Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders

Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders is topic 5.4 of AP Psychology, inside Mental and Physical Health. This page works through three real practice questions on it, with the full reasoning behind each credited answer.

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63 questionsConcept Application100% with a figure
Worked examples

Three real selection of categories of psychological disorders questions

From the practice pool, not the mock papers — each with the reasoning that produces the answer.

63 practice questions sit on this single topic — enough that it is worth working through by topic rather than meeting it scattered through a unit review.

100% of them come with a figure. Reading the graph or diagram correctly is most of the work here before any content knowledge applies.

98% test a single AP skill: Concept Application. That makes this topic unusually predictable to prepare for.

Concept Application · with figure

A person avoids elevators after being trapped in one for several minutes. Months later, the person takes stairs to avoid intense fear even in safe buildings. Which category best fits this pattern?

  1. ADissociative identity disorder, because two or more identities control behavior.
  2. BMajor depressive disorder, because mood is elevated for at least a week.
  3. CSpecific phobia, because fear and avoidance center on a particular object or situation.correct
  4. DAntisocial personality disorder, because empathy is unusually high.
Why C is correct

The pattern centers on persistent situational fear and avoidance.

specific phobia is the mechanism that makes "A person avoids elevators after being trapped in one for several minutes." coherent. The credited option, "Specific phobia, because fear and avoidance center on a particular object or situation", is supported because The fear is tied to a specific situation and leads to avoidance. "Major depressive disorder, because mood is elevated for at least a week" is a real-looking alternative, but Elevated mood is not depression, and no depressive episode is described; "Antisocial personality disorder, because empathy is unusually high" also fails because Antisocial personality disorder is not defined by high empathy. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.

Concept Application · with figure

After repeated setbacks, a student stops submitting scholarship applications, saying, 'Nothing I do changes the outcome.' Which psychological idea best explains this resignation?

  1. AOpponent-process theory, because an emotional aftereffect follows drug use.
  2. BSensory transduction, because physical energy becomes neural signals.
  3. CObject permanence, because hidden objects continue to exist.
  4. DLearned helplessness, because repeated uncontrollable outcomes reduce later effort.correct
Why D is correct

The statement shows reduced effort after perceived uncontrollability.

Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders reasoning here starts with "After repeated setbacks, a student stops submitting scholarship applications, saying, 'Nothing I do..." and asks what mechanism fits. The credited option, "Learned helplessness, because repeated uncontrollable outcomes reduce later effort", is supported because The student expects effort not to matter after repeated setbacks. "Object permanence, because hidden objects continue to exist" is a real-looking alternative, but Object permanence concerns infancy and hidden objects; "Opponent-process theory, because an emotional aftereffect follows drug use" also fails because No drug-related emotional rebound is described. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.

Concept Application · with figure

A person repeatedly checks the stove for hours to reduce intrusive fears about a fire, even after knowing the stove is off. Which disorder category is most consistent?

  1. APanic disorder
  2. BObsessive-compulsive disordercorrect
  3. CMajor depressive disorder
  4. DDissociative amnesia
Why B is correct

The checking behavior is tied to intrusive fear.

Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders reasoning here starts with "A person repeatedly checks the stove for hours to reduce intrusive fears about a fire, even after..." and asks what mechanism fits. The credited option, "Obsessive-compulsive disorder", is supported because Intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors intended to reduce anxiety fit this category. "Dissociative amnesia" is a real-looking alternative, but No memory loss is described; "Panic disorder" also fails because The stem does not describe sudden panic attacks and worry about recurrence. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.

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Last reviewed 2026-08-28. Topic and unit names follow the College Board course framework. Question counts describe the PrepScore practice bank, not the exam.
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Work selection of categories of psychological disorders until the reasoning is automatic.

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