Question 1

Which of the following best describes the diathesis-stress model as it relates to major depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

It proposes that a genetic predisposition (diathesis) interacts with environmental stressors to increase the likelihood of developing depression.

Question 2

A person is excessively preoccupied with the belief that others are trying to harm or deceive them, often reacting with anger to imagined threats. According to the DSM-5-TR, which personality disorder does this most likely describe?

Accepted Answer

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Question 3

Which of the following is a key difference between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

Accepted Answer

OCD is defined by unwanted obsessions and compulsions, whereas OCPD involves a maladaptive focus on order and perfectionism without true obsessions or compulsions.

Question 4

A university student avoids social gatherings, fears being judged, and develops routines to minimize embarrassment, such as always sitting near exits. Which disorder does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It categorizes mental illnesses into 19 categories and recognizes disorder severity on a continuum.

Question 6

Which brain region is most closely associated with the heightened vigilance for threats seen in individuals with Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)?

Accepted Answer

Increased neural responses to auditory stimuli and higher stress hormones in cerebrospinal fluid

Question 7

A person with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and delusions of grandeur. According to current research, which neurotransmitter is most likely involved in these positive symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Question 8

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of a 'pessimistic explanatory style' in depression?

Accepted Answer

Believing that a negative event is one's own fault (internal), will never change (stable), and affects all areas of life (global).

Question 9

Which of the following is a major criticism of the DSM-5-TR classification system?

Accepted Answer

It relies on arbitrary thresholds for the number of symptoms required for a diagnosis, which can affect reliability.

Question 10

A child is described as having difficulty maintaining attention, being impulsive, and disrupting the classroom. According to the DSM-5-TR, how many symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity are required for an ADHD diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

At least six symptoms

Question 11

Which of the following is a key biological finding in individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD)?

Accepted Answer

Larger amygdala responses to negative social stimuli, correlated with higher anxiety

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the difference between Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and specific phobias?

Accepted Answer

GAD involves persistent anxiety about a wide range of situations, whereas specific phobias are intense fears of particular objects or scenarios.

Question 13

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Prenatal exposure to stress or influenza during the first trimester can disrupt brain development, increasing schizophrenia risk.

Question 14

Which of the following is a common negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Flat emotional responses and social withdrawal

Question 15

A person with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Exhibit intense emotional swings, unstable relationships, and impulsive behaviors.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) are resistant to psychological treatment?

Accepted Answer

They lack distress about their actions and have impaired emotional circuitry, including reduced amygdala activity.

Question 17

Which of the following is a risk factor for suicide among Indigenous youth in Canada, as discussed in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Disconnection from traditional ways of living, colonialism, and systemic racism

Question 18

Which of the following is a key feature of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?

Accepted Answer

The presence of two or more distinct identities, each with its own memories and control over behavior

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of culture in the diagnosis and expression of psychological disorders?

Accepted Answer

Culture can shape the expression, prevalence, and help-seeking behaviors related to psychological disorders, leading to culture-bound syndromes.

Question 20

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the legal concept of the 'mental disorder defence' in Canada?

Accepted Answer

It is based on whether the defendant could discern that their actions were legally or morally wrong at the time of the crime.

Psychological Disorders: Definitions, Classification, and Major Categories

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards