AP Psych Unit 10 Treatment of Abnormal Behavior

Flashcards covering key concepts and therapies for abnormal behavior, based on the provided lecture notes.

Approaches

Psychotherapy, biomedical therapy, and eclectic approach. Example: Using talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both to treat depression.

Psychoanalysis

To bring repressed feelings into conscious awareness, allowing the patient to gain self-insight. Example: Discovering childhood trauma to understand current anxiety.

Techniques

Free association, dream analysis, transference. Example: A patient freely talks about their dreams, revealing hidden desires or fears.

Humanistic

Promoting growth and self-fulfillment by focusing on conscious thoughts and the present/future. Example: Encouraging a client to focus on their potential and future goals instead of past failures.

Elements

Genuineness, acceptance, and empathy. Example: A therapist showing authentic care and understanding towards their client.

Difference

Behavior therapy focuses on changing behaviors, while psychodynamic and humanistic therapies focus on insight and self-awareness. Example: A behavior therapist using classical conditioning to help someone overcome a phobia, while a psychodynamic therapist explores unconscious conflicts.

Desensitization

A type of exposure therapy that associates a relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli. Example: Gradually exposing someone with a fear of heights to higher places while they practice relaxation techniques.

Conditioning

A type of counterconditioning that associates an unpleasant state with an unwanted behavior. Example: Pairing alcohol with a drug that induces nausea to reduce alcohol consumption.

Economy

An operant conditioning procedure where people earn tokens for desired behaviors, which can be exchanged for privileges or treats. Example: Children earning stars for completing homework, which they can exchange for extra playtime.

Cognitive

To teach people new, more adaptive ways of thinking and acting. Example: Helping someone replace negative thoughts like "I'm a failure" with more positive and realistic ones.

REBT

To challenge people's irrational, self-defeating attitudes and assumptions. Example: Challenging a person's belief that they must be perfect to be loved.

CBT

Cognitive therapy (changing self-defeating thinking) with behavior therapy (changing behavior). Example: Addressing both negative thoughts and avoidance behaviors in a person with social anxiety.

Family

Treating the family as a system and viewing an individual's unwanted behaviors as influenced by family members. Example: Addressing communication patterns and conflicts within a family to help a child struggling with behavioral issues.

Communalities

Hope for demoralized people, a new perspective, and an empathic, trusting, caring relationship. Example: Providing a safe and supportive environment where a client feels understood and can explore new ways of coping.

Evidence-Based

The best available research with clinical expertise and patient characteristics and preferences. Example: A therapist using research-backed techniques while considering the client's individual needs and cultural background.

Therapists

Clinical psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D), Psychiatrists (M.D. or D.O.), clinical/psychiatric social workers (Master of Social Work), and counselors (Master's degree). Example: Knowing the different types of therapists available and their qualifications can help individuals seek appropriate care.

Psychopharmacology

The study of the effects of drugs on mind and behavior. Example: Understanding how antidepressants affect serotonin levels in the brain.

Neurotransmitter

Dopamine. Example: Antipsychotic drugs block dopamine receptors to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

Antianxiety

To control anxiety and agitation. Example: Using benzodiazepines to reduce anxiety symptoms in a person with generalized anxiety disorder.

SSRIs

They partially block the normal reuptake of serotonin, increasing the amount of serotonin available in the synapse. Example: SSRIs like Prozac help alleviate depression symptoms by increasing serotonin levels.

ECT

Severely depressed patients. Example: ECT is used to treat severe depression when other treatments have been ineffective.

rTMS

The application of repeated pulses of magnetic energy to the brain to stimulate or suppress brain activity. Example: rTMS is used to treat depression by stimulating specific areas of the brain.

What is a lobotomy?

A psychosurgical procedure that cuts the nerves connecting the frontal lobes to the emotion-controlling centers of the inner brain.