Psych Chapter 3

DEFINING AND SUPPORTING PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Typical behaviour

activities that are consistent with how an individual usually behaves

Atypical behaviour

activities that are unusual or unnatural according to how an individual usually behaviours

Psychological criteria

standards to just behaviour and abilities

Cultural perspectives

Influence of society and community on one’s thoughts

Social norms

Society’s unofficial rules and expectations on behaviour

Statistical rarity

Outside the range of statistical normality

Personal distress

Aversive and often self-oriented emotional reaction

Maladaptive behaviours

Impairs an individual’s ability to meet the demands of their everyday life

Normality

the state of having thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are considered common and acceptable

Abnormality

is the state of deviating from the norm, usually in an undesirable way

Neurotypicality

describes individuals who display neurological and cognitive functioning that is typical or expected

Neurodiversity

variations in neurological development and functioning within and between groups of people

Adaptive

being able to adjust to the environment appropriately and function effectively – suggests normality

Maladaptive

being unable to adapt to the environment appropriately and function effectively – suggests abnormality

Neurodivergent

Individuals who have a variation in neurological development and functioning

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication difficulties, narrow interests, and repetitive behaviours

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

neurological condition characterised by persistent inattention or hyperactivity that disrupts social, academic, or occupational functioning

Dyslexia

neurologically based learning difficulty manifested as severe difficulties in reading, spelling, writing words

Mental wellbeing

refers to an individual’s current psychological state involving their abilities to think, process information, and regulate emotions

Psychological development

refers to an individual’s changes in functioning across multiple domains (emotional, cognitive, social)

Mental health workers

members of a mental health treatment team who assist in providing a wide range of services and care for patients with psychological or social problems

Psychologist

individuals that are professionally trained in one or more branches or subfields of psychology

Psychiatrist

doctors who specialise in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and study of mental, behavioural, and personality disorders

Mental health organisation

company or group that works to address or advocate for mental health through providing support or specialised services

Culturally responsive practices

refer to acting in ways that respond to the needs of diverse communities and demonstrating an openness to new ideas that may align with different cultural ideas, beliefs, and values