Models of Abnormality and Related Concepts (Vocabulary) Chapter 2

A vocabulary set covering the major models of abnormality, related biological and psychological concepts, therapies, and integrative perspectives from the lecture notes.

Biological model

An approach that explains abnormal behavior as an illness resulting from malfunctioning brain processes or chemistry; treatments emphasize biological causes (drug therapy, brain stimulation, psychosurgery).

Neuron

A nerve cell; the basic unit of the nervous system that transmits electrical impulses.

Synapse

The tiny gap between neurons across which neurotransmitters travel to pass messages.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical released by neurons that crosses the synapse to transmit signals to other neurons.

Receptor

A site on a neuron that receives neurotransmitters and can trigger or inhibit firing.

Hormone

A chemical released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream to regulate body functions.

Endocrine system

Glands that release hormones to control growth, reproduction, stress responses, and more.

Brain circuit

A network of brain structures that work together to produce a behavioral, cognitive, or emotional response.

Fear circuit

A key brain circuit (including prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, insula, amygdala) involved in fear reactions.

Huntington’s disease

A disorder linked to neuron loss in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex, with movement and mood symptoms.

Genes

Chromosome segments that influence inherited traits and can contribute to mental disorders.

Chromosome

Structures that carry genes; humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.

Evolutionary perspective

Idea that some traits were adaptive for ancestors; fear and other responses may be shaped by evolution.

Genetics

Inheritance patterns and gene involvement in mental disorders (often polygenic).

DTC drug advertising

Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, controversial for impacts on costs and treatment choices.

Psychotropic drugs

Medications that affect brain function to treat mental disorders; major groups include antianxiety, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.

Antianxiety (anxiolytics)

Drugs that reduce anxiety and tension.

Antidepressants

Drugs that improve mood and treat depression and related conditions.

Antipsychotics

Drugs that reduce psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Mood stabilizers

Drugs that stabilize mood for conditions like bipolar disorder.

Brain stimulation

Biological treatments that directly or indirectly stimulate brain activity (ECT, TMS, VNS).

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A treatment that induces a brain seizure via electric currents to relieve severe depression.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Noninvasive brain stimulation using magnetic fields to influence brain activity.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to modulate brain activity.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

Electrodes surgically implanted to deliver electrical impulses to specific brain areas.

Psychosurgery

Brain surgery for mental disorders; historically included lobotomies and more precise modern techniques.

Lobotomy

A historical psychosurgery cutting connections within the frontal lobes to treat severe mental illness.

Equifinality

Different developmental paths can lead to the same psychological disorder.

Multifinality

Similar early experiences can lead to different clinical outcomes.

Developmental psychopathology perspective

An integrative view focusing on timing and development; emphasizes prevention and protective factors and cross-model integration.

Freud’s id

Instinctual drives operating on the pleasure principle.

Freud’s ego

Rational part that operates on the reality principle and uses defense mechanisms.

Freud’s superego

Moral conscience; internalized parental standards.

Defense mechanism: repression

Unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts or impulses from conscious awareness.

Defense mechanism: denial

Refusing to acknowledge an external source of anxiety.

Defense mechanism: projection

Attributing one’s own unacceptable impulses to others.

Defense mechanism: rationalization

Justifying unacceptable actions with socially acceptable explanations.

Defense mechanism: displacement

Shifting emotions from a dangerous object to a safer substitute.

Defense mechanism: intellectualization

Repressing emotions by focusing on logical, technical details.

Defense mechanism: regression

Reverting to earlier developmental stages under stress.

Id, ego, and superego

Freud’s three personality components; dynamics shape behavior and conflicts.

Fixation

An unresolved focus at an early developmental stage that can influence later functioning.

Oral stage

First development stage (0–18 months) focused on oral needs; fixation can lead to dependency or mistrust.

Free association

Therapy technique where clients say whatever comes to mind to reveal unconscious content.

Dream interpretation (manifest vs latent content)

Analyzing dreams to uncover unconscious wishes; manifest = remembered content, latent = symbolic meaning.

Catharsis

Reliving past repressed feelings to resolve internal conflicts.

Working through

Ongoing analysis of issues across many therapy sessions for deeper change.

Psychodynamic therapies

Therapies exploring past traumas and internal conflicts (free association, interpretation, transference, dreams).

Self theory

Psychodynamic view emphasizing the role of the self and wholeness.

Object relations theory

Psychodynamic view that relationships and caregiver interactions shape development.

Rogers’ client-centered therapy

Humanistic therapy focusing on unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness to foster self-actualization.

Unconditional positive regard

Complete, warm acceptance of the client by the therapist.

Accurate empathy

Skillful, understanding reflection of the client’s feelings by the therapist.

Genuineness

Sincere, real, transparent therapist communication.

Gestalt therapy

Humanistic therapy that emphasizes here-and-now experience and expressing true feelings; may use role-play.

Mindfulness

Present-moment, nonjudgmental awareness used in several therapies.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Cognitive-behavioral approach that emphasizes accepting thoughts and feelings and committing to values.

Exposure therapy

Behavioral technique involving gradual exposure to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioral model

Model focusing on how behavior and thoughts interact to influence feelings; combines learning principles with cognitive processes.

Classical conditioning

Learning by association; a neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response originally produced by another stimulus.

Modeling

Learning by observing and imitating others.

Operant conditioning

Learning via consequences (reinforcement or punishment) that shape behavior.

Telemental health

Online or remote therapy facilitated by telecommunications technology.

Group therapy

Therapy with a group of clients benefiting from shared experiences and social learning.

Family therapy

Therapy that treats the family as a system to improve interaction patterns and relationships.

Couple therapy

Therapy for two people in a long-term relationship focusing on communication and patterns.

Community treatment

Mental health care delivered in community settings with prevention and outreach.

Primary prevention

Universal efforts to prevent disorders from developing in the general population.

Secondary prevention

Early identification and treatment of problems to prevent progression.

Tertiary prevention

Treatment to reduce damage or complications once a disorder has developed.

Culture-sensitive therapies

Therapies tailored to the client’s cultural background and values.

Gender-sensitive therapies

Therapies addressing pressures related to gender identity and roles.

Multicultural perspective

View that behavior is best understood within the person’s cultural context and pressures.

Intersectionality

Framework for examining how overlapping social identities (race, class, gender, etc.) shape experiences and functioning.

Eclectic/integrative therapy

Approach that combines techniques from multiple models to tailor treatment.

Systemic and sociocultural integration

Recognition that biological or psychological factors interact with social and cultural contexts.