MIDTERM FOR PSY 657 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
Abnormal Psychology is concerned with understanding... - ANS The nature, causes, and
treatment of mental disorders
What is "family aggregation?" - ANS Whether or not a disorder runs in families. An
expanded/deeper explanation is as follows:
The extent to which a disorder appears more often in the biological relatives of a person with
the disorder than in the general population. It indicates whether the disorder runs in families
and can suggest possible genetic or shared environmental contributions.
Another name for psychopathology is... - ANS Abnormal psychology
List the seven indicators of abnormality provided in chapter 1 - ANS 1.) Subjective distress
2.) Maladaptiveness
3.) Statistical deviancy
4.) Violation of the standards of society
5.) Social discomfort
6.) Irrationality and unpredictability
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 7.) Dangerousness
What is subjective distress? - ANS When people experience psychological pain (e.g.,
depression anxiety). It is a sign of abnormality but not sufficient by itself.
What is maladapativeness? - ANS Behavior that interferes with well-being, work, or
relationships (e.g., withdrawal in depression, inability to function).
What is statistical deviancy? - ANS Being away from the normal statistically. Rare and
undesirable traits (like intellectual disability) are considered abnormal; rare and desirable traits
such as "genius" are not
What does violation of the standards of society mean? - ANS A behavior that is considered
abnormal when it breaks cultural rules or norms and is statistically rare.
What is social discomfort? - ANS Abnormality recoginzied when behavior makes others
uncomfortable by violating social rules (e.g., sitting too close to strangers)
What is irrationality and unpredictability? - ANS Abnormality is suggested when behavior is
incomprehensible or unexpected (e.g., sudden shouting or bizarre speech).
What is dangerousness? - ANS Behavior that poses a threat of harm to self or others (e.g.,
suicidal or violent acts).
Why are social judgments important in abnormal psychology? - ANS Because what is seen as
abnormal depends on cultural values and changes over time (e.g., homosexuality once classified
as abornmal, now not).
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
Abnormal Psychology is concerned with understanding... - ANS The nature, causes, and
treatment of mental disorders
What is "family aggregation?" - ANS Whether or not a disorder runs in families. An
expanded/deeper explanation is as follows:
The extent to which a disorder appears more often in the biological relatives of a person with
the disorder than in the general population. It indicates whether the disorder runs in families
and can suggest possible genetic or shared environmental contributions.
Another name for psychopathology is... - ANS Abnormal psychology
List the seven indicators of abnormality provided in chapter 1 - ANS 1.) Subjective distress
2.) Maladaptiveness
3.) Statistical deviancy
4.) Violation of the standards of society
5.) Social discomfort
6.) Irrationality and unpredictability
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 7.) Dangerousness
What is subjective distress? - ANS When people experience psychological pain (e.g.,
depression anxiety). It is a sign of abnormality but not sufficient by itself.
What is maladapativeness? - ANS Behavior that interferes with well-being, work, or
relationships (e.g., withdrawal in depression, inability to function).
What is statistical deviancy? - ANS Being away from the normal statistically. Rare and
undesirable traits (like intellectual disability) are considered abnormal; rare and desirable traits
such as "genius" are not
What does violation of the standards of society mean? - ANS A behavior that is considered
abnormal when it breaks cultural rules or norms and is statistically rare.
What is social discomfort? - ANS Abnormality recoginzied when behavior makes others
uncomfortable by violating social rules (e.g., sitting too close to strangers)
What is irrationality and unpredictability? - ANS Abnormality is suggested when behavior is
incomprehensible or unexpected (e.g., sudden shouting or bizarre speech).
What is dangerousness? - ANS Behavior that poses a threat of harm to self or others (e.g.,
suicidal or violent acts).
Why are social judgments important in abnormal psychology? - ANS Because what is seen as
abnormal depends on cultural values and changes over time (e.g., homosexuality once classified
as abornmal, now not).
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
