Abnormal Psychology Midterm 2 - Chapters 4-7

What is the scientific method

Systematic process of observing, forming hypothesis, testing them, and drawing conclusions

What is a case study

In depth analysis of one individual or small group

What is a correlational study

Research that examines relationships between variables without determining cause

What does correlation not prove

Causation

What is an experimental study

Study that manipulates variables without determining cause

What is a control group

Group that does not receive treatment when being tested

What is the placebo effect

Improvement due to belief in treatment, not the treatment itself

What is random assignment

Assigning participants to groups by chance to reduce bias

What is reliability

Consistency of measurement

What is validity

Accuracy of measurement

What is psychological assessment

Process of gathering information to understand someone’s mental health

What is a clinical interview

Structured or unstructured conversation to assess mental health

What are psychological tests

Standardized tools to measure behaviour or mental processes

What is the DSM used for

Diagnosing mental disorders

What is reliability in diagnosis

Consistency across clinicians

What is validity in diagnosis

Accuracy of diagnosis

What is comorbidity

Presence of multiple disorders at once

What is a treatment plan

Structured approach to therapy based on diagnosis

What is evidence based treatment

Treatment supported by scientific research

What is a clinical formulation

A summary explaining a person’s problems and causes

What is anxiety

State of tension and worry about potential threats

What is a phobia

Excessive, irrational fear of certain object or situation

What is panic disorder

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Chronic, excessive worry about multiple things

What is social anxiety disorder

Fear of social situations or being judged

What is PTSD

Disorder following exposure to trauma, involving flashbacks and distress

What is OCD

Disorder involving obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (behaviours)

What is a compulsion

Repetitive behaviour aimed at reducing anxiety

What is exposure therapy

Gradual exposure to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety

What role does learning play in anxiety

Anxiety can be learned through conditioning and observation

What are somatic symptom disorders

Disorders involving physical symptoms without clear medical cause

What is illness anxiety disorder

Preoccupation with having a serious illness

What is conversion disorder

Neurological symptoms without medical explanation

What is dissociation

Disruption in consciousness, memory or identity

What is dissociative amnesia

Memory loss related to trauma

What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)

Presence of two or more distinctive identities

What is depersonalization

Feeling detached from oneself

What is derealization

Feeling that the world in unreal

What is the role of trauma in dissociative disorders

Trauma is often a key contributing factor

What is the mind body connection

Psychological factors influencing physical health

Panic disorder:

Usually reaches its peak in <10 mins, 4+ symptoms, about 10% of population experiences panic attack; 1-5% developing panic disorder

Two types of panic disorder

Expected, unexpected (required for diagnosis of panic disorder)

Panic disorder; panic circuit

LC, amygdala, hippocampus, VMH, central grey area

Panic attacks can be induced with

Caffeine, hyperventilation, sodium lactate

Mowrer’s two factor theory

1. Fear is initially learned through classical conditioning 2. Fear is maintained through avoidance

Thought action fusion (TAF)

Belief that having a particular thought increases probability that event will happen

Excoriation disorder aka dermatillomania

Impulse control disorder, picking skin

Trichotillomania

Impulse control disorder, irresistible urge to pull put hair

Body dysmorphic disorder

Distress due to perceived physical anomaly

The artifact theory

Men and women are equally prone to depression but there is bias in diagnosis, or men are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder

Brain areas associated with depression

Prefrontal cortex, lambic system, and subgenual cingulate

Risks of suicide

Mood disorders, SUD, schizophrenia, and personality disorders

Malingering

Intentionally faking a physical illness or psychological disorder to achieve external gains such as financial compensation, avoidance of criminal prosecution, remove responsibilities

Post traumatic model

People who suffer from DID might compartmentalize trauma and use dissociation to cope with the traumatic experiences

Fictitious disorder

Voluntary production of mental or physical signs and symptoms

Avoidant personality disorder

Very uncomfortable and inhibited in social situation, overwhelmed by feelings, fear of rejection

Dependent personality disorder

Excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive, obedient and clingy behaviour

Depressants

Reduce feelings of tension and anxiety, impair cognitive process (alcohol, sedatives, opioids)

Stimulants

Increase activity of CNS, heighten state of arousal (cocaine, nicotine)

Hallucinogens

Produce sensory distortions or hallucinations, may result in relaxation (LSD, cannabis)