UNIT 5: MPH

Health psychology

The study of how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness. ex) A health psychologist might study how stress impacts recovery from surgery.

Stress

A physical and psychological response to a perceived threat or challenge. ex) Finals week causes students to experience stress through headaches and anxiety.

Hypertension

A condition of abnormally high blood pressure, often linked to chronic stress. ex) A person dealing with constant work stress may develop hypertension.

Immune suppression

A weakened immune response, often caused by chronic stress. ex) Someone under long-term stress may get sick more often due to immune suppression.

Stressors

Events or situations that cause stress. ex) Moving to a new school is a major stressor for many teens.

Eustress (motivating)

Positive stress that can enhance motivation and performance. ex) A performer feeling energized before going on stage experiences eustress.

Distress (debilitating)

Negative stress that impairs functioning. ex) Constant worry before a test causes distress, making it hard to concentrate.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic events in childhood linked to poor health outcomes later in life. ex) Experiencing neglect as a child is an ACE that can increase the risk for depression.

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

A model describing the body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, exhaustion. ex) GAS explains how someone handles long-term stress from caregiving duties.

Alarm reaction phase

The initial response to a stressor, activating the fight-or-flight response. ex) You feel a surge of adrenaline after hearing a loud noise in the dark.

Resistance phase

The body tries to adapt to the stressor while staying alert and active. ex) You push through a week of exams with little rest but remain focused.

Fight-flight-freeze response

An automatic reaction to perceived danger: fighting, fleeing, or freezing. ex) Seeing a snake, someone might run away (flight), scream (fight), or freeze in place.

Exhaustion phase

The final stage of GAS, when the body's resources are depleted. ex) After months of stress from work, a person becomes physically ill and emotionally drained.

Tend-and-befriend theory

A stress response, especially in females, involving nurturing others and seeking social support. ex) After a crisis, a woman comforts her children and reaches out to friends.

Problem-focused coping

Dealing with stress by addressing the cause of the problem. ex) Studying more effectively to improve a poor grade is problem-focused coping.

Emotion-focused coping

Managing emotions rather than changing the stressor itself. ex) Talking to a friend about feeling anxious is emotion-focused coping.

Positive psychology

The scientific study of human strengths and well-being to promote a fulfilling life. ex) A therapist uses positive psychology to help clients build gratitude and optimism.

Well-being

A state of health, happiness, and prosperity, both mentally and physically. ex) Regular exercise and meaningful relationships contribute to well-being.

Resilience

The ability to recover and adapt well after adversity or stress. ex) After losing a job, a resilient person stays optimistic and finds new opportunities.

Positive emotions

Emotions like joy, love, and contentment that promote mental health. ex) Feeling proud after achieving a goal is a positive emotion.

Gratitude

A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. ex) Keeping a gratitude journal helps people notice and appreciate the good in life.

Positive subjective experiences

Individual internal experiences that promote happiness and satisfaction. ex) Feeling awe while watching a sunset is a positive subjective experience.

Subjective well-being

A person's self-evaluation of their life satisfaction and emotional experiences. ex) Someone who rates their life as fulfilling and experiences frequent joy has high subjective well-being.

Signature strengths

Personal traits that are core to one's identity and used to achieve fulfillment. ex) A person who values honesty and uses it in daily interactions is using a signature strength.

signature strength

A person who values honesty and uses it in daily interactions is using a signature strength.

Virtues

Core moral qualities valued across cultures, such as wisdom or courage. ex) Forgiveness and humility are considered important virtues in many societies.

Positive objective experiences

External events or conditions that can enhance happiness or fulfillment. ex) Receiving an award for community service is a positive objective experience.

Happiness

A long-term sense of satisfaction, contentment, and joy in life. ex) Spending time with loved ones can lead to happiness.

Categories of virtues (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence)

Universal character strengths that support well-being. ex) Someone who shows bravery (courage) and fairness (justice) demonstrates multiple virtues.

Posttraumatic growth

Positive psychological changes that occur after struggling with a traumatic experience. ex) After surviving a serious illness, someone may develop a deeper appreciation for life.

Dysfunction

A breakdown in mental functioning that interferes with a person's ability to perform daily activities. ex) A person with severe depression may struggle to get out of bed or complete basic tasks like eating or working.

Distress

Emotional pain or suffering that accompanies a psychological disorder. ex) Someone with generalized anxiety disorder feels constant worry and unease, leading to emotional distress.

Deviation from the social norm

Behavior that differs significantly from what is considered typical or acceptable in a society. ex) Hearing voices might be considered abnormal in most cultures, indicating possible mental illness.

