Unit 5.3-5.4 Study Guide

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions related to psychological disorders and perspectives for exam preparation.

Dysfunction

Impairment in daily functioning due to psychological symptoms or disorders.

Distress

Emotional suffering caused by a disorder, often leading individuals to seek help.

Deviation from the social norm

Behavior that significantly differs from what is considered normal in a given society.

Cultural/societal norms

Shared beliefs and expectations about appropriate behavior within a community or society.

Stigma

Negative attitudes and discrimination toward individuals with mental health conditions.

Racism

Prejudice and discrimination based on race or ethnicity.

Sexism

Prejudice and discrimination based on gender.

Ageism

Prejudice and discrimination based on age.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment of individuals based on group membership, such as race, gender, or disability.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A classification system used to diagnose and categorize mental disorders.

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

A global diagnostic system for mental and physical disorders developed by the World Health Organization.

Eclectic approach

A treatment approach that combines techniques from multiple psychological perspectives.

Behavioral perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes learned behaviors and the role of reinforcement and punishment.

Maladaptive learned associations

Learned behaviors or associations that negatively impact functioning.

Psychodynamic perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences.

Humanistic perspective

A psychological approach that focuses on personal growth, self-actualization, and free will.

Cognitive perspective

A psychological approach that focuses on thought processes and how they influence behavior and emotions.

Evolutionary perspective

A psychological approach that examines how natural selection and adaptation influence behavior.

Sociocultural perspective

A psychological approach that examines how culture, society, and social interactions shape behavior.

Biological perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes the role of genetics, brain structures, and neurotransmitters in behavior.

Biopsychosocial model

A model that integrates biological, psychological, and social factors to explain mental health and illness.

Diathesis-stress model

A theory that suggests psychological disorders develop due to an interaction between genetic vulnerability and environmental stress.

Neurodevelopmental disorders

A group of disorders that begin in childhood and affect development, such as ADHD and ASD.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

A group of severe mental disorders characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and impaired functioning.

Delusions

Strongly held false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary.

Hallucinations

Sensory perceptions, such as hearing voices, that occur without an external stimulus.

Disorganized thinking

A symptom of schizophrenia where thoughts are fragmented, illogical, or incoherent.

Disorganized speech

Speech that is incoherent or nonsensical, often a symptom of schizophrenia.

Disorganized motor behavior

Abnormal physical behaviors, such as agitation or immobility, often associated with schizophrenia.

Negative symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia that involve a reduction or absence of normal emotional or behavioral functions, such as flat affect.

Positive symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia that involve the presence of abnormal experiences, such as hallucinations or delusions.

Delusions of persecution

False beliefs that one is being targeted, harassed, or conspired against.

Delusions of grandeur

False beliefs in one’s own exceptional abilities, power, or importance.

Word salad

A symptom of schizophrenia where speech becomes a jumbled mix of words without logical connection.

Catatonia

A state of unresponsiveness, immobility, or abnormal movements, often seen in schizophrenia.

Flat affect

A lack of emotional expression, often observed in individuals with schizophrenia.

Catatonic stupor

A condition of apparent unresponsiveness and immobility, associated with schizophrenia.

Dopamine hypothesis

The theory that schizophrenia is linked to an overactivity of dopamine in the brain.

Depressive disorders

A group of disorders characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and loss of interest.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by severe and persistent low mood, fatigue, and loss of interest in activities.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

A chronic form of depression with less severe but longer-lasting symptoms than major depression.

Bipolar disorders

Mood disorders characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression.

Cycling

The process of shifting between manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.

Mania

A state of heightened energy, euphoria, and impulsive behavior, characteristic of bipolar disorder.

Depression

A state of persistent sadness, hopelessness, and lack of motivation.

Bipolar I Disorder

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one manic episode, often accompanied by depressive episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode.

Anxiety disorders

A group of disorders characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, and related behaviors.

Specific phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Acrophobia

An intense fear of heights.

Arachnophobia

An intense fear of spiders.

Agoraphobia

An intense fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or help unavailable.

Panic disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks.

Panic attack

A sudden episode of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.

Ataque de nervios

A culturally specific condition involving uncontrollable screaming, crying, and aggression, often seen in Latin American populations.

Social anxiety disorder

An intense fear of social situations due to worries about being judged or embarrassed.

Taijin kyofusho

A culturally specific fear in Japan of causing discomfort to others through awkward behavior or appearance.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

A disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life.

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

Disorders characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Obsessions

Persistent, unwanted, and distressing thoughts or urges.

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

A disorder involving obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily functioning.

Hoarding disorder

A disorder characterized by difficulty discarding possessions, leading to clutter and distress.

Dissociative disorders

Disorders involving disruptions in memory, identity, or perception.

Dissociation

A disruption in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, or identity.

Dissociative amnesia

A loss of memory for personal information, often related to trauma or stress.

Dissociative identity disorder

A disorder in which two or more distinct identities control an individual’s behavior at different times.

Trauma and stressor-related disorders

Disorders resulting from exposure to traumatic or stressful events.

Hypervigilance

A heightened state of awareness of potential threats, often associated with PTSD.

Flashbacks

Intrusive and vivid memories of a traumatic event, as if reliving the experience.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often linked to stress or trauma.

Emotional detachment

A lack of emotional connection to others or the environment, common in PTSD.

Hostility

Persistent anger or aggression, often associated with stress-related disorders.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A disorder characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, and heightened arousal following a traumatic event.

Feeding and eating disorders

Disorders involving disturbances in eating behavior and perceptions of body image.

Anorexia nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss, fear of gaining weight, and body image distortion.

Bulimia nervosa

An eating disorder involving binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.

Personality disorders

Enduring patterns of behavior and inner experiences that deviate from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment.

Cluster A (odd or eccentric cluster)

Personality disorders characterized by odd or eccentric behaviors, such as paranoia or detachment.

Paranoid personality disorder

A disorder characterized by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.

Schizoid personality disorder

A disorder characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships and emotional coldness.

Schizotypal personality disorder

A disorder involving social discomfort, eccentric behavior, and odd thoughts or beliefs.

Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic cluster)

Personality disorders involving dramatic and erratic behaviors, such as impulsivity or emotional instability.

Antisocial personality disorder

A disorder characterized by a disregard for the rights of others, often involving deceit or manipulation.

Histrionic personality disorder

A disorder characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

Narcissistic personality disorder

A disorder involving an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others.

Borderline personality disorder

A disorder characterized by unstable moods, relationships, and self-image.

Cluster C (anxious or fearful cluster)

Personality disorders characterized by anxiety and fearfulness, such as avoidance or dependency.

Avoidant personality disorder

A disorder characterized by extreme sensitivity to criticism and avoidance of social interaction.

Dependent personality disorder

A disorder characterized by excessive reliance on others for emotional and decision-making support.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

A disorder characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.