PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM 5 ACTUAL SCRIPT
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Define a risk factor. Answer: A characteristic associated with an
increased risk of developing a condition.
◉ What are variable risk factors? Answer: Risk factors that can be
changed.
◉ What is a fixed marker? Answer: A risk factor that cannot be
changed.
◉ What distinguishes a causal risk factor from a variable marker?
Answer: A causal risk factor leads to a change in the outcome, while
a variable marker does not.
◉ What is the definition of etiology in psychopathology? Answer:
The causal pattern of abnormal behavior.
◉ What is a necessary cause? Answer: A characteristic that must
exist for a disorder to occur.
,◉ What is a sufficient cause? Answer: A condition that guarantees
the occurrence of a disorder.
◉ Define a contributory cause. Answer: A factor that increases the
probability of a disorder developing but is neither necessary nor
sufficient for the disorder to occur.
◉ What are distal risk factors? Answer: Risk factors that occur early
in life but do not show effects for many years.
◉ What are proximal risk factors? Answer: Risk factors that occur
shortly before the onset of symptoms.
◉ Explain the concept of reinforcing contributory causes. Answer:
Conditions that reinforce or maintain maladaptive behavior that is
already occurring.
◉ What do diathesis-stress models describe? Answer:
Psychopathology that develops when someone with a preexisting
vulnerability experiences a major stressor.
◉ What is diathesis? Answer: A vulnerability or predisposition
toward developing a disorder.
, ◉ What role do protective factors play in psychopathology? Answer:
They decrease the likelihood of negative outcomes among those at
risk.
◉ What is resilience in the context of psychopathology? Answer: The
ability to successfully adapt to very difficult circumstances.
◉ What are the three main perspectives psychologists take to
understand psychopathology? Answer: Biological, psychological, and
sociocultural perspectives.
◉ What does the biopsychosocial viewpoint acknowledge? Answer:
That biological, psychological, and social factors all interact and play
a role in psychopathology and treatment.
◉ How do cultural differences influence perceptions of
psychopathology? Answer: Cultural context affects how behaviors
are viewed, both normal and abnormal.
◉ What are the four categories of biological factors relevant to
maladaptive behavior? Answer: Genetic vulnerabilities, brain
dysfunction and neural plasticity, neurotransmitter and hormonal
abnormalities, and temperament.
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Define a risk factor. Answer: A characteristic associated with an
increased risk of developing a condition.
◉ What are variable risk factors? Answer: Risk factors that can be
changed.
◉ What is a fixed marker? Answer: A risk factor that cannot be
changed.
◉ What distinguishes a causal risk factor from a variable marker?
Answer: A causal risk factor leads to a change in the outcome, while
a variable marker does not.
◉ What is the definition of etiology in psychopathology? Answer:
The causal pattern of abnormal behavior.
◉ What is a necessary cause? Answer: A characteristic that must
exist for a disorder to occur.
,◉ What is a sufficient cause? Answer: A condition that guarantees
the occurrence of a disorder.
◉ Define a contributory cause. Answer: A factor that increases the
probability of a disorder developing but is neither necessary nor
sufficient for the disorder to occur.
◉ What are distal risk factors? Answer: Risk factors that occur early
in life but do not show effects for many years.
◉ What are proximal risk factors? Answer: Risk factors that occur
shortly before the onset of symptoms.
◉ Explain the concept of reinforcing contributory causes. Answer:
Conditions that reinforce or maintain maladaptive behavior that is
already occurring.
◉ What do diathesis-stress models describe? Answer:
Psychopathology that develops when someone with a preexisting
vulnerability experiences a major stressor.
◉ What is diathesis? Answer: A vulnerability or predisposition
toward developing a disorder.
, ◉ What role do protective factors play in psychopathology? Answer:
They decrease the likelihood of negative outcomes among those at
risk.
◉ What is resilience in the context of psychopathology? Answer: The
ability to successfully adapt to very difficult circumstances.
◉ What are the three main perspectives psychologists take to
understand psychopathology? Answer: Biological, psychological, and
sociocultural perspectives.
◉ What does the biopsychosocial viewpoint acknowledge? Answer:
That biological, psychological, and social factors all interact and play
a role in psychopathology and treatment.
◉ How do cultural differences influence perceptions of
psychopathology? Answer: Cultural context affects how behaviors
are viewed, both normal and abnormal.
◉ What are the four categories of biological factors relevant to
maladaptive behavior? Answer: Genetic vulnerabilities, brain
dysfunction and neural plasticity, neurotransmitter and hormonal
abnormalities, and temperament.
