Advanced Midterm Practice Quiz PDF

Advanced Midterm Practice Quiz – Psychopathology & Mental Disorders Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (Theoretical Knowledge & Research Methods – 30%) 1. Which of the following best illustrates the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in the development...

Advanced Midterm Practice Quiz – Psychopathology & Mental Disorders Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (Theoretical Knowledge & Research Methods – 30%) 1. Which of the following best illustrates the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in the development of schizophrenia? a) A genetic predisposition leading directly to symptoms b) Childhood trauma triggering the onset of schizophrenia with no biological influence c) The presence of genetic vulnerability, stress, and environmental factors interacting to influence symptom expression d) An imbalance in dopamine that is completely unrelated to environmental influences 2. Which of the following statements about DSM-5-TR is TRUE? a) It completely replaced the categorical model with a dimensional model b) It eliminates cultural considerations in diagnosis c) It acknowledges the role of cultural factors in mental health diagnoses d) It does not recognize comorbid conditions 3. Which research method is best suited to determine whether early childhood trauma increases the risk of developing mood disorders in adulthood? a) Cross-sectional study b) Experimental study c) Longitudinal study d) Case study 4. What is a major limitation of using experimental research in psychopathology? a) It cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships b) Ethical constraints make it difficult to manipulate variables related to mental disorders c) It is the only research method that can be applied to mental health studies d) It is ineffective at studying biological influences 5. Which of the following neurotransmitters is most directly implicated in the reinforcing effects of addictive substances? a) Serotonin  b) Dopamine c) Acetylcholine d) GABA (Clinical Application & Diagnosis – 40%) 6. A 28-year-old man reports experiencing persistent intrusive thoughts about harming others, even though he has no desire to act on them. To manage his anxiety, he engages in repeated rituals such as counting in sets of five before leaving the house. What is the most likely diagnosis? a) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) b) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) c) Panic Disorder d) Social Anxiety Disorder 7. Which of the following symptoms would most clearly differentiate PTSD from panic disorder? a) Shortness of breath and increased heart rate b) Persistent intrusive flashbacks and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli c) Episodes of intense fear occurring unpredictably d) Excessive worry about future attacks 8. Which of the following is a defining characteristic of borderline personality disorder? a) Rigid adherence to rules and perfectionism b) Alternating extremes of idealization and devaluation in relationships c) Persistent disregard for others' rights and social norms d) Emotional detachment and avoidance of close relationships 9. A patient with schizophrenia shows significant improvement when taking an antipsychotic medication, but also develops involuntary facial movements. Which of the following side effects is most likely responsible? a) Akathisia b) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome c) Tardive Dyskinesia d) Serotonin Syndrome 10. Which of the following characteristics distinguishes bipolar I disorder from  bipolar II disorder? a) The presence of hypomanic episodes in bipolar I b) The requirement of at least one full manic episode in bipolar I c) The absence of depressive episodes in bipolar II d) A greater duration of depressive symptoms in bipolar I 11. Which of the following findings best supports the hypothesis that major depressive disorder has a biological basis? a) Depression rates remain constant across different cultures b) Twin studies indicate higher concordance rates among identical twins c) Cognitive therapy is more effective than medication in all cases d) Depression is only observed in industrialized societies 12. Which of the following symptoms must be present to diagnose schizophrenia? a) Dissociative identity disturbance b) Hallucinations or delusions c) Excessive worry and panic attacks d) Compulsive handwashing 13. Which of the following is a primary feature of dissociative identity disorder (DID)? a) Recurrent episodes of depersonalization or derealization b) Alternating personalities with distinct identities and memory gaps c) Hallucinations and paranoid delusions d) A persistent preoccupation with physical symptoms 14. A child with a history of multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) exhibits emotional dysregulation, difficulty forming attachments, and hypervigilance. Which disorder is most likely? a) Autism Spectrum Disorder b) Oppositional Defiant Disorder c) Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) d) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 15. Which of the following therapeutic approaches would be most appropriate for a patient with PTSD who experiences extreme avoidance of trauma- related stimuli? a) Exposure therapy  b) Psychoanalysis c) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) d) Mindfulness meditation alone (Critical Thinking & Ethics – 30%) 16. What is the primary ethical concern when conducting research on individuals with a history of trauma? a) Ensuring the study remains purely observational b) Preventing re-traumatization while collecting data c) Using deception to elicit emotional responses d) Limiting participation to individuals with severe PTSD 17. Which of the following best describes the controversy surrounding the expansion of diagnostic criteria in DSM-5-TR? a) It has led to improved cultural sensitivity in diagnosis b) It may contribute to over-diagnosis and medicalizing normal behaviors c) It eliminates the need for structured clinical assessments d) It has removed previously recognized disorders 18. Which statement best reflects a limitation of the categorical model of diagnosis? a) It allows for easy communication among clinicians b) It does not adequately account for symptom severity variations c) It eliminates the problem of comorbidity d) It provides a more precise measurement of symptoms 19. Which of the following is an example of a Protective Childhood Experience (PCE)? a) Growing up in a household with high levels of conflict b) Having a stable and nurturing caregiver c) Exposure to parental substance abuse d) Experiencing frequent community violence Section 2: True or False Questions 20. The DSM-5-TR has completely abandoned categorical classification in favor of  a dimensional model. (False) 21. The presence of hallucinations alone is sufficient for a diagnosis of schizophrenia. (False) 22. