Module 01 - Fundamentals of Psychological Disorders, 3rd ed. (2023)

ABAB Design

Research design alternating between baseline and treatment conditions

Abnormal Behavior

Significantly deviating behavior causing distress or dysfunction

Abnormal Psychology

Study of unusual behavior, thoughts, and emotions

Asylums

Historical institutions for confining individuals with mental illnesses

Case Studies

In-depth examinations of specific individuals or cases

Cathartic Method

Therapeutic approach involving release of repressed emotions

Clinical Description

Systematic description and categorization of symptoms of a mental disorder

Clinical Psychologist

Psychologist providing assessments, therapy, and counseling

Clinical Social Worker

Social worker providing therapy and support, may prescribe medication

Comorbidity

Co-occurrence of two or more mental disorders or medical conditions

Control Group

Group not receiving experimental treatment, used for comparison

Correlational Research

Examines relationship between variables without establishing causation

Courtesy Stigma

Stigma experienced by individuals close to someone with mental illness

Critical Thinking

Analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information systematically

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, practices, and traditions of a specific group

Dangerousness

Potential for an individual with mental disorder to pose a threat

Deinstitutionalization

Policy shift from asylums to community-based care

Dependent Variable

Variable measured and influenced by the independent variable

Descriptive Statistics

Techniques used to summarize and describe data

Deviance

Behavior, thoughts, or emotions differing from societal norms

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Classification system for diagnosing mental disorders

Distress

Psychological or emotional state characterized by significant discomfort

Drug Abuse and/or Alcohol Counselor

Professional specializing in substance use disorders and addiction

Dysfunction

Impaired or disrupted functioning in one or more areas of life

Epidemiological Study

Research on patterns, causes, and prevalence of diseases or conditions

Epidemiology

Study of distribution and determinants of health-related conditions

Etiology

Study of causes or origins of mental disorders

Experimental Group

Group receiving experimental treatment or intervention

Exorcism

Religious practice to expel evil spirits causing disturbances

Generalizability

Extent to which research findings can be applied to a broader population

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts used for quick decisions and judgments

Humanism

Approach emphasizing individual growth and human potential

Humors

Ancient theory of health influenced by bodily fluids

Hypothesis

Testable statement proposing a relationship between variables

Incidence

Number of new cases of a condition within a population

Independent Variable

Variable manipulated by researcher to examine its effect

Inferential Statistics

Techniques used to draw conclusions about a population

Laboratory Observation

Research conducted in controlled laboratory setting

Label Avoidance

Avoidance of seeking help due to fear of stigma

Lifetime Prevalence

Proportion of individuals who experienced a condition in their lives

Literature Review

Analysis of existing research on a specific topic

Lycanthropy

Psychiatric disorder believing one can transform into an animal

Managed Health Care

Healthcare system emphasizing cost control and efficiency

Marital and Family Therapist

Professional providing therapy for couples and families

Mass Madness

Unusual and irrational behavior in a large group

Mental Disorders

Conditions involving disturbances in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors

Mental Hygiene Movement

Historical movement promoting mental health awareness

Mesmerism

Pseudoscientific practice involving hypnotic techniques

Moral Treatment Movement

Reform movement emphasizing humane care for mental illness

Multicultural Psychology

Study of how culture influences psychological processes

Multi-method Research

Approach combining various research methods

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in natural setting without intervention

Nomenclature

System of naming and classifying mental disorders

Observation

Systematic process of watching and recording behavior

Occupational Therapist

Professional helping individuals regain daily functioning

Pastoral Counselor

Counselor integrating spiritual principles into therapy

Period Prevalence

Proportion of individuals with a condition during a defined period

Placebo

Substance or treatment with no therapeutic effect

Point Prevalence

Proportion of individuals with a condition at a specific time

Positive Psychology

Study of well-being, happiness, and positive emotions

Prevalence

Total number of cases of a condition in a population

Prevention

Efforts to reduce occurrence or impact of mental disorders

Prognosis

Predicted course and outcome of a condition

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Clinician authorized to diagnose and treat mental health conditions

Psychiatric or Mental Health Epidemiology

Study of mental health disorders within populations

Psychiatrist

Medical doctor specializing in mental health disorders

Psychopathology

Study of abnormal mental processes and behavior

Psychological or Psychogenic Perspective

Perspective emphasizing psychological factors in mental disorders

Public Stigma

Negative attitudes and stereotypes toward individuals with mental health issues

Random Assignment

Method to assign participants to different groups

Research Design

Overall plan of a research study

Saint Vitus's Dance

Mania with uncontrollable desire to dance

Schema

Mental framework that organizes and interprets information

School Psychologist

Professional supporting students' well-being in educational settings

Self-Stigma

Internalized negative beliefs about oneself

Single-Subject Experimental Design

Study of intervention effects on individual behavior

Social Cognition

Study of how individuals perceive and interpret social information

Social Desirability

Tendency to provide socially acceptable responses

Social Identity Theory

Theory exploring how social identities influence behavior

Social Norms

Shared expectations and behaviors within a group

Statistical Significance

Indication of meaningful effect or relationship in data

Stereotypes

Overgeneralized beliefs about a particular group

Stigma

Negative attitudes and discrimination toward individuals with mental health issues

Surveys/Self-Report Data

Methods collecting data directly from individuals

Syndromes

Collection of symptoms suggesting a specific condition

Tarantism

Historical phenomenon of frenzied dancing

Theory

Systematic explanation of phenomena

Treatment

Interventions to address mental disorders

Trephination

Ancient medical procedure of skull removal