Understanding Abnormal Psychology: Disorders, Treatments, and Brain Functions Quiz

Anxiety is a complex emotion that involves a combination of psychological, cognitive, and physical components, and is more than just a mental disorder or physical condition.

Anxiolytics are specifically designed to reduce anxiety, and benzodiazepines are a common class of drugs used for this purpose.

Augmenting agents refer to secondary drugs that are used in conjunction with primary drugs to enhance or boost their effects, rather than work independently or adversely affect the primary treatment.

Beta blockers are a specific type of medication that work by blocking the effects of the hormone norepinephrine. They are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and anxiety.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a specific disorder in which individuals become excessively preoccupied with perceived defects or flaws in their physical appearance. It is not simply related to confidence, fear of public speaking, or weight loss.

Buspirone is an anxiolytic drug that works through a unique mechanism involving serotonin, which sets it apart from the other options provided.

Corticostriatal pathophysiological models explain OCD in terms of brain circuitry communication, not solely focusing on genetics, chemical imbalances, or environmental factors.

The emotional dysregulation model is a cognitive explanation of anxiety that highlights the difficulty anxious individuals have in regulating their emotions.

Fear is a basic emotion that is automatic and brief, triggered by specific perceived threats, unlike irrational responses or learned behaviors. It is not classified as a mental disorder but a natural, adaptive response to danger.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is different from phobias, panic disorder, and OCD. It is defined by persistent, excessive worry about a variety of things rather than specific triggers.

Genome-wide association (GWA) study looks at all genes, not just a single gene. It also considers genetic factors, not just environmental factors. It differs from candidate gene studies by looking at the entire genome, not just genes already known to be associated with a trait or disorder.

The Glutamate hypothesis of OCD suggests that excess glutamate may play a role in the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder, rather than serotonin deficiency, dopamine imbalance, or an overactive amygdala.

The gut-brain axis refers to the biochemical connections between the gut and the brain, specifically involving the gut microbiome and its potential impact on mental health.

Hoarding disorder is a specific diagnosis related to difficulty parting with possessions, not related to cleanliness, anxiety triggered by crowded spaces, or mood swings.

Imaginal exposure is a therapeutic technique that involves the client simply imagining the feared scenario to help condition a new, non-anxious response. It differs from physical exposure, cognitive restructuring, or relaxation techniques.

In vivo exposure is a form of therapy where the client is directly exposed to feared objects or situations in order to overcome their anxiety. It is different from visualization, medication-based approaches, or avoidance strategies.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps individuals stay present, focused, and accept negative emotions to defuse them, rather than trying to avoid or eliminate them.

The anterior cingulate cortex plays a key role in decision-making, reward anticipation, emotion, and impulse control, rather than processing visual information, controlling motor functions, or regulating body temperature and hunger.

Barbiturates are a specific class of drugs with sedative-hypnotic properties that are highly addictive. They are not over-the-counter painkillers, antidepressants, or stimulants.

Compulsions are specific behaviors or mental acts that a person feels compelled or driven to perform, often to reduce distress or prevent a dreaded event.

Existential anxiety is a normal and expected part of human experience that serves a purpose in motivating individuals to lead purposeful lives.

Existential givens refer to the fundamental aspects of human existence that existentialist philosophers believe individuals must confront and come to terms with. These aspects include death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness, which form the basis of existentialist thought and exploration of human existence.

Group selection refers to the idea that traits can evolve at the level of the group, benefiting the entire population rather than just the individual. It is a controversial concept in evolutionary biology.

The correct answer proposes that OCD behaviors developed via group selection, benefiting the entire group. The incorrect answers provide alternative, but incorrect, explanations for the cause of OCD behaviors.

Inhibitory learning refers to the process during extinction where the conditioned stimulus (CS) no longer predicts an unconditioned stimulus (US), leading to a decrease in the conditioned response (CR) to the CS.