Chapter 3-Psychological Health

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, theories, disorders, and therapeutic models presented in the Psychological Health (Chapter 3) lecture.

Psychological Health

A broad concept viewed as either the absence of sickness or the presence of wellness, influencing every dimension of well-being.

Positive Psychology

Field that emphasizes defining life goals and ways to achieve them, focusing on human strengths and fulfillment.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Five-level model of human motivation: physiological, safety, love/belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

Physiological Needs

Most basic human requirements—food, water, shelter—forming the base of Maslow’s pyramid.

Safety and Security Needs

Desire for physical safety, financial security, and stability in Maslow’s hierarchy.

Love and Belongingness

Human need for affection, friendship, and acceptance by groups or partners.

Self-Esteem (Maslow)

Need for respect, recognition, and a positive evaluation of oneself.

Self-Actualization

State of realizing one’s full potential, marked by realism, autonomy, authenticity, creativity, and capacity for intimacy.

Pleasant Life

Dimension of happiness focused on maximizing positive emotions.

Engaged Life

Dimension of happiness that cultivates positive traits such as emotional intelligence through involvement and flow.

Meaningful Life

Dimension of happiness achieved by using strengths in service of something larger than oneself.

Emotional Intelligence (EI)

Capacity to recognize, manage, and appropriately respond to one’s own and others’ emotions.

Erik Erikson

Psychologist who proposed eight life stages in which personality and identity develop.

Self-Concept

The complete set of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs a person holds about who they are.

Healthy Self-Esteem

Stable, integrated sense of self that feels loved, capable, and resilient in the face of challenges.

Cognitive Distortions

Patterns of negative thinking that exaggerate events and undermine self-esteem.

Self-Talk

Internal dialogue that can be realistic and positive or distorted and negative.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious mental strategies used to protect the mind from anxiety or conflict; can be adaptive or maladaptive.

Projection

Attributing one’s unacceptable feelings or impulses to someone else.

Repression

Keeping distressing thoughts or memories out of conscious awareness.

Denial

Refusal to acknowledge a known reality or problem.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions from the original source to a safer substitute target.

Dissociation

Detaching from a present experience to avoid emotional pain.

Rationalization

Offering socially acceptable explanations for behaviors driven by unacceptable motives.

Reaction Formation

Expressing the opposite emotion or impulse to what one truly feels.

Substitution

Replacing an unattainable or unacceptable goal with an achievable, acceptable one.

Acting Out

Performing an action to relieve emotional tension rather than dealing with the feeling directly.

Humor (Defense)

Finding amusement in unpleasant situations as a healthy coping mechanism.

Altruism (Defense)

Helping others selflessly as a way to handle one’s own internal conflicts.

Optimism

Tendency to expect favorable outcomes and focus on the hopeful aspects of situations.

Pessimism

Inclination to focus on the negative and expect unfavorable results.

Assertiveness

Forceful yet non-hostile communication style that respects one’s own and others’ rights.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)

Condition marked by recurrent, sudden episodes of aggressive, explosive anger.

Anxiety

Feeling of fear or apprehension not tied to a specific, immediate threat.

Specific Phobia

Intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Fear of humiliation or embarrassment when observed by others; formerly called social phobia.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having more.

Agoraphobia

Fear of being alone or in places where escape might be difficult.

Panic Attack

Brief surge of overwhelming anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms like racing heart and shortness of breath.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Chronic, excessive, and uncontrollable worry about multiple issues for at least six months.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Condition involving intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive rituals (compulsions).

Obsessions

Recurrent, unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses.

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety from obsessions.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Anxiety disorder featuring reliving traumatic events through flashbacks, dreams, or intrusive thoughts.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity beginning before age 12.

Mood Disorder

Persistent, disruptive emotional state affecting normal function; includes major depression and bipolar disorder.

Major Depressive Disorder

Severe depressive episode with persistent sadness, loss of interest, and physical or cognitive changes.

Bipolar Disorder

Mental illness with alternating periods of depression and mania.

Mania

State of excessive elation, irritability, rapid speech, and inflated self-esteem.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Type of depression that recurs seasonally, often treated with light therapy.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Medical treatment for severe depression involving controlled electrical stimulation of the brain.

Schizophrenia

Severe mental disorder marked by disorganized thinking, hallucinations, delusions, and impaired functioning.

Biological Model

View that mental activity is rooted in brain structure and chemistry; often treated with medication.

Behavioral Model

Therapeutic approach focusing on changing observable behaviors via stimulus, response, and reinforcement.

Cognitive Model

Approach that targets harmful thought patterns to influence emotions and behavior.

Psychodynamic Model

Therapy based on uncovering unconscious conflicts, wishes, and defenses originating in early life.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Pragmatic treatment combining cognitive restructuring with behavior change techniques.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Therapy emphasizing mindfulness, distress tolerance, and acceptance while encouraging behavior change.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger that carries signals between nerve cells; imbalances can affect mood and behavior.