PSY 341 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY EXAM
1 CSUF DR MORI 150 Q&A WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES | ULTIMATE
2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE
PSY 341: Abnormal Psychology – Exam 1 Study Guide
(CSUF Dr. Mori) Note: This exam covers Chapters 1-4
typically found in standard Abnormal Psychology curricula
(e.g., Comer, Barlow/Durand), focusing on definitions of
abnormality, historical perspectives, research methods, and
assessment/diagnosis.
1. Which of the "Four Ds" of defining psychological
abnormality refers to behavior that interferes with
daily functioning or prevents an individual from
carrying out their usual activities? A. Deviance B. Distress
C. Dysfunction D. Danger Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dysfunction refers to the interference with daily
functioning. While deviance refers to violating social norms,
distress refers to emotional pain, and danger refers to risk to
self or others, dysfunction specifically addresses the inability
to perform routine tasks.
2. A culture-bound syndrome is best defined as: A. A
mental disorder that is found exclusively in Western
industrialized nations. B. A pattern of symptoms that is
recognized as a disorder only within a specific cultural context.
C. A biological illness that has no psychological component. D.
A universal disorder that manifests differently across all
cultures. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Culture-bound
syndromes are patterns of behavior or experience that are
considered pathological only within specific cultural contexts
,(e.g., Koro or Amok) and may not be recognized as disorders
in other cultures.
3. The medical model of abnormality views
psychological disorders primarily as: A. Results of
unconscious conflicts and childhood trauma. B. Diseases with
underlying physiological causes that can be diagnosed and
treated. C. Learned behaviors reinforced by environmental
factors. D. Spiritual crises requiring religious intervention.
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The medical model
treats mental disorders similarly to physical diseases,
assuming they have biological etiologies (causes), specific
symptoms, and potential cures through medical intervention.
4. Who is credited with establishing the first modern
asylum for the mentally ill in France and advocating
for the humane treatment of patients by removing
chains? A. Sigmund Freud B. Philippe Pinel C. Benjamin Rush
D. Emil Kraepelin Correct Answer: B Rationale:
Philippe Pinel is known for his moral treatment approach in
late 18th-century France, where he advocated for treating
patients with kindness and dignity rather than restraint and
punishment.
5. In the context of research methods, what is the
primary advantage of the case study method? A. It
allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
B. It provides detailed, in-depth information about a rare or
unique individual. C. It ensures high external validity and
generalizability to the population. D. It eliminates observer bias
completely. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Case studies
provide rich, detailed data about rare conditions or unique
individuals, which is valuable for generating hypotheses.
However, they lack generalizability and cannot establish
causality.
,6. Which correlation coefficient indicates the
strongest relationship between two variables? A. +0.45
B. -0.78 C. +0.10 D. 0.00 Correct Answer: B Rationale:
The strength of a correlation is determined by its absolute
value, regardless of the sign. -0.78 has a higher absolute value
than +0.45, indicating a stronger linear relationship, even
though it is negative.
7. In an experiment testing the effect of a new drug on
anxiety, the "independent variable" is: A. The level of
anxiety reported by participants. B. The administration of the
new drug versus a placebo. C. The age and gender of the
participants. D. The side effects experienced by participants.
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The independent
variable is the factor manipulated by the researcher (the
drug). The dependent variable is the outcome measured
(anxiety levels).
8. What is the primary purpose of a "double-blind"
design in clinical trials? A. To ensure that participants do
not know they are in a study. B. To prevent both the
participants and the researchers from knowing who received
the treatment versus the placebo, reducing bias. C. To allow
researchers to see the results before publishing them. D. To
ensure that only severe cases are included in the study.
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Double-blind designs
minimize both participant expectancy effects (placebo effect)
and experimenter bias, ensuring that the results are due to the
treatment itself.
9. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders) is primarily used for: A. Explaining
the underlying causes of mental disorders. B. Classifying and
diagnosing mental disorders based on observable symptoms. C.
Prescribing medication for mental health conditions. D.
Providing psychotherapy techniques for clinicians. Correct
, Answer: B Rationale: The DSM-5 is a classification system
used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose mental
disorders based on standardized criteria and symptoms. It is
descriptive, not explanatory regarding etiology.
10. Which of the following is a criticism of the DSM
diagnostic system? A. It lacks reliability among different
clinicians. B. It overemphasizes biological causes and ignores
social factors. C. It may lead to labeling and stigmatization of
individuals. D. It is too brief and does not include enough
disorders. Correct Answer: C Rationale: A major
criticism of the DSM is that diagnostic labels can lead to
stigma, self-fulfilling prophecies, and discrimination, although
it has improved reliability over previous editions.
11. The biopsychosocial model suggests that abnormal
behavior is the result of: A. Genetic predispositions alone.
B. Unconscious conflicts from childhood. C. An interaction of
biological, psychological, and social factors. D. Poor parenting
and lack of discipline. Correct Answer: C Rationale:
The biopsychosocial model integrates biological (genes,
neurochemistry), psychological (thoughts, emotions), and
social (culture, family) factors to explain the complexity of
mental disorders.
12. Which perspective emphasizes the role of learned
associations, reinforcement, and modeling in the
development of abnormal behavior? A. Psychodynamic B.
Behavioral C. Humanistic D. Biological Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The behavioral perspective focuses on how
behaviors are acquired through conditioning (classical and
operant) and observational learning, ignoring internal mental
processes.
