Psychological Disorders and the Media in American Society
Test 1 Practice Questions
_____ 1. Which axis of the DSM system would you find information about a client’s anxiety
disorder?
A. Axis I
B. Axis II
C. Axis III
D. Axis IV
_____ 2. Which of the following is not one of the myths or misconceptions found in films about
people with mental illness?
A. The mental patient is a rebellious free spirit.
B. The mental patient is a homicidal maniac.
C. The mental patient has great insights and wisdom to offer, if only asked by society.
D. The mental patient as seductress.
_____ 3. According to psychoanalytic theory, transference is when:
A. the therapist begins to develop strong feelings towards their client
B. the client begins to develop strong feelings towards their therapist
C. the client transfers their strong feelings about their same sex parent to the opposite sex
parent during the Oedipal or Electra Complex phase of development
D. therapists ask a client to switch to a different therapist because they cannot feel
empathy for their client.
_____ 4. In the Behavioral perspective, which of the following is not one of the ways to help a
client get rid of a phobia?
A. flooding
C. systematic desensitization
B. classical conditioning
D. stress inoculation training.
_____ 5. If the director were trying to show that the character is mentally unstable, which camera
technique would they most likely use?
A. long shot
C. over the shoulder shot
B. high angle
D. Dutch (tilted) angle.
_____ 6. Which of the following neurotransmitters, if not being produced or transmitted in a
‘normal’ quantity, would most likely explain a person having obsessive-compulsive
disorder?
A. serotonin
B. dopamine
C. norepinephrine
D. GABA.
_____ 7. What does an emetophobic fear (John Stossel is/was one)?
A. public speaking
C. vomiting
B. making unusual noises while eating
D. disclosing personal information to doctors
_____ 8. According to Skip Young, which of the following is not one of his core beliefs of
Freudian assumptions about human nature?
A. From birth, humans are motivated by selfish desires to please themselves and avoid
suffering.
B. Humans are constantly striving to become better individuals.
C. Our id, ego, and superego all want different things, so they are in endless conflict with
each other.
D. Much of our conflict is unconscious.
_____ 9. Which of the following somatoform disorder typically contains la belle indifference?
A. conversion disorder
C. body dysmorphic disorder
B. hypochondriasis
D. Munchausen’s syndrome.
_____10. What does Otto Wahl’s chapter title “Madness, Madness Everywhere” mean?
A. There are so many more people with mental disorders than most are aware of.
B. Many of our leaders and highly successful people are in fact suffering with mental
illness.
C. The DSM system and ‘Big Pharma’ have conspired to have us believe that everyone
should be diagnosed with a mental illness and prescribed pharmaceuticals to help.
D. People with mental illnesses are being portrayed all over popular media.
Short Answer
Explain the major differences between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.
Explain a Learning & Behavioral theory about why a person has Panic Attacks.
Essay
In your opinion, which film character (a major player) have we seen so far that has been the most
negative portrayal surrounding mental illness? Explain what about that character you find so
damaging and inaccurate.