Test Answers on Abnormal Psychology Exam 1 – Flashcards
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synonyms for abnormality
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psychopathology, maladjustment, emotional disturbance, mental illness
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workers in the field of abnormal psychology
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clinical scientists
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users of the knowledge of abnormal psychology
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clinical practitioners
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4 Ds of abnormality
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deviance, distress, dysfunction, danger
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dysfunction
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interference with daily functioning
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counterintuitive principle of danger
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danger is the exception in abnormality rather than the rule; most people struggling pose no immediate danger
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eccentricity
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marked individuality; not necessarily an abnormality that requires intervention
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treatment
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procedure designed to change abnormal behavior into more normal behavior
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essential features of therapy (according to Jerome Frank)
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a sufferer who seeks relief, a trained healer, a series of contacts between the healer and the sufferer
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summary of ancient views
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abnormal behavior regarded as the work of evil spirits; use of trephination & exorcism
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exorcism
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treatment of abnormalities in early societies; coaxing evil spirits out of the body
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trephination
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making a hole in the skull of a person to release spirits
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summary of Greek/Roman views
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abnormal behavior seen as arising from internal physical problems with humors; use of diet and lifestyle changes
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humor
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fluid flowing through the body
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four humors
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yellow bile, black bile, blood, phlegm
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result of excess of yellow bile
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mania
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result of excess of black bile
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melancholia
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treatment for psychological dysfunction in Greece/Rome
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correct the underlying physical pathology
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summary of views in the Middle Ages
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abnormal behavior seen as evidence of Satan's influence; treatment in hospitals
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mass madness
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group delusions and hallucinations
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tarantism
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sudden jumping, dancing, convulsing; an example of mass madness
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lycanthropy
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thinking one is possessed by a wolf or other animal
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lycanthrope
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werewolf
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treatment for psychological dysfunction in Middle Ages
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rid the body of the devil; exorcisms
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Johann Weyer (1515 - 1588)
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founder of the modern study of psychopathology
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asylum
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institution whose primary purpose is to care for people with mental illness
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original cause of filthy and cruel asylums
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overcrowding
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Bedlam
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Bethlehem Hospital in London; visited by wealthy gawkers
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William Tuke
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asylum reformer of England in late 1700s; founded the York Retreat
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moral treatment
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methods of Pinel and Tuke that emphasized moral guidance and humane and respectful tehniques
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Dorothea Dix
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Boston schoolteacher who made humane care a large concern
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state hospitals
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public mental hospitals intended to offer moral treatment; established by Dorothea Dix
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cause of decline of moral treatment in late 1800s
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fast growth of moral treatment movement; severe money and staffing shortages
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somatogenic perspective
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view that abnormal psychological functioning has physical causes
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psychogenic perspective
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view that the chief causes of abnormal functioning are psychological
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biological support for somatogenic perspective
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syphilis and general paresis (physical and mental symptoms together)
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main support for psychogenic perspective
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success of hypnotism
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hysterical disorder
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mysterious bodily ailment with no apparent physical basis; addressed with hypnosis by Mesmer
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mesmerism
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procedure in which Mesmer dressed in a colorful costume and touched troubled areas of a patient's body with a "special rod"; caused his banishment from Paris
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mental process that could cause and cure physical dysfunctions
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hypnotic suggestion
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theory of psychoanalysis
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many forms of abnormal and normal psychological functioning are psychogenic
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psychotropic medications
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drugs that primarily affect the brain
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antipsychotic drugs correct _____
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extremely confused and distorted thinking
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deinstitutionalization
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releasing hundreds of thousands of patients from public mental hospitals
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% of people with severe psychological disturbances that currently receive treatment of any kind
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40
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positive psychology
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study and enhancement of positive feelings
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managed care program
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program in which the insurance company determines which therapists its clients may choose, the cost of sessions, and the number of sessions allowed
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parity laws
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laws requiring insurance companies to provide better mental care
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nomothetic understanding
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general understanding of the nature, causes, and treatments of abnormal functioning in the form of laws or principles
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methods of research
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case studies, correlational, experimental, quasi-experimental, natural, analog, single-subject
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case study
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detailed account of a person's life and psychological problems (ex.: Freud's Little Hans—the horse phobia)
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pros of case studies (4)
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offer new ideas, offer tentative support for new theories, suggest new techniques, individual
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cons of case studies (4)
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conducted by biased observers with subjective evidence, low internal validity, low external validity, can't be replicated
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internal validity
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the accuracy with which a study can pinpoint one specific factor as the cause of a phenomenon
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external validity
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the degree to which the results can be generalized beyond the study
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pros of correlational method (2)
