Assignment 1

PSYC 2161
SW003
Emma O’Grady
T00018686
January 30, 2017
Part A: Multiple Choice

1 C 19 A 37 C
2 A 20 D 38 C
3 B 21 B 39 A
4 D 22 D 40 A
5 C 23 D 41 B
6 D 24 D 42 B
7 C 25 A 43 D
8 C 26 D 44 A
9 A 27 B 45 C
10 D 28 C 46 B
11 D 29 A 47 D
12 A 30 A 48 D
13 A 31 C 49 D
14 D 32 A 50 B
15 D 33 D
16 D 34 C
17 A 35 C
18 C 36 C
Part B: True and False

1 T 14 T
2 T 15 T
3 T 16 T
4 F 17 T
5 T 18 T
6 F 19 T
7 F 20 T
8 T 21 F
9 F 22 F
10 F 23 F
11 T 24 F
12 T 25 T
13 T
Part C: Short Answer
1. The features that made Dominic’s case diagnosable was the “unmanageable shaking and
uncontrollable crying”( Powell and McCone, 2004). It was stated that Dominic was “visibly
shaking and crying”(Powell and McCone, 2004. P.333). His diagnosis would be attributed to the
anxiety of the 9/11 attacks.

2. The acute stress responses that Dominic displayed was the shaking, uncontrollable crying,
and difficulty focusing. Dominic’s anxiety during the 9/11 attacks can be directly attributed to
the fact that he had family involved and he was not aware of their whereabouts. I think that if
compared to other observers who did not have family or friends involved, Dominic’s reaction
would differ greatly from them. A biological psychologist would recognize Dominic’s specific
situation and diagnosis him accordingly.

3. The kind of assessment that should be used on Dominic is a psychological measurement to

determine the effects of the trauma experienced by the 9/11 attacks. A clinical diagnosis should
be used as well with a sample of 9/11 attack victims to find any abnormalities in Dominic’s
specific response. Some assessments that wouldn’t be irrelevant include personality
measurements, and Intelligence tests as his IQ has nothing to do with the response to a
traumatic event.

4. According to the DSM-5-TR criteria stated in textbook, aggression, hyper vigilance,

avoidance, and intrusion are all common in acute stress disorders. Dominic appeared to the
counsellors to have signs of anger, avoidance/disbelief, and hyper vigilance with him “shaking
and crying” (Powell and McCone 2004 p.333).

5. The 9/11 attacks directly influenced Dominic’s abnormal psychological condition. He

experienced frustration when he stated “We need to get them” (Powell & McCone 2004,
p.333). He was frustrated with the all the unknowns in the attack. He experienced a crisis in not
knowing where his family was. He was in a state of panic and just wanted to find his family and
know they were going to be okay. In my opinion, Dominic didn’t experience any conflict,
pressure, or life change.
References:

Butcher, Hooley & Mineka. (2014). Abnormal Psychology. (16th ed.). Upper Saddle River,
NJ:Pearson Education, Inc.

Powell, S., & McCone, D. (2004). Treatment of Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety: A
September11, 2001, Case Study With A 1-year Follow-up. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice,
11(3), 331-336.