,Chapter 1: Introduction and Methods of Research
(Questions 1-50)
1. A nursing student is studying the definition of abnormal psychology. Which
statement best defines abnormal behavior?
A) Behavior that is statistically rare or unusual in a population
B) Behavior that deviates from social norms, causes personal distress, is
maladaptive, and poses a danger to self or others
C) Behavior that is illegal or criminal in nature
D) Behavior that is considered odd by family members
Answer: B
Rationale: Abnormal behavior is typically defined using multiple criteria: statistical rarity,
violation of social norms, personal distress, maladaptive behavior (interfering with daily
functioning), and potential danger to self or others. No single criterion is sufficient.
Option A is only one possible criterion. Option C conflates abnormal behavior with
criminal behavior (not all illegal behavior is abnormal). Option D is subjective and not a
clinical definition.
Domain: Introduction
Cognitive Level: Remember
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
2. A patient reports experiencing significant distress about their fear of public speaking.
They avoid all work presentations, which has caused them to miss promotions. This
behavior is BEST described as:
A) Deviant from social norms only
,B) Maladaptive because it interferes with occupational functioning
C) Dangerous to self only
D) Statistically rare but not distressing
Answer: B
Rationale: Maladaptive behavior interferes with a person's ability to function effectively
in daily life. In this case, avoiding presentations has led to missed promotions,
demonstrating occupational impairment. The behavior may also be deviant (A), but
maladaptation is the key feature here. There is no indication of danger (C). While fear of
public speaking is common, the severity and impairment make it clinically significant
beyond statistical rarity (D). Domain: Introduction
Cognitive Level: Analyze
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
3. A nurse is explaining the concept of "cultural relativism" in abnormal psychology.
Which statement accurately describes this concept?
A) Abnormal behavior is the same across all cultures and societies
B) Judgments about whether behavior is abnormal must consider the cultural
context in which the behavior occurs
C) Abnormal behavior is determined solely by genetic factors
D) Only behaviors that are illegal can be considered abnormal
Answer: B
Rationale: Cultural relativism emphasizes that social norms vary across cultures, and
what is considered abnormal in one culture may be accepted or even valued in another.
Option A is the opposite of cultural relativism. Option C is a biological perspective, not
cultural. Option D is incorrect.
Domain: Introduction
, Cognitive Level: Understand
Integrated Process: Culture and Spirituality
4. A patient from a particular cultural background reports hearing the voice of a
deceased relative speaking to them during a period of grief. The patient is not
distressed by this experience and functions well. The nurse should recognize that:
A) This is likely a hallucination indicative of a psychotic disorder
B) This experience may be culturally accepted and not necessarily pathological
C) The patient requires immediate hospitalization
D) The patient is lying about the experience
Answer: B
Rationale: In many cultures, experiences such as hearing the voice of a deceased loved
one during bereavement are considered normal and are not associated with distress or
impairment. Cultural relativism requires clinicians to distinguish between culturally
sanctioned experiences and symptoms of mental disorder. Options A and C reflect an
ethnocentric, pathologizing approach. Option D is dismissive and not therapeutic.
Domain: Introduction
Cognitive Level: Apply
Integrated Process: Culture and Spirituality
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the concept of "maladaptive behavior." Which
patient statement indicates correct understanding?
A) "Maladaptive behavior means my behavior is illegal"
B) "Maladaptive behavior interferes with my ability to work, maintain relationships,
or take care of myself"
C) "Maladaptive behavior is only about feeling sad"
(Questions 1-50)
1. A nursing student is studying the definition of abnormal psychology. Which
statement best defines abnormal behavior?
A) Behavior that is statistically rare or unusual in a population
B) Behavior that deviates from social norms, causes personal distress, is
maladaptive, and poses a danger to self or others
C) Behavior that is illegal or criminal in nature
D) Behavior that is considered odd by family members
Answer: B
Rationale: Abnormal behavior is typically defined using multiple criteria: statistical rarity,
violation of social norms, personal distress, maladaptive behavior (interfering with daily
functioning), and potential danger to self or others. No single criterion is sufficient.
Option A is only one possible criterion. Option C conflates abnormal behavior with
criminal behavior (not all illegal behavior is abnormal). Option D is subjective and not a
clinical definition.
Domain: Introduction
Cognitive Level: Remember
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
2. A patient reports experiencing significant distress about their fear of public speaking.
They avoid all work presentations, which has caused them to miss promotions. This
behavior is BEST described as:
A) Deviant from social norms only
,B) Maladaptive because it interferes with occupational functioning
C) Dangerous to self only
D) Statistically rare but not distressing
Answer: B
Rationale: Maladaptive behavior interferes with a person's ability to function effectively
in daily life. In this case, avoiding presentations has led to missed promotions,
demonstrating occupational impairment. The behavior may also be deviant (A), but
maladaptation is the key feature here. There is no indication of danger (C). While fear of
public speaking is common, the severity and impairment make it clinically significant
beyond statistical rarity (D). Domain: Introduction
Cognitive Level: Analyze
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
3. A nurse is explaining the concept of "cultural relativism" in abnormal psychology.
Which statement accurately describes this concept?
A) Abnormal behavior is the same across all cultures and societies
B) Judgments about whether behavior is abnormal must consider the cultural
context in which the behavior occurs
C) Abnormal behavior is determined solely by genetic factors
D) Only behaviors that are illegal can be considered abnormal
Answer: B
Rationale: Cultural relativism emphasizes that social norms vary across cultures, and
what is considered abnormal in one culture may be accepted or even valued in another.
Option A is the opposite of cultural relativism. Option C is a biological perspective, not
cultural. Option D is incorrect.
Domain: Introduction
, Cognitive Level: Understand
Integrated Process: Culture and Spirituality
4. A patient from a particular cultural background reports hearing the voice of a
deceased relative speaking to them during a period of grief. The patient is not
distressed by this experience and functions well. The nurse should recognize that:
A) This is likely a hallucination indicative of a psychotic disorder
B) This experience may be culturally accepted and not necessarily pathological
C) The patient requires immediate hospitalization
D) The patient is lying about the experience
Answer: B
Rationale: In many cultures, experiences such as hearing the voice of a deceased loved
one during bereavement are considered normal and are not associated with distress or
impairment. Cultural relativism requires clinicians to distinguish between culturally
sanctioned experiences and symptoms of mental disorder. Options A and C reflect an
ethnocentric, pathologizing approach. Option D is dismissive and not therapeutic.
Domain: Introduction
Cognitive Level: Apply
Integrated Process: Culture and Spirituality
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the concept of "maladaptive behavior." Which
patient statement indicates correct understanding?
A) "Maladaptive behavior means my behavior is illegal"
B) "Maladaptive behavior interferes with my ability to work, maintain relationships,
or take care of myself"
C) "Maladaptive behavior is only about feeling sad"
