Chapter 10 - Personality Disorders

Question 1

(Briefly) describe the proposed hybrid dimensional-categorical assessment model for PDs. Why was it
abandoned by the DSM task force?

Answer 1

• Hybrid Dimension-Categorical Assessment Model for PDS
  
  • incorporates categorical and dimensional components! - includes a set of general criteria, DIMENSIONAL measure of the severity (not just you meet the criteria or you don’t), a limited set of PD types (got rid of some of the PD types
    • It was abandoned bc it would be too complicated/time-consuming (according to clinicians). They learned about PDs in a specific way so it would be hard from them to change it!

Question 2

Describe the research evidence for the link between schizotypal PD and schizophrenia

Answer 2

• schizotypal PD appears to be on the schizophrenia spectrum
  
  • Often occurs in 1st degree relatives of ppl with schizophrenia
  • Ppl with schizotypal PD also struggle with smooth pursuit eye-tracking!

Question 3

• What are the two types of narcissistic PD (under causal factors) suggested by your book? How might they
  relate to parenting styles?

Answer 3

• grandiose: very high egos, overinflated self-esteem
  
  • Associated w/ parental overvaluation (parents who instill in their child that they’re the best)
• vulnerable narcissim: are very arrogant as a facade to hide the fact that they low self-esteem
  - More likely to stem from abusive parents, also cold/controlling ones

Question 4

Describe the research findings on ASPD and MAO-A.

Answer 4

• Those with low MAO-A acivity (gene that breaks down diff neurotransmitters) and were maltreated you were MORE LIKELY to develop ASPD than if you had high MAO-A activity (and were maltreated) or low MAO-A activity (and were not maltreated)
• KEY: key thing you need the gene and the bad environment to have elevated risk.

Question 5

Is there strong evidence linking BPD to childhood adversity/abuse? Explain

Answer 5

There is strong evidence linking BPD to childhood adversity/abuse! Studies show that ppl with BPD have much higher rates of abuse than patients with other PDs

Question 6

How is avoidant PD different from schizoid PD in terms of limited social relationships?

Answer 6

Those w/ avoidant PD want to have social relationships (do not enjoy being alone) but they are too afraid or anxious, while ppl w/ schizoid PD have NO DESIRE for social relationships!

Question 7

Explain the findings regarding cardiac reactivity in successful vs. unsuccessful psychopaths

Answer 7

• Successful psychopaths are shown to have GREATER cardiac reactivity than unsuccessful ones. This shows that they understand risky situations more and this helps them make decisions to prevent them from getting caught.

Question 8

Describe the findings regarding psychopaths and fear conditioning/fear-potentiated startle.

Answer 8

• Psychopaths are deficient in processing fear!
• A study showed that they have a smaller startle response when viewing unpleasant and pleasant slides compared to nonpsychopaths!