PSYCH 257 Test One Content

Abnormal Behavior

Behavior that is statistically rare, violates norms, causes personal suffering, involves dysfunction, or is unexpected.

Statistical Infrequency

Far from the bell curve; behaviors that occur rarely or infrequently.

Violation of Norms

Behaviors that defy social norms and can create anxiety in observers.

Personal Suffering

Behavior that causes distress or torment to the individual.

Disability or Dysfunction

Breakdown in cognition, emotion, or behavior.

Unexpectedness

A surprising or disproportionate reaction to environmental stressors.

Hippocrates

First to separate medicine from religion; introduced somatogenesis and psychogenesis.

Somatogenesis

Mental disorders caused by abnormal functioning in the physical body.

Psychogenesis

Mental disorders originate from psychological malfunctions.

Dark Ages

Period where supernatural theories prevailed regarding mental disorders.

Demonology & Witch Hunts

Beliefs that those with mental illness were possessed, leading to persecution.

Moral Treatment

Movement towards humane treatment of the mentally ill, led by Philippe Pinel.

Dorothea Dix

Advocated for improved care for the mentally ill during the 19th century.

Emil Kraepelin

Developed a classification system for mental illnesses, emphasizing biological aspects.

Dementia Praecox

An early term for schizophrenia, suggested to be caused by chemical imbalances.

Manic-Depressive Psychosis

Now known as bipolar disorder; believed to stem from metabolic irregularities.

General Paresis

Mental decline due to syphilis, indicating a physical basis for some mental disorders.

Deinstitutionalization

The process of closing large psychiatric hospitals and shifting care to the community.

Transinstitutionalization

Shift of mentally ill individuals from hospitals to jails and prisons.

Cognitive Stereotype

Fixed oversimplified beliefs based on group assumptions.

Prejudice

Negative feelings about individuals based on group membership.

Discrimination

Negative treatment of individuals founded on stereotypes and prejudices.

Stigma

Cultural attitudes that lead to isolation, fear and rejection of individuals with mental illnesses.

Economic Burden of Mental Illness

Estimated at $50 billion per year in Canada.

Romanov Report (2002)

Recommendations to improve mental health care, including homecare services.

Kirby Report (2006)

Key recommendations for the creation of a national mental health commission.

Mental Health Commission of Canada

Released 26 priorities and recommendations to improve mental health across various sectors.

Biological Paradigm

Focuses on biological factors influencing mental health.

Behaviour Genetics

Study of how behaviors are inherited and influenced by genetic factors.

Classical Conditioning

Learning through association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Learning based on the consequences of responding.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior repeating.

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Integrates cognitive and behavioral principles to address mental health issues.

Rational-Emotive Therapy

Focuses on changing irrational beliefs contributing to emotional difficulties.

Client-Centered Therapy

Therapy that emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and respect for the client.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Stressful or traumatic events occurring before age 18 that increase health risks in adulthood.

Diathesis-Stress Paradigm

Suggests that predisposition and stressors interact to increase the risk of mental disorders.

Biopsychosocial Paradigm

Combines biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health.

Resilience

The ability to adapt and recover from adversity.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies to protect the ego from anxiety.

Repression

Pushes unacceptable thoughts into the unconscious.

Denial

Refusing to acknowledge a traumatic event.

Projection

Attributing one’s unacceptable feelings or impulses to others.

Displacement

Redirecting emotional responses from the original source to a less threatening target.