Psych 220: Abnormal Psychology

Spring 2006

Final Exam

Sue Frantz

You have until 6:50pm, Monday, June 5th to e-mail (sfrantz@highline.edu) your essays.

You may replace your lowest exam score or all 4 exam scores.

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. 

Essays from Exam 1

1. Joe has depression.  Discuss how he may have been treated in prehistoric times through the major time periods as discussed in your text, ending with the present.  In your essay, imagine that Joe was treated by the major figures of those time periods (Hippocrates, Mesmer, Rush, Dix, etc.).

3.  Choose a diagnosis from the DSM (you may use any diagnosis except OCD). Use the info from that diagnosis to illustrate your understanding of differential diagnoses, comorbid diagnoses, base rate, incidence, prevalence (including lifetime prevalence), age of onset, and course. Be sure to explain all of these concepts even if the diagnosis you choose does not address them all.  [NOTE: To answer this question, you will need to visit the library and view the large version of the DSM.]

Essays from Exam 2

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.

6. 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?

Essays from Exam 3

3.  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.]

8. 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.

Essays from Exam 4

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

 

8.  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.