NSG527 3 | PSYCHOPATHOLOGY,
THEORIES, & ADVANCED CLINICAL
MODALITIES
1. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, an individual in their late 20s
who is struggling to form lasting commitments is likely experiencing a crisis in which stage?
A. Intimacy vs. Isolation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Generativity vs. Stagnation
D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Intimacy vs. Isolation occurs in young adulthood (ages 18 to 40).
The focus is on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people. Failure results in
loneliness and isolation.
2. In Heinz Kohut’s Self Psychology, which concept refers to the child’s need to see the parent
as an omnipotent and perfect figure with whom they can merge?
A. Mirroring Transference
B. Twinship Transference
,C. Idealizing Transference
D. Projective Identification
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Idealizing transference occurs when the patient views the
therapist as an all-powerful, perfect parent figure, fulfilling the unmet developmental need
to idealize a caregiver.
3. A patient presents with persistent symptoms of depressed mood for at least two years,
accompanied by low energy and poor concentration, but never meeting the full criteria for a
Major Depressive Episode. What is the most likely DSM-5 diagnosis?
A. Major Depressive Disorder, Chronic
B. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) is characterized by
a depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years (one
year in children/adolescents).
, 4. Which neurobiological pathway is primarily implicated in the positive symptoms of
Schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Mesolimbic pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is
associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, while deficits in the mesocortical
pathway are linked to negative and cognitive symptoms.
5. In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the ‘primary dialectic’ that the therapist must
balance is between:
A. Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness
B. Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance
C. Validation and Change
D. Cognition and Behavior
Answer: C
THEORIES, & ADVANCED CLINICAL
MODALITIES
1. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, an individual in their late 20s
who is struggling to form lasting commitments is likely experiencing a crisis in which stage?
A. Intimacy vs. Isolation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Generativity vs. Stagnation
D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Intimacy vs. Isolation occurs in young adulthood (ages 18 to 40).
The focus is on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people. Failure results in
loneliness and isolation.
2. In Heinz Kohut’s Self Psychology, which concept refers to the child’s need to see the parent
as an omnipotent and perfect figure with whom they can merge?
A. Mirroring Transference
B. Twinship Transference
,C. Idealizing Transference
D. Projective Identification
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Idealizing transference occurs when the patient views the
therapist as an all-powerful, perfect parent figure, fulfilling the unmet developmental need
to idealize a caregiver.
3. A patient presents with persistent symptoms of depressed mood for at least two years,
accompanied by low energy and poor concentration, but never meeting the full criteria for a
Major Depressive Episode. What is the most likely DSM-5 diagnosis?
A. Major Depressive Disorder, Chronic
B. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) is characterized by
a depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years (one
year in children/adolescents).
, 4. Which neurobiological pathway is primarily implicated in the positive symptoms of
Schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Mesolimbic pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is
associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, while deficits in the mesocortical
pathway are linked to negative and cognitive symptoms.
5. In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the ‘primary dialectic’ that the therapist must
balance is between:
A. Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness
B. Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance
C. Validation and Change
D. Cognition and Behavior
Answer: C
