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Chapter 03
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
b. obsessive-compulsive disorder
1. The systematic evaluation and measurement of c. a personality disorder
psychological, biological, and social factors in a d. schizophrenia
person with a possible mental disorder is known
as clinical .
a. assessment
6. A measurement which is consistent is considered to
b. interpretation be
c. validation a. valid
d. standardization b. reliable
c. standardized
d. accurate
2. The process of determining whether an
individual's symptoms meet the criteria for a
specific psychological disorder is called _. 7. If the short version of a test yields the same
results as a longer version, then you could
a. prognosis
conclude that the brief version hadvalidity.
b. diagnosis a. concurrent
c. classification b. divergent
d. analysis c. predictive
d. excessive
3. The process of clinical assessment in
psychopathology has been equated to using a____________________
determine the source 8. Clifton had been experiencing a number of
of the problem. psychological issues, so he decided to go to a
a. funnel psychiatrist to see what was wrong. Dr. A told
him he had major depressive disorder. He
b. hose decided to seek a second opinion. Dr. B
c. bucket diagnosed him with generalized anxiety
d. plow disorder. Wanting yet another opinion, he went
to Dr. C who told him he was obsessive-
compulsive. This demonstrates poor .
4. In order to be useful, assessment techniques should
a. test-retest reliability
be based on
a. beliefs b. concurrent validity
b. attitudes c. descriptive validity
c. evidence d. inter-rater reliability
d. assumptions
9. The process of clinical assessment results in
narrowing the focus to
5. In the first interview with Frank, a patient
a. concentrate on problem areas that seem most
described in the textbook, he stated that he had
relevant.
been having intrusive thoughts that he tried to
prevent by performing certain movements. Based b. consider a broad range of problems.
on this information, you might predict that Frank c. cover all possible problems.
would be diagnosed with d. concentrate on all problem areas equally.
.
a. major depressive disorder
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Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
d. Inaccuracy
10. In order to develop useful standards for a test, it is 14. In terms of psychological assessment, which of the
important to use a normative group that consists of following describes the concept of validity?
a a. Two or more "raters" get the same answers.
a. small group of people who are very similar to b. An assessment technique is consistent across
each other. different measures.
b. large group of people who all share a key c. Scores are used as a norm for comparison
characteristic. purposes.
c. large group of very diverse people. d. An assessment technique measures what it is
d. small group that differs from the population at designed to measure.
large.

11. Which of the following is NOT one of the 15. Comparing assessment scores to those of
three basic concepts that help determine individuals who are demographically similar to
the value of a psychological assessment you reflects what concept of clinical
procedure? assessments?
a. Reliability a. Reliability
b. Subjectivity b. Validity
c. Validity c. Standardization
d. Standardization d. All of the above are correct

