Chapter 2: Theories and Treatment of Abnormality

theory

set of ideas that provides a framework for questioning, gathering, and interpreting information about a phenomenon

therapy

a treatment, usually based on a theory of a phenomenon, that addresses those factors the theory says cause the phenomenon/psychological disorder; different for each theory of abnormal behavior

resistance

when a client is unwilling to, or cannot reveal certain material to the clinician

biological causes of abnormality

rapid advancement in anatomy, physiology, neurology, and chemistry in the late nineteenth century led to increasing focus on…

cerebral cortex

the outer later of the cerebrum; the part of the brain that regulates complex activities, such as speech and analytical/advanced thinking process

hypothalamus

regulates eating, drinking, sexual behavior, and processes basic emotions

limbic system

set of structures that regulate many instinctive behaviors, such as reactions to stressful events and eating; located around the central core of the brain and closely interconnected with the hypothalamus

amygdala

structure of the limbic system that is critical in emotions such as fear

hippocampus

part of the limbic system that plays a role in memory

hormone

carries messages throughout the body and affects mood, energy, and reactions to stress

identical twins

to what extent are behavior or behavioral tendencies inherited?

the environment we choose

personalities and interests are reinforced by…

biological therapies

have shown to be remarkably effective

lithium

reduces symptoms of mania (agitation, excitement, grandiosity); commonly used to treat bipolar disorder

modeling learning

new behaviors are learned by imitating the behaviors modeled by important people

observational learning

person observes the rewards and punishments that another person receives and then behaves accordingly

dysfunctional

people who tend to hold ________ assumptions often react to situations with negative emotions, irrational behaviors, and irrational thoughts

cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

cognitive techniques combined with behavioral techniques

psychoanalysis; psychodynamic

________ therapy typically involves 3 or 4 sessions per week over a period of many years, whereas _______ therapy can be as short-term as 12 weeks

catharsis

expression of emotions connected to memories and conflicts, leads to release of energy used to keep these memories in the unconscious

repression

defense mechanism in which ego pushes anxiety-provoking material back into the unconscious, aka, motivated forgetting

collective unconscious

Carl Jung refers to this as the wisdom accumulated by a society over hundred of years of human existence that is stored in the memories of individuals

transference

occurs when the client reacts to the therapist as if the therapist were an important person from the client’s past

humanistic theories

based on the assumption that humans have an innate capacity for goodness and for living a full life

Carl Rodgers

client-centered therapy was developed by…

reflection

a method of response in which therapist expresses an attempt to understand what client is experiencing and trying to communicate by restating those experiences

family systems therapy

challenges a family’s belief that an individual family member is the source of the problem

dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

includes cognitive and behavioral techniques and mindfulness exercises to help regulate emotion and control impulses

Thomas Szasz

psychiatrist; noted that throughout history, societies have labeled individuals and groups abnormal in order to justify controlling/silencing them

sociocultural approach

proponents of this approach tend to view abnormal behaviors as understandable consequences of social stresses in people’s lives

sociocultural

a psychologist who applies a _________ approach to anxiety disorders would consider the way cultural values or the social environment affect anxiety

gender

both women and men tend to report that they prefer a therapist of the same…

does not necessarily lead to a better outcome

matching the race/ethnicity of the therapist and the client…

primary prevention

a care model with a strong emphasis on primary prevention requires changing public policies and social norms to be fully effective