Psychology Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health

Health Psychology

The study of how psychological factors influence physical health and illness

Stress

Psychological and physical response to perceived challenges or threats

Hypertension

A condition characterized by consistently high blood pressure that can lead to health complications

Immune suppression

The reduced ability of the immune systems to fight off infections and diseases

Stressors

Events or situations that trigger stress responses in individuals

Eustress

A positive form of stress that can motivate and enhance performance

Distress

Negative form of stress that can lead to anxiety and decreased performance

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic events during childhood that can negatively impact a persons health and well-being later in life

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A three-state response to stress that includes alarm, resistance and exhaustion

Alarm reaction phase

The initial response to stress where the body detects a threat and activated the fight or flight response

Flight-flight-freeze response

An automatic physiological reaction to a perceived threat, preparing the body to either escape, confront, or freeze in place

Resistance Phase

The body’s adaption stage to prolonged stress where it tries to cope with and resist the stressor

Exhaustion phase

Occurs when the body’s resources are depleted after prolonged stress, leading to decreased functioning and increased vulnerability to illness

Tend-and-befriend theory

In response to stress, individuals, especially women, are more likely to seek social support and nurture others rather than just fight or flee

Problem-focused coping

Involves actively addressing and attempting to solve the source of stress to reduce its impact

Emotion-focused coping

Involves managing an regulating emotional response to stress rather then addressing the stressor itself

Positive psychology

The study of strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive and lead fulfilling lives

Well-being

A state of overall happiness and health, encompassing emotional, psychological and social aspects of life

Resilience

The ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity, stress or challenging situations

Positive emotions

Feelings that enhance well-being and promote adaptation functioning, such as joy, gratitude and love

Gratitude

The appreciation for what one has, often leading to positive emotions and imposed well-being

Positive subjective experiences

Personal feelings of happiness and satisfaction that contribute to an individuals overall sense of well-being

Subjective well-being

An individuals self-reported assessment of their own happiness and life satisfaction

Signature strengths (virtues)

Unique positive traits and equalities that characterize an individuals personality and contribute to their flourishing

Positive objective experiences

Measurable events or situations that contribute to an individuals happiness and well-being

Happiness

A positive emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, contentment and life satisfaction

Categories of virtues

Classifications of positive traits that promote individual and collective flourishing, often grouped into areas like wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence

Wisdom

Ability to make sound judgements and decisions based on knowledge, experience and insight

Courage

The mental or moral strength to confront fear, pain or adversity

Humanity

The quality of being compassionate and showing kindness and empathy towards others

Justice

The principle of fairness and the pursuit of equality in treatment and opportunities for all individuals

Temperance

The practice of self-control and moderation in one’s desires and actions

Transcendence

The ability to rise above limitations and achieve a higher state of consciousness or understanding

Posttraumatic growth

The positive psychological change that can occur as a result of struggling with challenging life circumstances

Dysfunction

The impaired functioning of an individual or system that disrupts normal behavior or processes

Deviation from the societal norm

Behavior that significantly differs from the accepted standards of a society

Cultural/Societal Norms

The shared expectations and rules that guide behavior within a specific group or society

Stigma

Negative perception/label associated with a particular characteristic or behavior that leads to discrimination or social disapproval

Racism

The belief that one race is superior to others, leading to discrimination and prejudice based on racial differences

Sexism

The belief that one gender is superior to another, resulting in discrimination and prejudice based on gender differences

Ageism

The discrimination/prejudice against individuals based on their age, often leading to negative stereotypes about older or younger people

Discrimination

The unfair treatment of individuals based on their group membership, race, gender or age

Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A comprehensive classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose and categorize mental disorders

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

Global standard for diagnosing and classifying health conditions, including mental disorders, used by healthcare providers worldwide

Eclectic Approach

A method that combines techniques and theories from different psychological schools to address a clients needs

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on studying observable behaviors and the ways they’re learned through interactions with the environment

Maladaptive learned associations

Negative connections formed between stimuli and responses that can lead to harmful behaviors or emotional issues

Psychodynamic perspective

Emphasized the influence of unconscious processes and childhood experiences on behavior and mental states

Humanistic Perspective

Focuses on individual potential; self-actualization, and the importance of personal growth and free will

Cognitive Perspective

Examines mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving to understand behavior

Evolutionary Perspective

Explores how natural selection and adaptation influence behavior and mental processes

Sociocultural Perspective

Examines how social and cultural factors influence behavior, thoughts and emotions

Biological Perspective

Focuses on the influence of genetics, brain structure, and neuroscientist Ty on behavior and mental processes

Biopsychological model

Inegrates biological, psychological and social factors to understand health and illness (biopsych unit)

Diathesis-Stress Model

Suggests that psychological disorders develop due to the interaction between a predisposition to a disorder and environmental stressors

Evidence-based interventions

Strategies or treatments that are supported by scientific research and data to effectively address specific psychological issues.

Cultural humility

An approach that emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences in healthcare and psychology. It involves continuous self-reflection and learning about cultural biases to improve patient care.

