Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph (no more than 50-75 words each).  Answers must be in your own words; you may not quote from the readings or take 5 or more words verbatim from the readings, or use the work of another student.

1. Give one example each of the ABCS of how we respond to stress (affective/emotional, behavioral, cognitive, somatic)

2. In considering the causal role of trauma in traumatic stress disorders, there are three alternative explanations; what are they?

3. Briefly summarize how Foa blends two factors in her explanation of PTSD.

4. In DSM, Somatoform Disorders, and Psychological Factors Affecting Medical Condition both involve the presentation of, or concern about, physical symptoms, but DSM treats them as separate categories of disorder; explain what DSM considers to be the crucial distinction between them.

5. Explain the difference between primary and secondary gain, and how they are applied to our understanding of the possible causes of somatoform disorders.

The following questions are only for discussion in class.  You should be prepared to offer your thoughts if called on.

6. People under stress or who suffer through a serious trauma often experience psychological difficulties, but we don’t automatically assume that they all must be suffering from what DSM terms “adjustment disorder” or a “traumatic stress disorder;” what additional information would you require to justify diagnosing one of these types of mental disorder?

7. Why is there such controversy about the existence of Dissociative identity disorder (DID)/Multiple personality disorder (MPD)? Refer to Lilienfeld Chapter 8)

8. With respect to the etiology of DID, what is the significance of the data presented in Table 7-3 of your text (page 204), and what are its limitations?

9. Briefly explain why the Sexual dysfunctions present a real challenge to how they should be classified or understood.

10. Present and explain one specific way in which sociocultural factors may play a part in the etiology of a specific disorder involving physical symptoms and physical health.

Copyright ©1998 Beverly J. Volicer and Steven F. Tello, UMass Lowell.  You may freely edit these pages  for use in a non-profit, educational setting.  Please include this copyright notice on all pages.