12. Treminitia, who had recurrent headaches,

fatigue, and loss of appetite, received 16. Mr. J., a 40-year-old recent immigrant to the
different diagnoses from several United States, comes from a working-class
psychologists. In terms of assessment, this background and is just learning to speak English.
indicates a problem with He applies for a job and is given a test. His score
a. reliability is compared to others who have taken the test,
b. subjectivity mostly young college graduates whose native
language is English. Mr. J. thinks this is unfair. In
c. validity fact, this is an issue of _.
d. standardization a. reliability
b. classification
13. Anna sees a doctor for persistent nausea. Her c. validity
primary care physician tells her that she is d. standardization
probably dehydrated and suggests drinking
more water. Her neurologist tells her that there
could be swelling in her brain and that she 17. A clinical interview should be based on information
should get a CAT scan. Anna’s allergist from the client’s
suggests that her sinus infection is to blame. a. past behaviors, attitudes, and emotions
Anna is anxious and confused as to the cause b. interpersonal and social history
of her headaches. This is due to what aspect of
c. present behaviors, attitudes, and emotions
her doctors’ diagnoses?
d. all of the above
a. Reliability
b. Validity
c. Standardization
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where they were. Which category of a mental
status exam do these questions cover?
18. In trying to understand and help an
a. Thought processes
individual with a psychological problem,
the psychologist will obtain detailed b. Appearance and behavior
information about the person's life as c. Sensorium
part of a . d. Intellectual functioning
a. physical exam
b. clinical interview
c. mental status exam 23. Determining mood and affect is an important
d. brain scan part of the mental status exam. Although both
of these terms refer to feeling states of the
individual, it would be correct to say that affect
is more
19. As part of a psychological assessment, a
a. immediate
mental status exam is used to find out how
a person thinks, feels, and behaves; its b. severe
primary purpose, however, is to determine c. problematic
a. if a psychological disorder might be present. d. stable
b. what type of treatment should be used.
c. which medication would be most effective.
d. whether the individual also has a medical 24. A mental status exam covers all of the following
condition. categories EXCEPT
a. intellectual functioning
b. appearance
20. Observing appearance and behavior during a mental c. behavior
status exam d. physical symptoms
a. is simply done to give the appearance that the
clinician is paying attention.
b. rarely yields useful information.
25. In regard to a mental status exam, which of the
c. can yield clues regarding the presence of certain following questions is NOT related to the concept
disorders. of sensorium?
d. may just confuse the diagnostic process. a. What is today's date?
b. Where are you?
c. Who are you?
21. In a mental status exam,a psychologist evaluates an
individual's thought processes by d. How old are you?
a. asking the person to read aloud.
b. listening to what the person says.
26. In a mental status exam, it is important to
c. reading what the person has written. determine if the individual's sensorium is clear and
d. evaluating the person's dreams. if he/she is "oriented times three." This refers to
a. person, place, and time.
b. day, month, and year of birth.
22. When Abernathy went to a psychologist for the c. ability to follow directions.
first time, the clinician asked him what the date d. spatial orientation.
was, what time it was, what year was it, and
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a. psychomotor retardation.
b. derailment.
27. The initial assessment of the patient in your c. delusions of persecution.
textbook named Frank, who was anxious about d. delusions of grandeur.
his job and his marriage, revealed that he
a. had intrusive thoughts.
b. was disoriented. 32. In a clinical interview, the law regarding "privileged
c. showed inappropriate affect. communication" does NOT apply if the patient
d. had a low intelligence level. a. threatens self-harm or harm to another person.
b. relates a history of sexual abuse.
c. has been mentally ill for more than five years.
28. All of the following describe how a psychologist d. is hospitalized in a psychiatric facility.
conducts a clinical interview EXCEPT
a. attempts to facilitate communication.
b. uses non-threatening ways of seeking 33. The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for
information. DSM-5 (ADIS-5) is an example of a
c. keeps patient information confidential in all a. personality inventory.
circumstances.
b. semistructured clinical interview.
d. applies appropriate listening skills.
c. projective test.
d. behavioral intervention.

29. Even though there is no evidence that this is true,

Roger thinks that someone is following him. Roger
is experiencing: 34. Behavioral assessments are used to formally assess
a. delusions of persecution. an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior in
____________.
b. derailment.
a. general
c. psychomotor retardation.
b. context
d. delusions of grandeur.
c. the abstract
d. theory

30. Javon, who is normally energetic and lively,

is walking and talking slowly. The therapist
thinks that Javon may be depressed because 35. Four-year-old Roberto is very aggressive toward
can indicate his peers, which results in poor peer relationships.
severe depression. A psychologist has been asked to assess
a. psychomotor retardation Roberto’s aggressiveness and determine if he
needs intervention. The psychologist would
b. derailment
probably do what type of assessment?
c. delusions of persecution a. General
d. delusions of grandeur b. Projective
c. Cognitive
31. Maria-Christina tells stories which are d. Behavioral
disconnected with each other and with reality. A
disorganized speech pattern is referred to as:
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36. As part of a behavioral assessment, psychologists 41. A clinician who wished to assess the
effects of treatment over a period of time
sometimes use____________________________________________
to do direct observation in a naturalistic setting. would be most likely to do so by
a. imaginary repeatedly administering a(n) .
b. empirical a. neuropsychological test battery
c. analogue b. projective test
d. virtual c. intelligence test
d. behavior rating scale

37. Which of the following people would make a good

candidate for a behavioral assessment? 42. Observing one’s own behavior to find patterns is
a. A very verbal adult called:
b. A young child a. antecedent behavior searching.
c. A person with a cognitive deficit b. behavioral introspection.
d. Both b and c c. psychoanalysis.
d. self-monitoring.

