WEEK 10

Question 1

What is personality?

Answer 1

-Attributes, motives, values and behaviours unique to each person.
- A unique pattern of Inner experience and Outward behaviour
- Often described in terms of “traits” –> characteristics way of thinking, feeling and
acting.

Question 2

The ‘Big 5’

OCEAN

Answer 2

• Personality trait model
• Openness
• Conscientiousness
• Extraversion
• Agreeableness
• Neuroticism

Question 3

Definition personality disorders in the DSM- 5

Answer 3

“Persistent pattern of emotions, cognitions, and
behaviours that results in enduring emotional
distress for the person affected and/or for others and
may cause difficulties in relationships and work”
- individual may not feel subjective distress
- observed in different contexts
- originate in childhood, diagnosed adolescence or adulthood

Question 4

Categorical v Dimensional

Answer 4

DSM mainly views disorders in terms of categories (i.e., criteria are met or unmet).

Question 5

DSM- 5 Personality Disorders

A,B,C

Answer 5

• 10 PD in DSM 5
• Cluster A: “Odd or eccentric behaviour”
  ◦ Paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders
• Cluster B: “Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviour”
  ◦ Antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorders
• Cluster C: “Anxious or fearful behaviour”
  ◦ Avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Question 6

A: Paranoid PD

• Definition and Criteria

Answer 6

A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of
others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent.

Four or more:

• Suspects that others are exploiting, harming or deceiving. - Preoccupied with unjustified doubts about loyalty or trustworthiness of friends. - Reluctant to confide in others (unwarranted fears that information could be used against them).
• Reads hidden demeaning/threatening meanings into remarks or events.
• Persistently bares grudges.
• Perceives attacks on reputation that are not apparent to others and quick to react angrily.
• Has recurrent (unjustified) suspicions regarding fidelity of partner

Question 7

A: Paranoid PD

Causes

Answer 7

• Biological- link to family with schizophrenia- not strong
• Psychological: trauma, style of parenting
• Cultural factors: certain groups may be more at risk due to their experiences (eg. prisoners, refugees)

Question 8

A: Paranoid PD

Treatment

Answer 8

• Unlikely to seek help; a crisis can be the catalyst for seeking help
• CBT: challenge assumptions
• Currently no evidence for any interventions for paranoid PD

Question 9

A: Schizoid PD

Definition and Criteria

Answer 9

A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a
limited range of expression of
emotions in interpersonal situations.

Four or more:

• Neither desires or enjoys close relationships.
• Almost always chooses solitary activities.
• Has little interest in sexual experiences with another person.
• Takes pleasure in few (if any) activities.
• Lacks close friends (other than immediate family).
• Appears indifferent to praise or criticism.
• Emotional, detachment or flattened affect.

Question 10

A: Schizoid PD

Causes

Answer 10

• Childhood shyness- precursor
• Abuse and neglect- sometimes reported
• Some overlap with the occurrence of autism

Question 11

A: Schizoid PD

Treatment

Answer 11

• Rare to seek treatment (in some cases treatment is sought at a time of crises).
• Social skills training.
• Limited evidence demonstrating effectiveness.