Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the study of abnormal psychology, providing definitions and explanations to assist in understanding and retaining important information for the exam.

Abnormal Psychology

The scientific study of troublesome feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with mental disorders.

Prevalence

The percentage of a population that exhibits a particular disorder at a given time.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disorder that occur in a population during a specific time period.

Psychopathology

The study of mental disorders, often used interchangeably with abnormal psychology.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of more than one mental disorder in the same individual at the same time.

Deviation from the Norm

A method of defining abnormal behavior based on significant departure from societal or cultural norms.

Maladaptive Behavior

Behavior that hinders a person's ability to adapt to situations and fulfill typical life demands.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A theory suggesting that a predisposition to a disorder (diathesis) and stress combine to trigger the onset of mental illness.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance and support of a person regardless of what they say or do, crucial in person-centered therapy.

Cognitive Distortions

Faulty or biased ways of thinking that contribute to negative emotions and behaviors.

Family Homeostasis

The tendency of a family system to maintain stability and resist change.

Identified Patient

A family member who is designated by the family as having problems, often the focus of therapy.

Psychotropic Medications

Medications that affect mood, perception, or behavior, often used to treat mental disorders.

Humanistic Perspective

A psychological approach emphasizing personal growth and the concept of self-actualization.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Sociocultural Model

A perspective emphasizing the role of social and cultural factors in the development and treatment of mental disorders.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A medical treatment for severe depression that involves electrically inducing seizures in anesthetized patients.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers in the brain that influence mood, perception, and other functions.

Ego

In psychodynamic theory, the rational part of the mind that mediates between desires and reality.

Id

The primal part of the mind that contains instincts and drives, operating on the pleasure principle.

Superego

The part of the mind that represents moral standards and ideals, often in conflict with the desires of the id.

Abnormal Psychology

The scientific study of troublesome feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with mental disorders.

Prevalence

The percentage of a population that exhibits a particular disorder at a given time.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disorder that occur in a population during a specific time period.

Psychopathology

The study of mental disorders, often used interchangeably with abnormal psychology.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of more than 1 mental disorder in the same individual at the same time.

Deviation from the Norm

A method of defining abnormal behavior based on significant departure from societal or cultural norms.

Maladaptive Behavior

Behavior that hinders a person's ability to adapt to situations and fulfill typical life demands.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A theory suggesting that a predisposition to a disorder (diathesis) and stress combine to trigger the onset of mental illness.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance and support of a person regardless of what they say or do, crucial in person-centered therapy.

Cognitive Distortions

Faulty or biased ways of thinking that contribute to negative emotions and behaviors.

Family Homeostasis

The tendency of a family system to maintain stability and resist change.

Identified Patient

A family member who is designated by the family as having problems, often the focus of therapy.

Psychotropic Medications

Medications that affect mood, perception, or behavior, often used to treat mental disorders.

Humanistic Perspective

A psychological approach emphasizing personal growth and the concept of self-actualization.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Sociocultural Model

A perspective emphasizing the role of social and cultural factors in the development and treatment of mental disorders.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A medical treatment for severe depression that involves electrically inducing seizures in anesthetized patients.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers in the brain that influence mood, perception, and other functions.

Ego

In psychodynamic theory, the rational part of the mind that mediates between desires and reality.

Id

The primal part of the mind that contains instincts and drives, operating on the pleasure principle.

Superego

The part of the mind that represents moral standards and ideals, often in conflict with the desires of the id.

Stigma

The disapproval and social rejection of people who possess characteristics that are socially devalued.

Biopsychosocial Model

An integrated approach that attributes disease outcomes to the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

DSM-5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, which provides the standard classification of mental disorders.

Epidemiology

The branch of science dealing with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases and mental health conditions in populations.

Reliability

The degree to which a diagnostic system or research study gives consistent results across different observers or time periods.

Validity

The extent to which a test or diagnostic system measures what it is intended to measure.

Transference

A phenomenon in psychodynamic therapy where a patient projects feelings for significant people from their past onto the therapist.

Self-Actualization

The process of realizing and fulfilling one's personal potential, a core concept in humanistic psychology.