PSYC 350 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A patient has recurrent major mood episodes and psychosis, including a documented period of
delusions lasting weeks when prominent mood symptoms were absent.
A. The pattern most strongly supports schizoaffective disorder.
B. The pattern most strongly supports schizophrenia.
C. The pattern most strongly supports delusion.
D. The pattern most strongly supports brief psychotic disorder.
Correct Answer: A. The pattern most strongly supports schizoaffective disorder.
Explanation: Schizoaffective disorder is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a condition
involving schizophrenia-spectrum symptoms plus major mood episodes, with a period of psychosis occurring
outside a major mood episode. A full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related,
developmental, and cultural alternatives where relevant.
2. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? Several children experience similar early adversity, but one develops depression, another
externalizing problems, and another shows few lasting symptoms.
A. gene-environment interaction - a pattern in which the effects of genetic differences depend on environmental
conditions or the effects of environments depend on genotype
B. multifinality - the principle that the same risk factor or early experience can lead to different later outcomes
C. cognitive vulnerability - habitual beliefs or information-processing patterns that increase susceptibility to
psychological symptoms
D. expressed emotion - a family climate characterized by high criticism, hostility, or emotional
overinvolvement that can be associated with relapse in some disorders
Correct Answer: B. multifinality - the principle that the same risk factor or early experience can lead to
different later outcomes
Explanation: The case is best classified as multifinality because its central feature is the principle that the same
risk factor or early experience can lead to different later outcomes. The other options describe distinct clinical
patterns.
3. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A patient
with severe emotion dysregulation learns crisis-survival skills, mindfulness, and ways to reduce
self-destructive behavior while validating painful emotions.
A. cognitive behavioral therapy
B. recovery model
C. dialectical behavior therapy
D. electroconvulsive therapy
Correct Answer: C. dialectical behavior therapy
Explanation: The key feature points to dialectical behavior therapy, meaning a treatment integrating acceptance
and change strategies with skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal
effectiveness. This identifies the primary mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
,4. Which concept is best defined as the view that mental disorders can be understood as illnesses with
identifiable symptoms, courses, and possible biological contributions?
A. moral treatment
B. medical model
C. clinical significance
D. deinstitutionalization
Correct Answer: B. medical model
Explanation: Medical model refers to the view that mental disorders can be understood as illnesses with
identifiable symptoms, courses, and possible biological contributions. The alternatives name different constructs
within the same clinical area.
5. Which concept is best defined as inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually related
to trauma or stress, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting?
A. grounding technique
B. state-dependent memory
C. derealization
D. dissociative amnesia
Correct Answer: D. dissociative amnesia
Explanation: Dissociative amnesia refers to inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually
related to trauma or stress, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting. The alternatives name different constructs
within the same clinical area.
6. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A person
wants close friendships but avoids social situations because of intense fears of criticism and rejection.
A. narcissistic personality disorder
B. histrionic personality disorder
C. avoidant personality disorder
D. paranoid personality disorder
Correct Answer: C. avoidant personality disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to avoidant personality disorder, meaning a pervasive pattern of social
inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. This identifies the primary
mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
7. Which concept is best defined as a collaborative counseling style designed to strengthen a person's own
motivation and commitment to change?
A. naloxone
B. opioid overdose
C. substance use disorder
D. motivational interviewing
Correct Answer: D. motivational interviewing
Explanation: Motivational interviewing refers to a collaborative counseling style designed to strengthen a person's
own motivation and commitment to change. The alternatives name different constructs within the same clinical
area.
,8. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A symptom
scale produces nearly the same score when repeated a few days later before treatment begins.
A. mental status examination
B. test-retest reliability
C. structured clinical interview
D. risk assessment
Correct Answer: B. test-retest reliability
Explanation: The key feature points to test-retest reliability, meaning the stability of a measurement when the
same construct is assessed again under comparable conditions. This identifies the primary mechanism or syndrome
rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
9. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A person
sleeps a long night yet repeatedly falls asleep during daytime activities and struggles to become fully alert.
A. circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder
B. narcolepsy
C. nightmare disorder
D. hypersomnolence disorder
Correct Answer: D. hypersomnolence disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to hypersomnolence disorder, meaning excessive sleepiness despite a main
sleep period, involving repeated sleep episodes or difficulty being fully awake. This identifies the primary
mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
10. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A person
repeatedly picks at minor skin irregularities until sores develop and has tried many times to resist the
behavior.
A. hoarding disorder
B. excoriation disorder
C. thought-action fusion
D. trichotillomania
Correct Answer: B. excoriation disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to excoriation disorder, meaning recurrent skin picking that causes lesions
together with repeated attempts to reduce or stop the behavior. This identifies the primary mechanism or syndrome
rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
11. Which concept is best defined as a structured CBT approach that targets maintaining mechanisms of
eating disorders such as overvaluation of shape and weight? Focus on the feature that most clearly
distinguishes the alternatives.
A. enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy
B. rumination disorder
C. body image disturbance
D. binge-eating disorder
Correct Answer: A. enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy
Explanation: Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy refers to a structured CBT approach that targets maintaining
mechanisms of eating disorders such as overvaluation of shape and weight. The alternatives name different
constructs within the same clinical area.
