PSYCHOLOGY BLOCK 2 EXAM | COMPLETE
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Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
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,Which of the following best describes a personality disorder? C. A rigid and maladaptive pattern of behavior that impairs social functioning
A. A temporary change in mood due to external stressors Explanation: Personality disorders involve inflexible, long-standing patterns of behavior
B. A progressive decline in cognitive functioning and memory that deviate from cultural expectationsand cause impairment, especially in interpersonal
C. A rigid and maladaptive pattern of behavior that impairs or occupational functioning.
social functioning
D. A brief psychotic episode marked by hallucinations and
disorganized speech
Which of the following groupings includes only Cluster A A. Schizoid, Schizotypal, Paranoid
personality disorders?
Explanation: Cluster A includes the Odd and Eccentric personality disorders:
A. Schizoid, Schizotypal, Paranoid Paranoid
B. Borderline, Schizoid, Paranoid Schizoid
C. Schizotypal, Narcissistic, Avoidant Schizotypal
D. Paranoid, Antisocial, Obsessive-Compulsive
Borderline and Narcissistic → Cluster B
Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive → Cluster C
Antisocial → Cluster B
Which of the following groupings includes only Cluster B B. Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic
personality disorders?
Explanation: Cluster B includes the Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic personality disorders:
A. Narcissistic, Schizotypal, Dependent Antisocial
B. Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic Borderline
C. Histrionic, Avoidant, Paranoid Histrionic
D. Antisocial, Schizoid, Borderline Narcissistic
Schizotypal → Cluster A
Dependent and Avoidant → Cluster C
Paranoid and Schizoid → Cluster A
,Which of the following groupings includes only Cluster C C. Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
personality disorders?
Explanation: Cluster C includes the Anxious and Fearful personality disorders:
A. Dependent, Paranoid, Schizoid Avoidant
B. Obsessive-Compulsive, Antisocial, Avoidant Dependent
C. Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive Obsessive-Compulsive (not OCD, but OCPD)
D. Avoidant, Borderline, Schizotypal
Paranoid and Schizoid → Cluster A
Antisocial and Borderline → Cluster B
Schizotypal → Cluster A
Which of the following statements best describes the gold C. Psychotherapy, often in group or individual settings
standard treatment for personality disorders?
Explanation: Psychotherapy—especially long-term, structured forms—is the gold standard
A. Long-term antipsychotic use for most personality disorders. Medications are not first-line but may be used for
B. Electroconvulsive therapy coexisting symptoms like anxiety or depression. Hospitalization is typically reserved for
C. Psychotherapy crisis or safety concerns.
D. Hospitalization for all cases
A 29-year-old man with avoidant personality disorder begins D. Identify and correct distorted thoughts and behaviors
cognitive-behavioral therapy. He reports longstanding
feelings of inadequacy and avoids social interaction for fear of Explanation: CBT focuses on recognizing and changing harmful or inaccurate thinking
criticism. His therapist begins to challenge the patient's patterns and replacing them with more realistic thoughts and behaviors. This is
automatic thoughts. Which of the following best describes particularly helpful in personality disorders like avoidant, where negative self-beliefs play
how CBT will help this patient? a central role.
A. Re-expose him to trauma in a controlled environment
B. Increase insight through dream analysis
C. Use medication to reduce affective symptoms
D. Identify and correct distorted thoughts and behaviors
, What is the main therapeutic goal of interpersonal therapy A. To resolve interpersonal conflicts and improve social functioning
(IPT)?
Explanation: IPT is a time-limited therapy that focuses on addressing specific
A. To resolve interpersonal conflicts and improve social interpersonal issues like grief, role transitions, and relational conflict. It's often used in
functioning depression and other mood disorders.
B. To reduce reliance on medication
C. To analyze and interpret dreams
D. To improve adherence to behavioral conditioning
Which of the following best describes the purpose of D. To regulate emotions and teach skills for changing disruptive behaviors
dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
Explanation: DBT is a structured form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on
A. To help patients interpret dreams and unconscious thoughts emotional regulation, behavioral change, and personal responsibility.
B. To identify cognitive distortions and replace them with
rational thoughts
C. To resolve interpersonal grief through short-term therapy
D. To regulate emotions and teach skills for changing
disruptive behaviors
Psychodynamic therapy is based on which of the following B. The unconscious influence of childhood experiences and repetitive thought patterns
concepts?
Explanation: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes and how past
A. Changing behavior through positive reinforcement experiences—especially in childhood—shape present behavior. It aims to enhance self-
B. The unconscious influence of childhood experiences and awareness and resolve internal conflict.
repetitive thought patterns
C. Conscious awareness of present behaviors only
D. Rapid relief of symptoms through medication
Which of the following statements best characterizes C. A more intensive form of psychodynamic therapy involving multiple weekly sessions
psychoanalysis?
