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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Psychology & Mental Health

Put Your Abnormal Psychology Exam 1 Knowledge to the Test!

Think you can ace the abnormal psychology test 1? Dive in!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Abnormal Psychology Exam 1 quiz on a golden yellow background

Use this Abnormal Psychology Exam 1 quiz to practice core ideas and build your diagnostic skills with brief, case-like questions. See what you know on criteria, symptoms, and key theories, then spot gaps before the test. When you finish, use your score to guide review, or try a tougher set .

Which of the following is NOT one of the four Ds of abnormal behavior?
Distress
Dysfunction
Diagnosis
Deviance
The four Ds of abnormal behavior are deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. 'Diagnosis' is not one of these criteria, though it is central to clinical practice. These Ds guide diagnostic decisions and focus assessment. For more details see .
What does DSM stand for?
Diagnostic System for Mental Evaluation
Daily Symptom Manual
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Diagnostic and Statistical Measure of Behavior
The DSM is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions. It is the global standard for classification of mental disorders. See for more information.
Which model attributes abnormal behavior to genetics and brain chemistry?
Cognitive
Behavioral
Biological
Psychodynamic
The biological model explains abnormal behavior in terms of genetics, neuroanatomy, and neurotransmitter function. It underlies the use of psychotropic medications. Other models emphasize unconscious conflicts or learned behaviors. Learn more at .
A persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest defines which disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder
Schizophrenia
Major depressive disorder
Bipolar I disorder
Major depressive disorder is characterized by a persistent depressed mood and anhedonia lasting at least two weeks. Other disorders involve mood swings or anxiety but not this specific pattern. Diagnostic criteria are outlined in DSM-5. More details at .
What term describes the number of new cases of a disorder in a population during a specified time?
Incidence
Prevalence
Epidemiology
Etiology
Incidence refers to the rate of new cases of a disorder appearing in a given time period. Prevalence includes all existing cases. Epidemiology studies distribution and determinants. For a review, visit .
Which professional holds a medical degree and can prescribe medication?
Social Worker
Counselor
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specialized in mental health and can prescribe psychotropic medications. Psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees in psychology but cannot prescribe in most jurisdictions. Social workers and counselors focus on therapy and support. More at .
Which of the following is an example of a situational phobia?
Arachnophobia
Social phobia
Claustrophobia
Acrophobia
Situational phobias involve fear of specific situations such as enclosed spaces, which defines claustrophobia. Arachnophobia and acrophobia involve natural environment stimuli. Social phobia involves social or performance contexts. See .
Which is the primary goal of the cognitive-behavioral model?
Balance bodily humors
Focus on childhood experiences
Uncover unconscious conflicts
Change thinking and behavior
Cognitive-behavioral therapy aims to identify and modify distorted thoughts and maladaptive behaviors. It contrasts with psychodynamic approaches that explore unconscious conflicts. This model is evidence-based for many disorders. Read more at .
What is the term for a false sensory perception?
Hallucination
Obsession
Delusion
Illusion
A hallucination is a sensory perception without an external stimulus, such as hearing voices. Delusions are false beliefs, not sensory experiences. Illusions are misinterpretations of real stimuli. For more, see .
In which disorder do individuals experience manic and depressive episodes?
Persistent depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Major depressive disorder
Cyclothymic disorder
Bipolar disorder is defined by alternating manic (or hypomanic) and depressive episodes. Cyclothymic disorder is milder and persistent. Major depressive disorder involves only depressive episodes. See DSM-5 criteria at .
What is the main focus when assessing reliability in diagnosis?
Cultural factors
Truthfulness of the patient
Symptom severity
Consistency across time and raters
Reliability refers to the consistency of diagnostic decisions across clinicians and over time. Good reliability ensures that patients receive accurate and stable diagnoses. Validity, by contrast, refers to accuracy in measuring what is intended. More at .
Which of the following best describes comorbidity?
Presence of two or more disorders
Severity level of a disorder
Remission status
Prognosis accuracy
Comorbidity occurs when an individual meets criteria for more than one disorder simultaneously. It can complicate treatment planning and prognosis. High comorbidity rates are common in mood and anxiety disorders. For details see .
Which term refers to the root causes of a disorder?
Prognosis
Etiology
Prevalence
Therapy
