Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Abnormal Psychology

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and methodologies discussed in the lecture on abnormal psychology, specifically focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

Clinical Assessment

Involves collecting information through observation, tests, and interviews to determine a person's problem and symptoms.

Reliability

The consistency of a tool or assessment method, including internal consistency, temporal stability, and interrater reliability.

Validity

The measure of whether an instrument measures what it claims to measure.

Projective Tests

Tests based on the assumption that individuals will project their unconscious conflicts onto ambiguous stimuli.

Objective Tests

Self-report tests scored objectively, often used to measure personality.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

The most widely used personality inventory, consisting of 567 questions to assess personality traits.

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A physiological assessment that tracks brain electrical activity.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A manual that groups mental disorders using defined diagnostic criteria.

Culture-bound Syndromes

Disorders that are specific to particular cultures, such as Kuru or Taijin-kyofu-sho.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A treatment aimed at changing dysfunctional beliefs and thoughts.

Biological Treatments

Psychiatric drug treatments and surgical options to manage mental disorders.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A treatment for severe major depression involving electrical stimulation of the brain.

The Scientist-Practitioner Gap

The disconnect between scientific research and clinical practice, leading to misdiagnoses.

Meta-analysis

A method of statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple studies to identify overall trends.

Psychosurgery

Surgical procedures that destroy areas of the brain believed to be involved in emotional disorders.