Term
| How should we draw the line between normality and disorder? |
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Definition
| According to psychologists and psychiatrists, a psychological disorder is a syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. |
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Term
| Why is there some controversy over attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? |
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Definition
| By age 7 a child with extreme inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity may be diagnosed with ADHD. The controversy centers on whether the growing number of ADHD cases reflects overdiagnosis or increased awareness of the disorder. The long-term effects of stimulant drug treatment for ADHD are not yet known. |
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Term
| How do the medical model and the biophysical approach understand psychological disorders? |
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Definition
| The medical model assumes that psychological disorders are mental illnesses with physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and, in most cases, cured through therapy, sometimes in a hospital. Biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences interact to produce specific psychological disorders. |
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Term
| How and why do clinicians classify psychological disorders? |
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Definition
| the DSM-5 contains diagnostic labels and descriptions that provide a common language and shared concepts for communication and research. Some critics believe the DSM editions have become too detailed and extensive. |
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Term
| Why do some psychologists criticize the use of diagnostic labels? |
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Definition
| Other critics view DSM diagnoses as arbitrary labels that create preconceptions that bias perceptions of the labeled person's past and present behavior. The legal label, "insanity", raises moral and ethical questions about whether society should hold people with disorders responsible for their violent actions. Most people with disorders are nonviolent and are more likely to be victims than attackers. |
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Term
| How many people suffer, or have suffered, from a psychological disorder? Is poverty a risk factor? |
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Definition
| Psychological disorder rates vary, depending on the time and place of the survey. In one multinational survey, rates for any disorder ranged from less than 5 percent (Shanghai) to more than 25 percent (the United States). Poverty is a risk factor: conditions and experiences associated with poverty contribute to the development of psychological disorders. But some disorders, such as schizophrenia, can drive people into poverty. |
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Term
| Which of the following describes the idea that psychological disorders can be diagnosed and treated? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which of the following is the primary purpose of the DSM? |
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Definition
| Diagnosis of mental disorders |
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Term
| Which of the following disorders do Americans report most frequently? |
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Definition
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Term
| Name and describe the two major approaches to understanding psychological disorders |
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Definition
1. The medical model, which is an attempt to first diagnose then treat psychological disorders.
2. The biophysical approach, which is an attempt to understand psychological disorders as an interaction of biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors. |
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Term
| What are different anxiety disorders? |
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Definition
| Anxious feelings and behaviors are classified as an anxiety disorder only when they form a pattern of distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety. People with generalized anxiety disorder feel persistently and uncontrollably tense and apprehensive for no apparent reason. In the more extreme panic disorder, anxiety escalates into periodic episodes of intense dread. Those with a phobia may be irrationally afraid of a specific object, activity, or situation. Two other disorders, OCD and PTSD, involve anxiety even though they are classified separately from the anxiety disorders. |
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Term
| What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? (OCD) |
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Definition
| Persistent and repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and actions (compulsions) characterize OCD. |
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Term
| What is post traumatic stress disorder? |
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Definition
| Symptoms of PTSD include four or more weeks of haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and sleep problems following some traumatic experience. |
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Term
| How do the learning and biological perspectives explain anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD? |
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Definition
the learning perspective views anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD as products of fear conditioning, stimulus generalization, fearful-behavior reinforcement, and observational learning of others’ fears and cognitions (interpretations, irrational beliefs, and hyper vigilance).
The biological perspective considers the role that fears of life-threatening animals, objects, or situations played in natural selection and evolution; genetic predispositions for high levels of emotional reactivity and neurotransmitter production; and abnormal responses in the brain’s fear circuits. |
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Term
| What do we call an anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity, or situation? |
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Definition
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Term
| A person troubled by repetitive thoughts or actions is most likely experiencing which of the following? |
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Definition
| Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder |
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Term
| The key difference between obsessions and compulsions is taht compulsions involve repetitive… |
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Definition
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Term
| Name the two contemporary perspectives used by psychologists to understand anxiety disorders. Then explain how or what psychologists study within each perspectives. |
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Definition
1. The learning perspective: Psychologists using the learning perspective study fear conditioning, observational learning, or cognitive processes.