13. According to the psychodynamic perspective,
anxiety is primarily caused by: A. Chemical imbalances in
1 CSUF DR MORI 150 Q&A WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES | ULTIMATE
2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE
PSY 341: Abnormal Psychology – Exam 1 Study Guide
(CSUF Dr. Mori) Note: This exam covers Chapters 1-4
typically found in standard Abnormal Psychology curricula
(e.g., Comer, Barlow/Durand), focusing on definitions of
abnormality, historical perspectives, research methods, and
assessment/diagnosis.
1. Which of the "Four Ds" of defining psychological
abnormality refers to behavior that interferes with
daily functioning or prevents an individual from
carrying out their usual activities? A. Deviance B. Distress
C. Dysfunction D. Danger Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dysfunction refers to the interference with daily
functioning. While deviance refers to violating social norms,
distress refers to emotional pain, and danger refers to risk to
self or others, dysfunction specifically addresses the inability
to perform routine tasks.
2. A culture-bound syndrome is best defined as: A. A
mental disorder that is found exclusively in Western
industrialized nations. B. A pattern of symptoms that is
recognized as a disorder only within a specific cultural context.
C. A biological illness that has no psychological component. D.
A universal disorder that manifests differently across all
cultures. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Culture-bound
syndromes are patterns of behavior or experience that are
considered pathological only within specific cultural contexts
,(e.g., Koro or Amok) and may not be recognized as disorders
in other cultures.
3. The medical model of abnormality views
psychological disorders primarily as: A. Results of
unconscious conflicts and childhood trauma. B. Diseases with
underlying physiological causes that can be diagnosed and
treated. C. Learned behaviors reinforced by environmental
factors. D. Spiritual crises requiring religious intervention.
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The medical model
treats mental disorders similarly to physical diseases,
assuming they have biological etiologies (causes), specific
symptoms, and potential cures through medical intervention.
4. Who is credited with establishing the first modern
asylum for the mentally ill in France and advocating
for the humane treatment of patients by removing
chains? A. Sigmund Freud B. Philippe Pinel C. Benjamin Rush
D. Emil Kraepelin Correct Answer: B Rationale:
Philippe Pinel is known for his moral treatment approach in
late 18th-century France, where he advocated for treating
patients with kindness and dignity rather than restraint and
punishment.
5. In the context of research methods, what is the
primary advantage of the case study method? A. It
allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
B. It provides detailed, in-depth information about a rare or
unique individual. C. It ensures high external validity and
generalizability to the population. D. It eliminates observer bias
completely. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Case studies
provide rich, detailed data about rare conditions or unique
individuals, which is valuable for generating hypotheses.
However, they lack generalizability and cannot establish
causality.
,6. Which correlation coefficient indicates the
strongest relationship between two variables? A. +0.45
B. -0.78 C. +0.10 D. 0.00 Correct Answer: B Rationale:
The strength of a correlation is determined by its absolute
value, regardless of the sign. -0.78 has a higher absolute value
than +0.45, indicating a stronger linear relationship, even
though it is negative.
7. In an experiment testing the effect of a new drug on
anxiety, the "independent variable" is: A. The level of
anxiety reported by participants. B. The administration of the
new drug versus a placebo. C. The age and gender of the
participants. D. The side effects experienced by participants.
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The independent
variable is the factor manipulated by the researcher (the
drug). The dependent variable is the outcome measured
(anxiety levels).
8. What is the primary purpose of a "double-blind"
design in clinical trials? A. To ensure that participants do
not know they are in a study. B. To prevent both the
participants and the researchers from knowing who received
the treatment versus the placebo, reducing bias. C. To allow
researchers to see the results before publishing them. D. To
ensure that only severe cases are included in the study.
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Double-blind designs
minimize both participant expectancy effects (placebo effect)
and experimenter bias, ensuring that the results are due to the
treatment itself.
9. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders) is primarily used for: A. Explaining
the underlying causes of mental disorders. B. Classifying and
diagnosing mental disorders based on observable symptoms. C.
Prescribing medication for mental health conditions. D.
Providing psychotherapy techniques for clinicians. Correct
, Answer: B Rationale: The DSM-5 is a classification system
used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose mental
disorders based on standardized criteria and symptoms. It is
descriptive, not explanatory regarding etiology.
10. Which of the following is a criticism of the DSM
diagnostic system? A. It lacks reliability among different
clinicians. B. It overemphasizes biological causes and ignores
social factors. C. It may lead to labeling and stigmatization of
individuals. D. It is too brief and does not include enough
disorders. Correct Answer: C Rationale: A major
criticism of the DSM is that diagnostic labels can lead to
stigma, self-fulfilling prophecies, and discrimination, although
it has improved reliability over previous editions.
11. The biopsychosocial model suggests that abnormal
behavior is the result of: A. Genetic predispositions alone.
B. Unconscious conflicts from childhood. C. An interaction of
biological, psychological, and social factors. D. Poor parenting
and lack of discipline. Correct Answer: C Rationale:
The biopsychosocial model integrates biological (genes,
neurochemistry), psychological (thoughts, emotions), and
social (culture, family) factors to explain the complexity of
mental disorders.
12. Which perspective emphasizes the role of learned
associations, reinforcement, and modeling in the
development of abnormal behavior? A. Psychodynamic B.
Behavioral C. Humanistic D. Biological Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The behavioral perspective focuses on how
behaviors are acquired through conditioning (classical and
operant) and observational learning, ignoring internal mental
processes.
13. According to the psychodynamic perspective,
anxiety is primarily caused by: A. Chemical imbalances in
