AP Psych 5.4 Fiveable Terms

acrophobia

A specific phobia characterized by fear of heights.

acute

A sudden onset or short-term manifestation of a condition, as opposed to chronic.

agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder involving intense fear of specific social situations such as public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, crowds, or being outside the home alone.

anorexia nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by severe restriction of food intake and an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to significantly low body weight.

antisocial personality disorder

A Cluster B personality disorder characterized by disregard for the rights of others and lack of remorse for harmful actions.

anxiety disorders

A category of psychological disorders characterized by excessive fear and/or anxiety with related disturbances to behavior.

arachnophobia

A specific phobia characterized by fear of spiders.

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.

autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

avoidant personality disorder

A Cluster C personality disorder characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to rejection.

biological sources

Physical or physiological factors, such as brain chemistry or neural functioning, that may contribute to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorders.

bipolar cycling

The alternating pattern of experiencing periods of depression and mania in bipolar disorders, which can vary in duration and frequency.

bipolar disorders

Mental health conditions characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression that can significantly impact mood, energy, and functioning.

Bipolar I disorder

A bipolar disorder characterized by at least one manic episode, often accompanied by depressive episodes.

Bipolar II disorder

A bipolar disorder characterized by hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes, but without full manic episodes.

borderline personality disorder

A Cluster B personality disorder characterized by unstable relationships, intense fear of abandonment, and emotional instability.

bulimia nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise.

catatonia

A state of disordered movement that may be experienced as excitement (a positive symptom) or stupor (a negative symptom manifestation).

catatonic stupor

A negative symptom manifestation of catatonia characterized by a lack of movement or responsiveness.

chronic

A long-term or persistent manifestation of a condition that develops gradually over time.

Cluster A

The odd or eccentric cluster of personality disorders, including paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.

Cluster B

The dramatic, emotional, or erratic cluster of personality disorders, including antisocial, histrionic, narcissistic, and borderline personality disorders.

Cluster C

The anxious or fearful cluster of personality disorders, including avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

cognitive changes

Mental or thinking-related symptoms in depressive disorders, such as difficulty concentrating, negative thoughts, or impaired decision-making.

compulsions

Intrusive, often repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions, typically intended to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome.

culture-bound anxiety disorder

An anxiety disorder that is specific to or more prevalent in particular cultural groups, such as ataque de nervios or taijin kyofusho.

delusions

False beliefs that persist despite contradictory evidence; a positive symptom of schizophrenia that may include delusions of persecution or grandeur.

dependent personality disorder

A Cluster C personality disorder characterized by excessive need to be cared for and difficulty making independent decisions.

depression

A period of persistently low mood, reduced energy, and diminished interest in activities often associated with bipolar disorders.

depressive disorders

A category of psychological disorders characterized by persistent sad, empty, or irritable mood along with physical and cognitive changes that impair functioning.

developmental period

The time span during childhood and adolescence when neurodevelopmental disorders typically first appear and are identified.

disorganized motor behavior

Abnormal or purposeless physical movements and behaviors; a symptom of schizophrenia that may manifest as catatonia.

disorganized thinking or speech

A positive symptom of schizophrenia characterized by incoherent or illogical thought patterns and speech, such as word salad.

dissociation

A disconnection or separation from consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, or behavior.

dissociative amnesia

A dissociative disorder involving the inability to recall important personal information, typically related to traumatic or stressful events.

dissociative disorders

A category of psychological disorders characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior.

dissociative identity disorder

A dissociative disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities, often resulting from severe trauma.

dopamine hypothesis

A biological theory suggesting that schizophrenia may result from imbalances in dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain.

emotional detachment

A symptom characterized by reduced emotional responsiveness and disconnection from others, often occurring in trauma and stressor-related disorders.

emotional responses

Feelings and affective reactions that can be maladaptive and contribute to the etiology of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

empty mood

A symptom of depressive disorders characterized by a sense of emotional numbness or lack of feeling rather than active sadness.

feeding and eating disorders

Psychological disorders characterized by altered consumption or absorption of food that impairs health or psychological functioning.