, 12. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies
the following case? A client with a dog phobia gradually approaches calm dogs with therapist support
instead of escaping from the feared situation.
A. social anxiety disorder - persistent fear of social or performance situations involving possible scrutiny or
negative evaluation
B. exposure therapy - a treatment approach involving systematic contact with feared cues while reducing
avoidance so new learning can occur
C. generalized anxiety disorder - persistent and difficult-to-control worry across multiple areas of life
accompanied by associated tension or other symptoms
D. selective mutism - consistent failure to speak in specific social situations despite speaking in other settings
Correct Answer: B. exposure therapy - a treatment approach involving systematic contact with feared cues
while reducing avoidance so new learning can occur
Explanation: The case is best classified as exposure therapy because its central feature is a treatment approach
involving systematic contact with feared cues while reducing avoidance so new learning can occur. The other
options describe distinct clinical patterns.
13. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A primary-care clinician and therapist agree on
scheduled follow-ups, consistent messages, and psychological treatment instead of repeated emergency
testing.
A. illness anxiety disorder
B. symptom amplification
C. collaborative medical-psychological care
D. iatrogenic reinforcement
Correct Answer: C. collaborative medical-psychological care
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with collaborative medical-psychological care: coordinated
treatment that validates real distress while reducing unnecessary procedures and addressing maladaptive health
anxiety or coping. The distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
14. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies
the following case? Months after a violent assault, a person has nightmares, avoids reminders, feels
detached, and startles intensely at sudden sounds. Focus on the feature that most clearly distinguishes the
alternatives.
A. adjustment disorder - emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor that are
disproportionate or impairing but do not better fit another disorder
B. post-traumatic stress disorder - persistent trauma-related symptoms involving intrusion, avoidance, negative
changes in cognition or mood, and altered arousal after qualifying trauma
C. intrusion symptoms - involuntary trauma-related memories, dreams, dissociative reactions, or intense
distress when reminded of the event
D. acute stress disorder - a trauma-related syndrome beginning after exposure to severe trauma and lasting from
several days up to about one month
Correct Answer: B. post-traumatic stress disorder - persistent trauma-related symptoms involving intrusion,
avoidance, negative changes in cognition or mood, and altered arousal after qualifying trauma
Explanation: The case is best classified as post-traumatic stress disorder because its central feature is persistent
trauma-related symptoms involving intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in cognition or mood, and altered
arousal after qualifying trauma. The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A patient has recurrent major mood episodes and psychosis, including a documented period of
delusions lasting weeks when prominent mood symptoms were absent.
A. The pattern most strongly supports schizoaffective disorder.
B. The pattern most strongly supports schizophrenia.
C. The pattern most strongly supports delusion.
D. The pattern most strongly supports brief psychotic disorder.
Correct Answer: A. The pattern most strongly supports schizoaffective disorder.
Explanation: Schizoaffective disorder is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a condition
involving schizophrenia-spectrum symptoms plus major mood episodes, with a period of psychosis occurring
outside a major mood episode. A full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related,
developmental, and cultural alternatives where relevant.
2. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? Several children experience similar early adversity, but one develops depression, another
externalizing problems, and another shows few lasting symptoms.
A. gene-environment interaction - a pattern in which the effects of genetic differences depend on environmental
conditions or the effects of environments depend on genotype
B. multifinality - the principle that the same risk factor or early experience can lead to different later outcomes
C. cognitive vulnerability - habitual beliefs or information-processing patterns that increase susceptibility to
psychological symptoms
D. expressed emotion - a family climate characterized by high criticism, hostility, or emotional
overinvolvement that can be associated with relapse in some disorders
Correct Answer: B. multifinality - the principle that the same risk factor or early experience can lead to
different later outcomes
Explanation: The case is best classified as multifinality because its central feature is the principle that the same
risk factor or early experience can lead to different later outcomes. The other options describe distinct clinical
patterns.
3. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A patient
with severe emotion dysregulation learns crisis-survival skills, mindfulness, and ways to reduce
self-destructive behavior while validating painful emotions.
A. cognitive behavioral therapy
B. recovery model
C. dialectical behavior therapy
D. electroconvulsive therapy
Correct Answer: C. dialectical behavior therapy
Explanation: The key feature points to dialectical behavior therapy, meaning a treatment integrating acceptance
and change strategies with skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal
effectiveness. This identifies the primary mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
,4. Which concept is best defined as the view that mental disorders can be understood as illnesses with
identifiable symptoms, courses, and possible biological contributions?
A. moral treatment
B. medical model
C. clinical significance
D. deinstitutionalization
Correct Answer: B. medical model
Explanation: Medical model refers to the view that mental disorders can be understood as illnesses with
identifiable symptoms, courses, and possible biological contributions. The alternatives name different constructs
within the same clinical area.
5. Which concept is best defined as inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually related
to trauma or stress, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting?
