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Abnormal Psychology-PSY 280
Lillian McMaster, Ph.D.
Take Home Final Exam
Directions: Please answer each question as fully as possible. The answers should be
in an essay format, typed, and the paper should be double-spaced. Each question is worth
ten points and students are required to answer 5 of the 11 questions below. Of course as
usual students can answer more for extra-credit. Remember because this is a takehome test, more is expected and answers that do not incorporate outside sources will
not get the total point value. You can always use EBSCO and can access this on our
library’s site and in the library as well. This final exam is due no later than 5/17/10, if you
are in my morning class it is due by 9:30am and if you are in my evening class it is due
no later than 6:30pm.
1) What is anorexia nervosa? What is bulimia nervosa? What are the causes of these
two disorders? Please specify if there are any differences in the causes of these
two disorders. Why are women more than 3 times more likely to get these
disorders than men? You can go to www.apa.org or www.researchnavigator.com
and use your login name and password for My Psych Lab.
2) Describe Dissociation, when does it occur, and does it only happen in dissociative
disorders? Describe a Dissociative disorder of your choice, how does it develop,
and discuss some of the contributing factors to its development. Is there anything
adaptive about dissociation? You can look up famous people who had a
dissociative disorder (Sybil, Eve) and read about their cases.
3) What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? How does it develop and why?
Can anyone get PTSD? Can PTSD lead to the development of other disorders and
if so what are some of those other disorders? The APA is focusing this year on
veterans, and has a lot of information on their website about this disorder. Also,
don’t forget to use My Psych Lab to help you!!
4) What are Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorders? How often do stressful events
precede a bipolar episode? Does Bipolar Disorder run in families? Why do you
think Bipolar Disorder is so closely linked to creativity?
5) What are the two Unipolar Mood Disorders? Why are these disorders classified
as mood disorders? Why do you think more women suffer from depression than
men? How come the rate of depression goes up for men in their 50’s? Think of
what we discussed in class and go to the NIMH (www.nimh.org) and see current
rates of suicide.
6) Pick a personality disorder and describe it. Could you treat someone with the
personality you chose and why? Please be specific. This question is designed for
you to look within yourself and think about what you can handle.
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7) What are the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia? After defining
each, list the types of symptoms that are considered negative and those that are
considered positive. What are the symptoms of disorganization?
8) What are the five subtypes of schizophrenia? Do schizophrenics get better? Why
is this illness so difficult to treat? Can a person with schizophrenia ever be cured?
Why do we have such a hard time treating this disorder?
9) What is self-mutilation? Google self mutilation and see what types of websites
you find. Why do so many young women and men self-mutilate? Are we as a
society encouraging this behavior?
10) Choose either Factitious Disorder or Body Dysmorphia and discuss the illness
you chose. Luckily these disorders are not that common within the general
population, but what contributes to their development? Are you pleased with
your body? How about do you ever crave attention? These questions are some of
the things you should think about when formulating your answer.
11) What is something you learned about abnormal psychology that surprised you?
Please be specific in your answer.
Happy Summer!
Congratulations Graduates!!!!!