Psych 220: Abnormal Psychology

Spring 2006

 

NOTE: In grading exam 2, I've noticed that plagiarism is running rampant.  I will allow it for exam 2 but not exam 3 or 4.  If you copy directly from the textbook or rewrite the textbook I will have to assume that you don't understand the material and grade your essay accordingly.  This will also apply to the final. 

 

Essays for Exam 3

 

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 9 

 

1.     Your friends are arguing about a movie they recently saw.  Joe says the person in the film was a hypochondriac.  Alice says the person had somatization disorder.  Candy says, nope, it was factitious disorder.  Fred disagrees; he thinks it was factitious disorder by proxy.  No, it was pain disorder, according to Bob.  Ruth thinks they’re all wrong, and says that it was malingering.  First, briefly define each disorder. By asking your friends questions, help them sort out which disorder was portrayed.  Be certain to explain how each question would help narrow down the field of possibilities.  Your goal is to show that you understand the differences among these disorders and to show that you're able to sort out these differences through questioning. 
  

2.     Cam, recently separated from his spouse and recently laid off from work, lives in Sydney, Australia. Given this information, what guesses would you make about his physical health?   What information about Cam’s psychological functioning would you like to have?  How would that information affect your guesses about his physical health?  (Yes, Australia is relevant.)

Chapter 10

  1. Your friend, Pat, has been complaining quite a bit about daytime sleepiness. Your friends from question one are arguing again. "It’s primary insomnia." "No, it’s primary hypersomnia." "No way, it’s really narcolepsy." "You don’t know what you’re talking about; it’s sleep apnea." Okay, help them sort it out. First, briefly define each disorder. Then ask your friends questions. Be certain to explain how each question would help narrow down the field of possibilities. [It's important to pose the questions.  Essentially you're conducting an imaginary diagnostic interview.  This is a bit of preparation for the biography portrayals.]
  1. What are the similarities and differences between anorexia and bulimia in terms of symptoms and etiology? [It's a simple question, but your answer should be lengthy. =)]

Chapter 11

  1. This time your friends are discussing the sex life of Alexa and Henry. They can’t decide if Alexa has hypoactive sexual desire disorder, sexual aversion disorder, sexual arousal disorder, or orgasmic disorder. Or if Henry has hypoactive sexual desire disorder, male erectile disorder, or orgasmic disorder. Alexa and Henry have heard you talk about all this stuff, so they wonder what you think. Help them sort it out. First, briefly define each disorder. Then what questions would you ask Alexa and Henry to help you sort out which disorder, even any, is presenting. Be certain to explain how each question would help narrow down the field of possibilities.
     
  2. What do we know about pedophilia? Specifically, what does it take to be diagnosed with pedophilia, what theories explain its etiology, and what treatments are available? Include in your discussion the role politics has played in the research and diagnosis of pedophilia.

Chapter 12

  1. Which personality disorders have the greatest construct validity? Which personality disorders have the least construct validity?  Support your answers.
     
  2. Describe the major similarities and differences between antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy.  Provide a brief description of someone who would fit the diagnostic criteria for APD and a brief description of someone who would fit the diagnostic criteria for psychopathy to illustrate the similarities and differences.