Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders

Deviation (Deviant)

Behavior that is not typical for one’s culture

Distress

When behavior causes anxiety or emotional pain

Dysfunction

When behavior interferes with daily life

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)

Book by American Psychiatric Association that classifies mental disorders (does not explain causes)

ICD (International Classification of Diseases)

Global manual (by WHO) for diagnosing mental and physical disorders (current version: ICD-11)

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on learned behaviors through rewards/punishments (e.g., fear reinforced by avoiding something)

Psychodynamic perspective

Focuses on unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences

Humanistic perspective

Focuses on personal growth, lack of support, and unmet potential

Cognitive perspective

Focuses on negative thinking patterns that lead to disorders

Evolutionary perspective

Focuses on how behaviors help or hurt survival and reproduction

Sociocultural perspective

Focuses on how society and culture influence behavior

Biological perspective

Focuses on genetics, brain chemistry, and biology

Eclectic perspective

Uses a mix of perspectives to understand and treat disorders

Maladaptive learned associations

Bad habits or fears learned from experience that cause problems

Biopsychosocial model

Mental health is affected by biology, thoughts, and social environment

Diathesis-stress model

Mental illness happens when a person with a vulnerability (diathesis) faces stress