Abnormal Psychology: Historical Context, Integrative Approaches, and Related Disorders (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on historical perspectives, psychotherapies, learning theories, brain structures, neurochemistry, assessment concepts, and common disorders.

Hippocrates

Greek physician who argued mental illness has natural causes, not demons; proposed the Humoral Theory.

Humoral Theory

Idea that health depends on balance of four bodily humors (fluids).

Psychoanalytic Theory

Freud’s view that unconscious conflicts from childhood shape behavior.

Psychoanalytic Therapy

Therapy aimed at uncovering unconscious conflicts (e.g., free association, dream analysis).

Free Association

Speaking freely to reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Dream Analysis

Interpreting dreams to uncover unconscious material.

Intrapsychic Conflicts

Battles among the id, ego, and superego.

Castration Anxiety

Freud concept of fear of losing genitals during Oedipal development.

Transference

Patient projects feelings onto the therapist.

Extinction

Disappearance of a conditioned response when reinforcement stops."

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Modern, brief psychoanalytic approaches blending insight with action.

Self-Actualizing

Realizing and fulfilling one’s potential.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Carl Rogers’ acceptance of a person without judgment to foster growth.

Introspection

Self-examination and reflection on one’s own thoughts and feelings.

Systematic Desensitization

Gradual exposure to feared stimuli paired with relaxation.

Reinforcement

Process that increases the likelihood of a behavior by rewarding it.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a goal.

Hindbrain

Lower brain region controlling basic functions (medulla, pons, cerebellum).

Medulla

Controls vital autonomic functions (breathing, heart rate).

Pons

Regulates sleep and arousal.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance.

Midbrain

Middle brain region; includes tectum/tegmentum and RAS.

Tectum/Tegmentum

Midbrain structures involved in sensory processing and movement.

Reticular Activating System

Network that regulates arousal and attention.

Forebrain

Advanced brain region including thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, basal ganglia, and cortex.

Thalamus

Sensory relay station to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis, drives (thirst, hunger, temperature).

Limbic System

Emotion and memory network (includes amygdala, hippocampus, etc.).

Amygdala

Emotion processing, especially fear.

Hippocampus

Memory formation and spatial navigation.

Cingulate Gyrus

Emotion regulation and cognitive control; pain processing.

Septum

Emotion-related region involved in reinforcement and arousal.

Basal Ganglia

Movement control structures in the brain.

Caudate Nucleus

Part of the basal ganglia involved in learning and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Primary visual processing area.

Somatic Nervous System

Voluntary control of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Involuntary regulation (sympathetic and parasympathetic branches).

Endocrine System

Glands that produce hormones regulating body processes.

Hormone

Chemical messengers released by glands.

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter reducing neuron firing.

Glutamate

Excitatory neurotransmitter increasing neural activity.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, appetite regulation.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, movement.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; increase serotonin in synapse.

Diathesis-Stress Hypothesis

Disorder results from predisposition plus a stress trigger.

Learned Helplessness

Lack of perceived control leads to passive resignation.

Emotion

Short, intense response to a specific event.

Mood

Long-lasting emotional state.

Affect

Observable expression of emotion.

Multidimensional Integrative Approach

Disorders arise from multiple interacting factors (bio-psycho-social).

Genes

DNA units that influence traits and disease risk.

Gene-Environment Correlation Model

Genes influence exposure to stress and environment.

Vulnerability

Predisposition to develop a disorder.

Epigenetics

Environment can modify gene expression without changing DNA sequence.

Neuron

Nerve cell; basic unit of the nervous system.

Synaptic Cleft

Gap between neurons where neurotransmitters cross.

AGnONist

Molecule that increases neurotransmitter action.

Antagonist

Molecule that blocks neurotransmitter action.

Inverse Agonist

Molecule producing opposite effect of an agonist.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters into the presynaptic neuron.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent panic attacks with persistent concern about future attacks.

Agoraphobia

Fear of places where escape might be difficult; avoidance.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Chronic, excessive worry across multiple domains.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations and scrutiny.

Specific Phobia

Intense, persistent fear of a specific object or situation.

OCD

Obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (rituals).

PTSD

Trauma-related symptoms following a distressing event.

DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder)

Multiple distinct identity states; often linked to trauma.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Preoccupation with having or acquiring serious illness.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Physical symptoms with excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

Conversion Disorder

Neurological symptoms without medical explanation.

Malingering

Faking or exaggerating illness for external gain.

Factitious Disorder

Faking or producing symptoms for psychological benefit (attention).

Depersonalization

Feeling detached from one’s self.

Derealization

Feeling detached from surroundings.

Dissociative Amnesia

Memory loss beyond normal forgetfulness (localized, selective, generalized).

Dissociative Fugue

Sudden travel or wandering with amnesia.

Alters

Distinct identity states in DID.

Factitious vs. Malingering

Factitious: internal gain (attention). Malingering: external gain (external rewards).