Cultural/societal norms

Shared expectations and rules that guide behavior in a specific society or culture. ex) Talking to oneself in public may be seen as abnormal in one culture but accepted in another.

Stigma

Negative attitudes or discrimination against people with mental illness. ex) A person may avoid seeking therapy because they fear being judged as 'crazy' by others.

Racism

Prejudice or discrimination against someone based on their race. ex) A Black person being denied a job due to racial stereotypes is an example of racism.

Sexism

Discrimination based on a person's sex or gender. ex) A woman being told she is too emotional to be a leader reflects sexist attitudes.

Ageism

Discrimination against individuals based on their age, often targeting older adults. ex) Assuming an elderly person is incapable of learning technology simply due to age.

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of individuals based on group membership (e.g., race, gender, age). ex) Refusing to hire someone because they have a visible disability is an example of discrimination.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A manual published by the APA that provides standardized criteria for diagnosing psychological disorders. ex) A psychologist uses the DSM-5 to diagnose a patient with major depressive disorder.

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

A global diagnostic system published by the World Health Organization used to classify mental and physical health conditions. ex) A doctor in Europe uses the ICD-11 to diagnose a patient with schizophrenia.

Eclectic approach

Combining techniques and theories from multiple psychological perspectives to treat mental illness. ex) A therapist may use cognitive-behavioral techniques along with mindfulness and psychodynamic insights.

Behavioral perspective

Views abnormal behavior as learned through conditioning and reinforcement. ex) A person develops a fear of dogs after being bitten, due to classical conditioning.

Maladaptive learned associations

Negative behaviors or responses that have been learned and interfere with daily functioning. ex) Avoiding social events because of a past embarrassing experience at a party.

Psychodynamic perspective

Emphasizes unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences as causes of psychological disorders. ex) Repressed anger from childhood leads to adult anxiety, according to a psychodynamic therapist.

Humanistic perspective

Focuses on self-actualization and the belief that psychological disorders arise when people are blocked from reaching their full potential. ex) A person feels depressed because they believe they're not living authentically or fulfilling their purpose.

Cognitive perspective

Focuses on how distorted thinking contributes to psychological disorders. ex) A person with depression might think, "I'm worthless," which worsens their symptoms.

Evolutionary perspective

Suggests that some psychological disorders may have served adaptive functions in the past. ex) Anxiety may have evolved to help humans stay alert to danger, but in modern life it can become maladaptive.

Sociocultural perspective

Examines how society and culture contribute to mental illness. ex) High stress in low-income neighborhoods may lead to increased rates of depression and anxiety.

Biological perspective

Focuses on genetic, neurological, and physiological causes of psychological disorders. ex) Schizophrenia may be linked to neurotransmitter imbalances or inherited genes.

Biopsychosocial model

Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental illness. ex) Depression may result from a combination of genetic predisposition, negative thinking, and lack of social support.

Diathesis-stress model

Suggests that a person may have a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) that, when combined with environmental stress, can trigger a disorder. ex) A person with a family history of anxiety may develop an anxiety disorder after experiencing a traumatic event.

Neurodevelopmental disorders

Disorders that begin in childhood and affect development of the nervous system. ex) Autism and ADHD impact social, cognitive, and behavioral development.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ex) A child has trouble focusing in class and often blurts out answers or leaves their seat.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder affecting communication, behavior, and social interaction. ex) A child may avoid eye contact, prefer routines, and struggle to understand others' emotions.

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

A group of disorders involving distorted thinking, perception, emotions, and behaviors. ex) Someone may experience hallucinations or disorganized speech.

Delusions

False beliefs held despite evidence to the contrary. ex) Believing that aliens are controlling your thoughts.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences without external stimuli, most commonly auditory. ex) Hearing voices telling you to do things when no one is around.

Disorganized thinking

Illogical or fragmented thoughts that impair decision-making. ex) A person jumps rapidly between unrelated ideas.

Disorganized speech

Incoherent or nonsensical speech patterns. ex) Saying unrelated words in a sentence, like "blue car laughed sandwich."

Disorganized motor behavior

Unusual or purposeless movements, or unpredictable agitation. ex) Repetitive, strange movements or freezing in odd positions.

Negative symptoms

Traits that reflect a loss of normal function. ex) Lack of emotion (flat affect), social withdrawal, or reduced speech.

Positive symptoms

Traits that reflect excess or distortion of normal function. ex) Hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

Delusions of persecution

Belief that others are out to harm or harass you. ex) Thinking the government is spying on you.

Delusions of grandeur

Belief that you have exceptional abilities, fame, or power. ex) Believing you are a famous historical figure.

