Psychology test 4 – Flashcards

consists of unique and relatively stable patterns of thoughts, feeling, and actions

are personal characteristics we use to describe someone

Described individuals by their trait hierarchy.

used factor analysis to identify the smallest possible number of traits

statistical procedure for determining the most basic units or factors in a large array of data

can be used to describe most individuals. The five traits are openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism

evolutionary research and cross-cultural studies support the five-factor model. But trait theories are subject to three major criticisms

no explanation for why people develop certain traits and why traits sometimes change. Is one of 3 major criticisms

no specifics provided about which early characteristics endure and which are transient. Is one of 3 major criticisms

One of 3 major criticisms

founded the psychoanalytic to personality, which emphasizes the power of the unconscious. The mind (or psych) reportedly functions on three levels of awareness (conscious, preconscious, and unconscious) Similarly the personality has there distinct structures. (Id, Ego, and Super Ego).

organisms awareness of its own self and surroundings

Freuds term for thoughts, motives, or memories that exist just beneath the surface of awareness and can be easily retrieved

Freud's term for thoughts, motives, and memories blocked from normal awareness, which still exert great influence

In Freud's theory, the primitive, instinctive component of personality, which works on the pleasure principle

In Freud's theory, the rational decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle; from the Latin term ego, meaning "I"

In Freud's theory, the "conscience" or moral component of the personality that incorporates parental and social standards for morality

In Freudian theory, the ego's protective method of reducing anxiety by distorting reality and self-deception

Oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. How specific conflicts at each of these stages are resolved is important to personality development

once followed Freud before breaking away, emphasized the inferiority complex and compensating will-to-power

once followed Freud before breaking away, introduced the collective unconscious and archetypes.

once followed Freud before breaking away, stressed the importance of basic anxiety and refuted Freud's idea of penis envy, replacing it with power envy

Critics of the psychoanalytic approach, especially Freud's theories, argue that the approach is difficult to test, overemphasizes biology and unconscious forces, has inadequate empirical support, is sexist, and lacks cross-cultural support. Despite these criticisms, Freud remains a notable pioneer in psychology.

focus on internal experiences (thoughts and feelings) and the individuals self concept. Carl Rogers emphasized mental health, congruence, self esteem, and unconditional positive regard. Abraham Maslow emphasized the potential for self actualization

Rogers term for all the info and beliefs individuals have about their own nature, qualities, and behavior

Rogers term for love and acceptance with no contingencies attached

Humanistic term for the inborn drive to develop all ones talents and capabilities

Critics of the humanistic approach argue that these theories are based on naive assumptions and are not scientifically testable or well supported by empirical evidence. Their focus on description, rather than explanation, makes them narrow.

emphasize the importance of our interactions with the environment and how we interpret and respond to these external events. Albert Bandura's social-cognitive approach focuses on self efficacy and reciprocal determination. Julian Rotter emphasizes cognitive expectancies and an internal or external locus of control

Bandura's term for a person's learned expectation of success

Bandura's belief that cognitions, behaviors, and the environment interact to produce personality

Social-Cognitive theories are credited for their attention to environmental influences and their scientific standards. However, they have been criticized for their narrow focus and lack of attention to the unconscious, environmental, and emotional components of personality

Biological themes emphasize brain structures, neurochemistry, and inherited genetic components of personality. Research on specific traits, such as extroversion and sensation seeking support, the biological approach.

The biopsychosocial approach suggests that the major theories overlap and that each contributes to our understanding of personality

Psychologists use or basic methods to measure or assess personality: interview, observations, objective tests, and projective techniques. Interviews and observations can provide insights into a wide variety of behaviors and personality treats. Interviews can be either structured or unstructured. During observations, the rater looks for examples of specific behaviors and follows a care full set of evaluation guidelines. Objective tests, such as the Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) use self report questionaires or inventories. These tests provide objective standardized information about a large number of personality traits. Projective tests, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), ask the test takers to respond to ambiguous stimuli, which reportedly provide insight into unconscious elements of personality.

Both interviews and observations can provide valuable insights into personality, but they are time consuming and expensive, raters frequently disagree, and they often involve natural settings. Objective tests provide specific, objective information, but they are limited cause of deliberate deception and social desirability bias, diagnostic difficulties, cultural bias, and inappropriate use. Projective tests are time consuming and have questionable reliability and validity. However, because they are unstructured respondents may be more willing to talk honestly about sensitive topics and projective test are harder to fake.

