AP Psych - Unit 5 Vocab - Part #2: Topics 5.3 and 5.4

Dysfunction

The impairment or abnormal functioning of a psychological, biological, or social process

Distress

A negative, debilitating stress response to overwhelming, unpleasant, or undesirable stressors

Deviation From Cultural & Societal Norms

Behavior that violates unwritten rules, expectations, or standards of a specific group

Stigma (On the individual being diagnosed)

The negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors directed towards individuals or groups who are perceived as different or undesirable by society

Racism (On the individual being diagnosed)

Negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes directed towards individuals or groups based on their race or ethnicity

Sexism (On the individual being diagnosed)

Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination (typically against women) based on sex or gender

Ageism (On the individual being diagnosed)

Prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination directed at individuals based on their age, most commonly targeting older adults

Discrimination (On the individual being diagnosed)

The behavioral action of treating individuals or groups differently (unjustly) based on prejudice, such as race, age, or gender

Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) official handbook used by clinicians and researchers to classify, diagnose, and define mental disorders

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

A global, comprehensive system developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify diseases, including mental health disorders

Eclectic Approach (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Combining techniques and theories from multiple therapeutic orientations to tailor treatment to the unique needs of individual clients, enhancing flexibility and effectiveness in therapy

Behavioral Perspective (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Suggests that mental disorders arise from maladaptive learned behaviors and associations, focusing on how inappropriate conditioning and reinforcement of behaviors contribute to psychological issues

Maladaptive Learned Associations

Harmful connections between stimuli and responses that develop through learning and contribute to psychological disorders

Psychodynamic Perspective (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Suggests that mental disorders stem from unresolved unconscious conflicts and impulses, often originating in childhood, that influence current behavior and emotional states

Humanistic Perspective (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Emphasizes that mental disorders arise when individuals’ innate potential for self-fulfillment and personal growth is blocked, often due to failures in achieving self-acceptance and meaningful personal goals

Cognitive Perspective (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Proposes that mental disorders are caused by maladaptive thought patterns, including dysfunctional beliefs, attitudes, and emotional responses, which negatively affect behavior and emotional well-being

Evolutionary Perspective (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Suggests that mental disorders can arise from behaviors and mental processes that are maladaptive, reducing an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction in a given environment

Sociocultural Perspective (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Suggests that mental disorders stem from maladaptive social and cultural relationships and dynamics, emphasizing the influence of societal norms and interactions on mental health

Biological Perspective (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Suggests that mental disorders are caused by physiological and genetic factors, focusing on how brain function, neurochemistry, and genetics contribute to pychological conditions

Biopsychosocial Model (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Suggests that psychological disorders result from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, emphasizing the comprehensive and interconnected nature of influences on mental health

Diathesis-Stress Model (As it relates to psychological disorders)

Suggests that psychological disorders arise from predisposing genetic vulnerability (diathesis) combined with stressful environmental factors (stress), triggering the onset of mental health issues