PSYCH 111: Introduction to Psychology: Week 3: Chapter 15 Quizzes: Psychological Disorders

Correct Answer:

B. Difficulty relating to others

Explanation:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. One of the hallmark features is difficulty relating to others, which may manifest as limited eye contact, lack of social reciprocity, preference for solitary activities, or difficulty understanding social cues. These social deficits appear early in life and significantly impact daily functioning and relationships.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Bed-wetting

Bed-wetting is not a core feature of ASD and may occur independently of the disorder.

C. Short attention span

While attention difficulties may co-occur with ASD, they are not a defining characteristic.

D. Intense and inappropriate interest in others

ASD typically involves reduced or atypical social interest, not heightened or inappropriate interest in others.

Correct Answer:

B. Persistent depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities

Explanation:

According to the DSM-5, major depressive disorder is characterized by depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, along with loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) in activities that were once enjoyable. This includes social events, hobbies, sports, sex, or family time. These symptoms are not brief or situational but are persistent and debilitating, often noticed by friends and family. MDD disrupts daily functioning and represents more than normal sadness or grief.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Alternating periods of sadness and extreme elation

This describes bipolar disorder, not major depressive disorder.

C. Intense fear of specific objects or situations, leading to avoidance

This characterizes specific phobias, not depression.

D. Recurrent panic attacks followed by worry about future attacks

This describes panic disorder, not major depressive disorder.

Correct Answer:

A. Depressive disorders are marked by persistent sadness, while bipolar disorders include both depression and mania

Explanation:

The DSM-5 identifies two primary categories of mood disorders. Depressive disorders are characterized mainly by persistent sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, and decreased motivation. In contrast, bipolar and related disorders involve alternating episodes of depression and mania. Mania is marked by extreme elation, high energy, and risky behaviors. While depressive disorders are unipolar in nature, bipolar disorders combine both poles of mood disturbance, making mania the defining feature of this category.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

B. Depressive disorders are defined only by anxiety, while bipolar disorders are defined only by irritability

This is incorrect because anxiety is not the defining feature of depressive disorders, and bipolar disorders involve mania, not just irritability.

C. Depressive disorders are temporary mood swings, while bipolar disorders are rare and unrelated to mood

This is inaccurate. Depressive disorders involve long-lasting, disruptive symptoms, and bipolar disorders are mood-based, not unrelated to mood.

D. Depressive disorders and bipolar disorders are both characterized exclusively by mania

This is wrong because depressive disorders lack mania entirely. Mania is specific to bipolar and related disorders.

Correct Answer:

B. A disorder in which individuals show no regard for others’ rights or feelings, acting impulsively, deceitfully, and irresponsibly

Explanation:

Antisocial personality disorder is marked by a pervasive disregard for the rights, feelings, and safety of others. Individuals with ASPD often engage in illegal acts, deceitful or manipulative behavior, impulsivity, irresponsibility, and aggression without remorse. They may display superficial charm and an inflated sense of self. The disorder can be identified in adulthood, though signs often appear earlier in life. Traits include antagonism (disregard for others, manipulativeness) and disinhibition (impulsivity, risk-taking), leading to harmful and socially disruptive behavior.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. A disorder characterized by instability in relationships, self-image, and mood

This describes borderline personality disorder, not antisocial personality disorder.

C. A disorder involving recurrent panic attacks and persistent worry about future attacks

This characterizes panic disorder, not ASPD.

D. A disorder marked by excessive fear or anxiety about specific objects or social situations

This describes specific phobias or social anxiety disorder, not antisocial personality disorder.

Correct Answer:

B. Depression results from negative thinking styles that create a sense of hopelessness about future outcomes

Explanation:

Hopelessness theory argues that depression is triggered when individuals interpret negative life events as having stable (“It’s never going to change”) and global (“It affects my whole life”) causes. This thinking pattern fosters hopelessness—the belief that desired outcomes will not occur and nothing can prevent unpleasant ones. This sense of hopelessness becomes the pathway to depression. The theory highlights how cognitive style, not just life events, shapes vulnerability to depression.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Depression develops when individuals perceive negative events as temporary and specific

This describes adaptive thinking, not the negative cognitive style linked to hopelessness and depression.