38. The ABCs of observation refer to the

43. The reactivity phenomenon of self-monitoring
sequence. procedures has been shown to
a. affect-behavior-cognition a. increase desired behaviors.
b. antecedent-behavior-cognition b. decrease undesired behaviors.
c. antecedent-behavior-consequence c. both increase desired behaviors and decrease
d. affect-behavior-consequence undesired behaviors.
d. neither increase desired behaviors nor decrease
undesired behaviors.
39. An operational definition refers to identifying
specific behaviors that are .
a. abnormal 44. Which of the following is an example of the
reactivity phenomenon?
b. harmful
a. A man joins a weight-loss center, but quits after
c. long-standing he feels he is not getting the desired results.
d. measurable b. After joining a fitness club, a woman stops
exercising in her home and instead walks 2 miles
a day by herself.
40. An observation that involves identifying specific c. A man changes his brand of cigarettes after his
behaviors that are observable and measurable is father dies of lung cancer.
called a(n) d. On parents' visiting day in a classroom,
_______________. the children who often misbehave in class
a. informal observation are unusually compliant and well-
b. formal observation behaved.
c. unstructured observation
d. self-observation
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45. Most of the “psychological tests” in popular
magazines are
50. A psychoanalytic therapist who wants to
a. reliable
assess the unconscious thoughts and feelings
b. valid of a patient would be most likely to use the
c. for entertainment only test.
d. informative and educational a. MMPI
b. Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test
c. Rorschach inkblot test
46. Interpreting ambiguous figures on cards is usually
d. Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery
associated with which test: .
a. MMPI
b. MENSA Intelligence test 51. The Rorschach test is considered controversial
c. Rorschach inkblot test because of all of the following concerns EXCEPT
d. Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery that
a. for some time there was no standardized way of
administering the test.
47. Hannibal is presented with a series of b. there is little or no data regarding its reliability or
validity.
cards that are blots of ink. He is asked
to state what he sees on these cards. c. the inkblots have been changed many times
Hannibal is probably taking a(n) since the test was developed.
a. personality inventory. d. until recently there were no standardized
procedures for administering the test.
b. response inventory.
c. projective test.
d. intelligence test.
52. Dr. Jiminez is using Exner’s
Comprehensive System to administer
and score the Rorschach inkblot test.
48. The projective type of psychological test is based This specifies all of the following
on EXCEPT
a. behavioral a. how the cards with the inkblots should be
b. cognitive presented.
c. humanistic b. exactly what the psychologist administering the
test should say.
d. psychoanalytic
c. the way in which the test taker's responses
should be recorded.
d. the amount of time allowed for each inkblot card
49. When an individual describes what he/she sees
to be presented.
in the ambiguous stimuli of the Rorschach test,
it is assumed that the person's thoughts
are revealed.
a. unconscious
b. conscious
c. preconscious
d. subconscious

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d. Many clinicians use the TAT to encourage people
to talk more openly about their lives.

53. The comprehensive system for administering and

scoring the Rorschach inkblot test was developed 57. Which of the following describes a personality
because inventory?
a. a lack of standardized procedures affects the a. Determines the possible contribution of brain
way the test taker responds to the questions. damage to the person's condition
b. it was discovered that inter-rater reliability had b. Uses imaging to assess brain structure and/or
increased significantly. function
c. Hermann Rorschach was dissatisfied with the c. Involves self-report questionnaires that assess
way his test was being given. individual traits
d. the previous scoring system was found to be d. Ascertains the structure and patterns of cognition
difficult and time-consuming.

58. "The questions make sense to the person

54. The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) differs reading them and the wording of the questions
from the Rorschach inkblot test in that the seems to fit the type of information desired." In
person taking the TAT is asked to use his or regard to personality inventories, which type of
her imagination to validity is defined by the preceding statement?
a. tell a complete story about a picture. a. Predictive
b. draw a picture based on a story that is read aloud b. Face
by the examiner. c. Construct
c. write down responses after reading a short story. d. Analytic
d. tell a story and draw a picture about it.

