Psychological Disorders Questions
Worksheet
1. A team of researchers is running a study looking at the correlation between genetic differences
in the enzyme choline acetyltransferase. A deficit in this enzyme, which controls the synthesis of
acetylcholine, has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers design an algorithm to
search the data for similarities. What are the independent and dependent variables employed in
this study?
a. The independent variable is the amount of deficit in the enzyme choline
acetyltransferase and the dependent variable is genetic differences in Alzheimer’s
disease.
b. This study does not contain an independent or a dependent variable.
c. The independent variable is whether that patient has Alzheimer’s disease or not and the
dependent variable is amount of genetic variance.
d. The independent variable is the amount of genetic variance and the dependent variable
is whether that patient has Alzheimer’s disease or not.
2. There are many hypotheses regarding the biological etiology of schizophrenia. One, called the
“dopamine hypothesis”, asserts that schizophrenia is caused by an abnormality in
neurotransmission of dopamine. Which of these statements describes possible limitation to this
hypothesis?
a. People with schizophrenia have on average twice as many D2 receptors as neurotypical
individuals.
b. Anti-psychotic drugs take two to three weeks to begin to show efficacy.
c. Drugs that increase dopamine levels in the brain make schizophrenia symptoms worse.
d. Neuroleptic drugs are used to treat schizophren
3. Which of these interactions between a doctor and a patient utilizes a biopsychosocial model?
a. A doctor, who diagnosed a patient with severe back pain, recommended changes to
how the patient lifts objects.
b. A doctor, after diagnosing the patient with a broken foot, prescribed painkillers.
c. A doctor, who diagnoses a patient with ulcers, asks questions about stress management.
d. A doctor diagnoses a patient with migraines after asking questions regarding length of
time and the severity of the symptoms experienced.
4. What is the main difference between an individual diagnosed with bipolar I and bipolar II?
a. An individual diagnosed with bipolar II has never had a hypomanic episode. An
individual diagnosed with bipolar I disorder has had at least one hypomanic episode.
b. An individual diagnosed with bipolar I has never had a manic episode. An individual
diagnosed with bipolar II disorder has had at least one manic episode.
c. An individual diagnosed with bipolar II has never had a manic episode. An individual
diagnosed with bipolar I disorder has had at least one manic episode.
d. An individual diagnosed with bipolar I has never had a hypomanic episode. An individual
diagnosed with bipolar II disorder has had at least one manic episode
5. Which of these statements does not describe accurate criteria for PTSD, as described by the
DSM-5?
