
Chapter 8: Personality Assessment
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45342
Sample Questions
Q1) The Family Problems (FAM)scale on the MMPI-2 is an example of a A) clinical scale.
B) validity scale.
C) VRIN scale.
D) content scale.
Q2) Which of the following should have the least impact on our evaluation of a specific personality assessment measure?
A) how reliable and valid it is
B) how cost-effective it is
C) how long it has been in use
D) how useful it is in producing good outcomes
Q3) An advantage of objective tests is that they typically allow clinical psychologists to
A) administer the same test to multiple clients at the same time.
B) allow significant leeway for personalized scoring and administration.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above
Q4) Outline three reasons why the MMPI was revised.Also,outline two common criticisms of the MMPI-2.
Q5) Summarize the content validation approach to objective test construction.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 10
Chapter 9: Behavioral Assessment
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45343
Sample Questions
Q1) Assessors who perform behavioral interviews
A) are increasingly using structured diagnostic interviews.
B) typically ask about past attempts to cope with the problem.
C) usually inquire about people's expectations for therapy.
D) all of the above
Q2) Phil is seeing a behavioral clinical psychologist for help with his drinking behavior.The clinician asks Phil what he hopes to accomplish in treatment,and Phil says that he wants to reduce his alcohol intake.Then the clinician asks Phil what would be the consequence of reducing his intake,and Phil says that it would improve his performance at work.Then the clinician asks Phil what would be the consequence of improving his work performance,and Phil says that he would earn more money.Then the clinician asks about the consequence of earning more money,and Phil says that there would be less strain on his marriage.Then the clinician asks about the consequence of less marital strain,and Phil says that he would be happier.What is the clinician trying to do in this intervention?
A) define the ultimate outcome of the behavior change
B) pinpoint the antecedent of the undesired behavior
C) determine how committed the client is to treatment
D) none of the above
Q3) What are the advantages and disadvantages of controlled observation?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: Clinical Judgment
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45344
Sample Questions
Q1) What is the relationship between clinical experience and the accuracy of clinical predictions? Explain.
Q2) A clinician who uses the clinical approach to clinical judgment is likely to base his/her judgments on
A) actuarial data.
B) intuition.
C) empirical literature.
D) computer-generated predictions.
Q3) Clinical judgment and interpretation can be improved by A) resisting the temptation to oversimplify inherently complex patients. B) recording and evaluating the validity of predictions.
C) using structured rating scales and objective tests.
D) all of the above
Q4) Among the following,the name most closely associated with support for the statistical or actuarial approach to prediction is A) Murray.
B) Meehl.
C) Exner.
D) Millon.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 12
Chapter 11: Psychological Interventions
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45345
Sample Questions
Q1) What is meant by "nonspecific factors" in psychotherapy? How do nonspecific factors contribute to therapy outcome?
Q2) The 1995 Consumer Reports study on the benefits of psychotherapy found that A) psychotherapy resulted in improvement for about one-third of respondents.
B) longer treatment was related to greater improvement.
C) respondents who received psychotherapy plus medication improved more than those who received psychotherapy alone.
D) none of the above
Q3) ALL BUT WHICH of the following is consistent with current thinking about the therapist qualities of empathy,warmth,and genuineness identified by Rogers (1957)?
A) They are necessary, but not sufficient, for successful therapy.
B) They are considered untrainable skills.
C) They are believed to reflect the quality of the therapeutic alliance.
D) All of the above are consistent with current thinking on this matter.
Q4) Explain the difference between evidence-based treatment and evidence-based practice.
Q5) According to the conventional wisdom,a client must be motivated in order to benefit from therapy.Explain why successful psychotherapy seems to require motivation.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 13
Chapter 12: Psychotherapy: The Psychodynamic Perspective
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45346
Sample Questions
Q1) According to Freud,a behavior like __________ typically occurs as an accident and is NOT the expression of an unconscious wish.
A) missing an appointment
B) a "slip of the tongue"
C) forgetting to return a phone call
D) none of the above
Q2) While they are discussing Bernie's recently deceased father,Bernie's psychodynamically oriented therapist encourages Bernie to compose a letter to his father,telling him everything he had wanted to tell him,but had failed to tell him,while he was alive.Bernie comes back the next week and tells his therapist that although writing the letter was an exhausting and very emotional exercise,he now feels much calmer than he did before.What term would Freud use to describe Bernie's experience?
A) working through
B) transference
C) insight
D) catharsis
Q3) What is the purpose of defense mechanisms,according to Freud? Briefly identify and describe at least three separate defense mechanisms.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 14
Chapter 13: Psychotherapy: Phenomenological
Humanistic-Existential Perspective
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45347
Sample Questions
Q1) In general,research evidence suggests that client-centered therapy is A) more effective than no treatment.
B) more effective than most other forms of psychological treatment.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above
Q2) A client who is afraid of flying describes a recent episode in which his/her job required her to take a one-hour flight.A client-centered therapist is most likely to respond by
A) acknowledging the anxiety that the client must have felt .
B) pointing out to the client that he/she survived the flight and no catastrophe occurred, thus challenging the belief that flying is dangerous.
C) offering social reinforcements including smiles and compliments to increase the likelihood that the client will fly again.
D) offering the interpretation that the client's fear of flying may actually be a response (reaction formation) to an unconscious wish to "fly" away from home.
