Chapter 1 and 2

Cultural Relativism

The idea that cultural practices and values should be understood within the context of the culture that created them.

What is the definition of the 4 D’s of Abnormality

Constitute feelings or behaviors that are classified as maladaptive

List the 4 D’s of Abnormality

Dysfunction, Distress, Deviance, and Danger

Dysfunction

Refers to impaired functioning in daily life, affecting one's ability to perform normal tasks and roles.

Distress

when a person experiences significant negative emotions or discomfort due to their behavior

Deviance

 behavior that significantly differs from what is considered typical or acceptable within a society or culture

Danger

behavior that poses a threat to the individual or others around them

Biopsychosocial model

a comprehensive approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding health and illness.

Professions within abnormal psychology

psychiatrists, counseling psychologists, clinical psychologists, marriage therapists, family therapists, etc.

Psychiatrists

medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental disorders, often using medication and therapy. They can prescribe medications and provide psychotherapy.

Clinical Psychologist

a professional who assesses and treats mental health issues through therapy and psychological testing, but cannot prescribe medications.

Counseling psychologist

a professional who helps individuals cope with emotional, social, and developmental issues through talk therapy and guidance.

Family/Marriage therapist

a licensed professional who provides therapy to couples and families to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships.

Diathesis Stress Model

a psychological theory that explains how predispositions to mental disorders (diathesis) interact with environmental stressors to trigger the onset of these disorders.

Diathesis

Biological, social, and psychological factors

Stress

Biological, social, and psychological triggers

Diathesis biological example

genes, disordered biochemistry, brain anomalies, etc.

Diathesis social example

maladaptive upbringing, chronic stress, etc.

Diathesis psychological example

unconscious conflicts, poor skills, maladaptive cognitions

Stress biological example

onset of disease, exposure to toxins, etc.

Stress social factors

traumatic event, major loss, etc.

stress psychological factor

perceived loss of control, violation of trust, etc.

Serotonin

a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, anxiety, and stress responses.

Dopamine

a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation.

Norepinephrine

a neurotransmitter involved in arousal, alertness, and stress responses.

GABA

a neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity, helping to regulate anxiety and promote relaxation.

Reuptake

Allows neurotransmitters to be reused and helps regulate neurotransmitter levels present in the synapse

Degradation

the process by which neurotransmitters are broken down and removed from the synapse, ensuring proper signaling and preventing overstimulation.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in fight or flight

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved with memory

Hypothalamus

A brain structure responsible for regulating basic biological needs like hunger, thirst, and temperature control

Thalamus

The relay center for the cortex; handles incoming and outgoing signals

Cerebral Cortex

A brain structure involved in many of our most advanced thinking processes

Corpus-Colosseum

Separates right and left hemispheres and allows communication between them

Cerebellum

A brain structures involved in coordination of movement and balance

Limbic system

a set of structures that regulate many instinctive behaviors, such as reactions to stressful events, eating, and sexual behavior

Frontal lobe

a brain structure involved in voluntary movement, expressive language, and for managing higher level executive functions

Midbrain

A central part of the brain that acts as a relay center, coordinating sensory information and motor control.

Behavior Approach main goal

The main goal is to change maladaptive behaviors through conditioning techniques.

Behavior approach key figures

Key figures include B.F. Skinner (operant conditioning), Bandura (observational learning and modeling)

Cognitive approach main goal

The main goal focuses on understanding internal mental processes and how they influence behavior to change maladaptive thought patterns.

Cognitive approach key figures

Key figures include Aaron Beck (cognitive therapy) and Albert Ellis (rational emotive behavior therapy).

Psychodynamic Approach main goal

The main goal is to explore unconscious processes and how they influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Psychodynamic Approach key figures

Key figures include Sigmund Freud (founder of psychoanalysis) and Carl Jung (analytical psychology).

ID

the part of the personality that contains our primitive desires and instincts.

Ego

the part of the personality that mediates between the desires of the id and the realities of the external world, responsible for decision-making and rational thought.

Superego

the part of the personality that represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment (the conscience) and for future aspirations.

list 4 defense mechanisms

Regression, repression, displacement, denial

regression

retreating to a behavior of an earlier developmental period to prevent anxiety and satisfy current needs.

Repression

blocking out undesirable thoughts or impulses from becoming conscious

Displacement

Discharging unacceptable feelings against someone or something other than the true target of these feelings

Denial

Refusing to perceive or accept reality

Transference

 when someone redirects feelings from a past relationship onto a current person

Countertransference

when someone responds to a person with feelings from a past relationship

Humanistic Approaches

based on the assumption that humans have a innate capacity for goodness and for living a full life (Carl Rogers’ approach - individuals naturally move toward personal growth, self acceptance, and self actualization)

Client Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers)

Therapist communicates a genuineness in his or her role as help by communicating with empathic understanding, acting genuine, and showing unconditional positive regard for the client

Family Systems Approaches

views the family as a complex interpersonal system, with its own hierarchy and rules that govern family members’ behavior and psychological problems are often rooted in the interpersonal systems

Third-Wave Approaches

focus on people’s ability to understand and regulate their emotions, incorporating techniques from behavioral and cognitive therapy with Zen Buddhism

Sociocultural Approaches

Look beyond the individual or family to larger society to understand people’s problems

Cross Cultural Issues in Treatment

Issues of age difference, gender, and ethnicity can hinder treatment

Types of prevention programs

primary, secondary, and tertiary