abnormal

Cross-sectional design

Comparing two or more groups on a particular variable at a specific time.

Double-blind testing

An experimental procedure where neither the researcher nor the participants know the treatment each participant receives until after the experiment.

Longitudinal study

Research conducted over time using observations, interviews, or psychometric testing to measure changes.

Meta-analysis

Pooling data from multiple studies to arrive at a combined answer for the same research question.

Prospective research

A study that collects data early in participants' lives to find correlations between variables and measure changes over time.

Protective factors

Conditions or attributes that lessen or eliminate the risk of mental disorders.

Risk factors

Conditions or attributes that increase the risk of mental disorders.

Single blind testing

An experiment where researchers know which participants are receiving treatment, but participants do not know their condition.

Treatment-Etiology Fallacy

The false belief that a treatment's effectiveness implies that its absence caused the disorder.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Stressful or traumatic events in childhood that are related to various health problems throughout a person's lifespan.

Comorbidity

The presence of more than one disorder influencing a person's behavior.

Confirmation bias

Bias that occurs when a researcher sees what they want to see, leading to potential misdiagnosis.

Emic approaches to diagnosis

Approaches that use local healers to define normalcy and mental illness within cultural context.

Etic approaches to diagnosis

Approaches that assume normalcy and mental illness are universal, applying standard diagnostic criteria.

Etiology

The origin or potential cause of a disorder.

Iatrogenic effects

Symptoms that result from a treatment, mistaken as part of the disorder.

Overpathologization

When individuals are more likely diagnosed with a disorder due to gender, culture, or age.

Prevalence

The proportion of a population found to have a disorder.

Reactivity

Behavior changes in individuals due to awareness of being observed.

Relapse rate

The rate at which symptoms return after treatment has been discontinued.

Reliability of diagnosis

Agreement among different psychiatrists on a client's diagnosis using the same system.

Reporting bias

Selective revealing or suppression of information by clients during diagnosis.

Rumination

Repetitively focusing on symptoms of depression and their possible causes.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

When a diagnosis leads a person to exhibit symptoms due to their belief in the diagnosis.

Sick role bias

Assuming there is a problem when a person seeks help, possibly leading to misdiagnosis.

Somatization

Experiencing psychological distress as physiological symptoms.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, such as Prozac, that block serotonin reuptake.

Stigmatization

The labeling of a person as an outcast due to their diagnosis.

Underpathologization

When a person is less likely diagnosed with a disorder due to gender, culture, or age.

Validity of diagnosis

The accuracy of a diagnosis and its effectiveness in leading to successful treatment.

CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focused on reshaping faulty thinking patterns.

Diathesis-Stress Model

The theory that behavior is influenced by genetic predisposition activated by stress from life experiences.

Genetic vulnerability

The potential to develop a disorder based on genetic factors that may not be activated depending on life circumstances.