Class 12 Psychology: Psychological Disorders - Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - 1 Mark Each
Choose the most appropriate answer from the given options.
Which criterion for abnormality defines behavior as abnormal if it deviates significantly from the average behavior of the population?
a) Deviance from social norms
b) Statistical Infrequency
c) Personal Distress
d) Maladaptiveness
Answer: b) Statistical Infrequency
A common criticism of the 'deviance from social norms' criterion for abnormality is that:
a) It is too objective.
b) Social norms change over time and vary across cultures.
c) It only considers biological factors.
d) It is difficult to measure.
Answer: b) Social norms change over time and vary across cultures.
The criterion of abnormality that refers to behavior interfering with an individual's ability to function effectively in daily life is:
a) Personal Distress
b) Statistical Infrequency
c) Deviance from social norms
d) Maladaptiveness
Answer: d) Maladaptiveness
Which model of abnormal behavior emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences?
a) Biological Model
b) Psychodynamic Model
c) Cognitive Model
d) Humanistic Model
Answer: b) Psychodynamic Model
According to the diathesis-stress model, psychological disorders result from:
a) Only biological predispositions
b) Only environmental stressors
c) An interaction between predisposition and environmental stress
d) Only cognitive distortions
Answer: c) An interaction between predisposition and environmental stress
An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance is characteristic of a/an:
a) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
b) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
c) Phobia
d) Panic Disorder
Answer: c) Phobia
Recurrent, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that cause anxiety are known as:
a) Compulsions
b) Delusions
c) Obsessions
d) Hallucinations
Answer: c) Obsessions
A disorder characterized by widespread, persistent, and excessive anxiety and worry, not tied to any specific object or situation, is:
a) Social Anxiety Disorder
b) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
c) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
d) Agoraphobia
Answer: b) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Which of the following is a core symptom of Major Depressive Disorder?
a) Elevated mood
b) Grandiose delusions
c) Persistent sadness or loss of interest/pleasure (anhedonia)
d) Racing thoughts
Answer: c) Persistent sadness or loss of interest/pleasure (anhedonia)
A disorder characterized by physical symptoms (like pain, fatigue, or neurological symptoms) that have no apparent physical cause and are believed to be psychological in origin is a:
a) Mood Disorder
b) Anxiety Disorder
c) Somatoform Disorder
d) Dissociative Disorder
Answer: c) Somatoform Disorder
Bipolar I Disorder is primarily characterized by alternating episodes of:
a) Major depression and anxiety
b) Major depression and mania
c) Mania and psychosis
d) Anxiety and phobias
Answer: b) Major depression and mania
Hypochondriasis (now Illness Anxiety Disorder) is a type of somatoform disorder where individuals:
a) Experience actual physical symptoms without a medical explanation
b) Deliberately fake physical symptoms for external gain
c) Have an excessive preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness
d) Convert psychological stress into neurological symptoms
Answer: c) Have an excessive preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness
The cognitive model of abnormality suggests that abnormal behavior is caused by:
a) Unconscious conflicts
b) Genetic predispositions
c) Maladaptive thought patterns and irrational beliefs
d) Environmental conditioning
Answer: c) Maladaptive thought patterns and irrational beliefs
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by severe physical symptoms such as:
a) Extreme hunger and thirst
b) Chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness
c) Numbness in limbs and loss of speech
d) Uncontrollable laughter
Answer: b) Chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness
Conversion Disorder is a somatoform disorder in which:
a) Individuals fake symptoms to avoid responsibility.
b) Psychological conflict is converted into sensory or motor symptoms without a neurological basis.
c) There is a chronic preoccupation with body image.
d) There are multiple, vague physical complaints.
Answer: b) Psychological conflict is converted into sensory or motor symptoms without a neurological basis.
Short Answer Questions - 2 Marks Each
Answer the following questions briefly.
What is the 'statistical infrequency' criterion for abnormality?
Answer: The statistical infrequency criterion defines behavior as abnormal if it is statistically rare or deviates significantly from the average or common behavior in a given population.
Explain the 'maladaptiveness' criterion for abnormal behavior.
Answer: The maladaptiveness criterion considers behavior abnormal if it significantly impairs an individual's ability to function effectively in daily life, causing distress to themselves or others, and preventing them from achieving their goals or engaging in socially adaptive behaviors.
Name two causal factors associated with abnormal behavior according to the Biological Model.
Answer: Two causal factors according to the Biological Model are: genetic predispositions, neurotransmitter imbalances (e.g., serotonin, dopamine), brain structural abnormalities, and viral infections affecting the brain. (Any two are acceptable).
