psy 341 exam 1

abnormal psychology

Scientific study of abnormal behavior in an effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning *please note that there are many definitions none have total acceptance

asylum

A type of institution that first became popular in the sixteenth century to provide care for persons with mental disorders.

deinstitutionalization

The discharge, begun during the 1960s, of large numbers of patients from long

managed care program

A system of health care coverage in which the insurance company largely controls the nature, scope, and cost of medical or psychological services.

moral treatment

A nineteenth-century approach to treating people with mental dysfunction that emphasized moral guidance and humane and respectful treatment.

multicultural psychology

The field of psychology that examines the impact of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and similar factors on our behaviors and thoughts and focuses on how such factors may influence the origin, nature, and treatment of abnormal behavior.

prevention

behavioral, social or biological intervention that aims to reduce the risk of mental health problems

psychogenic perspective

The view that the chief causes of abnormal functioning are psychological

psychotropic medications

Drugs that mainly affect the brain and reduce many symptoms of mental dysfunction.

somatogenic perspective

The view that abnormal psychological functioning has physical causes

therapy/treatment

Procedure designed to change abnormal behavior into more normal behavior

deviance

Variance from common patterns of behavior.

distress

dysfunction

interfering with the person's ability to conduct daily activities in a constructive way

danger

the possibility of suffering harm or injury

Axon

A long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

brain stimulation

A technique that involves activating or inhibiting the brain using electrical or magnetic impulses to study or treat neurological and psychological conditions.

catharsis

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

classical conditioning

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response.

client-centered therapy

A humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers, emphasizing unconditional positive regard, empathy, and active listening

dendrite

The branched projections of a neuron that receive electrochemical signals from other neurons.

ego

In Freud's theory, the part of the personality that mediates between the id, superego, and reality, operating on the reality principle.

Electroconvulsive therapy

A psychiatric treatment that involves electrically induced seizures to treat severe mental disorders, such as depression.

existential therapy

A form of psychotherapy that focuses on free will, self-determination, and the search for meaning.

exposure therapy

A behavioral therapy technique used to help individuals confront and overcome fears and phobias through gradual and repeated exposure.

family systems theory

A psychological perspective that views the family as an interconnected system, where each member influences the others.

fixation

In Freud's psychosexual development theory, a persistent focus on an earlier stage due to unresolved conflicts.

free association

A psychoanalytic technique in which a person speaks freely to reveal unconscious thoughts and emotions.

id

The primitive part of personality in Freud's theory, driven by instincts and desires, operating on the pleasure principle.

model

A representation or example used to understand, predict, or explain psychological phenomena.

modeling

A form of learning in which individuals acquire new behaviors by observing and imitating others.

multicultural perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes the importance of cultural influences on behavior and mental processes.

neuron

A nerve cell that transmits information via electrical and chemical signals in the nervous system.

neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons by crossing synapses.

objects relations theory

A psychoanalytic theory focusing on the relationships individuals form with significant people, particularly in early childhood.

operant conditioning

A learning process in which behavior is influenced by reinforcement or punishment.

psychosurgery

A surgical intervention to alter brain function, historically used to treat severe mental disorders - lobotomy

psychotropic medications

Drugs that affect mental processes and behavior, commonly used to treat psychiatric disorders

receptor

A protein on a neuron's surface that receives and responds to neurotransmitters.

resistance

In psychotherapy, a client's unconscious defense mechanism that hinders the progress of treatment.

self-actualization

The process of realizing and fulfilling one's potential, central to humanistic psychology.

self theory

A psychological theory emphasizing the development of self-concept and personal identity.

superego

The moral component of personality in Freud's theory, representing internalized societal values and ideals.

synapse

The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters facilitate communication between cells

Transference

In psychoanalysis, the projection of emotions associated with significant figures onto the therapist.

working through

A psychoanalytic process in which clients repeatedly examine and reinterpret past experiences to achieve insight and emotional resolution

assessment

The process of evaluating an individual's mental, emotional, and behavioral functioning through various methods.

classification system

A standardized method used to categorize mental disorders, such as the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or ICD (International Classification of Diseases).

clinical test

A structured evaluation tool used to assess psychological functioning, personality, or cognitive abilities.

clinical observation

The process of monitoring an individual's behavior, emotions, and interactions to assess psychological well-being.

diagnosis

The identification and labeling of a mental disorder based on a standardized classification system and clinical criteria.

mental status exam

A structured assessment used by clinicians to evaluate an individual's cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning.

neuroimaging techniques

Methods such as MRI, CT scans, and PET scans used to visualize brain structure and activity.

neurological test

A test designed to measure brain function and detect neurological impairments, such as the EEG or reflex assessments.

neuropsychological test

An assessment used to evaluate cognitive functions, including memory, problem-solving, and language skills.

personality inventory

A self-report questionnaire designed to assess personality traits and psychological functioning, such as the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory).

projective test

A psychological test, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test or TAT (Thematic Apperception Test), that aims to uncover unconscious thoughts and emotions.

reliability

the consistency and stability of a psychological test or measurement over time

response inventories

Self-report questionnaires used to assess specific aspects of an individual's thoughts, emotions, or behaviors.

standardization

The process of establishing norms and uniform procedures for administering and scoring psychological assessments.

syndrome

A collection of symptoms that occur together and characterize a specific mental disorder.

validty

The extent to which a psychological test accurately measures what it is intended to measure.

agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in case of panic

anxiety

A state of heightened worry, tension, and nervousness in response to perceived threats or stressors.

basic irrational assumptions

Maladaptive beliefs that contribute to excessive worry and anxiety, often identified in cognitive therapy

benzodiazepines

A class of medications that enhance GABA activity to reduce anxiety and induce relaxation (e.g., Valium, Xanax).

biological challenge test

A procedure in which a person is exposed to anxiety-inducing stimuli to assess biological responses to panic.

classical conditioning

A learning process in which a previously neutral stimulus becomes associated with a fearful or anxious response.

client-centered therapy

A humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers that emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and self-acceptance.

compulsion

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent feared events, common in OCD.

Exposure and Response Prevention

A behavioral therapy for OCD that involves gradually confronting fears while resisting compulsive behaviors

exposure treatments

Therapeutic techniques that help individuals confront and overcome fears through repeated exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli.

family pedigree study

A research method that examines the prevalence of disorders in family members to assess genetic influences.

fear

A natural emotional response to an immediate, real, or perceived threat.

flooding

A form of exposure therapy in which individuals are exposed to their most feared stimuli in an intense and prolonged manner.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity and is involved in regulating anxiety levels.

GAD

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

Modeling

A form of learning in which individuals acquire new behaviors by observing others.

obsession

Persistent, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress and are difficult to control.

OCD

A group of disorders that involve obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors, such as hoarding disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.

Panic Attacker

Sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

Panic disorder

A condition characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks along with persistent fear of future attacks.

Phobia

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

Rational-Emotive Therapy

A cognitive therapy developed by Albert Ellis that aims to challenge irrational beliefs and promote rational thinking.

Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs

Medications that induce relaxation, sleep, and reduced anxiety, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A condition involving extreme fear of social situations due to concerns about embarrassment or negative evaluation.

Systematic Desensitization

A behavioral therapy technique that gradually exposes individuals to feared stimuli while teaching relaxation techniques.