The Barman effect, fallacy of positive instances and self serving are the three most important fallacies of pseudo personality tests.

people with anxiety disorders experience unreasonable, often paralyzing, anxiety or fear

there is a persistent, uncontrollable, and free floating anxiety

anxiety is concentrated into sudden and intense, irrational fears and avoidance of specific objects or situations

involves persistent anxiety- arousing though (obsessions) and for ritualistic actions (compulsions)

anxiety disorder following exposure to a life threatening or other extreme event that evoked great horror or helplessness; characterized by flash backs, nightmares, and impaired functioning

Anxiety disorders are often influenced by psychological, biological, and socio cultural factors (the biopsychosocial model). Psychological theories focus on faulty cognitions (hyper vigilence) and maladaptive learning from classical conditioning and social learning. Biological approaches emphasize evolutionary and genetic predispositions, brain differences, and biochemistry. The sociocultural perspective focuses on environmental stressors that increase anxiety and cultural socialization that produces distinct culture bound disorders like taiga kyofusbo (TKS)

are extreme disturbances of affect (emotion). In major depressive disorder, individuals experience a long lasting depressed mood that interferes with their ability to function, feel pleasure, or maintain interest in life. The feeling have no apparent cause, and the individual may lose contact with reality (psychosis)

episodes of mania and depression alternate with normal periods. During the manic episode, the person is overly excited, his or her speech and thinking is rapid and poor judgment is common. The person also may experience delusions of grader and act impulsively

Biological theories of mood disorders emphasize brain function abnormalities and disruptions in neurotransmitters (especially serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine). Genetic predisposition also plays a role in both major depression and bipolar disorders. Emphasize disturbed interpersonal relationships, faulty thinking, poor self concept, and maladaptive learning. According to learned helplessness theory, depression results from repeatedly failing to escape from a punishing situation.

Is a serios psychotic mental disorder that affects approx. 1 in every 100 people. The 5 major symptoms are disturbances in perception (hallucinations), language (word salad and neologisms), thought (impaired logic and delusions), emotions (exaggerated, changeable, or blunted), and behavior (social withdrawal, bizarre mannerisms, catalepsy waxy, flexibility). People with schizophrenia suffer a serious loss of contact with reality, but have only 1 personality

people with DID reportedly have 2 or more distinct personalities within them at different times. Is the most severe dissociative identity disorder.

5 subtypes: paranoid, catatonic, disorganized, undifferentiated, and residual. There are also 2 groups of symptoms- positive and negative.

Biological theories of schizophrenia emphasize the role of genetics (people inherit a predisposition), disruptions in neurotransmitters (the dopamine hypothesis), and abnormal brain structure and function (such as enlarged ventricles and lower levels of activity in the frontal and temporal lobes). Psychosocial theories of schizophrenia focus on the diathesis-stress model and disturbed communication.

involve abuse of, or dependence on, a mood- or behavior- altering drug. People with substance- related disorders also commonly suffer from other psychological disorders, a condition known as comorbidity

critical elements of personality split apart. This split is manifested in a disassociation of significant aspects of experience from memory or consciousness. Developing completely separate personalities.

involve inflexible, maladaptive personality traits. The best known type is the antisocial personality, characterized by a profound disregard for and violation of the rights of others. Research suggests this disorder may be related to genetic inheritance, defects in brain activity, or disturbed family relationships.

is the most commonly diagnosed. It is characterized by impulsivity and instability in mood, relationships, and self image.

People with a depressive explanatory style tend to attribute bad events to external factors and stable, global causes. This pattern of negative thinking increases the chances of depression.

Men and women differ in how they experience and express abnormal behavior.

Culture general symptoms (nervousness or trouble sleeping) are similarly expressed and identified in most cultures, where as culture bound symptoms ("fullness in the head") are unique to certain cultures. Similarly, culture general disorders (schizophrenia) are similar across cultures, whereas culture bound disorders (koro) are unique. Recognizing these differences helps us expand out understanding of disorders and can thereby reduce our ethnocentrism

People with psychological disorders act in bizarre ways and are very different from normal people; mental disorders are a sign of personal weakness; mentally ill people are often dangerous and unpredictable, the mentally ill never fully recover; and most can work only at low-level jobs

refers to patterns of emotions, thoughts, or behaviors considered pathological for one or more of theses reasons: deviance, dysfunction, distress, or danger

classification system provides detailed descriptions of symptoms. It also allows standardized diagnosis and improved communication among professionals and between professionals and patients. The DSM has been criticized for over reliance on the medical model, unfairly labeling people, possible cultural bias, and for not providing dimensions and degrees of disorder

is an outmoded term for a disorder characterized by unrealistic anxiety and other associated problems

is a current term for a disorder characterized by defective or lost contact with reality

is a legal term applied when people cannot be held responsible for their action, or are judged incompetent to manage their own affairs, due to mental illness.