59. All of the following statements are TRUE about the

55. In regard to projective tests, research has found that MMPI EXCEPT that
most clinicians a. there is little room for interpretation.
a. do not use projective tests. b. the test is tedious and time-consuming.
b. have their own ways of administering and c. there is a version for adolescents.
scoring the tests.
d. individual responses are examined to determine a
c. use standardized procedures when administering diagnostic pattern.
and scoring the tests.
d. rely on these tests to diagnose psychopathology.

60. As an assessment measure, the MMPI is

considered unique because it is
56. Which of the following is an accurate statement
about the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)? a. empirically based.
a. Most psychologists interpret responses to the b. theory based.
TAT cards in the same way. c. based on the biological model.
b. High inter-rater reliability exists among those d. based on the humanistic approach.
administering the test.
c. The TAT is used as a diagnostic test because
validity is high.
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b. relies on subjective interpretations of patterns.
61. If you were asked to compare and contrast the c. is short and easy to administer.
MMPI and the Rorschach inkblot test, you could d. is the oldest test measure developed.
say correctly that
a. responses are interpreted individually in the
MMPI. 66. The MMPI-A, a new version of the Minnesota
b. the pattern of responses is evaluated in the Multiphasic Personality Inventory, has been
MMPI. developed specifically for testing _.
c. the Rorschach test is more tedious and time- a. children with ADHD
consuming for the patient to complete. b. children with autism
d. the Rorschach test more accurately predicts c. adults
psychopathology.
d. adolescents

62. Since the MMPI is , the assessment concept

known as reliability is increased. 67. The MMPI-2, a more recent version of the
personality inventory, has been updated to
a. often interpreted by computer
reflect all of the following EXCEPT
b. made up of many scales ________________________.
c. non-sexist a. cultural diversity
d. well-researched b. gender equality
c. contemporary issues
d. sexual values
63. The MMPI-2 differs from earlier versions of the
MMPI because it
a. is shorter.
68. Personality tests linked through social media are
b. was normed on a much more diverse sample. typically:
c. is less reliable. a. based on scientific evidence
d. is normed on a much more selective sample. b. valid
c. reliable
d. just for fun
64. Heinrich falsifies answers his answers on the
MMPI so that he will look good. He will
probably have a high score on the scale.
69. Intelligence Quotients (IQs) were historically
a. Cannot Say
measured by:
b. Lie a. assessing a child’s reading.
c. Paranoia b. observing the child playing with peers.
d. Defensiveness c. dividing the child’s mental age by their
chronological age.
d. measuring how much the child cried.
65. The MMPI is a notable measurement instrument
because it
a. has been shown to be valid with a range of
psychological problems.

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70. The calculation of an IQ, previously done by 75. Which of the following describes a
using a child's mental age, is now done by neuropsychological test?
using a deviation IQ. This means that the a. Determines the possible contribution of brain
child's score is compared to the scores of impairment to the person's condition
others b. Uses imaging to assess brain structure and/or
a. of the same age function
b. in the same grade c. Assesses long-standing patterns of behavior
c. who took the test at the same time d. Ascertains the structure and patterns of cognition
d. with the same level of intelligence

76. A neuropsychological test measures abilities in all

71. Intelligence tests were originally designed to but which of the following areas?
a. determine a person’s mental status. a. Attention and concentration
b. predict academic success. b. Perceptual abilities
c. identify potential psychopathology. c. Learning and abstraction
d. indicate the presence of neurological problems. d. Adaptive personality traits

72. IQ tests measure all of the following abilities

EXCEPT 77. Neuropsychological tests are used to assess whether
a. attention. or not an individual might
a. suffer from a dissociative disorder
b. memory.
b. have a brain dysfunction
c. reasoning.
c. have had a psychotic episode
d. adaptability.
d. be in a depressed state

