Models of Abnormality

These flashcards cover key concepts and models from the lecture about abnormal psychology, providing definitions and essential information for understanding different therapeutic approaches.

Biological Model

Explains abnormal behavior as a result of biological malfunctions, including problems in brain chemistry and genetics.

Psychodynamic Model

A psychological model that views abnormal behavior as a result of underlying psychological conflicts rooted in early child-parent relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Model

Focuses on the interplay between behavior and cognition to explain and treat psychological disorders, emphasizing techniques like conditioning.

Humanistic-Existential Model

Emphasizes the human drive towards self-actualization and the importance of self-awareness, value systems, and meaningful choices.

Family Social Perspective

A sociocultural approach that looks at family relationships and social interactions as critical factors in abnormal functioning.

Multicultural Perspective

Explains abnormal behavior in the context of cultural influences, external pressures, and cultural conflicts.

Client-Centered Therapy

A therapeutic approach developed by Carl Rogers, focusing on providing unconditional positive regard to clients.

Gestalt Therapy

A humanistic therapy method that encourages self-recognition and self-acceptance through active techniques, including role-playing.

Equifinality

The principle that different developmental paths can lead to the same psychological disorder.

Multifinality

The principle that similar developmental experiences can lead to different clinical outcomes.

Freud’s Three Dynamic Forces

ID (instinctual needs, pleasure principle, often seeks sexual gratification), Ego (Controls Impulses), Superego (morality and values).

Defense Mechanisms Ego uses to Manage Internal Conflicts

Repression, denial, projection, rationalization, displacement, intellectualization, and regression.

Psychosexual Developmental Stages

Oral (0-18 months), anal (18-36 months), phallic (3-5 years), latency (5-12 years), genital (12 years to adulthood).

Psychosexual Development and Fixation

Fixation at any stage may lead to personality patterns and potential dysfunction later in life (e.g., oral fixation linked to dependency or mistrust; anal to control issues).

Freud’s theory of personality development and pathology

Unresolved conflicts and weak working relationships among ID, ego, and superego may produce dysfunctional behavior.

Psychodynamic Therapies

Goals, core techniques, free association, therapist interpretation, catharsis, working through, key phenomena in therapy, resistance, transference, and dreams.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Goal)

Uncover past traumas and inner conflicts, resolve them, and promote ongoing development.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Free Association)

Patients say whatever comes to mind; clinicians look for unconscious material.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Therapist Interpretation)

Clinicians draw inferences about unconscious dynamics and share them when the patient is ready.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Catharsis)

Emotional release associated with bringing unconscious material to consciousness.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Working Through Problem)

Repeated consideration of problems over time to solidify insights.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Resistance)

Unconscious reluctance to participate fully or to free associate.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Transference)

Patients direct feelings about important others onto the therapist.

Psychodynamic Therapy (Dreams)

Freud viewed dreams as royal road to the unconscious; two content types: Manifest content (consciously remembered dream), and Latent content (hidden symbolic meaning; interpreted to reveal unconscious wishes).

Classical Conditioning

Learning by temporal association (e.g., fear responses acquired when a harmless stimulus is paired with a painful one).

Modeling (observational learning)

Learning by observing others; e.g., phobias can be learned by watching others’ fears.

Operant Conditioning

Learning via consequences (reinforcement and punishment) that increase or decrease behavior.

Applications

Practitioners use conditioning principles to replace problematic behaviors with more adaptive ones; e.g., parents shaping children’s behavior by changing reinforcement patterns.

Cognitive Behavior Therapies

Exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, and mindfulness and acceptance therapies.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Exposure Therapy)

Gradual, repeated exposure to feared objects/situations to reduce fear through extinction.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Cognitive restructuring)

Identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns; test evidence for beliefs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Mindfulness and acceptance therapies)

Integrate acceptance of thoughts while maintaining actions aligned with values (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy).

Humanistic/Existential Therapy (Gestalt Therapy)

Focus on self-recognition and self-acceptance achieved by pushing clients to experience the here-and-now and their true emotions.

Humanistic/Existential Therapy (Existential-psychotherapeutic implications)

Emphasize meaning, freedom, responsibility, and personal choice as central to psychological health.

Sociocultural Therapies

Family therapy, group therapy, self-help and mutual groups, and couples therapy.

Sociocultural Therapy (Family Therapy)

Treats the family as a unit; aims to change interaction patterns and improve family functioning; various models can be used.

Sociocultural Therapy (Group Therapy)

Therapist works with a group of clients with similar problems; provides support, feedback, and modeling; may be as effective as individual therapy for some disorders.

Sociocultural Therapy (Self-help and Mutual- help groups)

Peer-led, often without professionals; e.g., groups for bereavement, substance abuse, etc.; millions of groups exist worldwide.

Sociocultural Therapy (Couple Therapy)

focuses on the dyadic relationship, problem-solving, communication, and how the couple’s dynamic affects individual functioning.