Etiology and Classification of Psychological Disorders

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the etiology of psychological disorders as discussed in the lecture.

Concordance rate

The percentage of twin pairs or relatives that exhibit the same disorder.

Preparedness

The biological tendency to acquire certain fears more easily due to evolutionary history.

Dissociative Amnesia

A sudden loss of memory for important personal information often attributed to excessive stress.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personalities.

Anhedonia

A diminished ability to experience pleasure.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder marked by both depressed and manic periods.

Cognitive Factors in Depression

Negative thinking styles that contribute to vulnerability to depression.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder marked by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and deterioration of adaptive behavior.

Genetic Vulnerability in Schizophrenia

Genetic factors may account for up to 80% of susceptibility to schizophrenia.

Dopamine hypothesis

The theory that excess dopamine activity is a neurochemical basis for schizophrenia.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Marked by impulsive, callous, manipulative, and irresponsible behavior.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by intense fear of gaining weight and refusal to maintain normal weight.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder involving habitual excessive overeating followed by purging behaviors.

Cognitive Factors in Eating Disorders

Distorted thinking patterns such as rigid thinking and maladaptive beliefs prevalent in individuals with eating disorders.

Early-life stress

Stress experienced in early childhood that is linked to later psychological disorders.

Genetic Overlap Among Major Disorders

Many psychological disorders share genetic and neurobiological characteristics.