There is one best therapy, therapists can read your mind, people who go to therapists are crazy or weak, and only the rich can afford therapy

insight, behavior, and biomedical

refers to techniques employed to improve psychological functioning and promote adjustment to life

seeks to improve psychological functioning by increasing awareness into underlying motives and improvements in thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors

works to bring unconscious conflicts into consciousness. The 5 major techniques are free association, dream analysis, analysis of resistance, analysis of transference, and interpretation

It has limited applicable because it is time consuming, expensive, and suits only a small group of people. It also lacks scientific credibility.

is briefer, the patient is treated face to face (rather than reclining on couch), the therapist takes a more directive approach (rather than waiting for unconscious memories and desires to slowly be uncovered), and the focus is on conscious processes and current problems (rather than unconscious problems of the past)

focuses on faulty thought processes and beliefs to treat problem behaviors. Through insight into negative self talk (the unrealistic things people say to themselves), the therapist can use cognitive restructuring to challenge and change destructive thoughts or inappropriate behaviors.

focuses on changing both self-destructive thoughts and self defeating behaviors

The general goal of REBT is to eliminate emotional problems through rational examination of irrational and self defeating beliefs

Beck developed a form of cognitive therapy that is particularly effective for depression. He helps clients identify their distorted thinking patterns, followed by active testing of these thoughts and encouragement toward pleasurable activities.

Cognitive therapies have been successful in treating a wide variety of psychological problems. They have been criticized for ignoring the importance of unconscious processes, overemphasizing rationality, and minimizing the clients past. Some critics also attribute any success with cognitive therapies to the use of behavioral techniques

assumes problems develop from blocked personal growth, and therapists work alongside clients to remove these obstacles.

emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and active listening

The basic tenets are difficult to evaluate scientifically, most outcome studies rely on self reports and research on their specific techniques has bad mixed results

in group therapy a number of people come together to work toward therapeutic goals. A variation on group therapy is the self help group which is not guided by a professional. Although group members do not get the same level of attention as in individual therapy, group therapy has important advantages. First, it is less expensive. It also provides group support, insight and info, and opportunities for behavior rehearsal. The primary aim of family and marital therapy is to change maladaptive integration pattens. Because a family is a system of interdependent parts, the problem of any one member unavoidable affects all the others

use learning principles to change maladaptive behaviors

Classical conditioning principles are used to change faulty associations.

the client replaces anxiety with relaxation

an aversive stimulus is paired with a maladaptive behavior. Shaping, reinforcement, punishment, and extinction are behavior therapy techniques often include modeling therapy.

which is based on acquisition of skills or behaviors through observation

Behavior therapies have been successful with number of psychological disorders. But they are criticized for possible lack of generalizability and the questionable ethics of attempting to control behavior

use biological techniques to relieve psychological disorder. Drug therapy has been responsible for major improvements in many disorders. However, there are also problems with dosage levels, side effects, and patient cooperation.

treatment with drugs, is the most common biomedical therapy

(Valum, Ativan) generally are used to treat anxiety disorders

(Thorazine, Haldol) treat the symptoms of schizophrenia

(Prozac, Effexor) trea depression

(Lithium) can help patients with bipolar disorder.

is used primarily to relieve serious depression when medication has not worked. But is is risky and considered a treatment of last resort.

such as a lobotomy, have been used in the past but are rarely used today

Drug therapy is enormously beneficial, but it also has several problems. It offers symptom relief, but few "cures," patents often stop medications once symptoms are relieved, patients may become dependent, and little is known about the long term effects and drug interactions. In addition, there are potentially dangerous side effects, and possible overuse. ECT and psychosurgery are both controversial and are generally used as a last resort.

they all focus on treatment of five basic areas of disturbance: thoughts, emotions, behaviors, interpersonal and life situations, and biomedical problems.

combining techniques from various theories. Many therapists take this route.

Clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric social workers, and school psychologists are the six most common types of mental health professionals

discharging as many patients as possible and discouraging admissions