C. Depression arises only from imbalances in serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain

This reflects the biological perspective, not cognitive theories of depression.

D. Depression is caused exclusively by stressful life events without influence from cognition

This is incomplete. Hopelessness theory stresses that cognitive interpretation of events, not the events alone, leads to depression.

Correct Answer:

B. MDD is a serious condition that disrupts functioning, increases discrimination, and raises risk for physical illness

Explanation:

Major depressive disorder is a debilitating mental illness that profoundly affects quality of life. It can prevent individuals from maintaining employment, pursuing education, or sustaining relationships. Many sufferers face discrimination that further limits opportunities. Beyond emotional suffering, MDD is linked to physical health risks, including higher chances of developing heart disease and worsening outcomes in those already diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions. Hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases, highlighting its serious impact.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. MDD is a temporary sadness that rarely interferes with work, education, or health

This trivializes the disorder. MDD is persistent and seriously disrupts daily life.

C. MDD only affects emotions and has no connection to career, relationships, or physical health

This is incorrect. Research shows MDD affects multiple domains, including physical health.

D. MDD is defined by alternating episodes of mania and depression that limit work or social opportunities

This describes bipolar disorder, not major depressive disorder.

Correct Answer:

B. Having a parent or close relative with schizophrenia significantly increases the risk of developing the disorder

Explanation:

Research indicates that schizophrenia has a strong genetic component. The risk of developing schizophrenia is nearly six times higher for individuals with a parent who has the disorder. Moreover, the likelihood of developing schizophrenia increases with closer genetic relatedness to affected family members. These findings highlight the role of heredity, though environmental factors may also influence the onset and severity of symptoms.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Schizophrenia occurs randomly in the population with no familial influence

This is false; family and twin studies show significant hereditary risk.

C. Schizophrenia is caused exclusively by environmental factors and is unrelated to genetics

While environment plays a role, genetic factors strongly influence the risk of developing schizophrenia.

D. Schizophrenia is equally likely to occur in individuals regardless of family history

This is incorrect because family history is a major risk factor for schizophrenia.

Correct Answer:

B. Specifiers that describe symptom patterns or periods such as seasonal pattern, peripartum onset, or persistent depressive disorder

Explanation:

The DSM-5 outlines subtypes of depression known as specifiers, which are not independent disorders but labels that indicate specific patterns or timeframes of depressive symptoms. Examples include the seasonal pattern (depression occurring during certain times of the year, often winter), peripartum onset (depression during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth), and persistent depressive disorder (chronic low mood lasting at least two years). These specifiers help clinicians provide more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Specific, independent disorders completely separate from major depressive disorder

This is incorrect because specifiers are not separate disorders but subtypes within depression.

C. Labels used only for bipolar disorders, not depressive disorders

This is false since specifiers are applied to depressive disorders as well.

D. Rare conditions that occur only in individuals with no prior history of depression

This is inaccurate. Specifiers can occur in individuals with ongoing or recurring depression and are not necessarily rare.

Correct Answer:

B. OCD shows higher rates among close relatives and involves genes affecting serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate

Explanation:

Research indicates that OCD has a moderate genetic component. Family studies show it is about five times more common among first-degree relatives of people with OCD. Twin studies further support this: identical twins have a concordance rate of about 57%, while fraternal twins have only 22%. Genetic studies suggest involvement of multiple genes that regulate neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. Although more research is needed, these findings support the role of heredity and neurobiology in OCD.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. OCD is caused only by learned behaviors and has no genetic or biological influence

This ignores clear evidence from family and twin studies that heredity and biology play a role.

C. OCD is entirely explained by environmental stressors without any hereditary factors

Environmental stressors may contribute, but genetics and neurotransmitter systems are significant factors.

D. OCD is always inherited directly from one parent and shows identical rates in all twin studies

This is inaccurate. Concordance rates in identical twins are not 100%, meaning environment also plays a role.