PYC3702
Abnormal Psychology
This document is a compilation of UNISA Exam Questions
and Answers
Answers are motivated by a combination of:
• References
• Short summaries/reasoning regarding the relevant
topic(s) in question. (Incorrect options are also marked
where applicable, in order to identify and disregard
alternatives)
,2 PYC3702 Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
May/June 2016
QUESTION 1
In class, Professor Bell defines ___ as the view adopted by a person that regards symptoms of
mental disorders as the same in all cultures and societies.
1) Ukuthwasa
2) Cultural relativism
3) Cultural-bound syndrome
4) Cultural-universality
Answer: The correct answer is (4)
Refer: TL501, pg. 35
Reasoning:
• Cultural universality (option 4) refers to behavior being similar across cultures, and in
contrast
• Cultural relativity (option 2) refers to behavior being understood differently according to
each culture.
• Ukuthwasa (option 1) according to the traditional African perspective refers to a ‘’creative
illness’’ following a calling by the ancestral spirits to become a diviner (isangoma).
QUESTION 2
Which assumption about the development of mental disorders is not accurate according to the
underlying principles of the Multipath Model?
1) No one theory is adequate to explain the development of mental disorders.
2) All four dimensions of the model contribute equally to the aetiology of mental disorders.
3) Psychological and biological assets can help protect individuals from the development of
mental disorders.
4) The model acknowledges that aetiological factors combine in reciprocal ways in the
development of mental disorders.
Answer: The correct answer is (2)
Refer: Sue et al., pg. 36
Reasoning: According to the Multipath Model, abnormal behaviour can very seldom be explained
in full by one theoretical model. The Multipath Model proposes the consideration of combinations
of interacting biological, psychological, social and sociocultural factors in explaining abnormal
behaviour.
QUESTION 3
Bina, normally an energetic and optimally coping mother of three young children, recently became
unable to go shopping, prepare meals, or even dress her children. Bina’s current unusual behavior
illustrates Sue et al’s (2016) practical definition of abnormality called ___.
1) disorientation
2) distress
3) dysfunction
4) deviance
Answer: The correct answer is (3)
Refer: Sue et al., pg. 9
Reasoning: Four major means of judging psychopathology include distress, deviance, dysfunction,
and dangerousness.
One way to assess dysfunction is to compare an individual’s performance with the requirements
of a role he is expected to fulfil. Another way to assess dysfunction is to compare and individual’s
performance with his/her potential.
,3 PYC3702 Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
QUESTION 4
A psychologist says, “There are certain mental disorders for which we can find little evidence of
brain pathology.” This psychologist’s statement reflects a/n ___ viewpoint.
1) Organic
2) Biogenic
3) Humanistic
4) Psychological
Answer: The correct answer is (1)
Refer: Sue et al., pp. 30-31
Reasoning: The biological, or organic, viewpoint holds that mental disorders are the result of
physiological damage/disease.
The psychological viewpoint (option 4) stresses an emotional basis for mental illness.
Read the following brief case study and answer questions 5, 6 and 7.
Since childhood, 22-year old Tshetlha, has always been a very sensitive and overly emotional
individual, who has an intense fear of being rejected and humiliated. His fear is so overwhelming to
the extent that he withdraws from social interactions and has recently declined a job promotion for
fear of criticism from work colleagues. Although Tshetlha desires to have relationships with others
and have an active social life, the fear of possible rejection leads him to withdraw from social
relationships. He has admitted recently that he would like to have a relationship with a young
woman who he knows from church and fantasizes about her as the ideal woman, however he is
highly uncertain whether she would like him and thus he is very reluctant to take a risk and ask her
out on a date as he anticipates that he will experience unbearable feelings of inadequacy if she
refuses to go out with him.
