Abnormal Psychology: Exam 1

Criteria of Abnormality

statistical infrequence, distress, disability, violation of social norms, historically persistent, persistent across cultures, has a biological basis

The connection between insanity and genius

bipolar disorder

Medical Student Syndrome

studying disorders may lead the student to believing that they have the disorder.

The most common practicing psychologist

clinical psychologist

Medical mental health professions

psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses

MSW Social Worker

Most common psychotherapist professional

Where Psychologist can prescribe medication

New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, and the military

independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

dependent variable

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

operationalization

Carefully defining a variable; often measurable

reliability

accuracy of measurement, consistency

validity of measurement

extent to which a test, instrument, or experimental method does what it is meant to

Internal validity

The aspects of the methodology that make the researcher confident of the link between "cause and effect."

external validity

The degree to which one is able to generalize one's findings and apply them in the real world.

statistical significance

The degree to which a research finding can be assumed not to be simply a chance occurrence.

statistical significance

The degree to which a research finding can be assumed not to be simply a chance occurrence.

longitudinal design

research design in which one participant or group of participants is studied over a long period of time

cross-sectional design

research design that examines people of different ages at a single point in time

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study

The experiment that resulted in the establishment of ethical review boards for research institutions

Milgram Obedience Experiment

The study to see if people were likely to obey an authority figure in a white lab coat claiming to be a scientist. The "teachers" gave an electric shock to "learners" when they have a wrong answer.

Epidemiology of Mental Disorders

The quantitative study of the distribution of mental disorders in human populations.

prevalence of schizophrenia

1-2%

prevalence of mood disorders

8-16%

percent of children in need of psychological services

10-30%

% of persons with mental disorders that receive treatment

40%

outcome of bachelor's in psychology

low pay, bad job security, low autonomy, poor benefits, high competition

Career expectations from masters level graduate programs

slightly lower competition, better pay, better job security, higher autonomy, better benefits when compared to bachelors degrees.

Professional Psychology Doctoral Programs

trained to be a practitioner--not a scientist. Able to practice, but unlikely to be hired by research-based institutions like Wayne State University. Programs are rarely paid for and are very expensive.

Scientist-practitioner doctoral programs

trained to be a researcher and a practitioner. Offers the best pay, benefits, job security, and highest autonomy. Programs are typically paid for and come with a stipend.

Four main duties of scientist-practitioners

1. clinical work. 2. research. 3. teaching. 4. administration

Moral Treatment

The first mental health revolution. An approach to mental illness calling for dignity, kindness, and respect for those with mental illness. Called for the remove of mentally ill from the harshness of industrialization.

Social Darwinism

The belief that the mentally ill should be left to die and that society will improve as a result. An aspect of eugenics.

The origins of social services

In the late 1890s and early 1900s, concentrations of immigrants in need organized community social services

The Second Mental Health Revolution

Initiated by Freud. He emphasized the need to study mental illness and that there are causes / explanations to mental illness

The Third Mental Health Revolution.

The community mental health movement; deinstitutionalization; closure of inpatient psychiatric institutions; the opening of community mental health services

Precipitating events to the third mental health revolution

Psychological wounds of WWII veterans. Discovery of psychoactive drugs. Eysenck's attack on psychotherapy. The high cost of inpatient hospital care. The liberal climate of the 1960s. Journalistic exposure and public outrage of psychiatric institutions. Research exposure of psychiatric institutions.

Visible effects of the community mental health movement

1961 Joint Commission on Mental Health and Illness
1963 Community Mental Health Services Act
Laws making forced hospitalization tougher
Dramatic reduction in number of inpatients
More community based services
revolving door and rising homelessness

eclectic

Most psychologists have an ______________ theoretical approach

Biological perspective

mental illness is a biological disorder. Research utilizes separated at birth twin research to determine heritability of disorders.

40%

Concordance rate of schizophrenia in monozygotic twins

Neuropsychology

Assessment of deficits following brain damage

Health Psychology

The study of the relationship between physical and mental health

Biological perspective ethical dilemmas

denial of service by insurance companies
the tendency for eugenics to co-opt biological arguments

Psychodynamic perspective

how behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts

psychoanalysis

Psychodynamic approach to therapy

Problems with psychodynamic theory

employs circular reasoning and therefore lacks explanatory power for existence of disorders. It is impossible to explain the subconscious.

Behavioral perspective

An approach initiated by John Watson that emphasizes the role of reinforcement (operant conditioning, punishment, extinction), classical conditioning, and Social Learning Theory to explain behavior and psychopathology. "How you're trained predicts all behavior."

Cognitive (Cognitive-Behavioral) perspective

An approach initiated by Aaron Beck that emphasizes the role of irrational, negative thinking and beliefs in creating and maintaining psychopathology. Therapy focuses on transforming thinking.

Humanistic and Existential View

An approach initiated by Carl Rogers and Fritz Perls that emphasizes a positive view of human nature. Therapy generally addresses the negative role of society on psychopathology and works to create a passive and positive environment that allows the patient to explore their thoughts and feelings.

