Psych 373 - Key Terms for Exam 1

This flashcard set includes key vocabulary terms and definitions that are crucial for understanding the material covered in Psych 373, aiming to prepare for Exam 1.

Adaptational failure

Inability to adapt effectively to environmental demands or changes.

Adultomorphism

Attributing adult characteristics and behaviors to children.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

A therapeutic approach that uses principles of behaviorism to improve socially significant behaviors.

Attachment styles

Patterns of attachment behavior that children develop towards their caregivers.

Behavioral genetics

The study of genetic influences on behavior.

Behavioral treatment

Interventions that focus on changing maladaptive behaviors.

Behaviorism

Psychological approach that emphasizes observable behaviors over internal mental states.

Biological/medical treatment

Approaches that focus on biological or medical interventions for psychological disorders.

Brain structure and function

The organization of the brain and how its activity relates to behavior.

Classical conditioning

A learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that produces a response.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of two or more disorders in the same individual.

Competence

The ability to effectively handle various demands or challenges.

Continuity

The idea that development represents gradual and continuous change.

Cultural beliefs and values

Shared ideas and standards within a community that influence behavior.

Defining psychological disorder

Identifying behaviors or symptoms that signify psychological dysfunction.

Developmental norms

Standard patterns of growth and development for children.

Developmental pathways

Various trajectories of development that can result in different outcomes.

Developmental psychopathology

The study of the origins and course of psychological disorders over the lifespan.

Developmental tasks

Milestones that individuals are expected to achieve at different ages.

Discontinuity

The idea that development involves distinct stages.

Emotion reactivity

How individuals respond emotionally to stimuli.

Emotion regulation

The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression.

Equifinality

The principle that different processes can lead to the same outcome.

Etiology

The study of the causes or origins of disorders.

Family systems

Conceptualizes families as interactive units that influence individual behavior.

Gender differences in disorders

Variations in the prevalence and expression of disorders between genders.

History of mental health views and key historical figures

Overview of how mental health perceptions have evolved and key contributors to the field.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

A central stress response system that plays a key role in the regulation of stress.

Internalizing and externalizing problems

Types of behavioral problems; internalizing involves emotional distress, while externalizing involves disruptive behavior.

Jeffrey case study

Illustration of practical applications of psychological theories through a specific example.

Key factors that affect rates and expression of mental disorders

Critical components that influence how mental disorders manifest.

Kauai Longitudinal Study

Research examining the impact of environmental factors on development.

Medical model

A framework that views psychological disorders primarily as medical illnesses.

Molecular genetics

Study of the structure and function of genes at a molecular level.

Multifinality

The principle that similar beginnings can lead to different outcomes.

Multiply determined

The idea that a behavior or disorder can have multiple causes.

Neural plasticity and development

The brain's ability to change throughout life in response to experience.

Neurotransmitters implicated in psychological disorders

Chemical messengers whose imbalances are associated with various disorders.

Operant conditioning

Learning process where behavior is shaped by reinforcement or punishment.

Organization of development

How developmental processes are structured and sequential.

Protective factors

Conditions or attributes that mitigate risk and promote resilience.

Pruning

The process of eliminating unnecessary neural connections.

Psychoanalytic theory

A psychological perspective emphasizing unconscious processes.

Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

Risk factors (biological, dispositional/psychological, social/ecological)

Elements that increase the likelihood of developing a disorder.

Sensitive periods

Times in development when individuals are particularly receptive to certain experiences.

Shared and non-shared environmental influences

Factors that affect family members differently or similarly.

Social cognition

How people process and apply information about others in social contexts.

Social learning

The theory that behavior is learned through observing others.

Temperament

Inherent personality traits that shape an individual's responses.

Teratogens

Environmental factors that can cause developmental abnormalities.

Transactional model

A framework that emphasizes the interaction between individuals and their environment.

Vulnerability

Increased likelihood of developing a disorder due to certain risk factors.

Analogue research

A research method that mimics real-world scenarios in a controlled setting.

Behavior analysis or functional analysis of behavior

Examination of the functions that behavior serves for an individual.

Behavioral assessment (ABC’s)

Assessment method focusing on Antecedents, Behaviors, and Consequences.

Checklist and rating scales

Tools used to quantify behaviors and symptoms.

Consent/Assent

Obtaining permission from individuals to participate in research.

Correlation coefficient

A statistical measure of the relationship between two variables.

Cross-sectional research

Study where data is collected from multiple subjects at one point in time.

Epidemiological research

Study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states.

Ethical issues

Considerations regarding morality and principles in research.

Hypotheses

Testable predictions that can be confirmed or refuted.

Longitudinal research

Study that follows the same subjects over a prolonged period.

Mediating variables

Variables that help explain the relationship between two other variables.

Moderating variables

Variables that influence the strength of a relationship between other variables.

Multiple-baseline design

A research design that observes behavior repeatedly over time.

Natural experiment

Study that examines naturally occurring conditions rather than manipulating them.

Naturalistic observation

Research method that involves observing subjects in their natural environment.

Neuroimaging

Techniques used to visualize the structure and function of the brain.

Operational definition

Specific explanation of abstract concepts in measurable terms.

Prevalence vs incidence rates

Prevalence measures the total cases of a disorder, while incidence counts new cases over a period.

Prospective design

Research method that plans for data collection regarding future events.

Reliability (consistency of measures, inter-rater, test-retest)

Degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results.

Qualitative research

Research that focuses on understanding human behavior from a subjective perspective.

Random assignment

Process of randomly assigning participants to different groups for experimentation.

Retrospective design

Study design that looks back on past events or conditions.

Semi-structured interview

An interview method that includes a mix of structured and open-ended questions.

Single-case experimental design

Research method examining the effects of an intervention on a single subject.

Standardization

Process of making sure tests are administered and scored consistently.

Structured observation

Research method where specific behaviors are systematically observed and recorded.

Validity (construct, internal, face, external, convergent, discriminant, criterion-related)

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

Categorical vs. dimensional systems

Different approaches to classifying mental disorders, either as distinct categories or along dimensions.

Classification vs. diagnosis

The distinction between identifying the type of disorder (classification) and determining its presence (diagnosis).

Client centered treatment

Therapeutic approach that emphasizes the client's perspective and experiences.

Clinical interview

Conversational method used to gather detailed information about a client.

Cognitive behavioral treatment

Therapy aimed at changing negative thought patterns to influence behavior.

Cultural considerations in treatment approach

Incorporating a client's cultural background into therapeutic practices.

Developmental history

A record of an individual's growth and changes over time.

Diagnosis: Pros and Cons

Benefits and drawbacks of labeling a psychological disorder.

DSM-IV-TR multiaxial diagnostic system

A system for classifying mental disorders across different axes.

DSM-5 TR changes

Updates and revisions made to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A test that measures electrical activity in the brain.

Family history

Background information regarding the psychological health of family members.

Family treatment

Therapeutic approach that involves family members in the treatment process.

Idiographic assessment approach

Focus on individual variation and uniqueness in assessments.

Multimethod assessment approach

Utilizing multiple methods to gather comprehensive assessment data.

Nomothetic assessment approach

Focus on general laws and principles in assessments.

Neuropsychological testing

Tests designed to evaluate cognitive functions related to brain activity.