Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

Which term describes a false belief that is firmly held despite evidence to the contrary?

1. Hallucination

2. Delusion

3. Phobia

4. Dissociation

The correct answer is: Delusion

The term that describes a false belief that is firmly held despite evidence to the contrary is delusion. Delusions are often categorized as a symptom of various mental health disorders, particularly in psychotic conditions like schizophrenia. They involve a person maintaining a belief that is not only false but also resistant to reasoning or contrary evidence. For instance, an individual might believe they are being persecuted, even when there is no proof to support such a belief, and they may reject any evidence that contradicts this conviction. Hallucinations, in contrast, involve the perception of things that are not present in the environment, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there. Phobias refer to irrational fears of specific objects or situations, leading to avoidance behavior. Dissociation describes a disconnection between a person’s thoughts, memory, and sense of self, which can occur in response to trauma or stress. While these other terms relate to mental health experiences, they do not specifically describe the phenomenon of holding a firm false belief like delusion does.