Word salad

Jumbled, incoherent mixture of words and phrases. ex) "Blue fast water sleepy window run."

Catatonia

A behavioral syndrome marked by lack of movement or extreme agitation. ex) Sitting frozen in one position for hours.

Flat affect

Lack of emotional expression. ex) Speaking in a monotone and showing no facial emotion, even during emotional events.

Catatonic stupor

A type of catatonia where the person is immobile and unresponsive. ex) A person remains in a fixed position for long periods and doesn't respond to stimuli.

Dopamine hypothesis

The theory that schizophrenia is linked to excess dopamine activity in the brain. ex) Medications that reduce dopamine levels can lessen schizophrenia symptoms.

Depressive disorders

Disorders characterized by persistent sadness and lack of interest or pleasure. ex) Includes Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder involving intense sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms lasting at least two weeks. ex) A person loses interest in hobbies, has trouble sleeping, and feels hopeless.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

A chronic, less severe form of depression lasting two years or more. ex) A person constantly feels low energy and sadness but can still function.

Bipolar disorders

Mood disorders with alternating periods of depression and mania. ex) A person may feel euphoric and energetic one week, and hopeless the next.

Cycling

Shifting between manic and depressive episodes. ex) Mood shifts from extreme highs to deep lows over time.

Mania

A state of elevated mood, energy, and activity. ex) A person talks rapidly, sleeps very little, and makes impulsive decisions.

Depression

A period of intense sadness and low energy. ex) A person may isolate themselves and feel worthless.

Bipolar I Disorder

Involves at least one full manic episode, possibly with depressive episodes. ex) A person has a week-long manic episode followed by depression.

Bipolar II Disorder

Involves at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, but no full mania. ex) A person experiences mild mania that doesn't require hospitalization but severe depression.

Anxiety disorders

A group of disorders characterized by excessive fear, worry, and related behavioral disturbances. ex) Someone with an anxiety disorder might avoid social situations due to fear of embarrassment.

Specific phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation. ex) A person refuses to fly due to an overwhelming fear of airplanes.

Acrophobia

Fear of heights. ex) A person feels dizzy and panicked standing on a balcony.

Arachnophobia

Fear of spiders. ex) Someone screams and runs away at the sight of even a small spider.

Agoraphobia

Fear of open or public spaces where escape may be difficult. ex) A person avoids malls or public transportation because they fear having a panic attack in public.

Panic disorder

A disorder marked by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and fear of having more. ex) Someone experiences sudden heart pounding, shortness of breath, and fear of dying.

Panic attack

A sudden episode of intense fear with physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or dizziness. ex) During an exam, a student suddenly feels like they can't breathe and their chest tightens.

Ataque de nervios

A culturally specific expression of distress often seen in Latinx populations, involving screaming, crying, trembling, or fainting. ex) After receiving bad news, a person collapses, sobbing and shouting uncontrollably.

Social anxiety disorder

Intense fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or judgment. ex) A teen avoids eating in front of others or speaking in class due to fear of being judged.

Taijin kyofusho

A Japanese culture-bound syndrome involving fear of offending others through one's appearance, odor, or behavior. ex) A person avoids others because they fear their facial expressions or body odor will make others uncomfortable.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, lasting at least six months. ex) A person constantly worries about finances, health, and work, even when there's no real threat.

Obsessions

Persistent, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress. ex) A person constantly fears that their hands are contaminated with germs.

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions. ex) Someone washes their hands 20 times a day to relieve their fear of contamination.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

A disorder where a person experiences obsessions and/or compulsions that interfere with daily life.

Hoarding disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their value, due to a perceived need to save them. ex) A person's home is cluttered with newspapers and junk mail they refuse to throw away.

Dissociation

A disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory, often a response to trauma. ex) A person may feel like they're watching themselves from outside their body during a stressful event.

Dissociative amnesia

Inability to recall important personal information, usually related to trauma or stress, not due to physical injury. ex) After a traumatic accident, someone cannot remember their name or details of the event.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID)

A disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct personality states that control their behavior at different times. ex) A person may switch between different identities, each with its own name and personality traits, often with no memory of the other.

Hypervigilance

A state of increased alertness and sensitivity to surroundings, often due to trauma. ex) A war veteran constantly scans crowded rooms for danger, even in safe environments.

Flashbacks

Sudden, intense re-experiencing of a past traumatic event, often triggered by a sensory reminder. ex) A person hears fireworks and suddenly feels as if they're back in a combat zone.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often linked to anxiety, stress, or trauma. ex) After a car crash, someone struggles to sleep due to recurring nightmares and racing thoughts.