COUC 546 Exam 3 V3 | COUC 546 Psychopathology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (COUC546 Exam 3) | Liberty University
1. A 25-year-old female presents with a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal
relationships, self-image, and affects. She also demonstrates marked impulsivity beginning by
early adulthood. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Antisocial Personality Disorder
B. Borderline Personality Disorder
C. Histrionic Personality Disorder
D. Dependent Personality Disorder
Answer: B
Explanation: Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image. Patients often experience intense
abandonment fears and inappropriate anger. This diagnosis requires at least five specific
criteria from the DSM-5-TR to be met for a formal identification.
2. Which of the following is a key requirement for the diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder?
A. Delusions or hallucinations occurring for 2 weeks or more in the absence of a major
mood episode (depressive or manic) during the lifetime duration of the illness.
B. Delusions or hallucinations must occur for at least 2 weeks in the absence of a major
mood episode.
C. A major mood episode must be present for the entire duration of the illness.
D. Symptoms must be solely due to the physiological effects of a substance.
Answer: A
Explanation: Schizoaffective disorder requires a period of at least two weeks where
psychotic symptoms are present without prominent mood symptoms. This criterion helps
clinicians differentiate the disorder from Depressive or Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic
Features. The mood symptoms must also be present for the majority of the total duration of
the illness.
3. To be diagnosed with Schizophreniform Disorder, the duration of the disturbance must be
at least one month but less than:
A. Three months
B. One year
C. Six months
,D. Two months
Answer: C
Explanation: Schizophreniform disorder serves as an intermediate diagnosis between
Brief Psychotic Disorder and Schizophrenia. The diagnostic criteria require symptoms to
last at least one month but resolve within six months. If symptoms persist beyond six
months, the diagnosis must be updated to Schizophrenia.
4. A patient exhibits a lack of interest in social relationships and a restricted range of
emotional expression in interpersonal settings. They do not experience cognitive or
perceptual distortions. Which Cluster A disorder is this?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Paranoid Personality Disorder
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by social detachment and a limited
range of emotional expression. Unlike Schizotypal PD, it does not involve eccentricities or
magical thinking. These individuals typically prefer solitary activities and lack the desire
for close relationships.
5. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition,
feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation?
A. Schizoid Personality Disorder
B. Dependent Personality Disorder
C. Paranoid Personality Disorder
D. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Avoidant Personality Disorder involves a deep-seated fear of rejection that
leads to social withdrawal. Unlike Schizoid individuals, those with Avoidant PD actually
desire social contact but are too anxious to seek it. This disorder is classified within Cluster
C, which encompasses anxious and fearful behaviors.
6. Which symptom is considered a ‘negative symptom’ of Schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Disorganized speech
, D. Avolition
Answer: D
Explanation: Avolition refers to a decrease in motivated self-initiated purposeful activities,
which is a hallmark negative symptom. Negative symptoms reflect a diminution or loss of
normal functions, such as emotional expression or speech. Other examples include alogia,
anhedonia, and asociality.
7. In Antisocial Personality Disorder, there must be evidence that the individual had
symptoms of which disorder before age 15?
A. Conduct Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
D. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Antisocial Personality Disorder requires a historical presence of Conduct
Disorder symptoms before the age of 15. The diagnosis itself cannot be given until the
individual is at least 18 years old. This developmental requirement emphasizes the long-
standing nature of the behavioral patterns involved.
8. A person who believes that a famous celebrity is deeply in love with them, despite having
never met the celebrity, is likely suffering from which type of Delusional Disorder?
A. Grandiose type
B. Erotomanic type
C. Jealous type
D. Persecutory type
Answer: B
Explanation: The erotomanic type of Delusional Disorder is characterized by the false
belief that another person, usually of higher status, is in love with the individual. These
delusions are typically non-bizarre and can lead to stalking or unwanted contact. This
specific subtype is distinct from grandiosity or persecutory ideation.
9. Which disorder involves the presence of one or more delusions with a duration of 1 month
or longer, without the other symptoms of Schizophrenia?
