Unit 5 AP Psych

health psychology

The study of how psychological factors influence health and illness.

psychological disorder

A syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.

psychoneuroimmunology

The study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems.

medical model

A framework for understanding psychological disorders as diseases with biological causes.

stress

A psychological and physical response to perceived challenges or threats.

diathesis-stress model

A theory that explains the onset of psychological disorders as a result of the interaction between predispositional vulnerability and stress.

approach and avoidance motives

Motivations that drive individuals toward desired outcomes or away from undesirable ones.

epigenetics

The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.

DSM-5-TR

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, used for diagnosing mental disorders.

anxiety disorders

A group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear.

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage response that the body has to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

social anxiety disorder

A chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety.

generalized anxiety disorder

A disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life.

tend-and-befriend response

A behavioral response to stress that involves seeking social support and nurturing others.

panic disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks.

coronary heart disease

A condition characterized by the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup.

agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear and avoidance of places or situations where escape might be difficult.

specific phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Type A

Friedman and Rosenman's term for competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone people

Type B

Friedman and Rosenman's term for easygoing, relaxed people

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

A mental health disorder characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

catharsis

The process of releasing and thereby providing relief from strong or repressed emotions.

coping

The process of managing demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of a person.

hoarding disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value

problem-focused coping

Coping strategy aimed at addressing the problem causing stress.

emotion-focused coping

Coping strategy aimed at managing emotional distress.

personal control

our sense of controlling our environment rather than feeling helpless

learned helplessness

A condition in which a person suffers from a sense of powerlessness arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure.

posttramtic stress disorder (PTSD)

a disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness of feeling, and/or insomnia that lingers for 4 weeks or more after a traumatic experience.

trauma and stressor related disorders

a group of mental disorders distinguished by their origin in stressful events

depressive disorders

A group of mood disorders characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.

bipolar disorders

Mental health conditions characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

major depressive disorder

A mood disorder characterized by a persistently low mood and loss of interest in activities.

external locus of control

the perception that chance or outside forces beyond your personal control determine your fate.

internal locus of control

the perception that you control your own fate

self-control

The ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses.

mania

madness

persistent depressive disorder

A chronic form of depression characterized by a low mood lasting for at least two years.

bipolar 1 disorder

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one manic episode.

positive psychology

The scientific study of what makes life most worth living, focusing on positive aspects of human experience.

subjective well-being

An individual's self-reported assessment of their own happiness and life satisfaction.

feel-good, do-good phenomenon

The tendency for people to be more helpful when they are in a good mood.

bipolar 2 disorder

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode.

rumination

The tendency to continuously think about the same thoughts, which are often sad or dark.

adaptation-level phenomenon

The tendency to judge various stimuli and situations relative to those we have previously experienced.

schizophrenia spectrum disorders

A range of disorders characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions.

relative deprivation

The perception that one is worse off relative to those with whom one compares oneself.

psychotic disorders

Mental disorders characterized by a disconnection from reality, including hallucinations and delusions.

broaden-and-build theory

A theory suggesting that positive emotions broaden one's awareness and encourage novel, varied, and exploratory thoughts and actions.

delusion

A false belief held despite strong evidence to the contrary.

character strengths and virtues

Positive traits that contribute to an individual's overall well-being and fulfillment.

chronic schizophrenia

A long-term form of schizophrenia characterized by persistent symptoms.

resilience

The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt well to adversity.

acute schizophrenia

A short-term form of schizophrenia that may occur in response to stress or trauma.

aerobic exercise

Physical exercise that improves the efficiency of the cardiovascular system in absorbing and transporting oxygen.

dissociative disorders

Mental disorders characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory.

mindfulness meditation

A mental practice that involves focusing one's mind on the present moment.

dissociative identity disorder (DID)

A severe form of dissociation characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.

gratitude

thankfulness

dissociative amnesia

A condition characterized by an inability to recall important autobiographical information.

personality disorders

A group of mental disorders characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience.

antisocial personality disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a disregard for other people's rights, often manifesting in criminal behavior.

feeding and eating disorders

Mental disorders characterized by persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact health, emotions, and quality of life.

anorexia nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.

bulimia nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging.

neurodevelopmental disorders

A group of disorders that affect the development of the nervous system, leading to difficulties in personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.

autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior.

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

deinstitutionalization

The process of reducing the population of mental health hospitals by transferring care to community-based settings.

psychotherapy

A treatment method for mental health issues that involves talking with a trained professional.

biomedical therapy

Treatment that involves medication or medical procedures to treat psychological disorders.

eclectic approach

A therapeutic approach that incorporates techniques from various schools of thought.

psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach that focuses on bringing unconscious thoughts and feelings to consciousness.

resistance

A patient's unwillingness to discuss certain topics during therapy.

interpretation

The therapist's explanation of the meaning of a patient's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

transference

The redirection of a patient's feelings for a significant person to the therapist.

psychodynamic therapy

A therapeutic approach that focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person's present behavior.

insight therapies

Therapies that aim to increase the patient's awareness of underlying motives and defenses.

person-centered therapy

A therapeutic approach that emphasizes the therapist's empathy and unconditional positive regard for the client.

active listening

A communication technique used in counseling and conflict resolution that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said.

unconditional positive regard

An attitude of acceptance and respect toward a person regardless of what they say or do.

behavior therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on changing undesirable behaviors through conditioning techniques.

counterconditioning

A behavioral therapy technique that replaces an undesirable response to a stimulus with a desirable one.

exposure therapies

Therapeutic techniques that involve exposing the patient to the feared object or context without any danger to help them overcome their anxiety.

systematic desensitization

A behavioral therapy technique used to reduce anxiety responses through gradual exposure to the feared stimulus.

virtual reality exposure therapy

A type of exposure therapy that uses virtual reality technology to simulate real-life situations.

aversive conditioning

A type of behavior therapy that uses an unpleasant stimulus to stop an undesirable behavior.

token economy

A system of behavior modification based on the systematic reinforcement of target behavior.

cognitive therapy

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors.

rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

A cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps clients identify and change irrational beliefs.

cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques.

group therapy

A form of psychotherapy in which a group of individuals meet to discuss and work on their issues together.

family therapy

A type of psychological counseling that helps family members improve communication and resolve conflicts.

confirmation bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs.

meta-analysis

A statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies.

evidence-based practice

An approach to decision-making in healthcare that integrates the best available research with clinical expertise and patient values.

therapeutic alliance

The collaborative relationship between a therapist and a client that is essential for effective therapy.

psychopharmacology

The study of the effects of medications on the mind and behavior.

antipsychotic drugs

Medications used to manage psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations.

antianxiety drugs

Medications that help reduce anxiety.