73. In regard to IQ tests, which of the following

statements is FALSE?
a. IQ and intelligence are the same thing. 78. If it were important to determine the exact
location of brain impairment, which of the
b. An IQ test has some validity with respect to following tests would most likely be used?
predicting academic success.
a. Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test
c. IQ tests measure abilities such as attention,
memory, reasoning, and perception. b. Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery
d. Psychologists have different theories about which c. Gall Phrenological Brain Scan
skills and abilities constitute intelligence. d. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

74. The performance scales on the

WISC-IV (Weschler Intelligence
Scale for Children) measure all of
the following EXCEPT____________.
a. factual knowledge
b. psychomotor abilities
c. ability to learn new relationships
d. non-verbal reasoning
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79. Although abnormalities in the structure and b. SPECT
functioning of the brain can be detected by c. TCM
neuroimaging techniques, current research
d. JCT
is also looking at
a. a possible association of these abnormalities with
psychological disorders.
b. using brain-imaging techniques as a treatment for 84. In addition to MRI, PET, and CT,
psychological disorders. other brain-imaging techniques are
currently in use or are now being
c. preventing psychological disorders with
developed. Which of the
neuroimaging techniques.
following is one of these newer
d. changing brain functioning from abnormal to neuroimaging techniques?
normal.
a. EEG
b. TMS
c. SPECT
80. When an assessment strategy shows a problem
when none exists, it is referred to as a d. EMG
a. false negative
b. false positive
c. negative outcome 85. Which of the following is a reason why MRIs are
used less in diagnosis:
d. forecast error
a. they are costly.
b. they usually require that the participant be closed-
81. The problem with generating a false negative
in and still for a long period of time.
during an assessment strategy is that the patient
a. will not receive treatment for an actual disorder. c. both a and b are correct.
b. will receive treatment for a disorder they don’t d. neither a or b are correct.
have.
c. will be tired of being tested.
86. A primary diagnostic technique for identifying
d. will be discredited. seizure disorders is the____.
a. EEG
b. DOT
82. Recent research involving PET scans has shown
c. GSR
that patients with Alzheimer's disease have
a. increased dopamine reuptake in the occipital d. ERP
lobes.
b. increased serotonin levels in the temporal lobes.
c. reduced glucose metabolism in the parietal lobes. 87. When brief periods of EEG patterns are recorded in
response to a specific event, the response is called
d. reduced amino acid production in the frontal a(n)
lobes. ____________.
a. evoked potential
b. alpha wave
83. A procedure used to assess brain functioning
c. electrodermal response
much like a PET scan, but less accurate and
using a different tracer substance, is _. d. artifact
a. SQUID
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88. A healthy adult at rest is most likely to show an 93. Identifying which general class of problems to
EEG pattern characterized by a high level of_____________________
which a presenting problem belongs is known as
a. alpha waves a(n) ________
b. delta waves strategy.
a. idiographic
c. critical waves
b. nomothetic
d. irregular
c. classification
d. categorical
89. Sweat gland activity (electrodermal activity) is
measured in order to assess
a. stress and emotional arousal 94. The term that describes the names or labels of the
b. exhaustion disorders is
a. taxonomy
c. brain damage
b. nomenclature
d. sexual dysfunction and disorders
c. nosology
d. etiology
90. According to the textbook, assessment of
psychophysiological response to emotional stimuli
is important in treating all of the following 95. When a taxonomic system is applied to a
EXCEPT___________________________. psychological problem, it becomes a
a. sexual dysfunctions a. diagnosis
b. posttraumatic stress disorder b. prognosis
c. hypertension c. nosology
d. cancer d. nomenclature

96. The terms taxonomy and nosology refer to

91. The likely future course of a disorder is called its . a. scientific classification.
a. prognosis b. the accuracy of a diagnostic system.
b. diagnosis c. the reliability of a grouping of clinical symptoms.
c. etiology d. theoretical ideas that cannot be tested objectively.
d. inference
97. One important advantage of using a
classification and diagnostic system like
92. Determining what is unique about an DSM-5 is that knowing a patient's
individual’s personality, cultural background, diagnosis
or circumstances can be termed a(n) a. helps the therapist to develop a treatment plan
______________strategy. and prognosis.
a. idiographic b. allows patients to fully participate in their own
b. nomothetic treatment.
c. classification c. permits the insurance company to have access to
patients' records.
d. categorical
d. allows the therapist to see the patient as an
individual.