Explanation: Psychoanalysis involves frequent sessions (often 3+ times per week) and
A. A short-term supportive therapy dives deep into unconscious motivations, dreams, and early childhood experiences to
B. A structured form of CBT with group dynamics uncover root causes of psychological distress.
C. A more intensive form of psychodynamic therapy involving
multiple weekly sessions
D. A rapid desensitization technique using virtual reality
STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,Which of the following best describes a personality disorder? C. A rigid and maladaptive pattern of behavior that impairs social functioning
A. A temporary change in mood due to external stressors Explanation: Personality disorders involve inflexible, long-standing patterns of behavior
B. A progressive decline in cognitive functioning and memory that deviate from cultural expectationsand cause impairment, especially in interpersonal
C. A rigid and maladaptive pattern of behavior that impairs or occupational functioning.
social functioning
D. A brief psychotic episode marked by hallucinations and
disorganized speech
Which of the following groupings includes only Cluster A A. Schizoid, Schizotypal, Paranoid
personality disorders?
Explanation: Cluster A includes the Odd and Eccentric personality disorders:
A. Schizoid, Schizotypal, Paranoid Paranoid
B. Borderline, Schizoid, Paranoid Schizoid
C. Schizotypal, Narcissistic, Avoidant Schizotypal
D. Paranoid, Antisocial, Obsessive-Compulsive
Borderline and Narcissistic → Cluster B
Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive → Cluster C
Antisocial → Cluster B
Which of the following groupings includes only Cluster B B. Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic
personality disorders?
Explanation: Cluster B includes the Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic personality disorders:
A. Narcissistic, Schizotypal, Dependent Antisocial
B. Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic Borderline
C. Histrionic, Avoidant, Paranoid Histrionic
D. Antisocial, Schizoid, Borderline Narcissistic
Schizotypal → Cluster A
Dependent and Avoidant → Cluster C
Paranoid and Schizoid → Cluster A
,Which of the following groupings includes only Cluster C C. Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
personality disorders?
Explanation: Cluster C includes the Anxious and Fearful personality disorders:
A. Dependent, Paranoid, Schizoid Avoidant
B. Obsessive-Compulsive, Antisocial, Avoidant Dependent
C. Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive Obsessive-Compulsive (not OCD, but OCPD)
D. Avoidant, Borderline, Schizotypal
Paranoid and Schizoid → Cluster A
Antisocial and Borderline → Cluster B
Schizotypal → Cluster A
Which of the following statements best describes the gold C. Psychotherapy, often in group or individual settings
standard treatment for personality disorders?
Explanation: Psychotherapy—especially long-term, structured forms—is the gold standard
A. Long-term antipsychotic use for most personality disorders. Medications are not first-line but may be used for
B. Electroconvulsive therapy coexisting symptoms like anxiety or depression. Hospitalization is typically reserved for
C. Psychotherapy crisis or safety concerns.
D. Hospitalization for all cases
A 29-year-old man with avoidant personality disorder begins D. Identify and correct distorted thoughts and behaviors
cognitive-behavioral therapy. He reports longstanding
feelings of inadequacy and avoids social interaction for fear of Explanation: CBT focuses on recognizing and changing harmful or inaccurate thinking
criticism. His therapist begins to challenge the patient's patterns and replacing them with more realistic thoughts and behaviors. This is
automatic thoughts. Which of the following best describes particularly helpful in personality disorders like avoidant, where negative self-beliefs play
how CBT will help this patient? a central role.
A. Re-expose him to trauma in a controlled environment
B. Increase insight through dream analysis
C. Use medication to reduce affective symptoms
D. Identify and correct distorted thoughts and behaviors
, What is the main therapeutic goal of interpersonal therapy A. To resolve interpersonal conflicts and improve social functioning
(IPT)?
Explanation: IPT is a time-limited therapy that focuses on addressing specific
A. To resolve interpersonal conflicts and improve social interpersonal issues like grief, role transitions, and relational conflict. It's often used in
functioning depression and other mood disorders.
B. To reduce reliance on medication
C. To analyze and interpret dreams
D. To improve adherence to behavioral conditioning
Which of the following best describes the purpose of D. To regulate emotions and teach skills for changing disruptive behaviors
dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
Explanation: DBT is a structured form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on
A. To help patients interpret dreams and unconscious thoughts emotional regulation, behavioral change, and personal responsibility.
B. To identify cognitive distortions and replace them with
rational thoughts
C. To resolve interpersonal grief through short-term therapy
D. To regulate emotions and teach skills for changing
disruptive behaviors
Psychodynamic therapy is based on which of the following B. The unconscious influence of childhood experiences and repetitive thought patterns
concepts?
Explanation: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes and how past
A. Changing behavior through positive reinforcement experiences—especially in childhood—shape present behavior. It aims to enhance self-
B. The unconscious influence of childhood experiences and awareness and resolve internal conflict.
repetitive thought patterns
C. Conscious awareness of present behaviors only
D. Rapid relief of symptoms through medication
Which of the following statements best characterizes C. A more intensive form of psychodynamic therapy involving multiple weekly sessions
psychoanalysis?
Explanation: Psychoanalysis involves frequent sessions (often 3+ times per week) and
A. A short-term supportive therapy dives deep into unconscious motivations, dreams, and early childhood experiences to
B. A structured form of CBT with group dynamics uncover root causes of psychological distress.
C. A more intensive form of psychodynamic therapy involving
multiple weekly sessions
D. A rapid desensitization technique using virtual reality
