PSY 470 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Personality - ANSWER is a set of uniquely expressed characteristics that influence our
behaviors, emotions, thoughts, and interactions. Called traits- lead us to react in fairly
predictable ways as we move through life
Personality vs. personality disorder - ANSWER personality is flexible, allowing us to
learn and adapt to new environments, however, in personality disorders that flexibility is
missing
personality disorders - ANSWER an enduring, rigid pattern of inner experience and
outward behavior that impairs sense of self, emotional experience, goals, and capacity
for empathy - often lead to psychological pain for the individual or others
Classifying Personality Disorders - ANSWER it is common for a person with a personality
disorder to also suffer from another disorder, a relationship called comorbidity.
three groups/clusters of personality disorders - ANSWER odd or eccentric behavior:
paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorder
Dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior: antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and
histrionic personality disorders
anxious or fearful behavior: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality
disorders
classifying personality disorders: DSM listing - ANSWER also called a categorical
approach: it assumes that: problematic personality traits are either present or absent, a
personality disorder is either displayed or not, and a person who suffers from a
personality disorder is not markedly troubled by personality traits outside of the
disorder
Many theorist challenge the use of a categorical approach - ANSWER they believe that
these disorders differ more in degree than in type of dysfunction- called a dimensional
approach < each trait is seem as varying along a continuum
odd personality disorders - ANSWER People with these disorders display behaviors
similar to, but not as extensive as, schizophrenia.
Behaviors include extreme suspiciousness, social
withdrawal, and peculiar ways of thinking and
, perceiving things.
Such behaviors leave the person isolated.
Some clinicians believe that these disorders are
actually related to schizophrenia, and thus call them "schizophrenia-spectrum
disorders"
People with these disorders rarely seek treatment
paranoid personality disorder - ANSWER This disorder is characterized by deep distrust
and suspicion of others
Although inaccurate, the suspicion is usually not delusion- the ideas are not so bizarre
or so firmly held as to clearly remove the individual from reality
As a result of their mistrust, people with paranoid personality disorder often remain cold
and distant
They are critical of weakness and fault in others, particularly at work
They are unable to recognize their own mistakes and extremely sensitive to criticism
They often blame others for the things that go wrong in their lives and they repeatedly
bear grudges
How do theorists explain paranoid personality disorder? - ANSWER Psychodynamic
theorists- trace patterns back to early interactions with demanding parents
Cognitive theorists- suggest that maladaptive assumptions such as people are evil
Biological theorists- propose genetic causes and have looked at twin studies to support
this model
treatments for paranoid personality disorder - ANSWER people with this disorder do not
see themselves as needing help. Few come to treatment willingly and those is treatment
often distrust and rebel against their therapists < therefore has limited effect and moves
slowly
Therapists try to see past the patient's anger and work on the underlying wish for a
satisfying relationship < behavioral and cognitive therapists try to help clients control
anxiety and improve interpersonal skills
schizoid personality disorder - ANSWER this disorder is characterized by persistent
avoidance of social relationships and limited emotional expression, do not have close
ties with other people (genuinely prefer to be alone), often seen as flat, cold, and
humorless
How do theorists explain schizotypal personality disorder? - ANSWER link schizoid
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Personality - ANSWER is a set of uniquely expressed characteristics that influence our
behaviors, emotions, thoughts, and interactions. Called traits- lead us to react in fairly
predictable ways as we move through life
Personality vs. personality disorder - ANSWER personality is flexible, allowing us to
learn and adapt to new environments, however, in personality disorders that flexibility is
missing
personality disorders - ANSWER an enduring, rigid pattern of inner experience and
outward behavior that impairs sense of self, emotional experience, goals, and capacity
for empathy - often lead to psychological pain for the individual or others
Classifying Personality Disorders - ANSWER it is common for a person with a personality
disorder to also suffer from another disorder, a relationship called comorbidity.
three groups/clusters of personality disorders - ANSWER odd or eccentric behavior:
paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorder
Dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior: antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and
histrionic personality disorders
anxious or fearful behavior: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality
disorders
classifying personality disorders: DSM listing - ANSWER also called a categorical
approach: it assumes that: problematic personality traits are either present or absent, a
personality disorder is either displayed or not, and a person who suffers from a
personality disorder is not markedly troubled by personality traits outside of the
disorder
Many theorist challenge the use of a categorical approach - ANSWER they believe that
these disorders differ more in degree than in type of dysfunction- called a dimensional
approach < each trait is seem as varying along a continuum
odd personality disorders - ANSWER People with these disorders display behaviors
similar to, but not as extensive as, schizophrenia.
Behaviors include extreme suspiciousness, social
withdrawal, and peculiar ways of thinking and
, perceiving things.
Such behaviors leave the person isolated.
Some clinicians believe that these disorders are
actually related to schizophrenia, and thus call them "schizophrenia-spectrum
disorders"
People with these disorders rarely seek treatment
paranoid personality disorder - ANSWER This disorder is characterized by deep distrust
and suspicion of others
Although inaccurate, the suspicion is usually not delusion- the ideas are not so bizarre
or so firmly held as to clearly remove the individual from reality
As a result of their mistrust, people with paranoid personality disorder often remain cold
and distant
They are critical of weakness and fault in others, particularly at work
They are unable to recognize their own mistakes and extremely sensitive to criticism
They often blame others for the things that go wrong in their lives and they repeatedly
bear grudges
How do theorists explain paranoid personality disorder? - ANSWER Psychodynamic
theorists- trace patterns back to early interactions with demanding parents
Cognitive theorists- suggest that maladaptive assumptions such as people are evil
Biological theorists- propose genetic causes and have looked at twin studies to support
this model
treatments for paranoid personality disorder - ANSWER people with this disorder do not
see themselves as needing help. Few come to treatment willingly and those is treatment
often distrust and rebel against their therapists < therefore has limited effect and moves
slowly
Therapists try to see past the patient's anger and work on the underlying wish for a
satisfying relationship < behavioral and cognitive therapists try to help clients control
anxiety and improve interpersonal skills
schizoid personality disorder - ANSWER this disorder is characterized by persistent
avoidance of social relationships and limited emotional expression, do not have close
ties with other people (genuinely prefer to be alone), often seen as flat, cold, and
humorless
How do theorists explain schizotypal personality disorder? - ANSWER link schizoid
