Cisco
CompTIA
ISC
EC-Council
EXIN
Fortinet
ITIL
Juniper
Microsoft
VMware
Avaya
SAP
Google
NVIDIA
Salesforce
Amazon
Palo Alto Networks
ISC2
Splunk
ServiceNow
All Vendors
  2. Home
  3. Exams
  4. USMLE
  5. STEP2

USMLE STEP2 Exam
Step2 (Page 11 )

Updated On: 30-Jan-2026
Page 11 of 149
PDF with 738 Questions

Which of the following is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

  1. anhedonia
  2. loose associations
  3. delusions of thought insertion
  4. incoherence
  5. stereotypic gestures

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia reflect the absence or deficiency of a mental function that is normally present. Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, is an example of such. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia reflect aberrance or distortion of mental functions. Loose associations, delusions of thought, insertion, incoherence, and stereotypic gestures are all examples of these distortions.



A middle-aged man with depression requests help for his symptoms of low self-esteem and feelings that "life is bad no matter what you do." He prefers to use no medication and expresses the desire to not be in therapy "for years." There is no previous psychiatric treatment. Which of the following therapies would be the most helpful?

  1. psychoanalysis
  2. behavioral therapy
  3. cognitive psychotherapy
  4. supportive psychotherapy
  5. group psychotherapy

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Cognitive psychotherapy would be helpful to this man to see and understand how cognitive distortions about himself, others, and the future bring about his depressive feelings. Psychoanalysis, a process lasting several years with a weekly commitment of three to four sessions, would require this person to be willing to explore and work through issues and conflicts that have their source in childhood. Behavioral therapy has as its goal the disruption of inappropriate behaviors with the substitute of more appropriate behaviors. It is intended for the treatment of phobias and various psychosomatic disorders (e.g., migraine, hypertension).
Supportive psychotherapy could also be of some value. This is used frequently in conjunction with medication. Group therapy may be of some value after this patient has had the opportunity to work in a one-to-one situation in which understandings about himself have developed. Proper preparation is essential before entering group therapy.



Identify the defense mechanisms with the descriptions below. Becoming angry with one's spouse at a party and deciding to wait until a more appropriate time to express it

  1. acting out
  2. altruism
  3. displacement
  4. intellectualization
  5. passive-aggressive behavior
  6. projection
  7. rationalization
  8. reaction formation
  9. sublimation
  10. suppression

Answer(s): J

Explanation:

Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.



Identify the defense mechanisms of a person becoming angry with one's spouse at a party and calling him or her a name in front of everyone

  1. acting out
  2. altruism
  3. displacement
  4. intellectualization
  5. passive-aggressive behavior
  6. projection
  7. rationalization
  8. reaction formation
  9. sublimation
  10. suppression

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.



Identify the defense mechanisms with the descriptions below. Working as a nurse in a pediatric ward because one would like to have children but cannot

  1. acting out
  2. altruism
  3. displacement
  4. intellectualization
  5. passive-aggressive behavior
  6. projection
  7. rationalization
  8. reaction formation
  9. sublimation
  10. suppression

Answer(s): I

Explanation:

Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.



Viewing page 11 of 149
Viewing questions 51 - 55 out of 738 questions



Post your Comments and Discuss USMLE STEP2 exam prep with other Community members:

Join the STEP2 Discussion