psexam.docx - Last week Becky read that labels can bias...

Last week, Becky read that labels can bias perceptions, so she does not support placing diagnostic labels
on psychological problems. If you were trying to convince her that these types of labels do have benefits,
you might tell her that mental health professionals use labels to do all of these things.
An integrated understanding of psychological disorders in terms of stressful memories, evolutionary
processes, and gender roles is most clearly provided by a biopsychosocial approach.
Personally, distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are considered to be symptoms of a
psychological disorder if they are dysfunctional.
In a study by David Rosenhan, researchers were admitted as patients into various mental hospitals after
they falsely claimed to be “hearing voices.” This study best illustrated the negative effects of diagnostic
labels.
Which of the following statements about people with psychological disorders is true? Studies have
found that those with psychological disorders are more likely than those without a psychological
disorder to be a victim of crime
Lenore is unexplainably and continually tense and is plagued by muscle tension, sleeplessness, and an
inability to concentrate. Lenore most likely suffers from generalized anxiety disorder.
Matthew spends each morning counting every book in his personal library, as well as every kitchen
utensil and dish before he will leave for work. He repeats the process when he comes home. He
recognizes that this is irrational, but he becomes extremely agitated when he tries to stop. Matthew's
behaviors are most symptomatic of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Several times in the past two months, Petra has experienced a racing heart, intense fear that something
horrible is about to happen, and an inability to breathe. Petra most likely suffers from panic attacks.
Years after he barely survived a terrorist attack that killed his wife and two children, Mr. Puskari suffers
recurring flashbacks and frequent nightmares of the event that render him incapable of holding a steady
job. Mr. Puskari is most clearly showing signs of posttraumatic stress disorder.