Etiology investigates the origins and contributing factors of a disorder, including biological and environmental influences. Prognosis predicts the likely course, while prevalence measures affected individuals. Understanding etiology guides prevention and treatment. See .
What scale is used for rating severity of depressive symptoms?
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
MMPI
Rorschach Inkblot Test
Yale-Brown OCD Scale
The Beck Depression Inventory is a validated self-report questionnaire assessing depressive symptom severity. The MMPI is a broad personality inventory, and the Rorschach is a projective test. The Yale-Brown scale assesses OCD symptoms. For more see .
Which approach emphasized the meaning of unconscious conflicts?
Humanistic
Biological
Psychodynamic
Behavioral
The psychodynamic approach, originating from Freud, focuses on unconscious processes and early experiences. Behavioral and humanistic models emphasize learned behaviors and self-actualization, respectively. The biological model examines physiological factors. Read more at .
What is one limitation of the DSM-5 categorical classification?
It doesn't account for symptom severity on a continuum
It is only used in research, not clinical practice
It is entirely subjective with no criteria
It has no cultural considerations
A common critique is that categorical diagnoses lack dimensional nuance, ignoring subthreshold and spectrum presentations. DSM-5 includes some dimensional measures but remains largely categorical. This can lead to arbitrary cutoffs. For discussion see .
Which neurotransmitter is most commonly linked to depressive disorders?
Dopamine
Serotonin
Glutamate
GABA
Serotonin dysregulation is a key factor in depressive disorders and the target of many antidepressants. Dopamine and other neurotransmitters also play roles but are less central in classic models. Understanding these pathways drives pharmacotherapy. More at .
In exposure therapy, what is the primary mechanism of change?
Habituation to feared stimuli
Transference to the therapist
Insight into unconscious conflicts
Prescription of anxiolytics
Exposure therapy reduces fear responses through repeated, controlled exposure leading to habituation and extinction. Insight and transference are psychodynamic concepts, and medications complement but are not the mechanism here. This approach is evidence-based for anxiety disorders. Read more at .
The term 'dysfunction' in abnormal psychology refers to what?
Impairment in daily functioning
Feeling unhappy occasionally
Risk of harming others
Violation of social norms
Dysfunction denotes significant interference with daily life, such as work or social activities. Feeling unhappy does not necessarily impair functioning. Violation of norms is deviance, and danger refers to risk. For definitions see .
Which disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various topics?
Social anxiety disorder
Specific phobia
Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder involves at least six months of chronic, excessive worry across multiple domains. Panic disorder centers on discrete panic attacks, and social anxiety focuses on social situations. Specific phobias involve a single object or situation. See DSM-5 info at .
Which psychotropic medication is typically used as a mood stabilizer?
Risperidone
Fluoxetine
Diazepam
Lithium
Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, effective in reducing mania and suicide risk. Fluoxetine is an SSRI antidepressant, diazepam is a benzodiazepine anxiolytic, and risperidone is an antipsychotic. For prescribing guidelines see .
What does a test's validity measure?
Speed of administration
Consistency of results
Accuracy in measuring what it intends
Number of items
Validity refers to how well a test measures the construct it claims to measure. Reliability, by contrast, assesses consistency. Validity types include construct, criterion, and content validity. Learn more at .
Which factor is part of the diathesis-stress model?
Only genetic factors
Guaranteed development of a disorder
Only environmental factors
Genetic vulnerability interacting with stress
The diathesis-stress model posits that predispositional vulnerabilities combine with environmental stress to trigger disorders. Neither factor alone is sufficient in most cases. This framework integrates biological and psychosocial influences. For an overview see .
Which therapy focuses on unconditional positive regard?
Cognitive
Behavioral
Psychodynamic
Humanistic
Humanistic therapies, like Carl Rogers' client-centered approach, emphasize unconditional positive regard to foster self-growth. Behavioral therapy focuses on behavior change, psychodynamic on unconscious conflicts, and cognitive on thought patterns. For details see .
Which is an ego defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses are transformed into their opposite?
Denial
Sublimation
Projection
Reaction formation
Reaction formation involves converting unwanted thoughts or feelings into their opposites. Denial refuses to accept reality, projection attributes one's feelings to others, and sublimation channels impulses into socially acceptable actions. See .
What is the primary symptom of a panic attack?
Chronic low mood
Compulsive behaviors
Rapid heart rate and fear of dying
Visual hallucinations
A panic attack features abrupt intense fear with physical symptoms like tachycardia and fear of impending doom or dying. Low mood is characteristic of depression, hallucinations of psychosis, and compulsions of OCD. More at .
