Abnormal Psychology Final Examination Study Guide
and Test Bank Master Solution Key
Comprehensive Diagnostic, Etiological, and Clinical Assessment Manual
1. Which Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria distinguishes
Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?
A. Presence of at least one full manic episode
B. History of major depressive episodes
C. Presence of rapid cycling patterns
D. Co-occurrence of generalized anxiety
Rationale: Bipolar I disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode. Bipolar
II requires at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, but never a
full manic episode.
2. A client experiences persistent, intrusive thoughts regarding contamination, followed by
repetitive hand-washing for hours daily. In operant conditioning terms, what maintains the
compulsion?
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Classical extinction
Rationale: Compulsive behaviors are maintained through negative reinforcement because
performing the ritual removes or reduces the distressing anxiety caused by the obsession.
3. What neurotransmitter imbalance is most strongly implicated in the dopamine hypothesis of
Schizophrenia regarding positive symptoms?
A. Deficit of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex
B. Deficit of serotonin in the raphe nuclei
C. Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway
D. Hypoactivity of GABA in the basal ganglia
Rationale: Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is associated with positive
symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions), whereas dopamine deficits in the
mesocortical pathway are linked to negative symptoms.
, 4. Which of the following personality disorders is categorized under Cluster B (erratic, dramatic,
emotional) in the DSM-5?
A. Schizoid Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Paranoid Personality Disorder
D. Borderline Personality Disorder
Rationale: Cluster B includes Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality
Disorders, characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior.
5. A patient presents with sudden loss of voluntary motor function in their right arm without any
neurological or medical etiology following a traumatic argument. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Factitious Disorder
D. Somatic Symptom Disorder
Rationale: Conversion disorder involves altered voluntary motor or sensory function that is
incompatible with recognized neurological or medical conditions, typically preceded by
psychological stress.
6. What cognitive triad did Aaron Beck propose as central to the development and maintenance of
Major Depressive Disorder?
A. Negative views of the past, present, and future
B. Negative views of the self, the world, and the future
C. Negative views of family, society, and authority
D. Negative views of motives, actions, and consequences
Rationale: Beck's cognitive triad asserts that depressed individuals hold automatic,
negative schema regarding themselves, their current experiences (the world), and their
future prospects.
7. Which therapeutic orientation relies heavily on exposure and response prevention (ERP) as the
first-line evidence-based psychological treatment?
A. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
B. Humanistic-Existential Therapy
C. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
D. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Rationale: ERP is a specific form of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy designed to treat
and Test Bank Master Solution Key
Comprehensive Diagnostic, Etiological, and Clinical Assessment Manual
1. Which Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria distinguishes
Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?
A. Presence of at least one full manic episode
B. History of major depressive episodes
C. Presence of rapid cycling patterns
D. Co-occurrence of generalized anxiety
Rationale: Bipolar I disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode. Bipolar
II requires at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, but never a
full manic episode.
2. A client experiences persistent, intrusive thoughts regarding contamination, followed by
repetitive hand-washing for hours daily. In operant conditioning terms, what maintains the
compulsion?
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Classical extinction
Rationale: Compulsive behaviors are maintained through negative reinforcement because
performing the ritual removes or reduces the distressing anxiety caused by the obsession.
3. What neurotransmitter imbalance is most strongly implicated in the dopamine hypothesis of
Schizophrenia regarding positive symptoms?
A. Deficit of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex
B. Deficit of serotonin in the raphe nuclei
C. Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway
D. Hypoactivity of GABA in the basal ganglia
Rationale: Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is associated with positive
symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions), whereas dopamine deficits in the
mesocortical pathway are linked to negative symptoms.
, 4. Which of the following personality disorders is categorized under Cluster B (erratic, dramatic,
emotional) in the DSM-5?
A. Schizoid Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Paranoid Personality Disorder
D. Borderline Personality Disorder
Rationale: Cluster B includes Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality
Disorders, characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior.
5. A patient presents with sudden loss of voluntary motor function in their right arm without any
neurological or medical etiology following a traumatic argument. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Factitious Disorder
D. Somatic Symptom Disorder
Rationale: Conversion disorder involves altered voluntary motor or sensory function that is
incompatible with recognized neurological or medical conditions, typically preceded by
psychological stress.
6. What cognitive triad did Aaron Beck propose as central to the development and maintenance of
Major Depressive Disorder?
A. Negative views of the past, present, and future
B. Negative views of the self, the world, and the future
C. Negative views of family, society, and authority
D. Negative views of motives, actions, and consequences
Rationale: Beck's cognitive triad asserts that depressed individuals hold automatic,
negative schema regarding themselves, their current experiences (the world), and their
future prospects.
7. Which therapeutic orientation relies heavily on exposure and response prevention (ERP) as the
first-line evidence-based psychological treatment?
A. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
B. Humanistic-Existential Therapy
C. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
D. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Rationale: ERP is a specific form of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy designed to treat
