Psychological Disorders and Personality

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to psychological disorders and personality, aiding in review and exam preparation.

Anxiety-related disorders

Mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear or worry, which affects daily functioning.

Psychological disorder

A clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior associated with distress or disability.

Syndrome

A cluster of physical or mental symptoms typical of a specific psychological disorder occurring simultaneously.

Symptom

A physical or mental feature that indicates a particular condition of psychological disorder.

Psychopathology

The scientific study of psychological disorders and their impact.

Clinical assessment

A procedure for gathering information to evaluate an individual’s psychological functioning for potential diagnosis.

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

The major classification scheme for psychological disorders, considered outdated by some.

Stigma

The negative social attitudes and perceptions associated with having a psychological disorder.

Diathesis-stress model

A theory suggesting that genetic predisposition interacts with environmental stressors to produce psychological disorders.

Learned helplessness

A condition in which an individual stops trying to change their circumstances due to repeated failures or lack of control.

Neuroticism

A personality dimension characterized by tendencies toward anxiety, moodiness, worry, and emotional instability.

Social anxiety disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being judged or evaluated negatively in social situations.

Panic disorder

An anxiety disorder marked by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

An anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A trauma and stressor-related disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of two or more disorders in a single individual at the same time.

Major depressive disorder

A mood-related disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest or pleasure.

Anhedonia

The reduced ability to feel pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.

Rumination

Repetitively processing or thinking about emotional problems or difficulties.

Bipolar disorder

A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression.

Self-esteem

An individual’s overall subjective evaluation of their worth or value.

Personality disorder

An enduring pattern of behavior and inner experience that deviates markedly from cultural expectations.

Defense mechanisms

Psychological strategies used by the ego to protect oneself from anxiety and distress.

Reciprocal determinism

The theory that a person's behavior both influences and is influenced by personal factors and the environment.

Locus of control

A person's belief about what controls their outcomes, whether internal (personal effort) or external (chance).

Social learning theory

A theory that emphasizes the role of observation and imitation in learning behavior.

Self-determination theory

A theory suggesting that people achieve well-being and success when their environments support three key motivations: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Developmental psychology

The study of how people change physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally throughout their lifespan.

Cognitive development

Changes in an individual's mental abilities as they grow.

Attachment

The emotional bond formed between an infant and a caregiver, crucial for healthy development.

Imprinting

The process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period shortly after birth.