Therapeutic alliance

Collaborative relationship between a therapist and a client that fosters trust and effective treatment.

Psychotropic or psychoactive medication

A type of drug that affects mood, perception, and behavior by altering brain function.

Decentralized treatment (Deinstitutionalization)

The process of moving individuals with mental illness from large psychiatric hospitals to community-based care settings.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of avoiding harm to patients in psychological treatment.

Fidelity

The ethical principle of maintaining trust and keeping promises in the therapist-client relationship.

Integrity

The ethical principle of being honest and upholding strong moral values in professional practices.

Respect for a patient's rights and dignity

Acknowledging and honoring the autonomy and worth of each individual in the therapeutic process.

Psychodynamic therapies

A set of therapeutic approaches grounded in the principles of psychoanalysis, focusing on unconscious processes and past experiences to understand current behavior and emotional issues.

 Free association

A therapeutic technique used in psychoanalysis where patients express thoughts freely to uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings.

 Dream interpretation

The process of analyzing dreams to uncover their underlying meanings and symbols, often used in psychodynamic therapy to gain insights into a patient's unconscious mind.

Cognitive therapies

Changing negative thought patterns to improve emotional well-being and behavior.        

Cognitive restructuring

A cognitive therapy technique that helps individuals identify and change dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs, promoting healthier thinking patterns and emotional responses.

Fear hierarchies

A therapeutic technique used in exposure therapy that involves ranking fears from least to most anxiety-provoking, allowing individuals to confront them gradually.

Combating maladaptive thinking

Involves identifying and challenging irrational thoughts to foster healthier emotional responses and behaviors.

The cognitive triad

Is a concept in cognitive therapy proposed by Aaron Beck, which suggests that individuals with depression typically have negative thoughts about themselves, their experiences, and their future. It highlights how these negative beliefs can contribute to and exacerbate depressive symptoms. Refers to the three interconnected negative thought patterns about oneself, the world, and the future that contribute to depression.        

Applied behavior analysis

is a systematic approach to understanding and modifying behavior through the principles of behaviorism. It focuses on observable behaviors and employs reinforcement techniques to encourage positive behavior change.

Exposure therapies

Treatments that gradually expose individuals to feared stimuli to help reduce anxiety and avoidance behaviors.      

Systematic desensitization

Is a type of exposure therapy that helps individuals gradually reduce anxiety associated with specific phobias by teaching relaxation techniques and progressively introducing the feared stimulus.

Aversion therapies

Are treatments designed to reduce unwanted behaviors by associating them with negative stimuli or experiences OR treatments that use negative stimuli or consequences to discourage undesirable behaviors.     

Token economies

Systems that reward desired behaviors with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges or goods.     

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches individuals to control physiological functions by providing real-time feedback on their bodily processes. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT)

Treatments that help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional regulation.          

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on teaching individuals skills in emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. It is often used for individuals with borderline personality disorder.

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

A form of cognitive therapy that helps individuals identify and change irrational beliefs to improve emotional well-being.     

Person-centered therapy

A therapeutic approach that emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization, focusing on the individual's subjective experience and providing a supportive environment.

Unconditional positive regard

The acceptance and support of a person regardless of what they say or do, fostering a safe environment for personal growth. No judgement!

Active listening

A communication technique used in counseling that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what the client says. This approach promotes deeper understanding and emotional connection.

Group therapy

A form of psychotherapy where a therapist leads a group of individuals with similar issues for collective support, discussion, and healing.

Hypnosis

A state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, often used for therapeutic purposes, such as pain relief or behavior modification.

Psychoactive medication

Substances that affect mood, perception, and cognition by altering brain chemistry, commonly prescribed for mental health disorders.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression and anxiety by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain OR psychoactive medications used to treat depression by balancing chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions.     

 Anti-anxiety drugs

Medications that help reduce symptoms of anxiety by calming the brain and nervous system.           

Lithium

A mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder by balancing chemicals in the brain.

Antipsychotic medications

Drugs used to manage psychosis, including schizophrenia, by altering brain chemistry and reducing symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

Tardive dyskinesia

A neurological movement disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, often a side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications.

Psychosurgery

A surgical procedure that involves removing or damaging brain tissue to treat severe mental disorders.   

Lesioning

A technique that involves intentionally damaging specific brain areas to study their effects on behavior and mental processes.    

TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

A non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, often used to treat depression and other mental health conditions.

 Electroconvulsive therapy

A psychiatric treatment that involves delivering electrical shocks to the brain to induce seizures, primarily used for severe depression when other treatments have failed.

Lobotomy

A historically controversial surgical procedure that involves severing connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex, once used to treat severe mental disorders. It aimed to alleviate symptoms by disrupting neural pathways but often resulted in significant cognitive and emotional impairments.

Anxiolytics

A class of medications used to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. They function by altering the neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), enhancing its calming effects.

Counter conditioning

A behavioral technique that replaces an unwanted response to a stimulus with a desired response through conditioning.