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high external validity, replicable
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con of correlational method
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no internal validity (does not explain causation)
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examples of correlational studies (2)
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epidemiological, longitudinal
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epidemiological study
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study measuring the incidence and prevalence of a disorder in a given population
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incidence
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the number of new cases in a given period of time
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prevalence
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total number of cases in the population (existing + new)
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longitudinal study
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observation of individuals over a long period of time; also called "high-risk" or "developmental"
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confound
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variable other than the independent variable that is also acting on the dependent
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ways to guard against confounds
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control group, random assignment, blind design
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Rosenthal effect
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experimental bias where experimenter inadvertently reveals a real medical / placebo differentiation
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quasi-experiment
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experiment in which participants aren't randomly assigned to groups because they already exist (ex.: impact of abuse)
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natural experiment
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quasi-experiment in which nature manipulates the independent variable (ex.: effects of natural disaster)
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analog experiment
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experiment in which experimenter tries to produce abnormal behavior in order to observe uncontrollable phenomena in-lab (ex.: Seligman's "learned helplessness" studies trying to induce depression)
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ABAB design
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single-subject experiment in which the subject is his own control (in situations B)
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multiple baseline design
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single-subject experiment in which multiple dependent variables are used to test the effects of one independent variable
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model
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set of assumptions and concepts that help scientists explain and interpret observations
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biological theories of causation
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damaged brain anatomy, disordered chemistry, abnormal endocrine system
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sources of abnormalities according to the biological model
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genetics, evolution (some are more evolutionarily fearful), viral infections (ex.: schizophrenia)
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biological treatments
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drug therapy, ECT, neurosurgery
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psychotropic medications
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drugs that primarily affect the brain
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ECT
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electroconvulsive therapy; used on unresponsive depressives
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neurosurgery
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experimental derivations of trephination and lobotomy
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forces that shape personality according to Freud
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id (pleasure principle), ego (reality principle), superego
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developmental stages according to Freud
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oral, anal, phallic, latent, genital
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fixation
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immaturity of id, ego, and superego which freezes them in a stage of development (ex.: oral fixation leads to mistrust, dependence, and depression)
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major psychodynamic theories
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ego theory, self theory, object relations theory
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ego theory
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psychodynamic theory with more emphasis of the ego as independent and variable
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self theory
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psychodynamic theory that places more emphasis on the role of the self as unified
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object relations theory
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psychodynamic theory that places more emphasis on the desire for relationships
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defense mechanisms
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repression, denial, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, displacement, intellectualization, regression, sublimation
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psychodynamic therapy
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seeks to resolve conflicts from past traumas to resume personal development
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free association
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technique in which the patient describes anything that comes to mind in order to discover unconscious events and dilemmas
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therapist interpretation
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interpretation of patient resistance, transference, and dreams
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resistance
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unconscious refusal to participate fully in therapy
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transference
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redirection of feelings toward the psychotherapist
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catharsis
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the reliving of past repressed feelings
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manifest content
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consciously remembered dream
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latent content
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symbolic meaning of a dream
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contemporary psychodynamic therapies
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short-term psychodynamic therapy, relational psychodynamic therapy
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dynamic focus
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single problem focused on in short-term psychodynamic therapy (ex.: getting along with people)
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relational psychoanalytic therapy
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form of therapy in which the therapist discloses own experiences and feelings because the therapist is considered an active participant in the formation of people's feelings and reactions
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one major pro of psychodynamic theory
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it's helped to show that abnormal functioning is rooted in the same processes as normal functioning
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main theory of the behavioral model
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our actions are determined largely by our life experiences
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principles of learning
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the process by which behaviors change in response to the environment
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bases of abnormal functioning according to the behavioral model
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operant conditioning, modeling, and classical conditioning
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operant conditioning (Skinner)
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learned repetition of behavior that leads to rewards
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modeling
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learned responses from observing and imitating others
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classical conditioning (Pavlov)
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learning via temporal association
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example of classical conditioning
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Pavlov's dogs
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equation of classical conditioning
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unconditioned stimulus (US) + unconditioned response (UR) → conditioned stimulus (CS) + conditioned response (CR)
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social learning model (Bandura)
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reciprocal determinism between personal determinants, behavioral determinants, and developmental determinants
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main theory of the cognitive model
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abnormal functioning results from disturbing and inaccurate assumptions and attitudes
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cognitive therapy
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therapy that helps recognize and change faulty thinking processes
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humanists
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therapists who believe people are naturally friendly, cooperative, etc.