A. Delusional Disorder
B. Schizophreniform Disorder
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
Rationale (COUC546 Exam 3) | Liberty University
1. A 25-year-old female presents with a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal
relationships, self-image, and affects. She also demonstrates marked impulsivity beginning by
early adulthood. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Antisocial Personality Disorder
B. Borderline Personality Disorder
C. Histrionic Personality Disorder
D. Dependent Personality Disorder
Answer: B
Explanation: Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image. Patients often experience intense
abandonment fears and inappropriate anger. This diagnosis requires at least five specific
criteria from the DSM-5-TR to be met for a formal identification.
2. Which of the following is a key requirement for the diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder?
A. Delusions or hallucinations occurring for 2 weeks or more in the absence of a major
mood episode (depressive or manic) during the lifetime duration of the illness.
B. Delusions or hallucinations must occur for at least 2 weeks in the absence of a major
mood episode.
C. A major mood episode must be present for the entire duration of the illness.
D. Symptoms must be solely due to the physiological effects of a substance.
Answer: A
Explanation: Schizoaffective disorder requires a period of at least two weeks where
psychotic symptoms are present without prominent mood symptoms. This criterion helps
clinicians differentiate the disorder from Depressive or Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic
Features. The mood symptoms must also be present for the majority of the total duration of
the illness.
3. To be diagnosed with Schizophreniform Disorder, the duration of the disturbance must be
at least one month but less than:
A. Three months
B. One year
C. Six months
,D. Two months
Answer: C
Explanation: Schizophreniform disorder serves as an intermediate diagnosis between
Brief Psychotic Disorder and Schizophrenia. The diagnostic criteria require symptoms to
last at least one month but resolve within six months. If symptoms persist beyond six
months, the diagnosis must be updated to Schizophrenia.
4. A patient exhibits a lack of interest in social relationships and a restricted range of
emotional expression in interpersonal settings. They do not experience cognitive or
perceptual distortions. Which Cluster A disorder is this?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Paranoid Personality Disorder
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by social detachment and a limited
range of emotional expression. Unlike Schizotypal PD, it does not involve eccentricities or
magical thinking. These individuals typically prefer solitary activities and lack the desire
for close relationships.
5. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition,
feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation?
A. Schizoid Personality Disorder
B. Dependent Personality Disorder
C. Paranoid Personality Disorder
D. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Avoidant Personality Disorder involves a deep-seated fear of rejection that
leads to social withdrawal. Unlike Schizoid individuals, those with Avoidant PD actually
desire social contact but are too anxious to seek it. This disorder is classified within Cluster
C, which encompasses anxious and fearful behaviors.
6. Which symptom is considered a ‘negative symptom’ of Schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Disorganized speech
, D. Avolition
Answer: D
Explanation: Avolition refers to a decrease in motivated self-initiated purposeful activities,
which is a hallmark negative symptom. Negative symptoms reflect a diminution or loss of
normal functions, such as emotional expression or speech. Other examples include alogia,
anhedonia, and asociality.
7. In Antisocial Personality Disorder, there must be evidence that the individual had
symptoms of which disorder before age 15?
A. Conduct Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
D. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Antisocial Personality Disorder requires a historical presence of Conduct
Disorder symptoms before the age of 15. The diagnosis itself cannot be given until the
individual is at least 18 years old. This developmental requirement emphasizes the long-
standing nature of the behavioral patterns involved.
8. A person who believes that a famous celebrity is deeply in love with them, despite having
never met the celebrity, is likely suffering from which type of Delusional Disorder?
A. Grandiose type
B. Erotomanic type
C. Jealous type
D. Persecutory type
Answer: B
Explanation: The erotomanic type of Delusional Disorder is characterized by the false
belief that another person, usually of higher status, is in love with the individual. These
delusions are typically non-bizarre and can lead to stalking or unwanted contact. This
specific subtype is distinct from grandiosity or persecutory ideation.
9. Which disorder involves the presence of one or more delusions with a duration of 1 month
or longer, without the other symptoms of Schizophrenia?
A. Delusional Disorder
B. Schizophreniform Disorder
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
