Theoretical Perspectives on Psychopathology

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the theoretical perspectives on psychopathology.

Psychopathology

The study of mental disorders and their effects on behavior.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disorder.

Biopsychosocial Model

An approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental disorder.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substances that transmit signals between neurons.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission in the brain.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS that prepares the body for fight or flight.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS that promotes rest and digestion.

HPA Axis

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; a central stress response system.

Behavioral Genetics

The field of study examining the role of genetics in animal (and human) behavior.

Concordance

The occurrence of the same trait in both members of a pair of twins.

Catharsis

The release of strong or repressed emotions.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image.

Repression

The unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and impulses.

Regression

A defense mechanism where an individual reverts to behaviors typical of an earlier stage of development.

Projection

Attributing one’s own unwanted thoughts and feelings to someone else.

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks used to organize and interpret information.

Automatic Thoughts

Thoughts that occur spontaneously and can be negative.

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory

A psychotherapeutic approach that addresses dysfunctional emotions and behaviors.

Humanistic Psychology

A psychological perspective emphasizing human potential and self-actualization.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A theory outlining a hierarchy of human needs, from physiological to self-actualization.

Existentialism

A philosophical theory focusing on individual existence, freedom, and choice.

Stigma

A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.

Public Stigma

The negative beliefs and attitudes held by the public toward individuals with mental illness.

Self-Stigma

An internalized stigma; individuals apply negative stereotypes to themselves.

Social Support

The perception and reality of being cared for, valued, and part of a social network.

Comorbidity

The simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions.

Diagnosis

Identification of the nature of an illness or other problem.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure.

Validity

The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

DSM-V

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.

ICD

International Classification of Diseases; a global health information standard for health management.

Anxiety Disorders

A group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear.

Panic Disorder

A psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks.

Social Anxiety Disorder

An intense fear of social situations that may lead to embarrassment.

Agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder characterized by an extreme fear of situations where escape might be difficult.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A disorder characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various events.

Cognitive Distortions

Inaccurate thoughts that reinforce negative thinking or emotions.

Behavioral Assessment

The evaluation of behavior in different situations to understand its causes.

Neuropsychological Testing

Tests that assess a person's cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

Clinical Interview

A dialogue between a clinician and patient to gather background information.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which research findings can be generalized to real-life settings.

Statistical Significance

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Clinical Significance

The practical importance of a treatment effect—whether it has a real clinically meaningful impact.

Fear

An emotional response to a real or perceived imminent threat.

Stress

A response to a perceived threat or challenge in the environment.

Behaviorism

A theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning.

Two-Factor Theory

A theory which proposes that emotion is based on two factors: physiological arousal and cognitive label.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in the processing of emotions such as fear.

Internalized Trauma

The psychological effects of traumatic experiences on individuals, passed down through generations.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A psycho-social intervention that aims to improve mental health.

Mindfulness

A mental practice of being aware of the present moment without judgment.

Psychological Testing

Standardized assessments to quantify psychological characteristics.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty sustaining attention.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

An anxiety disorder characterized by recurring obsessions and/or compulsions.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by oscillating periods of depressive and manic symptoms.

Psychotic Disorders

Mental disorders characterized by a disconnection from reality.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder affecting how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

Treatment Approaches

Various methods used in clinical psychology to improve mental health.

Medication Management

Management of psychological disorders through pharmacological interventions.

Psychotherapy

A process of treating mental health problems through communication and relationship factors.

Crisis Intervention

Strategies used to address immediate and acute psychological distress.

Support Groups

Community-based groups for individuals undergoing similar challenges, promoting shared experiences.

Behavior Modification

The use of techniques to change maladaptive behavior.

Resilience

The ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

Dual Diagnosis

The simultaneous presence of a mental health disorder and substance abuse disorder.

Outcome Measures

Tools used to assess the effectiveness of treatment.

Therapeutic Alliance

The relationship between a healthcare professional and a client.