Free Abnormal Psychology MCQs with Answers
454 Abnormal Psychology MCQs from Psychology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Last updated
454 questions · page 6 of 23
- A. culturally absolute
- B. learned
- C. maladaptive
- D. dependent on age
Explanation: Abnormal behavior is generally identified partly by its maladaptive effect, meaning it interferes with effective functioning or…
Correct answer: maladaptive- A. phobic disorder
- B. paranoia
- C. delusional disorder
- D. obsessive-compulsive disorder
Explanation: Persistent unwanted thoughts about contamination are obsessions, while repeated cleaning is a compulsion performed to reduce anxiety.
Correct answer: obsessive-compulsive disorder- A. dissociative reaction
- B. mood disorder
- C. somatoform disorder
- D. anxiety disorder
Explanation: Exaggerated or prolonged sadness, despondency, and a persistently negative self-view point to a mood disorder, especially a depressive…
Correct answer: mood disorder- A. obsessions: compulsions
- B. compulsions; obsessions
- C. compulsions; defense mechanisms
- D. defense mechanisms; obsessions
Explanation: Compulsions are repetitive acts a person feels driven to perform, such as excessive washing, and they are used to reduce anxiety produced…
Correct answer: compulsions; obsessions- A. dissociative
- B. anxiety
- C. psychotic
- D. schizophrenic
Explanation: Dissociative disorders involve disruptions in memory, identity, or consciousness, including temporary amnesia and the older description of…
Correct answer: dissociative- A. rapid and unpredictable changes in emotion
- B. delusions of persecution and somatic complaints
- C. blunted or in appropriate emotions and withdrawal
- D. high levels of anxiety coupled with a lack of conscience
Explanation: Schizophrenia commonly includes psychotic symptoms along with social withdrawal, reduced emotional expression, and sometimes inappropriate…
Correct answer: blunted or in appropriate emotions and withdrawal- A. histrionic
- B. obsessive-compulsive
- C. schizoid
- D. avoidant
Explanation: Obsessive-compulsive personality is marked by excessive concern with order, perfectionism, control, and rigid routines.
Correct answer: obsessive-compulsive- A. a conversion reaction
- B. hypochondriasis
- C. a traumatic disorder
- D. an obsession
Explanation: Hypochondriasis, now more commonly discussed as illness anxiety disorder or somatic symptom-related illness anxiety, involves persistent…
Correct answer: hypochondriasis- A. illusions
- B. hallucinations
- C. delusions
- D. affect episodes
Explanation: A hallucination is a sensory perception occurring without an external stimulus, such as hearing a voice when no one is speaking.
Correct answer: hallucinations- A. dependent
- B. antisocial
- C. narcissistic
- D. paranoid
Explanation: Paranoid personality is characterized by pervasive distrust, suspicion, hypersensitivity, and guardedness toward others.
Correct answer: paranoid- A. psychotic
- B. manic
- C. anxiety
- D. mood
Explanation: Obsessive-compulsive symptoms, panic attacks, and phobias traditionally fall under anxiety disorders because excessive fear or anxiety is…
Correct answer: anxiety- A. mood disorder
- B. schizophrenia
- C. organic brain pathologies
- D. somatoform disorder
Explanation: Somatoform disorders involve physical symptoms or illness concerns that cannot be adequately explained by an identifiable medical…
Correct answer: somatoform disorder- A. hallucination
- B. delusion
- C. auditory regression
- D. depressive psychosis
Explanation: Hearing voices without an actual sound source is an auditory hallucination, a type of hallucination involving perception in the absence of…
Correct answer: hallucination- A. refers to very severe psychotic behavior episodes
- B. is a legal, not a psychological, term
- C. has no formal psychological meaning
- D. refers to a serve, but transistent, depression
Explanation: “Nervous breakdown” is a popular expression rather than a recognized formal psychological diagnosis, so its meaning varies with context.
Correct answer: has no formal psychological meaning- A. physical flight to escape conflict
- B. severe depression
- C. hallucinations
- D. obsessive behavior
Explanation: Dissociative fugue traditionally involves unexpected travel or wandering away from home, often accompanied by amnesia for one’s identity…
Correct answer: physical flight to escape conflict- A. social
- B. family
- C. psychological
- D. biologicalTry Prep Courses
Explanation: Homelessness is a social and environmental stressor that can increase vulnerability to mental disorders, including psychosis.
Correct answer: social- A. dissociative amnesia
- B. dissociative fugue
- C. dissociative identity disorder
- D. multiple personality disorder
Explanation: Dissociative amnesia involves an inability to recall important personal information, such as one’s identity.
Correct answer: dissociative amnesia- A. a conversion reaction
- B. somatization disorder
- C. a traumatic disorder
- D. an obsessionDiscover Lesson Plans
Explanation: Somatization disorder involves repeated physical complaints across time, often without adequate medical explanation.
Correct answer: somatization disorder- A. insanity
- B. psychopathology
- C. self - destructiveness
- D. social nonconformity
Explanation: Psychopathology refers to patterns of thought or behavior that impair personal functioning or conflict with the well-being of society.
Correct answer: psychopathology- A. paraphilia
- B. sexual dysfunction
- C. gender identity disorder
- D. androgyny
Explanation: In the older diagnostic terminology used by this question, a persistent mismatch between experienced gender identity and assigned physical…
Correct answer: gender identity disorder