Which psychological researcher is famous for developing classical conditioning?
Carl Rogers
Sigmund Freud
Ivan Pavlov
B.F. Skinner
Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning through experiments with dogs, linking neutral stimuli to reflexive responses. B.F. Skinner developed operant conditioning, Carl Rogers founded humanistic therapy, and Freud pioneered psychoanalysis. Learn more at .
Which of the following is assessed in a mental status exam?
Appearance and behavior
Diet history
Blood pressure
Education level
A mental status exam evaluates appearance, behavior, mood, thought processes, and cognition. Physical measures like blood pressure may be taken separately. Diet and education level are part of broader assessment but not MSE domains. For structure see .
What is a major criticism of using self-report inventories?
Social desirability bias
They always require clinical judgment
They are too objective
They cannot be standardized
Self-report measures can be influenced by respondents' desire to present themselves favorably, known as social desirability bias. While standardized and objective, responses may not reflect true experiences. Clinician-administered tools can complement them. See .
Which psychological model focuses on learned behaviors?
Biological model
Cognitive model
Humanistic model
Behavioral model
The behavioral model explains abnormal behavior as learned through reinforcement and punishment. Cognitive focuses on thought patterns, biological on physiology, and humanistic on self-actualization. Behavior therapy uses conditioning principles. Read more at .
According to DSM-5, how long must symptoms last to diagnose PTSD?
One week
Two weeks
More than one month
Six months
DSM-5 requires that PTSD symptoms persist for more than one month after trauma exposure. Symptoms under that duration may be acute stress disorder. Chronic PTSD may last longer but initial threshold is one month. For criteria see .
What is the term for a belief held contrary to reality despite evidence?
Hallucination
Delusion
Obsession
Compulsion
A delusion is a fixed, false belief not amenable to reason or evidence, a hallmark of psychotic disorders. Hallucinations are sensory perceptions without stimuli. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, and compulsions are repetitive behaviors. More at .
In the biopsychosocial model, which is a social factor?
Neurotransmitter levels
Temperament
Family support
Brain lesions
The biopsychosocial model integrates biological, psychological, and social factors. Family support is a social factor influencing mental health outcomes. Neurotransmitters and brain lesions are biological, temperament is psychological. Review at .
Which personality disorder is characterized by grandiosity and need for admiration?
Narcissistic personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder involves pervasive grandiosity, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Borderline features instability, antisocial features disregard for others, and histrionic features excessive emotionality and attention seeking. See DSM-5 criteria at .
What kappa coefficient value is generally considered to indicate good inter-rater reliability?
0.90
0.20
0.40
0.60
A kappa coefficient of 0.60 or higher is typically considered good agreement beyond chance among raters. Values below 0.40 are poor to fair, and above 0.75 may be excellent. This statistic is widely used in DSM field trials. For interpretation see .
What is the foremost goal of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
Emotion regulation
Dream analysis
Free association
Medication adherence
DBT was developed to help individuals regulate intense emotions and reduce self-harm behaviors. It integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness. Dream analysis and free association are psychodynamic methods. For a DBT overview see .
Which subtype of schizophrenia historically includes disorganized speech and behavior?
Undifferentiated type
Paranoid type
Catatonic type
Disorganized type
The disorganized subtype was characterized by incoherent speech, flat or inappropriate affect, and disorganized behavior. Paranoid type involves delusions of persecution, catatonic involves motor disturbances, and undifferentiated is mixed. Subtypes were removed in DSM-5 but documented historically. See .
What is the difference between incidence and lifetime prevalence?
Incidence is new cases over time; lifetime prevalence is anyone who has ever had the disorder
Prevalence measures causation; incidence measures recovery
Incidence counts total cases; prevalence counts only new cases
Both terms mean the same thing
Incidence refers to the number of new cases in a given period, while lifetime prevalence reflects the proportion of individuals who have ever experienced the disorder. These metrics guide public health planning. They are distinct but complementary. For definitions see .
In cognitive therapy, what are automatic thoughts?
Defense mechanisms
Spontaneous negative thoughts triggered by situations
Deliberate problem-solving steps
Physiological arousal patterns
Automatic thoughts are quick, involuntary evaluative thoughts that arise in response to situations, often negative in depressed individuals. They differ from deliberate coping strategies. Identifying them is central to cognitive therapy. More at .
A researcher is blind to the hypothesis; what type of control is this?