Briefly describe the 'diathesis-stress model' of abnormality.
Answer: The diathesis-stress model proposes that psychological disorders develop from an interaction between a pre-existing vulnerability (diathesis), which can be genetic or psychological, and environmental or life stressors. Both factors are necessary for the disorder to emerge.
What are 'obsessions' and 'compulsions' in the context of OCD?
Answer: Obsessions are recurrent, persistent, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing a dreaded event.
Give two common symptoms of a Panic Attack.
Answer: Two common symptoms of a Panic Attack are: sudden intense fear, racing heart/palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, trembling, and feelings of unreality. (Any two are acceptable).
Differentiate between 'Mania' and 'Hypomania'.
Answer: Mania is a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least one week, and often severe enough to cause marked impairment. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania, lasting at least four consecutive days, with similar symptoms but not causing marked impairment or requiring hospitalization.
What is the core feature of a 'Somatoform Disorder'?
Answer: The core feature of a Somatoform Disorder is the presence of physical symptoms that suggest a general medical condition, but for which no underlying physiological or medical explanation can be found, and psychological factors are believed to play a significant role.
Name two key cognitive factors that can contribute to anxiety disorders.
Answer: Two key cognitive factors are: catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations, overestimation of threat, negative automatic thoughts, and selective attention to danger cues.
Briefly explain the 'psychological distress' criterion for abnormality.
Answer: The psychological distress criterion defines behavior as abnormal if it causes significant subjective suffering, discomfort, or anguish to the individual. This refers to inner emotional pain that the person experiences.
Long Answer Questions - 5 Marks Each
Answer the following questions in detail.
1-Define abnormality and discuss the major criteria used to determine abnormal behavior. Elaborate on the strengths and limitations of each criterion, providing examples where necessary.
Answer:
Abnormality in psychology refers to patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that are deviant, distressing, dysfunctional, or dangerous, and that are often associated with psychological disorders. There is no single, universally accepted definition, but rather multiple criteria used to understand and identify abnormal behavior.
Major Criteria of Abnormality:
Statistical Infrequency:
Definition: Behavior is considered abnormal if it is statistically rare or deviates significantly from the average behavior in a given population. Behaviors that are uncommon are often labeled as abnormal.
Strength: Objective and quantifiable. It uses data to identify behaviors that are outside the statistical norm. For example, extreme intellectual disability or exceptionally high intelligence are statistically infrequent.
Limitations:
Doesn't distinguish desirable from undesirable: Highly intelligent behavior is statistically infrequent but not abnormal in a negative sense.
Arbitrary Cut-off: Deciding what constitutes "significant" deviation can be arbitrary (e.g., how many standard deviations from the mean?).
Cultural Relativism: What is statistically infrequent in one culture might be common in another.
Deviance from Social Norms:
Definition: Behavior is considered abnormal if it violates the unstated or stated rules of society (social norms) about what is acceptable or appropriate conduct. These norms vary across cultures, subcultures, and historical periods.
Strength: Recognizes the cultural and societal context of behavior. It highlights that what is considered "normal" is often culturally defined.
Limitations:
Cultural Relativism: Norms are culturally specific. For example, public displays of grief considered normal in some cultures might be seen as excessive in others.
Changes Over Time: Social norms evolve. Homosexuality was once considered a mental disorder but is no longer.
Danger of Conformity: Labelling non-conformists as abnormal can suppress individuality, creativity, or social protest (e.g., political dissidents in oppressive regimes).
Abuse Potential: Can be used to control or oppress minority groups.
Personal Distress:
Definition: Behavior is considered abnormal if it causes significant subjective emotional suffering, discomfort, or anguish to the individual experiencing it.
Strength: Recognizes the individual's subjective experience and acknowledges the internal suffering associated with many disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression). It is highly relevant for seeking help.
Limitations:
Distress not always present: Some abnormal behaviors (e.g., antisocial personality disorder, mania) may not cause distress to the individual but cause distress to others.
Situational Distress: Distress can be a normal reaction to difficult life circumstances (e.g., grief after loss) and not necessarily indicative of a disorder.
Degree of Distress: How much distress is "significant"? It's subjective.
Maladaptiveness (or Dysfunction):
Definition: Behavior is considered abnormal if it interferes with an individual's ability to function effectively in daily life, meet social or occupational demands, or pursue personal goals. It impairs one's ability to live a fulfilling life.
