Psych 220: Abnormal Psychology

Spring 2006

 

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 4

 

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 13

  1. Kamila has been diagnosed with ADHD – predominantly inattentive type.  Describe her behavior.  Discuss possible etiologies. 
     

  2. Summarize the major findings regarding the brain functioning of people with autism.  How effective are the drugs that have been used to treat autism?  What are the problems encountered when trying to use behavioral treatment? 
     

Chapter 14

  1. Distinguish between substance abuse and substance dependence; using alcohol, give an example of each.  Why is the term ‘addict’ no longer used in the DSM? 
     

  2. Summarize the theories of drug abuse.  Create a drug abuse prevention program that takes each of these theories into account.

 

Chapter 15

  1. Explain the controversy surrounding DID.  What are the two main explanations for the etiology of DID?  Do you think DID should be in the main section of the DSM, in the appendix, or not in the DSM at all?  Why?
     

  2. Imagine that you have Alzheimer’s.  Describe your experience as the disease progresses.  Describe the treatment options available. 


Chapter 16

  1. Using the new 2002 APA Ethical Principles (do not use the ones in your textbook; those are the old ones.  See the lecture outline for this chapter for a link to the new ones), create a fictional psychologist who has managed to violate all 5 general principles.  Be clear which behaviors violate which principles.
     

  2. First, distinguish between “psychological disorder,” “insanity,” and “guilty but mentally ill.”  What is meant by “competency to stand trial?”  What is the key difference between the M'Naughten Rule and the American Law Institute Guidelines?  Next, imagine that Vinh attacked and wounded someone with a knife while in the midst of a schizophrenic psychotic episode. Explain how each concept might apply.