2. The biological perspective: Psychologists using the biological perspective study natural selections, genes, or the brain. |
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Term
| What are mood disorders? How does major depressive disorder differ from bipolar disorder? |
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Definition
Mood disorders are characterized by emotional extremes.
A person with major depressive disorder experiences two or more weeks of seriously depressed moods and feelings of worthlessness, and takes little interest in, and derives little pleasure from most activities
A person with the less common condition of bipolar disorder experiences not only depression but also mania - episodes of hyperactive and wildly optimistic, impulsive behavior |
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Term
| How do the biological and social-cognitive perspectives explain mood disorders? |
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Definition
The biological perspective on depression focuses on genetic predispositions and on abnormalities in brain structures and function (including those found in neurotransmitter systems).
The social-cognitive perspective views depression as an ongoing cycle of stressful experiences (interpreted through negative beliefs, attributions, and memories) leading to negative moods and actions and fueling new stressful experiences. |
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Term
| What factors affect suicide and self-injury, and what are some of the important warning signs to watch for in suicide-prevention efforts? |
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Definition
Suicide rates differ by nation, race, gender, age group, income, religious involvement, marital status, and (for gay and lesbian youth) social support structure.
Those with depression are more at risk for suicide than others are, but social suggestion, health status, and economic and social frustration are also contributing factors.
Environmental barrie’s (such as jump barriers) are effective in preventing suicides
Forewarnings of suicide may include verbal hints, giving away possessions, withdrawal, preoccupation with death, and discussing one’s own suicide.
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) does not usually lead to suicide but may escalate to suicidal thoughts and acts if untreated.
People who engage in NSSI do not tolerate stress well and tend to be self-critical, with poor communication and problem-solving skills. |
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Term
| Which is not a symptom of major depressive disorder? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which of the following is true of suicide? |
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Definition
| In the United States, suicide is more common among Whites than Blacks |
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Term
| Based on brain scans, which of the following is true of brain function and mood? |
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Definition
| The brain is more active during manic episodes and less active during depressive episodes. |
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Term
| Xavier, who has a negative explanatory style, is most likely to get depressed after failing a math test if he believes that he failed because… |
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Definition
| He is not good at math and will never be |
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Term
| Christina became depressed after being laid off from her job. Her therapist thinks it’s because she has a stable, global, and internal explanatory style. Illustrate each of these three attributes by writing a possible through Christina might have for each one. |
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Definition
Stable thought (e.g. “I have always had trouble holding down a job”)
Global thought (e.g. “Everything in my life is messed up”)
Internal thought (e.g. “It’s all my fault I lost this job”) |
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Term
| What patterns of thinking, perceiving, and feeling characterize schizophrenia? |
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Definition
Schizophrenia is a disorder that typically strikes during late adolescence, affects men slightly more than women, and seems to occur in all cultures.
Symptoms are disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and diminished or inappropriate emotions.
Delusions are false beliefs; hallucinations are sensory experiences without sensory stimulation. |
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Term
| How do chronic and acute schizophrenia differ? |
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Definition
Schizophrenia symptoms may be positive (the presence of inappropriate behaviors) or negative (the absence of appropriate behaviors)
In chronic (or process) schizophrenia, the disorder develops gradually and recovery is doubtful
In acute (or reactive) schizophrenia, the onset is a sudden in reaction t o stress, and the prospects for recovery are brighter. |
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Term
| How do brain abnormalities and viral infections help explain schizophrenia? |
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Definition
People with schizophrenia have increased dopamine receptors, which may intensify brain signals, creating positive symptoms such as hallucinations and paranoia
Brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia include enlarged, fluid-filled cerebral cavities and corresponding decreases in the cortex
Brain scans reveal abnormal activity in the frontal lobes, thalamus, and amygdala
Interacting malfunctions in multiple brain regions and their connections may produce schizophrenias symptoms
Possible contributing factors include viral infections or famine conditions during the mother’s pregnancy and low weight or oxygen deprivation at birth. |
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Term
| Are there genetic influences on schizophrenia? What factors may be early warning signs of schizophrenia in children? |
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Definition
Twin and adoptions studies indicate that the predisposition to schizophrenia is inherited, and environmental factors influence gene expression to enable this disorder, which is found worldwide.
