AP PSYCH 5.3, 5.4, 5.5

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through conditioning and environmental interactions.

Biological perspective

Explains behavior and disorders through brain structures, genetics, neurotransmitters, and physiology.

Biopsychosocial model

Combines biological, psychological, and social factors to explain mental health and behavior.

Cognitive perspective

Emphasizes how thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations influence behavior and mental processes.

Deviation from the social norm

Defines abnormal behavior as actions that violate societal expectations or rules.

Eclectic

Using ideas or techniques from multiple psychological perspectives instead of just one.

Diathesis

A biological or genetic predisposition to develop a disorder.

Diathesis-stress model

Suggests disorders develop when a predisposition is triggered by stress or environmental factors.

Evolutionary perspective

Explains behavior based on adaptation and survival advantages over time.

Humanistic perspective

Focuses on personal growth, free will, and achieving one’s full potential.

Level of dysfunction

Refers to how much a behavior interferes with daily life and functioning.

Maladaptive

Behaviors that interfere with well-being or the ability to adjust effectively.

Perception of distress

When a person experiences significant emotional suffering or discomfort.

Psychodynamic perspective

Focuses on unconscious conflicts, childhood experiences, and inner drives.

Psychological disorder

A pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that causes distress or dysfunction.

Psychopathology

The scientific study of psychological disorders, including symptoms and causes.

Sociocultural perspective

Examines how culture, environment, and social context influence behavior.

Stress

The body’s response to perceived challenges or threats that disrupt balance.

Acrophobia

Intense fear of heights.

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape may be difficult, often leading to avoiding public places.

Anorexia nervosa

Eating disorder involving extreme restriction of food and distorted body image.

Antisocial personality disorder (APD)

Pattern of disregard for others’ rights and lack of empathy or remorse.

Arachnophobia

Fear of spiders.

Ataque de nervios (ADN)

Culture-bound syndrome involving intense emotional distress, common in Latin cultures.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Developmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.

Avoidant personality disorder

Extreme sensitivity to rejection leading to social avoidance.

Bipolar I

Disorder involving full manic episodes and often depression.

Bipolar II

Disorder with hypomania and major depressive episodes.

Bipolar disorder

Mood disorder with alternating periods of mania and depression.

Borderline personality disorder

Instability in relationships, emotions, and self-image.

Bulimia nervosa

Eating disorder involving binge eating followed by purging.

Catatonia

Motor disturbance involving immobility or excessive movement.

Catatonic stupor

State of unresponsiveness and lack of movement.

Compulsion

Repetitive behavior performed to reduce anxiety.

Delusion

False belief strongly held despite evidence against it.

Dependent personality disorder

Excessive need to be cared for, leading to submissive behavior.

Depressive disorder

Group of disorders involving persistent sadness and loss of interest.

Developmental period

Time in life when disorders may emerge, especially in childhood.

Dissociative amnesia

Inability to recall important personal information due to trauma.

Dissociative amnesia with fugue

Amnesia combined with sudden travel or identity confusion.

Dissociative disorder

Disorders involving disruptions in memory, identity, or consciousness.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID)

Presence of two or more distinct identities in one person.

Dopamine hypothesis

Theory that schizophrenia is linked to excess dopamine activity.

Eating disorder

Disorder involving abnormal eating behaviors affecting health.

Flat affect

Lack of emotional expression.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Persistent, excessive worry about everyday situations.

Hallucination

Sensory perception without external stimulus.

Histrionic personality disorder

Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

Hoarding disorder

Difficulty discarding items, leading to clutter and distress.

Hypomania

Less severe form of mania.

Learned association

Behavior shaped by linking stimuli and responses.

Major depressive disorder

Severe, persistent depression affecting daily functioning.

Mania

Elevated mood with increased energy and risky behavior.

Narcissistic personality disorder

Grandiosity and need for admiration with lack of empathy.

Negative symptom

Absence of normal behaviors (e.g., lack of emotion).

Neurodevelopmental disorder

Disorder beginning in childhood affecting development.

Obsession

Persistent unwanted thoughts causing anxiety.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Disorder involving obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Preoccupation with order and control.

Panic attack

Sudden intense fear with physical symptoms.

Panic disorder

Recurrent panic attacks with fear of future attacks.

Paranoid personality disorder

Distrust and suspicion of others.

Persistent depressive disorder

Long-term, less severe depression.

Personality disorders

Enduring patterns of behavior that deviate from norms.

Phobia

Irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Disorder following trauma involving flashbacks and anxiety.

Psychosis

Loss of contact with reality.

Psychotic disorder

Disorder involving delusions or hallucinations.

Schizoid personality disorder

Detachment from social relationships.

Schizophrenia

Severe disorder with delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

Schizophrenic spectrum disorder

Range of disorders related to schizophrenia.

Schizotypal personality disorder

Odd beliefs and social discomfort.

Social anxiety disorder

Fear of social situations due to judgment.

Specific phobia disorder

Intense fear of a specific object/situation.

Taijin kyofusho (TKS)

Fear of offending others, common in Japan.

Word salad

Disorganized, meaningless speech.

Active listening

Therapist fully engages and reflects client’s thoughts and feelings.

Antianxiety drug

Medication that reduces anxiety symptoms.

Antidepressant

Drug used to treat depression by affecting neurotransmitters.

Antipsychotic medication

Used to treat psychotic disorders by reducing symptoms like hallucinations.

Applied behavioral therapy

Uses learning principles to change behavior.

Aversion therapy

Links unwanted behavior with unpleasant stimulus.

Biofeedback

Uses monitoring devices to help control physiological responses.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to change thinking and behavior.

Cognitive restructuring

Changing negative thought patterns into healthier ones.

Cognitive therapy

Focuses on changing dysfunctional thinking.

Cultural humility

Respecting and understanding diverse cultural backgrounds in treatment.

Deinstitutionalization

Movement to treat patients outside of mental hospitals.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Therapy focusing on emotional regulation and coping skills.

Dream interpretation

Analyzing dreams to uncover unconscious thoughts.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Treatment using electrical stimulation for severe depression.

Evidence-based intervention

Treatment proven effective through research.

Exposure therapy

Gradual exposure to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety.

Group therapy

Therapy involving multiple patients sharing experiences.

Humanistic therapy

Focuses on personal growth and self-acceptance.

Hypnosis

Altered state of awareness used for therapy.

Lithium

Mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder.

Lobotomy

Outdated surgery removing brain connections.

Meta-analysis

Combining results of multiple studies for conclusions.