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Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
a. reliable
98. The dimensional approach to classification b. valid
of mental disorders differs from the c. both reliable and valid
categorical approach because the d. neither reliable nor valid
dimensional system provides
a. lists of symptoms that are associated
with all of the forms of
102. Quantifying a person’s moods, behaviors, and
psychopathology that are currently cognitions on a scale constitutes a(n)__________________
believed to exist. of psychopathology.
b. diagnostic labels based on the presence of a. idiographic
specific symptoms.
b. nomothetic
c. information that is used to determine the cause
and treatment of the disorder. c. dimensional
d. scales that indicate the degree to which patients d. prototypical
are experiencing various cognitions, moods, and
behaviors.
103. Identifying certain essential characteristics of
an entity while allowing for nonessential
99. The classical categorical approach to diagnosis variations that don’t change is considered
assumes that each person with a particular disorder a(n) approach to
will understanding psychopathology.
a. be helped by recognizing the cause of the a. idiographic
disorder. b. nomothetic
b. experience very few of the same symptoms. c. dimensional
c. respond to the same treatments equally. d. prototypical
d. experience the same symptoms with little or no
variation.

100. People who are correctly diagnosed with a DSM-5

disorder like Major Depressive Episode will
a. usually have at least some of the same symptoms
as others with the disorder.
b. always have at least five of the same symptoms
as others with the disorder.
c. typically have very few of the same symptoms as
others with the disorder.
d. usually experience all of the same symptoms as
others with the disorder.

101. Several clinicians interview a patient and use a

new diagnostic system to independently
provide the same diagnosis. We can say that it
appears the new diagnostic system is
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104. A classical categorical approach to diagnosis is

a. more useful in psychology than in medicine.
b. more useful in medicine than in psychology.
c. not appropriate in either medicine or psychology.
d. equally useful in medicine and psychology.

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b. familial reliability
c. familial validity
d. familial aggregation

105. The dimensional approach to diagnosis is

characterized by
109. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
a. quantification of patients' experiences using Disorders is a publication of the
scales measuring several areas such as anxiety or
a. American Psychological Association.
depression.
b. International Association of Psychologists.
b. lists of symptoms that patients must experience
for the diagnosis to be assigned. c. American Psychiatric Association.
c. essential elements that all patients d. National Institutes of Mental Health.
must report for the diagnosis to be
assigned but allowance for specific
nonessential variations as well. 110. An important change in the DSM versions that
d. a theoretical explanation for the followed DSM-III was
underlying cause of the disorder that is a. the lack of a presumed theoretical cause for each
assumed to be shared by all patients disorder.
experiencing similar symptoms. b. a change from a dimensional to a categorical
system.
c. greater emphasis on validity and less concern for
106. The crucial test as to whether a diagnostic system reliability.
has a high degree of validity is that it should result
in d. the inclusion of the humanistic view of pathology.
a. an effective treatment plan.
b. all clinicians reaching the same diagnosis for the
patient.
[Link] of the important changes from DSM-III-R to
c. the accurate diagnostic label for the patient. DSM-IV reflected our greater understanding of
d. the same diagnostic label regardless of when the the multiple causes and influences on various
patient is evaluated. mental states and disorders. This change is
a. less distinction between organically (physically)
caused and psychologically based disorders in
107. When a diagnosis tells the clinician what is likely DSM-IV.
to happen and possibly predict the course of the b. more distinction between organically (physically)
disorder and the likely effect of one treatment or caused and psychologically based disorders in
another, the diagnosis has DSM-IV.
a. construct validity. c. more distinction between neurosis and psychosis
b. predictive validity in DSM-IV.
c. content validity. d. less emphasis on the types of treatment that
might be appropriate for each disorder in DSM-
d. none of the above IV.

