Abnormal Psychology: Chapter 15 Personality Psychology

What is personality?

A pattern of recognizable behaviors

What are the characteristics of a personality disorder?

• inflexible

• inset of symptoms in teen or YA years

• impairment in social and occupational functioning

When is does a personality disorder start to develop?

In childhood. Children are never diagnosed because their personalities aren’t 100% developed yet, but events that happen in childhood lead to a disorder (like abuse)

What is the estimated prevalence in the general population?

12% of people have a personality disorder

What are the three major clusters of personality disorders?

• Odd/ eccentric

• Dramatic, emotional, erratic

• Anxious/ fearful

What disorders that fall under the odd/ eccentric cluster?

Paranoid PD, Schizoid PD, Schizotypical PD

What are the disorders that fall under the dramatic, emotional, and erratic cluster?

• Antisocial PD

• Borderline PD

• Histrionic PD

• Narcissistic PD

What are the disorders that full under the anxious/ fearful cluster?

• Avoidant PD

• Dependent PD

• Obsessive-Compulsive PD

What is the 5 Dimension/Trait model?

personality traits on a continuum rather than “you have it or you don’t”

What disorders are now diagnosed using the 5 dimension model?

• Paranoid PD

• Schizoid PD

• Histrionic PD

• Dependent PD

What are the 5 dimensions/traits used in the model?

• Negative Affectivity (as opposed to emotional stability)

• Detachment (extraversion)

• Antagonism (agreeableness)

• Disinhibition (conscientiousness)

• Psychoticism (lucidity, clarity)

What are the characteristics of Antisocial PD?

• people don’t conform to social/ legal codes

• lack of anxiety or guilt

• always 18+

• little loyalty to others

• disregard for others

• irresponsible behavior

What are the characteristics of Borderline PD?

• Struggle with interpersonal relationships

• Volatile interactions with others

• Poor emotional control

• Ego impairment

• Feelings of emptiness

• Low frustration tolerance

• Anger-control issue