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Maslow's hierarchy of needs
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assumes that it's in our nature to strive toward self-actualization
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self-actualization
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fulfillment of the natural human potential for goodness and growth; part of the humanistic model
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client-centered therapy
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humanistic contrast to psychoanalysis
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gestalt therapy
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humanistic therapy in which clients are directed toward self-acceptance using role-playing and self-discovery exercises
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existentialists
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therapists who believe humans must have an accurate awareness and live authentic lives
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Rogerian therapy
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questions of authenticity and incongruence based on conditions of worth and the Oedipal struggle of power and control
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therapist characteristics in client-centered therapy (3)
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unconditional positive regard, accurate empathy, congruence
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sources of abnormality according to the sociocultural model
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social labels & roles, social networks & supports, family structure & communication
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main interpersonal theorist
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Erik Erikson; examined social interactions in different stages of life
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sociocultural treatments
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group therapy, self help groups, family/couple therapy, community treatment
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primary prevention
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efforts to improve community attitudes and policies
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secondary prevention
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treating disorders in early stages before seriousness
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tertiary prevention
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providing treatment to severe disorders before they're long-term problems
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multicultural perspective
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view that cultures account for behavior and functioning
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systems theory
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view that the social system is like an ecosystem
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biopsychosocial theories
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explanations that attribute the cause of abnormality to genetic, biological, developmental, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, AND societal influences
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diathesis
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theory that stress explains abnormal functioning from predisposition and vulnerability
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purpose of neuroleptics (antipsychotics)
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block dopamine in limbic system; reduce aggressive behavior, agitation, hallucination, delusions, and paranoia
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examples of antipsychotics
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neuroleptics (phenothiazine, butyrophenones); clozapine, risperidone
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purpose of antidepressants
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relieve depressive syndromes, anxiety, ADHD in adults, and eating disorders
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examples of antidepressants
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MAOIs, tricyclics (amytriptilene), SSRIs (fluoxetine (Prozac) & paroxatine (Paxil)), SSNRIs (venlafaxine (Effexor) & duloxetine (Cymbalta)), bupropion (Wellbutrin)
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purpose of mood stabilizers
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treat bipolar disorder
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examples of mood stabilizers
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lithium, anticonvulsants
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purpose of anxiolytics
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relieve anxiety, panic, and phobias
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examples of anxiolytics
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benzodiazepines (diazepam (Valium) & alprazolam (Xanax))
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purpose of stimulants
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treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and brain injury
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examples of stimulants
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amphetamines, methylphenidate hydrochloride, provigil
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common assessment tools
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clinical interviews (inc. mental status exams), tests (projective, personality, response, affective, psychophysiological, neurological, and neuropsychological), observations (naturalistic, analog, and self-monitoring)
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idiographic understanding
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understanding of the behavior of one individual
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categories of assessment tools
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clinical interviews, tests, observations
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standardization sample
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group that originally takes a test
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validity
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accurate measurement of what a tool is supposed to measure
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face validity
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test appears to measure what it is supposed to measure
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content validity
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test assesses all important aspects of a phenomenon
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predictive validity
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test predicts the behavior it is supposed to measure
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construct validity
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test measures what it is supposed to measure, not something else
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concurrent validity
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test yields the same results as other measures of the same behavior, thoughts, or feelings
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reliability
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consistency or repeatability of a measure
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test-retest reliability
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test produces similar results when given at two points in time
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alternate form reliability
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two versions of the same test produce similar results
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interrater / interjudge reliability
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two or more raters or judges who administer and score a test come to similar conclusions
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internal reliability
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different parts of the same test produce similar results
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mental status exam
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set of questions and observations that evaluate the client's awareness, attention, judgment, etc.
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projective test
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test with ambiguous material to interpret or respond to
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examples of projective tests (4)
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Rorschach test, thematic apperception test, sentence-completion test, drawings
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types of clinical tests
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projective test, personality inventory, response inventory, psychophysiological test, neurological test
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response inventory
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test designed to measure a person's responses in one area of functioning (affect, social skills, cognitive processes)
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affective inventories
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test that measures anxiety, depression, or anger (ex.: Beck Depression Inventory)
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psychophysiological test
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clinical test that measures physical responses as possible indicators of psychological problems (ex.: polygraph)
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neurological test
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clinical test that detects brain impairment by measuring cognitive, perceptual, and motor performances
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battery
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series of tests used to heighten accuracy and precision
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naturalistic clinical observation
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participant observers report about client in natural setting
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observer drift
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steady decline in accuracy due to fatigue
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clinical picture
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integrated construction of factors in a client's pathology
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diagnosis
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determination that a person's problems constitute a particular disorder
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syndrome
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a cluster of symptoms that usually occur together
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publishing dates of the DSM and DSM-IV
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1952, 1994
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Axis I
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includes significant impairments; anxiety and mood disorders
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Axis II
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long-standing problems; mental retardation and personality disorders
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Axis III
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relevant general medical conditions
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Axis IV
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psychosocial or environmental issues (ex.: school/housing)
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Axis V
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Global Assessment of Functioning
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rapprochement movement
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effort to identify common strategies in all therapies
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psychopharmacologist
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psychiatrist who primarily prescribes medications
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serotonin
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neurotransmitter that facilitates or dampens responses regarding mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
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dopamine
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neurotransmitter that facilitates or dampens responses regarding movement, learning, attention, and emotion
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norepinephrine
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neurotransmitter related to alertness and arousal; tied to depression & anxiety
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acetylcholine (ACTH)
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neurotransmitter related to muscle action, learning, and memory; tied to Alzheimer's
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GABA
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neurotransmitter related to eating & sleeping; tied to anxiety
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how drug therapies work (3)
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correct inadequacy in functioning of neurotransmitters, treat symptoms, increase or decrease neurological arousal
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conditions of worth
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what is required in order to have acceptance