According to his adoptive mother, Mrs. Swanepoel reported that she has raise Tshetlha as her own as
his biological mother who was the family domestic worker disappeared when he was only 5 years
old. Throughout his life, Mrs. Swanepoel did not see the need to perform any traditional rituals for
Tshetlha during the different phases in his life in line with African traditional customs, instead he was
raised within Western Cultural practices. When Tshetlha graduated from university he experienced a
spade of bad luck which the family gardener. Mr Pitso attributed to the fact that the necessary
African rituals were not performed and as a result he remained vulnerable to the different life
adversities as his ancestors did not know him.
However, Mrs. Swanepoel strongly believes that Tshetlha only needs to consult with a psychologist in
order to assist him with his interpersonal difficulties. According to Mr. Pitso, his recollection of
Tshetlha’s father, also like Tshetlha, was a loner who kept mostly to himself and people always said
that he was socially inept in other people’s company.
QUESTION 5
From an African perspective, the gardener, Mr. Pitso’s explanation on the cause of Tshetlha’s
significant interpersonal difficulties can be viewed as ___.
1) a form of depersonalization
2) bad spell from sorcerers who are against his family
3) Amafufunyane
4) “Go latlha Maseko”/ukulatlha amasiko
Answer: The correct answer is (4)
Refer: TL501, pg. 40
Reasoning: Go latlha maseko/setso (Sesotho) or ukulatlha amasikoin (isiZulu) is the failure to
perform the traditional practices. For example, due to western influence, people might not
believe in African rituals. This might anger the ancestors who will cause ill-health or other types of
problems in a person’s life, and therefore the correct option.
, 4 PYC3702 Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
Amafunfunyane is an example of an illness which is a form of spirit possession said to be primarily
due to witchcraft or sorcery.
QUESTION 6
If Tshetlha was to consult a Western-trained psychologist and a sangoma, which one of the following
statements most accurately reflects their different understandings of Tshetlha’s abnormal behavior?
1) According to the psychologist, Tshetlha is presenting with a specific type of Personality
Disorder, while the sangoma understands the cause of Tshetlha’s abnormal behaviour as
resulting from a failure to practice traditional African practices.
2) Tshetlha’s psychologist believes that the cause of his abnormal behavior due to the stress of
being a recent graduate, similarly the sangoma agrees with this explanation and thinks that
Tshetlha must take the psychologist’s advice and to anticipate that once he settles into
young adulthood his interpersonal difficulties will no longer be a cause for concern.
3) The psychologist believes that the cause of Tshetlha’s illness could be explained in terms of
his family interpersonal dynamics, whereas the sangoma emphasizes Tshetlha’s intrapsychic
dynamics in her causal explanation.
4) The psychologist believes that Tshetlha is not personally responsible for his illness as he was
born that way, however, the sangoma viewed Tshetlha as personally responsible for the
cause of his abnormal behavior as he must have upset ancestors for him to develop this type
of behavior.
Answer: The correct answer is (1)
Refer: TL501, pg. 40
Reasoning: Go latlha maseko/setso (Sesotho) or ukulatlha amasikoin (isiZulu) is the failure to
perform the traditional practices. For example, due to western influence, people might not
believe in African rituals. This might anger the ancestors who will cause ill-health or other types of
problems in a person’s life.
Option 4 is incorrect since it is untrue that psychologists believes that people with personality
disorders are necessarily “born that way”. The multipath model lists psychological, social and
sociocultural factors together with biological factors.
QUESTION 7
If the psychologist was to diagnose Tshetlha according to the DSM-5 classification system, he would
most likely receive a diagnosis of ___?
1) Avoidant Personality Disorder
2) Paranoid Personality Disorder
3) Social Anxiety Disorder
4) Adjustment Disorder with anxiety
Answer: The correct answer is (1)
Refer: Sue et al., pg. 134
Reasoning: Social Anxiety Disorder (option 3) is characterized by an irrational fear of being
scrutinized/judged by others; extreme self-consciousness in social situations. Exposure to feared
stimulus produces intense fear or panic attacks. Avoidance responses are almost always
present. Anxiety dissipates when phobic situation is not being confronted.
