PSYC 2490 UNIT 7 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS
Distinguish personality disorders from normal personality traits. - ANSWER Personality
disorders are extreme representations of personality traits
Define personality disorder. - ANSWER Persistent and pervasive patterns of dysfunction
that violate cultural and developmental norms, and cause distress and/or functional
impairment across a range of relationships, settings, and domains of functioning
What are the 5 big personality traits? - ANSWER Openness to experience,
conscientiousness, extraversion/introversion, agreeableness, neuroticism
What is the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for personality disorders? - ANSWER *6 criteria:*
- *Criterion A:* Behavioral patterns must manifest in at least two of the following areas:
cognition, emotions, interpersonal functioning, or impulse control.
- *Criterion B:* Such patterns must be rigid and consistent across a broad range of
personal and social situations.
- *Criterion C:* Patterns should cause clinically significant distress in social,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
- *Criterion D:* Symptoms must be stable and of lengthy duration, with onset in
adolescence or earlier.
- *Criterion E:* Behavioural patterns cannot be accounted for by another mental
disorder.
- *Criterion F:* Patterns are not due to acute substance use (e.g., drugs or alcohol) or of
another medical condition.
*3 broad clusters:*
- *Cluster A* is defined by odd or eccentric features and includes paranoid, schizoid,
and schizotypal PDs
- *Cluster B* (dramatic, emotional, or erratic features) includes antisocial, borderline,
, histrionic, and narcissistic PDs
- *Cluster C* (anxious or fearful features) consists of avoidant, dependent, and
obsessive-compulsive PDs
Why are personality disorders more difficult to diagnose compared to other mental
disorders? - ANSWER - Co-occurrence among personality disorders is excessive, far
higher than what would be expected if each disorder emerged from unique underlaying
factors
- Most of the individuals suffering personality pathology do not neatly fit into the
categorical presentations outlined in the DSM
How may culture and gender biases influence the diagnosis of a personality disorder? -
ANSWER - *Culture:* many theories and theoretical models are developed in Europe
using western subjects and media.
- *Gender:* May be associated with identity confusion as cisgender and heterosexual
orientations are generally assumed unless deliberately questioned (due to cultural and
societal inputs)
How do comorbidity and overlap affect the diagnosis of personality disorders? -
ANSWER - Cluster A disorders are highly comorbid with each other and other
psychiatric presentations because all cluster A diagnostic criterial also appear in at
least one other DSM disorder
- Paranoia is very common among PDs and it affects how the person is diagnosed
Understand the main current theories/perspectives used to explain the etiology of
personality disorders (i.e., psychodynamic views, attachment theory,
cognitive-behavioural perspectives, biological factors). - ANSWER
Describe the primary features of Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). - ANSWER - PPD
is characterized by patterns of pervasive mistrust, suspiciousness, and resentment of
others
- Persons suffering from this condition are often hypersensitive to interpersonal cues,
assume innocuous stimuli, and are inclined to interpret others' motivations as spiteful or
malevolent
ACCURATE ANSWERS
Distinguish personality disorders from normal personality traits. - ANSWER Personality
disorders are extreme representations of personality traits
Define personality disorder. - ANSWER Persistent and pervasive patterns of dysfunction
that violate cultural and developmental norms, and cause distress and/or functional
impairment across a range of relationships, settings, and domains of functioning
What are the 5 big personality traits? - ANSWER Openness to experience,
conscientiousness, extraversion/introversion, agreeableness, neuroticism
What is the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for personality disorders? - ANSWER *6 criteria:*
- *Criterion A:* Behavioral patterns must manifest in at least two of the following areas:
cognition, emotions, interpersonal functioning, or impulse control.
- *Criterion B:* Such patterns must be rigid and consistent across a broad range of
personal and social situations.
- *Criterion C:* Patterns should cause clinically significant distress in social,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
- *Criterion D:* Symptoms must be stable and of lengthy duration, with onset in
adolescence or earlier.
- *Criterion E:* Behavioural patterns cannot be accounted for by another mental
disorder.
- *Criterion F:* Patterns are not due to acute substance use (e.g., drugs or alcohol) or of
another medical condition.
*3 broad clusters:*
- *Cluster A* is defined by odd or eccentric features and includes paranoid, schizoid,
and schizotypal PDs
- *Cluster B* (dramatic, emotional, or erratic features) includes antisocial, borderline,
, histrionic, and narcissistic PDs
- *Cluster C* (anxious or fearful features) consists of avoidant, dependent, and
obsessive-compulsive PDs
Why are personality disorders more difficult to diagnose compared to other mental
disorders? - ANSWER - Co-occurrence among personality disorders is excessive, far
higher than what would be expected if each disorder emerged from unique underlaying
factors
- Most of the individuals suffering personality pathology do not neatly fit into the
categorical presentations outlined in the DSM
How may culture and gender biases influence the diagnosis of a personality disorder? -
ANSWER - *Culture:* many theories and theoretical models are developed in Europe
using western subjects and media.
- *Gender:* May be associated with identity confusion as cisgender and heterosexual
orientations are generally assumed unless deliberately questioned (due to cultural and
societal inputs)
How do comorbidity and overlap affect the diagnosis of personality disorders? -
ANSWER - Cluster A disorders are highly comorbid with each other and other
psychiatric presentations because all cluster A diagnostic criterial also appear in at
least one other DSM disorder
- Paranoia is very common among PDs and it affects how the person is diagnosed
Understand the main current theories/perspectives used to explain the etiology of
personality disorders (i.e., psychodynamic views, attachment theory,
cognitive-behavioural perspectives, biological factors). - ANSWER
Describe the primary features of Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). - ANSWER - PPD
is characterized by patterns of pervasive mistrust, suspiciousness, and resentment of
others
- Persons suffering from this condition are often hypersensitive to interpersonal cues,
assume innocuous stimuli, and are inclined to interpret others' motivations as spiteful or
malevolent