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is designed to minimize the risk of re- traumatization in clinical settings. (True) 23. A high score on the ACEs questionnaire predicts inevitable mental health problems in adulthood. (False) 24. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is primarily used for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. (True) 25. Cultural factors influence how mental disorders are expressed and diagnosed. (True) 26. Schizophrenia is caused solely by environmental factors. (False) 27. Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is characterized by alternating multiple personalities with gaps in memory. (True) 28. Exposure therapy is a widely used treatment for PTSD. (True) 29. Personality disorders are typically diagnosed in childhood. (False) Advanced Midterm Practice Quiz – Answer Key & Explanations This detailed answer key provides in-depth explanations for all multiple-choice and true/false questions, ensuring a strong understanding of key concepts. Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Answer Key & Explanations (Theoretical Knowledge & Research Methods – 30%) 1. (c) The presence of genetic vulnerability, stress, and environmental factors interacting to influence symptom expression o Schizophrenia follows the diathesis-stress model, meaning that biological vulnerability (genetics) + environmental stressors contribute to its onset. 2. (c) It acknowledges the role of cultural factors in mental health diagnoses o DSM-5-TR includes cultural formulations to improve diagnosis across diverse populations. 3. (c) Longitudinal study o A longitudinal study follows participants over time, making it ideal for understanding long-term effects of trauma on mental health. 4. (b) Ethical constraints make it difficult to manipulate variables related to mental disorders o Experimenting on mental disorders (e.g., inducing trauma) is unethical, limiting what researchers can study in controlled environments. 5. (b) Dopamine o Dopamine is central to the brain's reward system, making it the primary neurotransmitter involved in addiction. (Clinical Application & Diagnosis – 40%) 6. (b) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) o OCD involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive rituals (compulsions) that relieve anxiety. 7. (b) Persistent intrusive flashbacks and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli o PTSD involves re-experiencing trauma, whereas panic disorder is marked by unexpected panic attacks. 8. (b) Alternating extremes of idealization and devaluation in relationships o Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by unstable relationships, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. 9. (c) Tardive Dyskinesia o Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder caused by long-term use of antipsychotics (especially first-generation ones). 10. (b) The requirement of at least one full manic episode in bipolar I Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II involves hypomania (less severe than full mania). 11. (b) Twin studies indicate higher concordance rates among identical twins Family and twin studies show a strong genetic link in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). 12. (b) Hallucinations or delusions Schizophrenia requires at least one "core symptom" (hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech). 13. (b) Alternating personalities with distinct identities and memory gaps Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is characterized by multiple identities and amnesia between personalities. 14. (c) Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) RAD occurs in children exposed to severe neglect or trauma, leading to difficulty forming healthy attachments. 15. (a) Exposure therapy Exposure therapy is the gold standard for PTSD, gradually reducing avoidance and desensitizing trauma triggers. (Critical Thinking & Ethics – 30%) 16. (b) Preventing re-traumatization while collecting data Ethical research on trauma must ensure participants are not re-traumatized by study procedures. 17. (b) It may contribute to over-diagnosis and medicalizing normal behaviors Critics argue DSM-5-TR expands diagnostic criteria, leading to pathologizing normal behaviors (e.g., mild grief as depression). 18. (b) It does not adequately account for symptom severity variations The categorical model assumes people either have or don’t have a disorder, failing to recognize severity differences. 19. (b) Having a stable and nurturing caregiver Protective Childhood Experiences (PCEs) (e.g., positive caregiving) help buffer against Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Section 2: True or False Questions Answer Key & Explanations 20. False DSM-5-TR still uses categorical classification but integrates some dimensional elements. 21. False Schizophrenia requires at least two symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. 22. True Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) focuses on creating safe clinical environments to avoid re-traumatization. 23. False Not everyone with high ACE scores develops mental disorders—resilience and PCEs play a role in mitigating risks. 24. True  ECT is used for severe, treatment-resistant depression, especially with suicidality. 25. True Culture impacts symptom expression (e.g., in some cultures, depression manifests as physical symptoms like pain rather than sadness). 26. False Schizophrenia has both genetic and environmental influences (e.g., dopamine dysregulation + prenatal complications). 27. True DID involves multiple identities and memory gaps between personality states. 28. True Exposure therapy is the most effective treatment for PTSD, gradually confronting trauma-related triggers. 29. False Personality disorders are diagnosed in adulthood, though traits often appear in adolescence.