Avoidant Personality Disorder (option 1) is a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of
inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and
present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:
1. Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of
fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection
2. Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked
3. Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or
ridiculed
Abnormal Psychology
This document is a compilation of UNISA Exam Questions
and Answers
Answers are motivated by a combination of:
• References
• Short summaries/reasoning regarding the relevant
topic(s) in question. (Incorrect options are also marked
where applicable, in order to identify and disregard
alternatives)
,2 PYC3702 Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
May/June 2016
QUESTION 1
In class, Professor Bell defines ___ as the view adopted by a person that regards symptoms of
mental disorders as the same in all cultures and societies.
1) Ukuthwasa
2) Cultural relativism
3) Cultural-bound syndrome
4) Cultural-universality
Answer: The correct answer is (4)
Refer: TL501, pg. 35
Reasoning:
• Cultural universality (option 4) refers to behavior being similar across cultures, and in
contrast
• Cultural relativity (option 2) refers to behavior being understood differently according to
each culture.
• Ukuthwasa (option 1) according to the traditional African perspective refers to a ‘’creative
illness’’ following a calling by the ancestral spirits to become a diviner (isangoma).
QUESTION 2
Which assumption about the development of mental disorders is not accurate according to the
underlying principles of the Multipath Model?
1) No one theory is adequate to explain the development of mental disorders.
2) All four dimensions of the model contribute equally to the aetiology of mental disorders.
3) Psychological and biological assets can help protect individuals from the development of
mental disorders.
4) The model acknowledges that aetiological factors combine in reciprocal ways in the
development of mental disorders.
Answer: The correct answer is (2)
Refer: Sue et al., pg. 36
Reasoning: According to the Multipath Model, abnormal behaviour can very seldom be explained
in full by one theoretical model. The Multipath Model proposes the consideration of combinations
of interacting biological, psychological, social and sociocultural factors in explaining abnormal
behaviour.
QUESTION 3
Bina, normally an energetic and optimally coping mother of three young children, recently became
unable to go shopping, prepare meals, or even dress her children. Bina’s current unusual behavior
illustrates Sue et al’s (2016) practical definition of abnormality called ___.
1) disorientation
2) distress
3) dysfunction
4) deviance
Answer: The correct answer is (3)
Refer: Sue et al., pg. 9
Reasoning: Four major means of judging psychopathology include distress, deviance, dysfunction,
and dangerousness.
One way to assess dysfunction is to compare an individual’s performance with the requirements
of a role he is expected to fulfil. Another way to assess dysfunction is to compare and individual’s
performance with his/her potential.
,3 PYC3702 Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
QUESTION 4
A psychologist says, “There are certain mental disorders for which we can find little evidence of
brain pathology.” This psychologist’s statement reflects a/n ___ viewpoint.
1) Organic
2) Biogenic
3) Humanistic
4) Psychological
Answer: The correct answer is (1)
Refer: Sue et al., pp. 30-31
Reasoning: The biological, or organic, viewpoint holds that mental disorders are the result of
physiological damage/disease.
The psychological viewpoint (option 4) stresses an emotional basis for mental illness.
Read the following brief case study and answer questions 5, 6 and 7.
Since childhood, 22-year old Tshetlha, has always been a very sensitive and overly emotional
individual, who has an intense fear of being rejected and humiliated. His fear is so overwhelming to
the extent that he withdraws from social interactions and has recently declined a job promotion for
fear of criticism from work colleagues. Although Tshetlha desires to have relationships with others
and have an active social life, the fear of possible rejection leads him to withdraw from social
relationships. He has admitted recently that he would like to have a relationship with a young
woman who he knows from church and fantasizes about her as the ideal woman, however he is
highly uncertain whether she would like him and thus he is very reluctant to take a risk and ask her
out on a date as he anticipates that he will experience unbearable feelings of inadequacy if she
refuses to go out with him.