flashbacks

Intrusive, vivid recollections of traumatic or stressful experiences that feel as if they are happening in the present moment.

flat affect

A negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by a lack of emotional expression or reduced emotional responsiveness.

fugue

A dissociative state involving sudden, unexpected travel away from home or one's usual environment, often accompanied by amnesia about one's identity or past.

generalized anxiety disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by prolonged experiences of nonspecific anxiety or fear.

genetic sources

Hereditary factors and family history that may predispose individuals to developing obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

hallucinations

False perceptions or sensory experiences that occur without external stimuli; a positive symptom of schizophrenia that may involve one or more senses.

histrionic personality disorder

A Cluster B personality disorder characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

hoarding disorder

A disorder characterized by persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value, resulting in excessive accumulation of items.

hostility

Aggressive or antagonistic behavior and attitudes that may manifest as a symptom of trauma and stressor-related disorders.

hypervigilance

A state of heightened alertness and constant scanning of the environment for potential threats, often seen in trauma and stressor-related disorders.

insomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep.

irritable mood

A symptom of depressive disorders characterized by increased irritability, frustration, or anger rather than sadness.

learned associations

Connections between stimuli formed through experience that can contribute to the development and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

major depressive disorder

A depressive disorder characterized by one or more major depressive episodes involving depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure lasting at least two weeks with significant functional impairment.

maladaptive thinking

Unhealthy or counterproductive thought patterns that contribute to psychological distress and the development of psychological disorders.

mania

A period of abnormally elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened activity often associated with bipolar disorders.

narcissistic personality disorder

A Cluster B personality disorder characterized by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

negative symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia characterized by the absence or reduction of typical behaviors, such as flat affect or lack of movement.

neurodevelopmental disorders

A group of disorders that begin during the developmental period and involve difficulties with behaviors and skills appropriate for a person's age or maturity level.

obsessions

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause anxiety or distress and are difficult to control or dismiss.

obsessive-compulsive disorder

A mental disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that significantly interfere with daily functioning.

obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

A Cluster C personality disorder characterized by preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.

panic attacks

Unanticipated and overwhelming biological, cognitive, and emotional experiences of fear or anxiety that occur in panic disorder.

panic disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by the experience of panic attacks, which are unanticipated and overwhelming biological, cognitive, and emotional experiences of fear or anxiety.

paranoid personality disorder

A Cluster A personality disorder characterized by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.

persistent depressive disorder

A depressive disorder characterized by a chronically depressed mood lasting at least two years in adults, with symptoms less severe than major depressive disorder but more enduring.

personality disorders

Enduring patterns of internal experience and behavior that deviate from one's culture, are inflexible and pervasive, begin in adolescence or early adulthood, remain stable over time, and cause personal distress or impairment.

physical changes

Bodily symptoms in depressive disorders, such as changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, or psychomotor activity.

positive symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia involving the presence of abnormal experiences or behaviors, such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.

posttraumatic stress disorder

A trauma and stressor-related disorder that develops following exposure to a traumatic event and involves symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional distress.

sad mood

A primary emotional symptom of depressive disorders characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or unhappiness.

schizoid personality disorder

A Cluster A personality disorder characterized by detachment from social relationships and restricted emotional expression.

schizophrenic spectrum disorders

A group of mental health conditions characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior, including symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

schizotypal personality disorder

A Cluster A personality disorder characterized by eccentric behavior, unusual perceptual experiences, and social anxiety.

severe anxiety

Intense fear or worry that persists as a symptom of trauma and stressor-related disorders.

social anxiety disorder

An anxiety disorder involving intense fear of being judged or watched by others.

specific phobia

An anxiety disorder involving fear or anxiety toward a specific object or situation, such as heights or spiders.

stress

A psychological and physiological response to demands or threats that can affect behavior, mental processes, and physical health.

trauma

A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can serve as a cause or contributing factor to dissociative disorders.

trauma and stressor-related disorders

A category of psychological disorders characterized by exposure to a traumatic or stressful event followed by psychological distress and maladaptive symptoms.

word salad

A pattern of speech in which words are strung together in nonsensical or incoherent ways, reflecting disorganized thinking.