Q3) Identify and briefly describe three therapist characteristics that,according to Rogers,precipitate positive outcomes in psychotherapy.What does recent research suggest about Rogers' assertion?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 15
Chapter 14: Psychotherapy: Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Perspectives
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
59 Verified Questions
59 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45348
Sample Questions
Q1) A child is punished for lying to her parents by having her allowance reduced.Behavioral therapists would label this technique as
A) response cost.
B) token economy.
C) thought stopping.
D) overcorrection.
Q2) Ethan,who is in the third grade,has not been doing his homework.The counselor at school suggests that his parents institute a token economy where Ethan receives a poker chip each time he completes his homework,and every time he accumulates 5 chips and turns them in to his parents,they buy him a comic book.In this case,what is considered the "backup reinforcer"?
A) the comic book
B) the poker chip
C) the parents' praise
D) the homework
Q3) For what type of diagnosis is exposure and response prevention the treatment of choice? Illustrate with a fictional example the important elements of this treatment.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 16
Chapter 15: Group Therapy, Family Therapy, and Couples Therapy
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45349
Sample Questions
Q1) Bryan is a 13-year-old boy with significant social skills deficits.Which type of group therapy below would seem to be the best fit for him?
A) psychodrama
B) transactional analysis
C) behavioral group therapy
D) none of the above
Q2) Reviews of the research literature assessing the effectiveness of group psychotherapy consistently conclude that group treatment is
A) equivalent to no treatment.
B) more effective than no treatment.
C) more effective than other forms of psychotherapy.
D) more than one of the above
Q3) Satir regarded the family therapist as a person who
A) becomes a model of communication for the family.
B) helps the family balance their various obligations.
C) translates vaguely defined problems into objective, behavioral terms.
D) all of the above
Q4) Compare and contrast conjoint,concurrent,and collaborative family therapy.
Q5) Compare and contrast transactional analysis and Gestalt group therapy.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 17
Chapter 16: Community Psychology
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45350
Sample Questions
Q1) Recent reports evaluating the effectiveness of a wide range of prevention programs suggest that we should feel __________ about the effectiveness of community psychology.
A) disappointed
B) cautiously optimistic
C) extremely confident
D) discouraged, particularly in comparison to the effectiveness of early prevention programs
Q2) Which of the following is true of the ecological levels of analysis identified by community psychologists?
A) There are four such levels.
B) Each level is independent of the others.
C) The ecosystem as a whole is dynamic, rather than static.
D) none of the above
Q3) What is consultation,and what role does it play in community psychology?
Q4) In the field of community psychology,empowerment
A) as a goal is incompatible with the prevention of mental disorders.
B) as a goal is incompatible with an appreciation of diversity.
C) is closely related to the concept of locus of control.
D) all of the above
18
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 17: Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45351
Sample Questions
Q1) According to the psychosocial vulnerability model of the relationship between hostility and health,
A) increased heart rate, blood pressure, and stress-related hormones increase risk for coronary artery disease.
B) hostile individuals create a stressful environment by mistrusting others and scanning their environments for potential mistreatment.
C) hostile individuals have small social support networks, and, as a result, take worse care of themselves/their bodies.
D) none of the above
Q2) Briefly describe the steps involved in systematic desensitization,using a health psychology example.
Q3) Define biofeedback,and describe generally how it might proceed for the problem of hypertension.What are two common criticisms of biofeedback?
Q4) Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding ethnicity and cancer?
A) The incidence of common forms of cancer varies across ethnic groups.
B) The mortality rates from common forms of cancer vary across ethnic groups.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 19
Chapter 18: Neuropsychology
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45352
Sample Questions
Q1) General language impairment is known as __________,and specific impairment in naming things is known as __________.
A) aphasia; anomia
B) anomia; agnosia
C) agnosia; ataxia
D) ataxia; aphasia
Q2) Dennis's friends bring him to the ER late one night following blows to his head that have left him unable to say where he is or even what day it is.Someone assessing Dennis's neuropsychological status would say that he has impaired
A) affect.
B) perception.
C) orientation.
D) cognitive fluency.
Q3) Explain the primary advantages and disadvantages of (1)the standard battery approach and (2)the flexible battery approach to neuropsychological assessment.
Q4) Compare and contrast the Halstead-Reitan and the Luria-Nebraska test batteries.
Q5) Define neuropsychology,and identify three primary roles of neuropsychologists.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 20
Chapter 19: Forensic Psychology
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
59 Verified Questions
59 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/45353
Sample Questions
Q1) Gloria abused a neighbor's child,who was under her care,so badly that the child ended up in the hospital in critical condition.Gloria asserts that she was mentally ill with post-partum depression at the time of the abuse and could not appreciate that what she was doing was wrong.Assuming that what she is saying is true,under which standard below would Gloria be considered "insane"?
A) M'Naghten rule
B) Durham
C) ALI
D) any of the above
Q2) Under what conditions can an individual be involuntarily committed to a mental institution? Explain the textbook authors' comment that even "voluntary" admission may not be as voluntary as it appears.
Q3) Insanity
A) is a medical/psychiatric term, rather than a legal one.
B) pleas are often successful.
C) pleas are less common than questions about competency to stand trial.
D) none of the above
Q4) Describe at least three highlights in the historical development of forensic psychology.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 21