According to his adoptive mother, Mrs. Swanepoel reported that she has raise Tshetlha as her own as
his biological mother who was the family domestic worker disappeared when he was only 5 years
old. Throughout his life, Mrs. Swanepoel did not see the need to perform any traditional rituals for
Tshetlha during the different phases in his life in line with African traditional customs, instead he was
raised within Western Cultural practices. When Tshetlha graduated from university he experienced a
spade of bad luck which the family gardener. Mr Pitso attributed to the fact that the necessary
African rituals were not performed and as a result he remained vulnerable to the different life
adversities as his ancestors did not know him.
However, Mrs. Swanepoel strongly believes that Tshetlha only needs to consult with a psychologist in
order to assist him with his interpersonal difficulties. According to Mr. Pitso, his recollection of
Tshetlha’s father, also like Tshetlha, was a loner who kept mostly to himself and people always said
that he was socially inept in other people’s company.
QUESTION 5
From an African perspective, the gardener, Mr. Pitso’s explanation on the cause of Tshetlha’s
significant interpersonal difficulties can be viewed as ___.
1) a form of depersonalization
2) bad spell from sorcerers who are against his family
3) Amafufunyane
4) “Go latlha Maseko”/ukulatlha amasiko
Answer: The correct answer is (4)
Refer: TL501, pg. 40
Reasoning: Go latlha maseko/setso (Sesotho) or ukulatlha amasikoin (isiZulu) is the failure to
perform the traditional practices. For example, due to western influence, people might not
believe in African rituals. This might anger the ancestors who will cause ill-health or other types of
problems in a person’s life, and therefore the correct option.
, 4 PYC3702 Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
Amafunfunyane is an example of an illness which is a form of spirit possession said to be primarily
due to witchcraft or sorcery.
QUESTION 6
If Tshetlha was to consult a Western-trained psychologist and a sangoma, which one of the following
statements most accurately reflects their different understandings of Tshetlha’s abnormal behavior?
1) According to the psychologist, Tshetlha is presenting with a specific type of Personality
Disorder, while the sangoma understands the cause of Tshetlha’s abnormal behaviour as
resulting from a failure to practice traditional African practices.
2) Tshetlha’s psychologist believes that the cause of his abnormal behavior due to the stress of
being a recent graduate, similarly the sangoma agrees with this explanation and thinks that
Tshetlha must take the psychologist’s advice and to anticipate that once he settles into
young adulthood his interpersonal difficulties will no longer be a cause for concern.
3) The psychologist believes that the cause of Tshetlha’s illness could be explained in terms of
his family interpersonal dynamics, whereas the sangoma emphasizes Tshetlha’s intrapsychic
dynamics in her causal explanation.
4) The psychologist believes that Tshetlha is not personally responsible for his illness as he was
born that way, however, the sangoma viewed Tshetlha as personally responsible for the
cause of his abnormal behavior as he must have upset ancestors for him to develop this type
of behavior.
Answer: The correct answer is (1)
Refer: TL501, pg. 40
Reasoning: Go latlha maseko/setso (Sesotho) or ukulatlha amasikoin (isiZulu) is the failure to
perform the traditional practices. For example, due to western influence, people might not
believe in African rituals. This might anger the ancestors who will cause ill-health or other types of
problems in a person’s life.
Option 4 is incorrect since it is untrue that psychologists believes that people with personality
disorders are necessarily “born that way”. The multipath model lists psychological, social and
sociocultural factors together with biological factors.
QUESTION 7
If the psychologist was to diagnose Tshetlha according to the DSM-5 classification system, he would
most likely receive a diagnosis of ___?
1) Avoidant Personality Disorder
2) Paranoid Personality Disorder
3) Social Anxiety Disorder
4) Adjustment Disorder with anxiety
Answer: The correct answer is (1)
Refer: Sue et al., pg. 134
Reasoning: Social Anxiety Disorder (option 3) is characterized by an irrational fear of being
scrutinized/judged by others; extreme self-consciousness in social situations. Exposure to feared
stimulus produces intense fear or panic attacks. Avoidance responses are almost always
present. Anxiety dissipates when phobic situation is not being confronted.
Avoidant Personality Disorder (option 1) is a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of
inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and
present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:
1. Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of
fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection
2. Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked
3. Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or
ridiculed