Family Systems perspective

A perspective that emphasizes the role of the family structure and foundational problems within the family. Therapy would work to address weak and unnaturally strong relationship dynamics between individuals.

Community-Cultural perspective

A perspective that emphasizes the role of social factors, stress, social support, labeling, stigma on the development of psychopathology. Places importance on prevention of mental illness and flourishing of mentally healthy individuals.

Diagnosis and Assessment

Working to identify disorders and addressing them.

DSM-III

The version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) considered to have shown the greatest changes over its predecessor

DSM-5 approach to classification

Categorical. The DSM analogizes mental illness to diseases meaning that individuals can be diagnosed with multiple different disorders with overlapping symptoms.

clinical interview

The gold standard of psychological assessments

Structured interview

Scripted questions used to identify and measure disorders

women

Which gender is more likely to have a mood disorder?

divorced / separated

What marital status has higher rates of mood disorders

Major Depression
persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Types of Depressive Disorders

Major Depression

A mood disorder characterized by an episode of intense depression

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

A long-standing characteristic of mild depression lasting more than 2 years. It is similar to a personality disorder.

Biological treatments for mood disorders

Antidepressant drugs -- SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Electro-convulsive therapy

Psychodynamic treatments for mood disorders

Addresses the inward turning of anger over a loss. May address attachment styles that create unfulfilling relationships. Involves uncovering the unconscious reason for depression.

Behavioral treatments for mood disorders

Addresses depression as a learned habit. Treatment may involve social skills training and increasing reinforcing and pleasurable experiences.

Cognitive treatments for mood disorders

Therapy involves addrsesing and chaning irrational or negative ways of thinking

Postpartum Depression

Depression following birth in pregnant woman. Treatment options are the same as other forms of depression. Practitioners may anticipate and prescribe antidepressant medications if the mother has a history of the disorder.

Frequency of depression amongst the homeless

20-25%

Frequency of depression amongst the poor

15-20%

The benefit of psychotherapy over antidepressant medications in mood disorders

psychotherapy may have longer lasting effects and lacks the relapse problems associated with antidepressant medications

Who developed attachment theory and what is its relationship to mood disorders?

John Bowlby.
Unfulfilling intimate relationships can lead to depression

lithium

What is the most common treatment for bipolar disorders

What is one of the most difficult aspects of treating bipolar with medications?

Adherence to medication can be an issue due to the enjoyable nature of mania. Unwanted side effects can also be an issue.

bipolar I disorder

a type of bipolar disorder marked by full manic episode. Depressive episodes are common

Bipolar II disorder

a disorder characterized by alternating periods of major depression and hypomania

cyclothymia

Chronic, but less severe form of bipolar
Must experience several episodes of hypomania and frequent bouts of depression during a period of two years.
Must have no history of major depressive episode.
Must exhibit no clear evidence of a full blown manic episode.

seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

recurrent depressive episodes in a seasonal pattern

phototherapy

treatment for seasonal affective disorder

what category of disordered individuals are more at risk for suicide?

Individuals with mood disorders, especially those with bipolar

What are the aims of a suicidality assessment?

To determine the risk that the patient poses to themselves. The clinician will typically look for a clear and detailed plan and the intention to use lethal means

What is the suicide completion rate?

10:1 attempts to completions

Who, in general, is most likely to complete a suicide?

Older white men

What is the most common type of disorder as a group?

Anxiety disorders

The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders

15-20%

Who is more likely to experience anxiety, men or women?

women, they are 2x more likely

Which category of disorder is frequently comorbid with anxiety disorders

depression

The advantageous nature of anxiety

Performance is generally best with some anxiety. Too much or too little can result in a decrease in performance.

Subtypes of anxiety disorders

Panic disorders
Phobias
Generalized anxiety disorder

Types of phobias

simple/specific
social
agoraphobia

Behavioral interventions for anxiety disorders

Understands anxiety as a learned response and seeks to implement relaxation training and systematic desensitization

systematic desensitization

relaxation training with exposure to tiered situations that are relevant to the specific phobia

Cognitive interventions for anxiety disorders

Addressing the patients analysis of errors: addressing faulty logic, all or none thinking, thinking one mistake means total failure
Decatastrophizing: patient imagines what would happen in worst case scenario and clinician works to address exaggerations

Biological treatments for anxiety disorders

anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Community perspective on anxiety disorders

the growing stresses of modern life are leading to more cases of anxiety amongst young people

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

obsessive displeasure with physical features of self that are often unnoticeable or irrational to outside observers

Types of somatic symptom disorders

conversion disorder
illness anxiety disorder (formerly hypochondriasis)
Chronic pain (fibromyalgia)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (not identified in DSM, could be an expression of depression)
Irritable bowel syndrome (not in DSM)

Hoarding disorder

characterized by an unwillingness to discard with possessions that have no emotional attachment

Obsessions

Unwanted thoughts, ideas, or mental images that are frequently violent or sexual in nature

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are performed to prevent or reduce anxiety.

Types of stress related disorders

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The difference between Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic stress disorder

ASD must last for less than one month. If symptoms exceed more than one month, the disorder should be categorized as PTSD. Otherwise, the symptoms are essentially the same.