Psychology 101 - Exam 4 - LOQs

How do depressive disorders and bipolar disorders differ?

Depressive disorders involve a long-lasting sad, empty, or irritable mood with physical and mental symptoms that affect daily life. Major depressive disorder includes 5+ symptoms (like low mood or loss of interest) for at least 2 weeks.
Bipolar disorders include both depression and episodes of mania, which are periods of overly energetic, impulsive, and overly optimistic behavior.

What are the three clusters of personality disorders? What behaviors and brain activity characterize antisocial personality disorder?

The three clusters are:

• Cluster A – odd or eccentric behavior

• Cluster B – dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior

• Cluster C – anxious or fearful behavior

Antisocial personality disorder (Cluster B) involves a lack of conscience, fearlessness, and sometimes aggression. People with this disorder show reduced activity in the frontal lobes, a smaller amygdala, and thinner frontal cortex, which can lead to poor impulse control and low empathy. Genetic factors and the environment interact to produce these traits.

Does psychotherapy work? How can we know?

Yes—research shows it’s effective. While client/therapist testimonials aren't reliable (due to placebo effects and confirmation bias), many randomized studies show that people in psychotherapy improve more, faster, and with less risk of relapse than those who don’t get treatment.

Do psychological disorders predict violent behavior?

Rarely. Most people with mental disorders are nonviolent and more often victims than attackers. Clinicians can’t reliably predict violent behavior. Better predictors include substance use, past violence, access to guns, and brain damage.

What are the protective factors against mental illness?

self-esteem, confidence; ability to solve problems and manage stress or adversity; communication skills; physical health, fitness; social support of family and friends; good parenting/positive family interaction; physical security and safety; economic security; scholastic achievement; satisfaction and success at work; equality of access to basic services; social justice, tolerance, integration; social and gender equality; physical security and safety