A. grounding technique
B. state-dependent memory
C. derealization
D. dissociative amnesia
Correct Answer: D. dissociative amnesia
Explanation: Dissociative amnesia refers to inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually
related to trauma or stress, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting. The alternatives name different constructs
within the same clinical area.
6. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A person
wants close friendships but avoids social situations because of intense fears of criticism and rejection.
A. narcissistic personality disorder
B. histrionic personality disorder
C. avoidant personality disorder
D. paranoid personality disorder
Correct Answer: C. avoidant personality disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to avoidant personality disorder, meaning a pervasive pattern of social
inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. This identifies the primary
mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
7. Which concept is best defined as a collaborative counseling style designed to strengthen a person's own
motivation and commitment to change?
A. naloxone
B. opioid overdose
C. substance use disorder
D. motivational interviewing
Correct Answer: D. motivational interviewing
Explanation: Motivational interviewing refers to a collaborative counseling style designed to strengthen a person's
own motivation and commitment to change. The alternatives name different constructs within the same clinical
area.
,8. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A symptom
scale produces nearly the same score when repeated a few days later before treatment begins.
A. mental status examination
B. test-retest reliability
C. structured clinical interview
D. risk assessment
Correct Answer: B. test-retest reliability
Explanation: The key feature points to test-retest reliability, meaning the stability of a measurement when the
same construct is assessed again under comparable conditions. This identifies the primary mechanism or syndrome
rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
9. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A person
sleeps a long night yet repeatedly falls asleep during daytime activities and struggles to become fully alert.
A. circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder
B. narcolepsy
C. nightmare disorder
D. hypersomnolence disorder
Correct Answer: D. hypersomnolence disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to hypersomnolence disorder, meaning excessive sleepiness despite a main
sleep period, involving repeated sleep episodes or difficulty being fully awake. This identifies the primary
mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
10. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? A person
repeatedly picks at minor skin irregularities until sores develop and has tried many times to resist the
behavior.
A. hoarding disorder
B. excoriation disorder
C. thought-action fusion
D. trichotillomania
Correct Answer: B. excoriation disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to excoriation disorder, meaning recurrent skin picking that causes lesions
together with repeated attempts to reduce or stop the behavior. This identifies the primary mechanism or syndrome
rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
11. Which concept is best defined as a structured CBT approach that targets maintaining mechanisms of
eating disorders such as overvaluation of shape and weight? Focus on the feature that most clearly
distinguishes the alternatives.
A. enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy
B. rumination disorder
C. body image disturbance
D. binge-eating disorder
Correct Answer: A. enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy
Explanation: Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy refers to a structured CBT approach that targets maintaining
mechanisms of eating disorders such as overvaluation of shape and weight. The alternatives name different
constructs within the same clinical area.
, 12. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies
the following case? A client with a dog phobia gradually approaches calm dogs with therapist support
instead of escaping from the feared situation.
A. social anxiety disorder - persistent fear of social or performance situations involving possible scrutiny or
negative evaluation
B. exposure therapy - a treatment approach involving systematic contact with feared cues while reducing
avoidance so new learning can occur
C. generalized anxiety disorder - persistent and difficult-to-control worry across multiple areas of life
accompanied by associated tension or other symptoms
D. selective mutism - consistent failure to speak in specific social situations despite speaking in other settings
Correct Answer: B. exposure therapy - a treatment approach involving systematic contact with feared cues
while reducing avoidance so new learning can occur
Explanation: The case is best classified as exposure therapy because its central feature is a treatment approach
involving systematic contact with feared cues while reducing avoidance so new learning can occur. The other
options describe distinct clinical patterns.
13. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A primary-care clinician and therapist agree on
scheduled follow-ups, consistent messages, and psychological treatment instead of repeated emergency
testing.
A. illness anxiety disorder
B. symptom amplification
C. collaborative medical-psychological care
D. iatrogenic reinforcement
Correct Answer: C. collaborative medical-psychological care
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with collaborative medical-psychological care: coordinated
treatment that validates real distress while reducing unnecessary procedures and addressing maladaptive health
anxiety or coping. The distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
14. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies
the following case? Months after a violent assault, a person has nightmares, avoids reminders, feels
detached, and startles intensely at sudden sounds. Focus on the feature that most clearly distinguishes the
alternatives.
A. adjustment disorder - emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor that are
disproportionate or impairing but do not better fit another disorder
B. post-traumatic stress disorder - persistent trauma-related symptoms involving intrusion, avoidance, negative
changes in cognition or mood, and altered arousal after qualifying trauma
C. intrusion symptoms - involuntary trauma-related memories, dreams, dissociative reactions, or intense
distress when reminded of the event
D. acute stress disorder - a trauma-related syndrome beginning after exposure to severe trauma and lasting from
several days up to about one month
Correct Answer: B. post-traumatic stress disorder - persistent trauma-related symptoms involving intrusion,
avoidance, negative changes in cognition or mood, and altered arousal after qualifying trauma
Explanation: The case is best classified as post-traumatic stress disorder because its central feature is persistent
trauma-related symptoms involving intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in cognition or mood, and altered
arousal after qualifying trauma. The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
