Abnormal Psychology
Final Exam 2026 | Study
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Answers, Rationales &
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Rationales
Included
,abnormal behavior Patterns of thought, emotion, and actions that are deviant, unexpected, or "away
from the standard" based on statistical, social-cultural, and/or functional standards.
abnormal psychology The scientific study of abnormal behavior in order to describe, predict, explain, and
ultimately change abnormal patterns of functioning.
acute stress disorder An anxiety disorder in which fear and related symptoms are experienced soon after
a traumatic event, often including amnesia about the event, emotional numbing, and
derealization, and lasting less than a month. Many victims later develop
posttraumatic stress disorder.
addiction Physical dependence on a substance marked by tolerance, withdrawal symptoms
during abstinence, or both.
affect A subjective feeling of emotion or mood often accompanied by bodily expressions
noticeable to others.
age of onset Person's age when he or she develops or exhibits symptoms of a disorder.
agnosia Inability to recognize and name objects; may be a symptom of dementia or other
brain disorders.
agoraphobia Anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or
embarrassing) or help unavailable if panic symptoms were to occur.
alogia Deficiency in the amount or content of speech, a disturbance often seen in people
with schizophrenia. Also known as poverty of speech.
alternate personalities / alters In dissociative identity disorder, the additional identities along with the host identity.
Also known as subpersonalities.
American Law Institute (ALI) test (1955) A legal test for insanity that holds a person to be insane at the time of committing a
crime, if during criminal conduct, the individual could not judge right from wrong or
control his or her behavior as required by law. Compare M'Naghten Rule and
irresistible impulse.
amnestic disorders Organic disorders in which the primary symptom is memory loss.
, anhedonia Inability to experience pleasure, associated with some mood and schizophrenic
disorders.
anorexia nervosa Eating disorder characterized by continual food refusal and the pursuit of extreme
thinness, leading to dangerously low body weight.
antisocial personality disorder A personality disorder marked by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation
of the rights of others. Deceitful, unremorseful, manipulative, lacks anxiety and guilt.
anxiety Mood state characterized by marked negative affect, behaviors, and bodily
symptoms of tension in which a person apprehensively anticipates future danger or
misfortune.
anxiety disorders A varied group of disorders that all have anxiety, fear, or tension as an essential
feature. Includes specific phobias, social phobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
aphasia Impairment or loss of language skills resulting from brain damage caused by stroke,
Alzheimer's disease, or other illness or trauma.
apraxia Loss of motor activities (such as walking); one of the symptoms of dementia.
Asperger's disorder A pervasive developmental disorder in which individuals display profound social
impairment and restricted or unusual behaviors, but without language delays seen
in autism.
attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Developmental disorder in which persons are unable to focus their attention, they
behave hyperactively or impulsively, or both.
auditory hallucinations Psychotic disturbance in perception in which a person hears sounds or voices
although these are not real or actually present. The voices are often critical,
accusatory, or demanding.
Final Exam 2026 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,abnormal behavior Patterns of thought, emotion, and actions that are deviant, unexpected, or "away
from the standard" based on statistical, social-cultural, and/or functional standards.
abnormal psychology The scientific study of abnormal behavior in order to describe, predict, explain, and
ultimately change abnormal patterns of functioning.
acute stress disorder An anxiety disorder in which fear and related symptoms are experienced soon after
a traumatic event, often including amnesia about the event, emotional numbing, and
derealization, and lasting less than a month. Many victims later develop
posttraumatic stress disorder.
addiction Physical dependence on a substance marked by tolerance, withdrawal symptoms
during abstinence, or both.
affect A subjective feeling of emotion or mood often accompanied by bodily expressions
noticeable to others.
age of onset Person's age when he or she develops or exhibits symptoms of a disorder.
agnosia Inability to recognize and name objects; may be a symptom of dementia or other
brain disorders.
agoraphobia Anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or
embarrassing) or help unavailable if panic symptoms were to occur.
alogia Deficiency in the amount or content of speech, a disturbance often seen in people
with schizophrenia. Also known as poverty of speech.
alternate personalities / alters In dissociative identity disorder, the additional identities along with the host identity.
Also known as subpersonalities.
American Law Institute (ALI) test (1955) A legal test for insanity that holds a person to be insane at the time of committing a
crime, if during criminal conduct, the individual could not judge right from wrong or
control his or her behavior as required by law. Compare M'Naghten Rule and
irresistible impulse.
amnestic disorders Organic disorders in which the primary symptom is memory loss.
, anhedonia Inability to experience pleasure, associated with some mood and schizophrenic
disorders.
anorexia nervosa Eating disorder characterized by continual food refusal and the pursuit of extreme
thinness, leading to dangerously low body weight.
antisocial personality disorder A personality disorder marked by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation
of the rights of others. Deceitful, unremorseful, manipulative, lacks anxiety and guilt.
anxiety Mood state characterized by marked negative affect, behaviors, and bodily
symptoms of tension in which a person apprehensively anticipates future danger or
misfortune.
anxiety disorders A varied group of disorders that all have anxiety, fear, or tension as an essential
feature. Includes specific phobias, social phobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
aphasia Impairment or loss of language skills resulting from brain damage caused by stroke,
Alzheimer's disease, or other illness or trauma.
apraxia Loss of motor activities (such as walking); one of the symptoms of dementia.
Asperger's disorder A pervasive developmental disorder in which individuals display profound social
impairment and restricted or unusual behaviors, but without language delays seen
in autism.
attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Developmental disorder in which persons are unable to focus their attention, they
behave hyperactively or impulsively, or both.
auditory hallucinations Psychotic disturbance in perception in which a person hears sounds or voices
although these are not real or actually present. The voices are often critical,
accusatory, or demanding.