108. The extent to which a disorder would be found

among the patient’s relatives is known as
a. familial sharing
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c. mood disorders
112. Which of the following statements best reflects your d. personality disorders
textbook's overall position on the changes found in
DSM-5? 116. or diagnosis with more than one disorder at
a. The general consensus is that DSM-5 is largely a time is particularly problematic in DSM-5.
unchanged from DSM-IV. a. schizophrenia
b. DSM-5 represents a massive departure from b. multiple personality disorder
DSM-IV. c. comorbidity
c. DSM-5 has enhanced the multiaxial d. none of the above are correct
diagnostic system, and therefore is
better at detecting the difference
between different mental disorders.
117. Adrianne has suffered from cognitive deficits for
d. DSM-5 has included over 100 new mental
disorders, and thus has increased the likelihood of her entire life. When she was a child, she was
overdiagnosis. diagnosed as suffering from "mental retardation."
If she was now rediagnosed with the DSM-5 and
found to have the same symptoms, which label
113. Perhaps the biggest change that has been seen with would replace her former diagnosis?
the release of DSM-5 is a. Intellectual disability
a. the removal of the multiaxial diagnostic system. b. Learning disorder
b. the inclusion of a list of FDA-approved c. Autism-spectrum disorder
psychotropic medications.
d. Functional neurological impariment
c. the addition of treatment recommendations for the
most commonly diagnosed illnesses.
d. augmentation of the personality disorders
category that increases the number of diganoses 118. Which section of DSM-5 would include
from 10 to 15. disorders that need further study and would
potentially be included in future editions of
the manual?
a. Section 1
114. The addition of ratings in the DSM-5 did not
change the categories of disorders, but rather b. Section 2
provides clinicians with additional information c. Section 3
for_________________________assessment, d. Section 4
treatment planning, and treatment
monitoring.
a. dimensional
119. Which of the following conditions that affects
b. nosological women has been included in DSM-5 as a mood
c. prototypical disorder, after previously being called "late luteal
d. idiographic phase dysphoric disorder?"
a. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
b. Climacteric Dissatisfaction Disorder
115. One of the most unreliable categories in current c. Genito-Pelvic Penetration/Pain disorder
classification is in the area of d. Menopause Dyspareunic Disorder
a. schizophrenia
b. anxiety disorders

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Chapter 03
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
theoretically take the same quiz on
120. Marisa goes to see a psychologist because three different days and get three
she has been having some acute distress different scores/interpretations
and seems overwhelmed. Describe the (reliability).
process that Marisa’s psychologist will use 122. Discuss the principle of standardization. Why is it
to reach a diagnosis and develop a important in mental health assessments?
treatment plan.
ANSWER: Standardization is important in many
ANSWER: Marisa will be asked to describe her mental health assessments because it
problem and any symptoms she is ensures consistency across different
experiencing. She will relate all measures. For example, part of the
concerns regarding her behavior and diagnosis of depression is ongoing
thinking to the clinician, who will symptoms. What if Sally was sad for
assess Marisa’s behavior and 2 days after her cat died and John
communication during the interview. was sad for 2 months? Are they
The clinician will form an initial both “depressed?” What other
diagnosis and those areas that need symptoms would need to be present
to be ruled out. The clinician may do for a depression diagnosis?
various types of psychological Standardization creates ways in
assessment to help determine the which we can define disorder across
diagnosis. Where appropriate, certain people, time periods, geographic
neuropsychological testing or neuro areas, and therapists.
imaging may be done, The clinician
will evaluate all assessment data and 123. Describe the major objectives and typical
reach a diagnosis that will be procedures of the mental status exam. Be
presented in a multiaxial format. sure to include the typical activities of
Based on the diagnosis and possible the examiner and the intended outcomes
theoretical orientation of the clinician, of the process.
a treatment plan will be developed.
The clinician will take into account ANSWER: Mental status exams cover the
the research data on the following five categories:
effectiveness of certain treatments -Appearance and behavior. The
for certain disorders. clinician records the client’s dress,
appearance, and motor actions.
121. What is the difference between validity and -Thought processes. The clinician
reliability? Give an example of each. listens to the patient talk in order to
assess the rate and content of his/her
ANSWER: Validity is whether an assessment speech.
measures what it is designed to -Mood and affect. The clinician
measure. Reliability is the degree to observes the patient’s emotion, and
which the measurement is accurate. actions regarding his/her feelings.
Quizzes found in popular magazines -Intellectual functioning.
and on social media tend not to be The clinician assesses the
valid or reliable. For example, a client’s vocabulary,
quiz on whether you are an optimist memory, and overall
or a pessimist could reveal more intellectual functioning.
about the bad day that you are -Sensorium. The client’s general
having than your actual outlook on awareness of his/her surroundings is
life (validity). You could assessed.
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Chapter 03
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
The mental status exam is done to —Classical (or pure) categorical
allow the clinician to make a approach-assuming every diagnosis
preliminary determination of the areas has a clear patho-physiological cause
of the patient’s behavior and —Dimensional approach-which
condition that should be assessed notes the variety of cognitions,
further. moods, or behaviors and quantifies
them on a scale
124. Projective tests such as the Thematic —Protypical approach-identifies
Apperception Test and the original Rorschach essential characteristics of an entity
inkblot test are often criticized with regard to into a category but allows flexibility
their reliability. Explain why the reliability of so that all variations do not
these tests may not be as good as a personality necessarily change the classification.
measure such as the MMPI. The DSM-V falls in this category.

