Abnormal Psychology Ch 1 Practice Questions with
Correct Verified Answers
1. Which of the following is NOT one of the "Four D's" commonly
used to define abnormality?
a) Deviance
b) Distress
c) Dysfunction
d) Dependence
Correct Answer: d) Dependence
Rationale: The "Four D's" are a standard framework for defining
abnormality: Deviance (from social norms), Distress (personal
suffering), Dysfunction (interference with daily life), and Danger
(to self or others). Dependence refers to a substance use disorder
or a personality trait and is not one of the core criteria for
defining abnormality.
1
,2. A behavior is considered "deviant" if it:
a) Causes significant personal distress.
b) Violates social norms or cultural expectations.
c) Prevents an individual from holding a job.
d) Is a danger to the person or others.
Correct Answer: b) Violates social norms or cultural
expectations.
Rationale: Deviance is about behavior that strays from what is
considered acceptable in a particular culture. Distress is a
different criterion, dysfunction refers to impairment in daily life,
and danger is a separate category.
3. The concept of "dysfunction" in abnormal psychology refers to:
a) A behavior that is statistically rare.
b) A behavior that is considered morally wrong.
c) An inability to perform daily tasks and meet life's demands.
d) A subjective feeling of anxiety or unhappiness.
2
,Correct Answer: c) An inability to perform daily tasks and
meet life's demands.
Rationale: Dysfunction focuses on the breakdown of cognitive,
emotional, or behavioral functioning that prevents a person from
maintaining social relationships, holding a job, or carrying out
activities of daily living.
4. The term used to describe the scientific study of psychological
disorders is:
a) Psychopathology
b) Psychology
c) Psychiatry
d) Psychotherapy
Correct Answer: a) Psychopathology
Rationale: Psychopathology is the specific field dedicated to the
study of psychological disorders, including their nature, causes,
and development. Psychology is the broad study of mind and
3
, behavior, psychiatry is a medical specialty, and psychotherapy is
a type of treatment.
5. Which of the following is a key component of the definition of
a mental disorder according to the DSM-5?
a) Behavior must be atypical.
b) Behavior must be a culturally sanctioned response.
c) Behavior reflects a dysfunction in psychological, biological, or
developmental processes.
d) Behavior must violate the moral code of society.
Correct Answer: c) Behavior reflects a dysfunction in
psychological, biological, or developmental processes.
Rationale: The DSM-5 defines a mental disorder as a syndrome
characterized by clinically significant disturbance in cognition,
emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the
psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying
mental functioning. It explicitly excludes culturally sanctioned
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Correct Verified Answers
1. Which of the following is NOT one of the "Four D's" commonly
used to define abnormality?
a) Deviance
b) Distress
c) Dysfunction
d) Dependence
Correct Answer: d) Dependence
Rationale: The "Four D's" are a standard framework for defining
abnormality: Deviance (from social norms), Distress (personal
suffering), Dysfunction (interference with daily life), and Danger
(to self or others). Dependence refers to a substance use disorder
or a personality trait and is not one of the core criteria for
defining abnormality.
1
,2. A behavior is considered "deviant" if it:
a) Causes significant personal distress.
b) Violates social norms or cultural expectations.
c) Prevents an individual from holding a job.
d) Is a danger to the person or others.
Correct Answer: b) Violates social norms or cultural
expectations.
Rationale: Deviance is about behavior that strays from what is
considered acceptable in a particular culture. Distress is a
different criterion, dysfunction refers to impairment in daily life,
and danger is a separate category.
3. The concept of "dysfunction" in abnormal psychology refers to:
a) A behavior that is statistically rare.
b) A behavior that is considered morally wrong.
c) An inability to perform daily tasks and meet life's demands.
d) A subjective feeling of anxiety or unhappiness.
2
,Correct Answer: c) An inability to perform daily tasks and
meet life's demands.
Rationale: Dysfunction focuses on the breakdown of cognitive,
emotional, or behavioral functioning that prevents a person from
maintaining social relationships, holding a job, or carrying out
activities of daily living.
4. The term used to describe the scientific study of psychological
disorders is:
a) Psychopathology
b) Psychology
c) Psychiatry
d) Psychotherapy
Correct Answer: a) Psychopathology
Rationale: Psychopathology is the specific field dedicated to the
study of psychological disorders, including their nature, causes,
and development. Psychology is the broad study of mind and
3
, behavior, psychiatry is a medical specialty, and psychotherapy is
a type of treatment.
5. Which of the following is a key component of the definition of
a mental disorder according to the DSM-5?
a) Behavior must be atypical.
b) Behavior must be a culturally sanctioned response.
c) Behavior reflects a dysfunction in psychological, biological, or
developmental processes.
d) Behavior must violate the moral code of society.
Correct Answer: c) Behavior reflects a dysfunction in
psychological, biological, or developmental processes.
Rationale: The DSM-5 defines a mental disorder as a syndrome
characterized by clinically significant disturbance in cognition,
emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the
psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying
mental functioning. It explicitly excludes culturally sanctioned
4
