Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

4.
catatonic schizophrenia
d. West Africa
R E T H I N K
1.
Why is inclusion in the DSM-IV-TR of “borderline” 
disorders such as self-defeating personality disorder and 
premenstrual dysphoric disorder so controversial and 
political? What disadvantages does inclusion bring? Does 
inclusion bring any benefi ts?
2. From the perspective of a college counselor: What indicators 
might be most important in determining whether a college 
student is experiencing a psychological disorder? Do you 
believe that all students who show signs of a psychologi-
cal disorder should seek professional help? How might 
your responses change if the student were from a different 
culture (e.g., an African society)?
 Answers to Evaluate Questions 
1. false; the development of the latest version of
DSM was a sour
ce 
of great contr
oversy , in part r
efl ecting issues that divide society;
2. pr
emenstrual dysphoric disor
der; 3.
1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a 
540 Chapter 
15 
Psychological Disorders
feL82795_ch15_500-541.indd Page 540 8/6/10 9:39 PM user-f465
feL82795_ch15_500-541.indd Page 540 8/6/10 9:39 PM user-f465
/Users/user-f465/Desktop
/Users/user-f465/Desktop

---

541
Looking
Back
 Psychology on the Web
1. On the web, research the insanity defense as it is used in U.S. courts of law by 
consulting at least two sources. Summarize your fi ndings and evaluate them against 
the perspectives on psychological disorders. Are there diff erences between legal and 
psychological interpretations of “sanity”? If so, what are they? Do you think such 
diff erences are appropriate?
2. Find information on the web about the controversy surrounding dissociative (or 
multiple) personality disorder. Summarize both sides of the controversy. Using your 
knowledge of psychology, state your opinion on the matter.
We’ve discussed some of the many types of psychologi-
cal disorders to which people are prone, noted the 
diffi
culty psychologists and physicians have in clearly diff erentiating normal from 
abnormal behavior, and looked at some of the approaches mental health professionals 
have taken to explain and treat psychological disorders. We considered today’s most 
commonly used classifi cation scheme, categorized in the
DSM-IV-TR
, and examined some 
of the more prevalent forms of psychological disorders. To gain a perspective on the 
topic of psychological disorders, we discussed the surprisingly broad incidence of 
psychological disorders in U.S. society and the cultural nature of such disorders. 
Turn back to the prologue that described the case of Lily. Using the knowledge 
you’ve gained about psychological disorders, consider the following questions.