Psychopathology: illusion: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Psychopathology: illusion

Sample item

In dim light a boy walking home mistakes a coiled rope on the road for a snake and screams. When a torch is shone he realises his mistake. This is an example of:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Affect illusion

Misperception of a real stimulus is an illusion, and when fear or anxiety drives it, it is called an affect illusion. It is corrected on closer inspection, unlike a hallucination or delusion.

Option by option

  • A. Visual hallucination

    A hallucination occurs with no stimulus at all, but here a real rope exists.

  • B. Delusional perception

    Delusional perception is a normal percept given a sudden private delusional meaning, and here the error is corrected.

  • C. Pareidolia

    Pareidolia is vivid imagery seen from vague forms such as clouds, produced by imagination without fear and with intact awareness.

  • D. Affect illusion (correct)

    Correct. A real object (rope) is misperceived under the influence of fear, so it is an affect illusion.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Affect illusion. Misperception of a real stimulus is an illusion, and when fear or anxiety drives it, it is called an affect illusion.

Why is "Visual hallucination" not the answer?

A hallucination occurs with no stimulus at all, but here a real rope exists.

Why is "Delusional perception" not the answer?

Delusional perception is a normal percept given a sudden private delusional meaning, and here the error is corrected.

Why is "Pareidolia" not the answer?

Pareidolia is vivid imagery seen from vague forms such as clouds, produced by imagination without fear and with intact awareness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopathology: illusion in Psychiatry. It is corrected on closer inspection, unlike a hallucination or delusion.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Psychopathology: illusion?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.