Abnormal Psychology and Psychological Theories Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering psychodynamic theories, Freudian models, developmental stages, and childhood/adolescent psychological disorders based on the lecture transcript.

Abnormal (Psychological)

Characterized by distress/suffering and an impairment in function or ability.

DSM

A manual that clearly defines each psychological disorder and the criteria needed to meet a diagnosis.

Psychodynamic psychology

A school of thought holding that the mind is an active place and that childhood is the most important time in life, acting as the foundation for adult mental health.

The Unconscious

A structural part of the mind that is inaccessible but considered the most important part of the psyche.

Psychoanalysis

A specific type of psychodynamic psychology and therapy technically referring to Freud's theory and techniques.

Theory of psychosexual development

Freud’s theory of psychosexual development states that adult personality is shaped by childhood stages where the libido (pleasure-seeking energy) is focused on specific erogenous zones. Unresolved conflicts at any stage cause "fixation," dictating future behavior and mental health. Consists of: Oral phase, Anal phase, Phallic stage, Latency stage, Genital stage.

Topographical model

Also known as the iceberg model, it breaks the mind into consciousness, the pre-conscious, and the unconscious (the largest part).

Instinctual drives

Biological impulses, specifically sex and aggression, that fuel psychological development and strive for expression.

Defense mechanisms

Mental processes that develop between the pre-consciousness and unconsciousness to contain, modify, and disguise sexual or aggressive impulses so they are acceptable in reality.

Structural model

Freud's second model consisting of three structures: the Id, Ego, and Superego.

Id

An unconscious structure that operates on the "pleasure principle" and is driven by basic animal instinctual impulses like sex and aggression.

Ego

The mediator that takes demands from the Id and Superego to craft a response that functions in reality.

Superego

The part of the psyche that guides behavior based on morality, consisting of the ego ideal (positive feedback) and the conscience (punishing with guilt/shame).

Sublimation

The most mature defense mechanism where threatening impulses (sex or aggression) are modified into something beneficial for person and society, such as a surgeon using aggressive impulses.

Oral phase

The first stage of development (birth to $1.5$ years) where the mouth is the primary pleasure center and dependence is the key issue being resolved.

Anal phase

The second stage ($1.5 - 2$ years) focused on toilet training and the psychological issue of control.

Phallic stage

The stage from age $3 - 6$ considered the most important in development, involving castration anxiety, identification with parents, and the birth of the Superego.

Latency stage

The period from age $7$ to puberty where organizational development occurs and children immerse themselves in school and lessons from previous stages.

Genital stage

The final stage of development defined by healthy adulthood where primal instincts (sexuality) and society are balanced.

Fixation

Arrested development where the Id attaches to a negative memory or experience in childhood that continues to shape the individual into adulthood.

Object Relations

A branch of psychodynamic psychology suggesting that human beings are primarily relationship-seeking rather than pleasure-seeking.

Primary maternal preoccupation

A state during pregnancy and early infancy where a mother becomes highly motivated to attend to the infant's needs, developing a psychological relationship before birth.

Holding environment

A safe space created by mothers so the infant can experience the world securely.

Subjective omnipotence

The early infant stage where a child thinks they magically feed themselves and does not realize the mother is a separate person.

Therapist neutrality

The requirement for a therapist to remain neutral and unique in the relationship to allow the patient's internal patterns to emerge.

Free Association

A therapeutic technique where a patient is asked to say whatever comes to mind without editing, under the belief that everything shared has meaning.

Manifest content

The literal images and "movie-like" qualities of a dream.

Latent content

The underlying, hidden symbolic meaning of a dream.

Resistance

An inevitable therapeutic process where a patient demonstrates defensiveness, indicating the therapist is getting close to sensitive material.

Countertransference

The process where both the patient and therapist affect each other, requiring the therapist to reflect on their own feelings to benefit the therapy.

Transference

The act of a patient transferring old, repeated patterns of behavior and relationships onto the therapist.

ABC Model

A "more in the moment" style of therapy typical of the Cognitive Behavioral model.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

A childhood disorder involving defiance and inciting conflict, characterized by a lack of awareness of how one's actions cause conflict.

Hostile Attribution Bias

The tendency to overestimate the degree to which others are engaging in hostile behavior, often due to unprocessed projected anger.

Conduct disorder

A severe disorder involving crimes and threats to others, often seen as a pre-adult version of antisocial personality disorder.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A disorder with two subcomponents: attention deficit (inattentiveness) and hyperactivity (underregulated impulse control).

Learning Disability

A discrepancy between an individual's typical or advanced intellectual capabilities and their actual academic performance.

Intellectual developmental disorder

A spectrum disorder requiring an IQ below $70$ ($3$ standard deviations below average), diagnosis before age $18$, and impairment in basic living skills.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A spectrum disorder diagnosed through deficits in social communication, repetitive behaviors (stimming), and impairment in language.

Theory of Mind

The ability to put oneself in another person's shoes and take their physical or psychological perspective.

Executive functioning

The set of skills used for regulating emotions, managing behavior, and pursuing goal-directed behavior.

Central coherence

The ability to understand broader concepts and patterns rather than being overly focused on specific details.

Paranoid personality style

A personality style rooted in fear and hostility, where the individual projects their own fear outwards.

Hysterical personality style

A personality style rooted in repression, involving excessive emotionality that lacks depth because the intellectual component of emotions is repressed.