Psych 220: Abnormal Psychology

Spring 2006

 

Essays for Exam 2

 

There will be a total of 8 essay questions for this exam.

 

Remember, four of these questions will be chosen for the exam.  You will have one hour and 15 minutes to complete all four essays.  You may use any materials you bring with you (your textbook, DSM, notes, etc.); no phone calls or text messages! 

 

When writing your answers, I am not your audience.  Imagine that you are writing for someone, like a friend, who is not familiar with any of this information. 

 

You may write out answers to some or all questions in advance.   If so, write (or, preferably, type) each one on a separate sheet (or separate sheets) of paper. 

 

Chapter 5 

 

1.      Jason, a new client of yours, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.  You haven’t met him yet, but his file reports the following symptoms: loosening of associations, clang associations, delusions of grandeur, tactile hallucinations, avolition, and flat affect.  In your first meeting, Jason exhibits each of these symptoms and only these symptoms.  Describe that meeting.  In your description, clearly identify each of the symptoms you are illustrating.

 

2.      Jason, your new client with schizophrenia, is married.  His wife, Alisha, comes to you about their two children, ages 8 and 12.  The children seem to be fine, but she’s concerned about their risk for developing schizophrenia.  What additional information would you like from her?  Then give it to her straight: What are the genetic risks?  What are the physiological contributions?  What is the current knowledge about environmental contributions?
[This sentence was added 4/19 to clear up some confusion.]


 

Chapter 6

  1. You’re a researcher at the local university.  You’re in the process of putting together a prospective study on the etiology of schizophrenia.  You’re thinking of including Jason’s and Alisha’s children in your study.  Being aware of ethical issues in the study of psychopathology, briefly describe what would you need to do before signing them up.  For your prospective study, you’re still undecided whether to follow the genetic high-risk paradigm or the behavioral high-risk paradigm.  What are the pros and cons of each?  Which would you choose and why?  In your answer be, sure to include discussion on specificity and sensitivity.

  1. You’ve decided to do some testing with Jason, your client with schizophrenia; his brother Alex, who is not diagnosed with schizophrenia, has also volunteered to take these tests.  You administer the Continuous Performance Test, span-of-apprehension test, backward-masking test, and the smooth-pursuit eye movement test.  What results can we expect from Jason?  From Alex?

Chapter 7

  1. You have another new client, Martha. Martha is struggling with depression. This is not her first major depressive episode, but this particular episode was precipitated by her husband leaving her for a younger woman. Discuss what some of Martha’s cognitive activity may be; what might she be thinking? In your answer address Beck’s cognitive triad and schemas, learned helplessness, and hopelessness.
     
  2. Create a treatment plan for Martha. In your answer, briefly discuss the pros and cons of the various antidepressant medications. Which medication, if any, would you recommend and why? With the psychological interventions, briefly describe the behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic approaches. Which of these, if any, would you recommend and why?
     

Chapter 8

  1. Kelly has been diagnosed with “Agoraphobia with Uncued Panic Attacks.” Briefly describe what Kelly is experiencing. She asks you, her therapist, why she developed this. In your answer to Kelly, focus on the genetic and psychological factors. Describe the cognitive-behavioral treatments that might work for her.
     
  2.  Joe has been diagnosed with OCD, and he is ego dystonic. His symptoms are primarily of the checking variety, but there is some counting as well. Briefly describe what Joe is experiencing. Deanna has been diagnosed with a specific phobia of heights. Briefly describe what she is experiencing. As a therapist, you only have time to learn one therapeutic technique. What technique would it be best to learn in order to treat both Joe and Deanna? Describe how you would use this technique with each of these clients.