No environmental causes invariable produce schizophrenia
Possible early warning signs of later development of schizophrenia include both biological factors (a mother with severe and long-lasting schizophrenia; oxygen deprivation and low weight at birth; short attention span and poor muscle coordination) as well as psychological factors (disruptive or withdrawn behavior; emotional unpredictability; poor peer relations and solo play). |
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Term
| Which of the following is the best term or phrase for a false belief, often of persecution, that may accompany psychotic disorders? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which of the following is true? |
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Definition
| Fetuses exposed to flu virus are more likely to develop schizophrenia later in life |
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Term
| According to research, which of the following has been identified as an early warning sign of schizophrenia? |
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Definition
| Poor peer relations and solo play |
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Term
| Name three possible warning signs of schizophrenia |
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Definition
A mother whose schizophrenia was severe and long lasting
Birth complications, often involving oxygen deprivation and low weight
Separation from parents
Short attention span and poor muscle coordination
Disruptive or withdrawn behavior
Emotional unpredictability
Poor peer relations and solo play |
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Term
| What are somatic symptom and related disorders? |
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Definition
Somatic symptom disorder presents a somatic (bodily) symptom - some physiologically unexplained but genuinely felt ailment
With conversion disorder (also called functional neurological symptom disorder), anxiety appears converted to a physical symptom that has no reasonable neurological basis
The more common illness anxiety disorder is the interpretation or normal sensations as a dreaded disorder |
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Term
| What are dissociative disorders, and why are they controversial? |
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Definition
Dissociative disorders are conditions in which conscious awareness seems to become separated from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings.
Skeptics note that dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, increased dramatically in the late twentieth century, that it is rarely found outside North America, and that it may reflect role-playing by people who are vulnerable to therapists’ suggestions. Others view this disorder as a manifestation of feelings of anxiety, or as a response learned when behaviors are reinforced by anxiety-reduction |
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Term
| How do anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder demonstrate the influence of psychological and genetic forces? |
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Definition
In these eating disorders, psychological factors may overwhelm the homeostatic drive to maintain a balanced internal state
Despite being significantly underweight, people with anorexia nervosa (usually adolescent females) continue to diet because they view themselves as fat
Those with bulimia nervosa (usually females in their teens and twenties) secretly binge and then compensate by purging, fasting, or excessively exercising.
Those with binge-eating disorder binge but do not follow bingeing with purging, fasting, or exercise.
Cultural pressures, low self-esteem, and negative emotions interact with stressful life experiences and genetics to produce eating disorders. |
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Term
| What are the three clusters of personality disorders? What behaviors and brain activity characterize the antisocial personality? |
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Definition
Personality disorders are disruptive, inflexible, and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning.
These disorders form clusters, based on three main characteristics: (1) anxiety; (2) eccentric or odd behaviors; and (3) dramatic or impulsive behaviors.
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of conscience and, sometimes, by aggressive and fearless behavior. Genetic predispositions may interact with the environment to produce the altered brain activity associated with antisocial personality disorder. |
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Term
| Adela regularly interprets ordinary physical symptoms like stomach cramps and headaches as serious medical problems. Her doctor is unable to convince her that her problems are not that serious. Adela suffers from… |
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Definition
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Term
| Which of the following is the diagnosis given to people with multiple personalities? |
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Definition
| Dissociative identity disorder |
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Term
| Which of the following is the defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder? |
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Definition
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Term
| Name and briefly describe three eating disorders. |
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Definition
Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which the individuals starve themselves despite being significantly underweight
Bulimia nervosa is a disorder in which the individual alternates between bingeing and purging.
Binge-eating disorder is a disorder in which the individual binges without purging. |
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