Strength: Focuses on the practical consequences of behavior, making it highly useful for diagnosis and intervention. Most psychological disorders significantly impair daily functioning.
Limitations:
Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Context: A behavior might be maladaptive in one context but adaptive in another (e.g., extreme vigilance might be maladaptive in daily life but adaptive in a war zone).
Not all dysfunction is abnormal: Temporary dysfunction (e.g., due to acute illness) is not necessarily a mental disorder.
Subjectivity of "Functioning": What constitutes "effective functioning" can be subjective and culturally influenced.
In conclusion, no single criterion is sufficient to define abnormality. Most mental health professionals use a combination of these criteria, often considering the context, intensity, duration, and impact of the behavior on the individual's life and the lives of others. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) largely relies on distress and dysfunction as primary indicators, alongside symptom clusters.
2- Discuss the various causal factors associated with abnormal behavior, drawing from different psychological models. Explain how these factors interact to contribute to the development of psychological disorders.
Answer:
Abnormal behavior is rarely caused by a single factor but rather results from a complex interplay of multiple causal influences. Various psychological models offer different perspectives on these contributing factors:
1. Biological Factors:
Description: This model emphasizes the role of physiological and biochemical factors.
Specific Factors:
Genetic Predisposition: Many disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, some anxiety disorders) have a hereditary component, suggesting that individuals can inherit a vulnerability to develop a disorder.
Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Abnormal levels or functioning of neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA) are implicated in various disorders. For example, low serotonin is linked to depression, while dopamine dysregulation is associated with schizophrenia.
Brain Structure/Function: Abnormalities in specific brain regions (e.g., amygdala in anxiety, prefrontal cortex in depression) or neural circuits.
Infections/Toxins: Certain infections (e.g., prenatal viral infections) or exposure to toxins can impact brain development and function, increasing vulnerability.
Example: A person might inherit a genetic predisposition for depression (diathesis), making their brain more sensitive to stress.
2. Psychological Factors:
Description: This model focuses on internal psychological processes, experiences, and cognitive patterns.
Specific Factors:
Psychodynamic Factors (Freudian): Unconscious conflicts arising from unresolved issues in early childhood development (e.g., fixation at psychosexual stages), repressed traumas, and the use of maladaptive defense mechanisms can lead to anxiety, depression, or personality disorders.
Behavioral Factors (Learning): Abnormal behaviors can be learned through classical conditioning (e.g., phobias acquired through association), operant conditioning (e.g., maladaptive behaviors reinforced), or observational learning (e.g., imitating dysfunctional behaviors).
Cognitive Factors: Maladaptive thought patterns, irrational beliefs, negative self-schemas, catastrophic thinking, and cognitive distortions (e.g., overgeneralization, selective abstraction) can lead to anxiety, depression, and other disorders. For example, "I always fail" leads to hopelessness.
Humanistic/Existential Factors: Lack of self-actualization, incongruence between real and ideal self, feeling disconnected from one's authentic self, or an inability to find meaning in life can contribute to distress and disorders.
Example: A child who is consistently criticized might develop negative self-schemas (cognitive factor) or learn to avoid social situations (behavioral factor).
3. Sociocultural Factors:
Description: This model emphasizes the influence of social and cultural contexts on mental health.
Specific Factors:
Family Structure/Dynamics: Dysfunctional family communication patterns, abuse, neglect, poor parental bonding, or severe family conflict can be significant stressors.
Social Support: Lack of adequate social support networks can exacerbate stress and reduce coping resources.
Poverty/Socioeconomic Status: Low SES is consistently correlated with higher rates of mental disorders due to chronic stress, limited resources, and poorer access to healthcare.
Discrimination/Prejudice: Experiencing discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, or other factors can be a significant stressor.
Cultural Norms: Societal expectations, cultural values, and definitions of abnormality can influence the expression and perception of disorders.
Traumatic Life Events: Experiences like war, natural disasters, terrorism, or severe personal loss can trigger disorders.
Example: A person living in chronic poverty might experience persistent stress (sociocultural factor) that triggers a depressive episode.
Interaction of Factors (Biopsychosocial Model / Diathesis-Stress Model):
The most comprehensive understanding of abnormal behavior comes from models that integrate these factors. The Diathesis-Stress Model is a prime example:
It proposes that individuals have a diathesis (a predisposition or vulnerability, which can be genetic, biological, or psychological, such as a temperament or maladaptive thinking style).
This diathesis interacts with stressors (environmental, psychological, or social factors like trauma, abuse, chronic stress, or significant life changes).
