Chapter Three: Models of Abnormality

models / paradigms

the perspectives used to explain events

The Biological Model

sees physical processes as key to human behavior

brain circuit

a network of particular brain structures that work together, triggering each other into action to produce a distinct behavioral, cognitive, or emotional reaction

genes

segments that control the characteristics and traits a person inherits

mutation

an abnormal form of the appropriate gene that emerges by accident

psychotropic medications

drugs that primarily affect the brain and reduce many symptoms of mental dysfunction

anti anxiety meds / minor tranquilizers / anxiolytics

help reduce tension and anxiety

antidepressant drugs

help improve the functioning of people with depression

antibipolar drugs / mood stabilizers

help steady the moods of those with bipolar disorder

antipsychotic drugs

help reduce the confusion, hallucinations, and delusions that accompany psychosis

psychosis

loss of contact with reality

brain stimulation

interventions that directly / indirectly stimulate the brain in order to bring about psychological improvement

electroconvulsive therapy

oldest and most controversial approach

transcranial magnetic stimulation

an electromagnetic coil is placed on a persons head, sending a current into certain areas of their brain

vagus nerve stimulation

pulse generator is implanted in a persons neck to stimulate their vagus nerve, which delivers electrical signals to the brain

deep brain stimulation

electrodes are implanted in specific areas of the brain and connected to a pacemaker in their chest

psychosurgery

brain surgery for mental disorders

trephining

prehistoric practice of chipping a hole in the skull to cure mental illness

lobotomy

surgeon cuts the connections between the brains frontal lobes and the lower regions of the brain

The Psychodynamic Model

looks at peoples unconscious internal processes and conflicts

deterministic assumption

no symptom or behavior is accidental, its all determined by past experiences

id

the psychological force that produces instinctual needs, drives, and impulses

pleasure principle

the id always seeks gratification

ego

the psychological force that employs reason

reality principle

we acquire through experience that it can be unacceptable to express our id impulses outright

repression

prevents unacceptable impulses from ever reaching consciousness

denial

person refuses to acknowledge the source of anxiety

projection

person attributes their own unacceptable impulses to others

rationalization

person creates a socially acceptable reason for an action that reflects unacceptable motives

displacement

person displaces hostility away from a dangerous object and onto a safer substitute

intellectualization

person represses emotional reactions in favor of an overly logical response

superego

the psychological force that represents a persons values and ideals

morality principle

a sense of right and wrong

fixation

a condition in which the id, ego, or superego do not mature properly and are frozen at an early stage of development

basic human motive

strengthen the wholeness of the self

object relations theory

people are motivated mainly by a need to have relationships with other

free association

patient describes any thought, feeling, or image that comes to mind

resistance

an unconscious refusal to participate fully in therapy

transference

the redirection toward the psychotherapist of feelings associated with important figures in a patients life

dreams

thought to be the "royal road to the unconscious"

manifest dream content

consciously remembered dream

latent dream content

dreams symbolic meaning

catharsis

the reliving of past repressed feelings in order to settle internal conflicts and overcome problems

working through

facing conflicts, reinterpreting feelings, and overcoming ones problems

short-term psychodynamic therapies

patients choose a single problem to work on with the therapist

relational psychoanalytic therapy

therapists should also disclose things about themselves to establish more equal relationships with patients

The Cognitive-Behavioral Model

emphasizes behavior, the ways it is learned, and the thinking that underlies behavior

classical conditioning

learning by temporal association

modeling

observing and imitating others

operant conditioning

learning through consequences (reinforcers and punishments)

social anxiety disorder

a psychological disorder in which people fear social situations

The Humanistic-Existential Model

stresses the role of values and choices

humanists

human beings are driven to fulfill their potential for goodness and growth

client-centered therapy

clinicians try to help clients by conveying acceptance, accurate empathy, and genuineness

Gestalt therapy

clinicians actively move clients toward self-recognition and self-acceptance

existentialists

human beings must have an accurate awareness of themselves and live meaningful lives in order to be psychologically well adjusted

existential therapy

people are encouraged to accept responsibility for their lives and for their problems

family-social perspective

focuses on an individuals family and social interactions

labeling theory

people eventually adopt / accept the labels that society gives to them

family systems theory

the family is a system of interacting parts who interact with each other in consistent ways and follow rules unique to each family

enmeshed structure

members are grossly overinvolved in each other

disengagement

rigid boundaries between members

group therapy

a group of people with similar problems meet together with a therapist

self-help groups

same, but without the direct leadership of a clinician

family therapy

therapist meets with all members of a family, points out problem behaviors and interactions, and helps the whole family to change its ways

couple therapy / martial therapy

therapists work with two individuals in a long-term relationship

community treatment

a treatment approach that emphasizes community care

primary prevention

goal is to prevent psychological disorders altogether

secondary prevention

identifying and treating psychological disorders in the early stages

tertiary prevention

goal is to provide effective treatment as soon as it is needed so disorders dont become long-term problems

multicultural perspective

emphasizes an individuals culture and its shared beliefs, values, and history

culture-sensitive therapies

approaches that are designed to help address the unique issues faced by members of cultural minority groups

gender-sensitive therapies

approaches geared to the pressures of being a woman in western society

biopsychosocial theories

explanations that attribute the cause of abnormality to an interaction of genetic, biological, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, and societal influences