Open-label design
Case study design
Double-blind design
Single-blind design
In a single-blind design, participants or researchers are unaware of the study hypotheses or group assignments, reducing bias. Double-blind means both participants and researchers are blind. Open-label is fully aware. See .
Which scale is used specifically for obsessive-compulsive symptoms?
Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
The Y-BOCS is a gold-standard clinician-administered scale measuring the severity of obsessive and compulsive symptoms. PANSS assesses psychotic symptoms, BAI measures anxiety, and HDRS measures depression. For the Y-BOCS manual see .
What is the primary ethical principle in research involving human subjects?
Cost reduction
Fast data collection
Researcher convenience
Informed consent
Informed consent ensures participants understand risks, benefits, and their rights, aligning with respect for persons in the Belmont Report. Other principles include beneficence and justice. Ethical research cannot compromise consent. More at .
In social learning theory, observational learning primarily involves what?
Free association
Classical conditioning
Modeling behaviors seen in others
Medication effects
Observational learning in Bandura's social learning theory involves acquiring new behaviors by watching and imitating models. Classical conditioning pairs stimuli, free association is psychodynamic, and medication effects are pharmacological. Read more at .
Which disorder includes persistent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors?
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
OCD is defined by unwanted intrusive obsessions and repetitive compulsions aimed at reducing anxiety. PTSD involves re-experiencing trauma, GAD involves worry, and ADHD involves attention and hyperactivity symptoms. More at .
What defines a manic episode in Bipolar I disorder?
One month of transient euphoria
At least one week of elevated or irritable mood and increased energy
Six months of depressed symptoms
Two weeks of depressed mood
A manic episode requires at least one week of abnormally elevated or irritable mood and increased activity or energy, plus other symptoms. Depressed mood durations apply to major depressive episodes. This distinction is key in diagnosing Bipolar I. See DSM-5 criteria at .
Which component of a research theory ensures it can be tested and potentially disproven?
Reliability
Falsifiability
Validity
Generalizability
Falsifiability means a theory makes predictions that can be empirically tested and potentially refuted. Without this, a theory cannot be scientifically evaluated. Reliability and validity address measurement quality, while generalizability pertains to broader applicability. For more see .
In DSM-5, which major change was made from DSM-IV to reduce diagnostic overlap?
Elimination of all personality disorders
Removal of the multiaxial diagnostic system
Introduction of psychodynamic formulation
Addition of a fifth category for cognitive disorders
DSM-5 eliminated the multiaxial system (Axes I - V) to streamline diagnoses and reduce redundancy across axes. Other changes included revised criteria but not wholesale elimination of personality disorders. The update aimed to improve clinical utility. See .
The concept of 'expressed emotion' in family studies refers to what?
Critical, hostile, or emotionally overinvolved attitudes
Genetic predisposition to mood disorders
Objective measurement of family size
High levels of positive reinforcement
Expressed emotion measures critical, hostile, or overinvolved family attitudes toward a patient, linked to higher relapse rates. It does not measure reinforcement or genetic factors. High expressed emotion environments can affect course of schizophrenia and mood disorders. For research see .
Which neurotransmitter abnormality is most implicated in the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
High acetylcholine in the hippocampus
Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway
Reduced GABA in the frontal cortex
Low serotonin in the raphe nuclei
The dopamine hypothesis posits that excess dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway contributes to positive symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. GABA, serotonin, and acetylcholine have roles in other aspects but are not primary for positive symptoms. This underlies antipsychotic treatment. Read more at .
Which statistical method is used to control for third variables in correlational research?
Partial correlation
Independent samples t-test
ANOVA
Chi-square test
Partial correlation allows researchers to examine the relationship between two variables while statistically controlling for the influence of one or more additional variables. ANOVA and t-tests compare group means, and chi-square assesses categorical associations. For methodology see .
In research, the degree to which findings apply to real-world settings is called what?
Criterion validity
External validity
Internal validity
Construct validity
External validity refers to the generalizability of study results to naturalistic or diverse settings. Internal validity concerns the integrity of experimental design, while construct and criterion validity address measurement accuracy. Balancing internal and external validity is a core research challenge. See .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Foundational Concepts -