A disorder develops only when a pre-existing diathesis is triggered by sufficient stress. For example, someone might have a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia (biological diathesis), but the disorder only manifests after significant environmental stressors, like prolonged psychological stress during adolescence (sociocultural stressor) or drug abuse (behavioral stressor). Similarly, cognitive vulnerabilities (e.g., negative attributional styles) might interact with life disappointments to trigger depression.
This interactionist perspective highlights that abnormal behavior is rarely due to one single cause but emerges from a complex interplay across biological, psychological, and social levels of analysis.
3- Describe the key characteristics, symptoms, and subtypes of any three major psychological disorders from the following categories: Anxiety Disorders, Somatoform Disorders, and Mood Disorders. (Choose one disorder from each category).
Answer:
Let's choose one disorder from each category: Phobia (Anxiety Disorder), Illness Anxiety Disorder (Somatoform Disorder), and Major Depressive Disorder (Mood Disorder).
1. Phobia (Type of Anxiety Disorder):
Key Characteristics: An intense, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object or situation that is out of proportion to the actual danger posed. The fear is so severe that it leads to marked avoidance of the feared stimulus, significantly interfering with the individual's normal routine, occupational functioning, or social activities.
Symptoms:
Fear: Immediate, intense anxiety or panic response when exposed to the feared object or situation.
Avoidance: Deliberate efforts to avoid the feared stimulus, which reinforces the phobia.
Physiological Symptoms: Physical manifestations of anxiety such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain.
Cognitive Symptoms: Thoughts of danger, losing control, or embarrassment.
Distress/Impairment: Significant personal distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Subtypes (Examples of Specific Phobias):
Animal Type: Fear of specific animals (e.g., dogs, snakes, spiders).
Natural Environment Type: Fear of natural phenomena (e.g., heights, storms, water).
Blood-Injection-Injury Type: Fear of seeing blood, receiving an injection, or experiencing an injury (often involves a unique vasovagal response of fainting).
Situational Type: Fear of specific situations (e.g., enclosed spaces like elevators - claustrophobia; flying - aerophobia).
Other Type: Fear of choking, vomiting, loud sounds, etc.
2. Illness Anxiety Disorder (Formerly Hypochondriasis - Type of Somatoform Disorder):
Key Characteristics: A preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious, undiagnosed medical illness. The individual has minimal or no somatic symptoms, but their anxiety about health is excessive and disproportionate. There is high health anxiety, and health-related behaviors (e.g., checking body, seeking reassurance) are performed excessively, or maladaptive avoidance of medical care.
Symptoms:
Preoccupation with Illness: Persistent preoccupation with the idea of having a serious illness, even if physical symptoms are mild or absent.
High Anxiety: Easily alarmed about one's health status.
Excessive Health-Related Behaviors: Repeatedly checking the body for signs of illness, seeking reassurance from doctors (though often not reassured), researching illnesses excessively.
Avoidance of Medical Care: In some cases, individuals may avoid doctors and hospitals due to fear of receiving a negative diagnosis.
Distress/Impairment: The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Duration: The preoccupation must have been present for at least 6 months.
Distinguishing Feature: Unlike Somatic Symptom Disorder, the emphasis is on the anxiety and preoccupation with illness itself, rather than the severity of physical symptoms.
3. Major Depressive Disorder (Type of Mood Disorder):
Key Characteristics: A period of at least two weeks characterized by a persistently depressed mood or a marked loss of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities (anhedonia). These symptoms must represent a significant change from previous functioning and cause clinically significant distress or impairment.
Symptoms (at least 5 required, present for most of the day, nearly every day):
Depressed Mood: Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or irritable (in children/adolescents).
Anhedonia: Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities.
Significant Weight Change/Appetite Change: Unintentional weight loss or gain, or decrease/increase in appetite.
Insomnia or Hypersomnia: Difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively.
Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation: Observable restlessness (agitation) or slowed movements/speech (retardation).
Fatigue or Loss of Energy: Feeling tired or lacking energy even after rest.
Feelings of Worthlessness or Excessive/Inappropriate Guilt: Self-blame, feelings of inadequacy.
Diminished Ability to Think or Concentrate: Reduced ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions.
Recurrent Thoughts of Death or Suicidal Ideation: Thoughts of dying, suicidal thoughts without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt/plan.
Important Notes: The symptoms are not attributable to substance use or another medical condition. The episode is not better explained by a psychotic disorder. There has never been a manic or hypomanic episode.
