CHILD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
3RD EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ERIC J MASH,
RUSSELL A BARKLEY
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Child Psychopathology: A Developmental–Systems
Perspective
Stem
A 4-year-old girl presents with frequent temper outbursts, poor
frustration tolerance, and oppositional behaviors at preschool.
Parents report inconsistent discipline, recent marital separation,
and that the child’s sleeping and eating routines have been
,disrupted. Considering a developmental–systems approach,
which interpretation best informs initial case formulation and
assessment priorities?
A. The child’s behaviors are most consistent with early-onset
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and warrant immediate
DSM-5-TR diagnosis.
B. The presentation likely reflects a transient developmental
response to family stressors; prioritize family functioning and
routines in assessment.
C. Behaviors indicate an underlying neurodevelopmental
disorder such as ADHD; refer for neuropsychological testing
first.
D. Immediate use of exclusionary laboratory testing and
pharmacotherapy is indicated because biological causes are
more likely than environmental factors.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): A developmental–systems perspective emphasizes
interactions across levels (family, environment, child) and
developmental timing; in a 4-year-old with recent
environmental disruption, transient, stress-linked behavioral
dysregulation is likely and assessment should prioritize family
routines, parenting, and contextual stress before labeling a
disorder. This aligns with Mash & Barkley’s emphasis on
contextual formulation and timing of symptom onset.
,A: Premature diagnostic labeling (ODD) ignores context and
developmental norms; ODD requires persistent, pervasive
pattern across settings and time.
C: ADHD is possible but core symptoms
(inattention/hyperactivity) and chronicity should be
demonstrated — immediate neuropsych testing without
contextual assessment risks misattribution.
D: Jumping to biological testing/pharmacotherapy ignores
psychosocial contributors and the developmental approach
recommending least-intrusive, context-sensitive evaluation first.
Teaching Point
Prioritize context, timing, and family routines before diagnosing
disruptive behavior in preschoolers.
Citation
Mash, E. J., & Barkley, R. A. (2023). Child psychopathology (3rd
ed.). Chapter 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Child Psychopathology: A Developmental–Systems
Perspective
Stem
An adolescent boy from a disadvantaged neighborhood
demonstrates conduct problems in multiple settings. He has a
history of temperamental impulsivity, early language delays,
, and exposure to community violence. Which developmental
concept best explains why different children exposed to similar
risks show divergent outcomes?
A. Equifinality — similar outcomes arise from different starting
points.
B. Multifinality — similar risk exposures can produce multiple,
different outcomes.
C. Cumulative continuity — early problems decline over time
regardless of environment.
D. Biological determinism — genetic predisposition fully
determines individual outcomes.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Multifinality denotes that children with comparable
risk exposures (e.g., neighborhood violence) may follow
divergent developmental pathways (e.g., resilience, conduct
disorder, internalizing disorders) depending on transactional
influences — a core developmental-systems principle in Mash &
Barkley.
A: Equifinality is the converse (different beginnings → similar
outcomes), not the phenomenon asked.
C: Cumulative continuity refers to stability and amplification of
behavior over time given transactions with environment, not
divergent outcomes from same risk.
D: Biological determinism overstates genetic influence and
3RD EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ERIC J MASH,
RUSSELL A BARKLEY
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Child Psychopathology: A Developmental–Systems
Perspective
Stem
A 4-year-old girl presents with frequent temper outbursts, poor
frustration tolerance, and oppositional behaviors at preschool.
Parents report inconsistent discipline, recent marital separation,
and that the child’s sleeping and eating routines have been
,disrupted. Considering a developmental–systems approach,
which interpretation best informs initial case formulation and
assessment priorities?
A. The child’s behaviors are most consistent with early-onset
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and warrant immediate
DSM-5-TR diagnosis.
B. The presentation likely reflects a transient developmental
response to family stressors; prioritize family functioning and
routines in assessment.
C. Behaviors indicate an underlying neurodevelopmental
disorder such as ADHD; refer for neuropsychological testing
first.
D. Immediate use of exclusionary laboratory testing and
pharmacotherapy is indicated because biological causes are
more likely than environmental factors.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): A developmental–systems perspective emphasizes
interactions across levels (family, environment, child) and
developmental timing; in a 4-year-old with recent
environmental disruption, transient, stress-linked behavioral
dysregulation is likely and assessment should prioritize family
routines, parenting, and contextual stress before labeling a
disorder. This aligns with Mash & Barkley’s emphasis on
contextual formulation and timing of symptom onset.
,A: Premature diagnostic labeling (ODD) ignores context and
developmental norms; ODD requires persistent, pervasive
pattern across settings and time.
C: ADHD is possible but core symptoms
(inattention/hyperactivity) and chronicity should be
demonstrated — immediate neuropsych testing without
contextual assessment risks misattribution.
D: Jumping to biological testing/pharmacotherapy ignores
psychosocial contributors and the developmental approach
recommending least-intrusive, context-sensitive evaluation first.
Teaching Point
Prioritize context, timing, and family routines before diagnosing
disruptive behavior in preschoolers.
Citation
Mash, E. J., & Barkley, R. A. (2023). Child psychopathology (3rd
ed.). Chapter 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Child Psychopathology: A Developmental–Systems
Perspective
Stem
An adolescent boy from a disadvantaged neighborhood
demonstrates conduct problems in multiple settings. He has a
history of temperamental impulsivity, early language delays,
, and exposure to community violence. Which developmental
concept best explains why different children exposed to similar
risks show divergent outcomes?
A. Equifinality — similar outcomes arise from different starting
points.
B. Multifinality — similar risk exposures can produce multiple,
different outcomes.
C. Cumulative continuity — early problems decline over time
regardless of environment.
D. Biological determinism — genetic predisposition fully
determines individual outcomes.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Multifinality denotes that children with comparable
risk exposures (e.g., neighborhood violence) may follow
divergent developmental pathways (e.g., resilience, conduct
disorder, internalizing disorders) depending on transactional
influences — a core developmental-systems principle in Mash &
Barkley.
A: Equifinality is the converse (different beginnings → similar
outcomes), not the phenomenon asked.
C: Cumulative continuity refers to stability and amplification of
behavior over time given transactions with environment, not
divergent outcomes from same risk.
D: Biological determinism overstates genetic influence and