ANSWER: Projective tests are based on the use

of ambiguous stimuli onto which 127. The DSM-5 is a very new diagnostic system, and
the client projects his/her own it has brought changes to the diagnosis of mental
personality and unconscious fears disorders that have also created criticism. Discuss
and so reveal unconscious thoughts the major criticisms of DSM-5 that are discussed
to the therapist. The TAT, which in your textbook.
uses pictures as stimuli, and the ANSWER:
Rorschach, which uses inkblots as While the DSM-5 is more
stimuli, are both subject to variation scientifically advanced than it's
in their administration and predecessors, it is necessarily
interpretation. Consequently, they considered a "work in progress." For
are less reliable than more objective that reason there are several areas that
assessments such as the MMPI, have been the target of criticism in
which consists of multiple-choice this edition:
questions and has clear norms and —There are still "fuzzy" categories
guidelines for its interpretation. that blur the lines between different
125. Why would a doctor order a PET scan? How does disorders, making diagnosis difficult.
a PET scan work? —The DSM-5 emphasizes reliability,
potentially sacrificing validity.
ANSWER: PET scans are images of brain —Methods of constructing a
functioning and are often used when nosology of mental disorders have a
diagnosing brain trauma or early way of perpetuating past diagnostic
Alzheimer’s. PET scans work when labels and categories, even if they
a tracer substance is attached to were fundamentally flawed. Some
radioactive isotopes. The substance have argued that instead of revising
interacts with blood, oxygen, and what already existed that a better
glucose rushes to active areas of the approach may be to simply "start
brain. The location of the isotopes again." This resetting of diagnostic
are then imaged, measured and categorization did not occur with
compared with uninjured brains. DSM-5.

126. Name at least two approaches to classification.

Under which does the DSM-5 fall?

nswers may vary but could include:

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Chapter 03
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

128. Labeling a patient with a diagnosis is often

referred to as a "double-edged sword" as the
diagnostic label can both help and hurt the
patient. Explain the advantages and
disadvantages (to the patient) of a diagnostic
label.

ANSWER: The use of labels in diagnosis allows

clinicians to formulate and compare
diagnoses and to select treatment
approaches. However, many
psychological disorders carry with
them significant stigma. Therefore,
the label may diminish the client’s
self-esteem or result in him/her being
treated poorly by others. Incorrect
labels can also result in ineffective
or harmful treatment choices.

129. Discuss why Mixed Anxiety Disorder is not

included in the DSM-5.

ANSWER: Mixed Anxiety Disorder is not

included in the DSM-5 for several reasons
including:
—symptoms tend to be mild and not
cause major impairment.
—symptoms do not usually last long.
—Mixed Anxiety Disorder is difficult
to identify in a reliable way.
—mental health diagnoses have
political and legal ramifications such
as the potential for an individual to
sue the government or require
insurance coverage.
—if Mixed Anxiety were to qualify
someone for disability payments, this
could create chaos within mental
health clinics.

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