AP PSYCH 7

Health psychology

A field of psychology that studies how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health, illness, and medical care

Stress

The process by which an individual perceives and responds to events that are appraised as threatening or challenging

Hypertension

Chronically high blood pressure that increases risk of heart disease and stroke

Immune suppression

Reduced effectiveness of the immune system, often caused by prolonged stress

Stressors

Events or situations that trigger a stress response

Eustress (motivating)

Positive stress that enhances performance and motivation

Distress (debilitating)

Negative stress that impairs functioning and well-being

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic early life events (e.g., abuse, neglect) that increase long-term health risks

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s three-stage model of the body’s physiological response to stress (alarm, resistance, exhaustion)

Alarm reaction phase

Initial stage of GAS where the body activates fight-or-flight response

Resistance phase

Stage where the body attempts to adapt and maintain stability under continued stress

Fight-flight-freeze response

Automatic physiological reaction to perceived threat involving escape, confrontation, or immobility

Exhaustion phase

Stage where prolonged stress depletes body resources, leading to illness or burnout

Tend-and-befriend theory

Theory that stress response, especially in females, involves nurturing others and seeking social support

Problem-focused coping

Efforts to change or eliminate the source of stress

Emotion-focused coping

Efforts to manage emotional distress rather than the stressor itself

Gratitude

A positive emotional state involving appreciation, linked to improved well-being

Positive psychology

The scientific study of human strengths, well-being, and optimal functioning

Well-being

Overall state of health, happiness, and life satisfaction

Resilience

Ability to recover from stress or adversity

Positive emotions

Emotions such as joy, gratitude, and love that enhance well-being

Positive subjective experiences

Internal experiences like happiness or satisfaction

Subjective well-being

Self-reported happiness and life satisfaction

Signature strengths

Core positive traits that define an individual’s character

Virtues

Culturally valued moral traits (e.g., courage, wisdom)

Positive objective experiences

External conditions that promote well-being (e.g., supportive relationships)

Happiness

A general state of well-being and positive affect

Categories of virtues (wisdom)

Knowledge and use of information for good judgment

Categories of virtues (courage)

Persistence and bravery in facing challenges

Categories of virtues (humanity)

Interpersonal strengths like kindness and empathy

Categories of virtues (justice)

Fairness and social responsibility

Categories of virtues (temperance)

Self-control and moderation

Categories of virtues (transcendence)

Connection to meaning beyond self (e.g., spirituality)

Posttraumatic growth

Positive psychological change resulting from struggling with adversity

Dysfunction

Impairment in psychological or behavioral functioning

Distress

Emotional suffering or discomfort

Deviation from norms

Behavior that differs significantly from societal expectations

Cultural/societal norms

Shared expectations for behavior within a culture

Stigma

Negative attitudes and discrimination toward people with mental illness

Racism

Discrimination based on race

Sexism

Discrimination based on gender

Ageism

Discrimination based on age

Discrimination

Unjust treatment based on group membership

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM)

Primary classification system for mental disorders used in the U.S.

International classification of diseases (ICD)

Global system for diagnosing diseases, including mental disorders

Eclectic approach

Using multiple therapeutic perspectives or techniques

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on observable behaviors and learned responses

Psychodynamic perspective

Emphasizes unconscious processes and early childhood experiences

Humanistic perspective

Focuses on personal growth and self-actualization

Cognitive perspective

Focuses on thoughts and mental processes

Evolutionary perspective

Examines behavior in terms of adaptation and survival

Sociocultural perspective

Examines how social and cultural factors influence behavior

Biological perspective

Focuses on brain, genetics, and physiology

Biopsychosocial model

Integrated model considering biological, psychological, and social factors

Diathesis-stress model

Model proposing that disorders result from vulnerability plus environmental stress

Anxiety disorders

Group of disorders characterized by excessive fear or anxiety

Specific phobia

Intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation

Acrophobia

Fear of heights

Arachnophobia

Fear of spiders

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape may be difficult

Panic disorder

Disorder involving recurring unexpected panic attacks

Panic attack

Sudden episode of intense fear with physical symptoms

Ataque de nervios

Culture-bound syndrome involving intense emotional distress, common in some Latin cultures

Social anxiety disorder

Intense fear of social situations due to fear of judgment

Taijin kyofusho

Japanese culture-bound disorder involving fear of offending others

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

Disorders involving intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors

Obsessions

Persistent, unwanted thoughts or urges

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Disorder involving obsessions and compulsions

Hoarding disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions

PTSD

Disorder following trauma involving intrusive memories, avoidance, and hyperarousal

Depressive disorders

Disorders characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest

Major depressive disorder

Severe depression lasting at least two weeks

Persistent depressive disorder

Chronic, less severe depression lasting two or more years

Bipolar disorders

Disorders involving alternating mania and depression

Cycling

Pattern of shifting between mood states

Mania

Elevated mood with high energy and impulsivity

Depression

Low mood, lack of energy, and hopelessness

Bipolar I disorder

Involves full manic episodes

Bipolar II disorder

Involves hypomania and major depression

Schizophrenic spectrum disorders

Disorders involving psychosis and disorganized thinking

Delusions

False beliefs not based in reality

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences without external stimuli

Disorganized thinking

Impaired logical thought processes

Disorganized speech

Incoherent or illogical speech

Disorganized motor behavior

Abnormal or unpredictable movement

Negative symptoms

Absence of normal behaviors, such as flat affect

Positive symptoms

Addition of abnormal behaviors, such as hallucinations

Acute

Sudden onset, short duration

Chronic

Long-lasting condition

Delusions of persecution

Belief that others are out to harm you

Delusions of grandeur

Belief of exaggerated importance or power