    Grasp the core definitions and criteria used in abnormal psychology exam 1, including what constitutes abnormal behavior and its dimensions.

  2. Identify Diagnostic Criteria -

    Recognize key DSM-5 diagnostic categories and criteria for common mental disorders covered in abnormal psych exam 1.

  3. Recall Historical Perspectives -

    Summarize major historical approaches and milestones in the development of abnormal psychology theories.

  4. Differentiate Theoretical Models -

    Contrast biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive models to explain abnormal behavior.

  5. Apply Case Analysis Skills -

    Use diagnostic criteria to evaluate brief case vignettes and determine likely disorder classifications.

  6. Evaluate Conceptual Foundations -

    Assess strengths and limitations of various abnormal psych frameworks to support more nuanced understanding.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Four Ds of Abnormality -

    Foundational for any abnormal psychology exam 1 review, the Four Ds - Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, and Danger - help you distinguish normal from abnormal behavior. Use the mnemonic "4 D's make a disorder" to recall that behavior must deviate from norms, cause personal distress, impair daily functioning, or pose danger. These criteria are drawn from DSM-5 guidelines at the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

  2. DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria -

    In abnormal psychology test 1, you'll need to know that the DSM-5 uses specific symptom counts, duration thresholds, and severity ratings for each disorder (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder requires five of nine symptoms for at least two weeks). Reliability and validity are key: reliable diagnoses reproduce consistent results across clinicians, while validity ensures you're measuring what you intend. Check the APA's official manual or university psychology department resources for sample criteria tables.

  3. Historical Perspectives -

    Understanding exam 1 abnormal psychology questions often means tracing concepts from supernatural (demonology) to early biological explanations (Hippocrates' four humors) and finally psychoanalytic theory (Freud's id, ego, superego). For a quick study hack, use a timeline chart mapping key figures and dates - e.g., 400 BC Hippocrates, 18th c. Pinel, 1900s Freud. This contextualizes how definitions of "abnormal" have evolved.

  4. Major Theoretical Models -

    Abnormal psychology exam 1 will test your grasp of psychodynamic (Freud), behavioral (Pavlov's classical conditioning, Skinner's operant conditioning), cognitive (Beck's distortions), and humanistic (Rogers) frameworks. Remember "PBCH" (Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanistic) as an acronym to nail theory comparison questions. University lecture slides and peer-reviewed articles often include helpful model diagrams.

  5. Diathesis-Stress & Biopsychosocial Model -

    A cornerstone of abnormal psychology test 1, the diathesis-stress model explains disorders as the result of genetic vulnerability plus environmental stressors (e.g., 5-HTTLPR gene + life adversity → depression). Expand this into the broader biopsychosocial approach by adding biological, psychological, and social factors - often illustrated in a Venn diagram you can sketch in seconds. Harvard Medical School and NIH summaries provide case studies for practice.

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