Abnormal Psychology Final Exam

What are the 4 D's used to define a psychological disorder?

Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, Danger

What does 'Deviance' refer to in the context of psychological disorders?

Behavior/thoughts/emotions that differ from societal norms.

What is meant by 'Distress' in psychological disorders?

Significant emotional pain or suffering to the individual or others.

How does 'Dysfunction' relate to psychological disorders?

It interferes with daily functioning: work, school, relationships, self-care.

What does 'Danger' indicate in the context of psychological disorders?

Increased risk of harm to self or others, such as suicidality or aggression.

What is the role of a psychiatrist?

An MD who prescribes medication with a biological focus.

What is the primary focus of a clinical psychologist?

Psychological testing, therapy, and research training.

What do counseling psychologists primarily focus on?

Life transitions, adjustment, and less severe disorders.

What is the function of a clinical social worker?

Therapy and case management with a strong focus on the environment.

What qualifications does a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) typically have?

A Master's degree and provides psychotherapy in community/private settings.

What was Dorothea Dix known for?

19th-century reformer who fought to improve treatment of the mentally ill in asylums.

What is the spiritual/supernatural perspective on mental illness?

Mental illness is viewed as possession, demons, or curses.

What did Hippocrates contribute to the biological perspective of mental illness?

He proposed that mental disorders are caused by brain dysfunction, not spirits.

What is the focus of the psychological perspective on mental illness?

It emphasizes environment, learning, cognition, and early experiences.

What is moral therapy?

A humane treatment movement focusing on kindness, social interaction, and normal living conditions.

What led to the decline of moral therapy?

Overcrowding and lack of trained staff.

What is the significance of Freud's psychoanalysis?

It views mental illness as stemming from unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences.

What are the techniques used in Freud's psychoanalysis?

Free association, dream analysis, interpretation, and transference.

What is the cognitive revolution in psychology?

A shift in the 1960s toward thoughts as causes of behavior, leading to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

What is self-efficacy according to Bandura?

The belief in one's ability to handle situations, which affects anxiety and avoidance.

What is the diathesis-stress model?

It posits that disorders result from biological vulnerability plus environmental stress.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate, with imbalances linked to mental disorders.

What is the difference between MZ and DZ twins in behavior genetics research?

MZ twins share 100% of their DNA, while DZ twins share 50%.

What is the purpose of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)?

To detect psychopathology patterns and response bias.

What does the mental status exam assess?

Appearance, behavior, speech, mood & affect, thought processes, thought content, cognition/orientation, insight/judgment.

What are projective tests in psychology?

Tests using ambiguous stimuli to reveal unconscious thoughts, such as Rorschach inkblots.

What are the benefits of the DSM-5?

Standardized criteria, facilitates research, and guides treatment decisions.

What is the difference between reliability and validity in psychological assessment?

Reliability refers to consistency of measurement, while validity refers to accuracy.

What is the purpose of meta-analysis in research?

To statistically combine many studies to determine overall effect size.

What are the two types of fear and anxiety?

Functional (motivates safety) and Dysfunctional (excessive, chronic).

What hormone is released by the HPA-axis during stress?

Cortisol.

What are some consequences of chronic cortisol?

Illness, depression, anxiety, memory problems.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Intrusion (flashbacks, nightmares), Avoidance, Negative mood/cognition changes, Hyperarousal.

What is dissociation?

Feeling detached from self or surroundings, including depersonalization/derealization.

What are some environmental and social risk factors for PTSD?

Low social support, childhood trauma, poverty, ongoing violence, severity of trauma, lack of coping skills.

How is the hippocampus related to PTSD?

A smaller hippocampus is linked to memory problems and increased vulnerability; chronic cortisol damages hippocampal neurons.

What are some therapies for PTSD?

Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, SSRIs.

What characterizes Panic Disorder?

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks, worry about future attacks, avoidance of places where escape is difficult (agoraphobia).

How do panic attacks differ from normal anxiety?

Panic attacks involve a sudden physical surge of fear and peak within minutes, while normal anxiety is gradual and situational.

What is anxiety sensitivity?

Fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations.

What are the types of phobias?

Specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia.

What are the behavioral theories of phobias?

Classical conditioning, operant conditioning (avoidance leads to negative reinforcement), modeling.

What is prepared classical conditioning?

Humans are biologically predisposed to fear survival threats (e.g., snakes, heights).

What cognitive theory applies to Social Anxiety Disorder?

Fear of embarrassment or negative evaluation; involves identifying distorted thoughts and exposure to feared situations.

What are safety behaviors?

Behaviors used to avoid feared outcomes that maintain anxiety long term.

What are the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Excessive worry (6+ months), restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance.

What cognitive theories explain GAD?

Worry is used as avoidance of deeper emotions; intolerance of uncertainty.

What are the basics of OCD diagnosis?

Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts; compulsions are repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety; must be time-consuming or impairing.

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Preoccupation with perceived physical flaws.

What is the gold-standard treatment for OCD?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

What are the characteristics of depression?

Sadness/hopelessness, anhedonia, sleep/appetite changes, fatigue, worthlessness, concentration issues, suicidal ideation.

What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Chronic low-grade depression lasting 2+ years.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Depression in winter due to low sunlight, treated with light therapy and CBT.

What is learned helplessness?

Repeated uncontrollable stress leads to hopelessness and depression.

What are the key characteristics of Substance Use Disorders?

Loss of control, craving, continued use despite harm, tolerance, withdrawal, significant impairment.

What is the role of dopamine in addiction?

Drugs hijack the reward pathway, increasing dopamine which reinforces use.

What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech.

What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Flat affect, alogia, avolition, anhedonia, social withdrawal.

What is Joiner's Interpersonal Theory of suicide?

Requires perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability.

Mania

elevated/irritable mood, increased energy, pressured speech, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, risky behaviors; causes marked impairment, may include psychosis.

hypomania

less severe, no marked impairment or psychosis; part of Bipolar II.