AP Psychology - Unit 5

Health Psychology

Studies how psychological factors affect physical health; mental health; and emotional growth.

Stress

The process of perceiving and responding to stressors.

Stressors

Events that trigger stress; such as losing a job; exams; or daily hassles.

Eustress

Positive; motivating stress.

Distress

Negative; harmful stress.

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

Measures stress based on life change units.

Holmes and Rahe Study

Higher life change scores are linked to higher risk of illness.

General Adaptation Syndrome (Alarm Reaction)

Initial stress response where sympathetic nervous system activates; heart rate increases.

General Adaptation Syndrome (Resistance)

Body stays alert; cortisol remains high; coping continues.

General Adaptation Syndrome (Exhaustion)

Body resources are depleted; increased risk of illness.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress that can lead to physical health problems.

Hypertension

High blood pressure linked to prolonged stress.

Immune Suppression

Reduced immune system functioning due to stress.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Managing emotional responses to stress rather than solving the problem.

Problem-Focused Coping

Directly addressing the cause of stress.

Tend-and-Befriend Response

Stress response involving nurturing behavior and seeking social support; linked to oxytocin.

Positive Psychology

Study of strengths; virtues; and factors that help people thrive.

Subjective Well-Being

Self-reported happiness and life satisfaction.

Happiness Factors

Strong relationships; meaningful work; gratitude.

Wisdom

Cognitive strength involving knowledge and insight.

Courage

Strength to face fear and challenges.

Humanity

Strength involving kindness and social connection.

Justice

Strength related to fairness and social responsibility.

Temperance

Strength involving self-control.

Transcendence

Strength involving meaning; spirituality; and appreciation of life.

Gratitude

Recognizing and appreciating positive aspects of life.

Resilience

Ability to recover from adversity.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Positive psychological change after trauma or crisis.

Psychological Disorder

A harmful dysfunction involving distress; dysfunction; and maladaptive behavior.

Medical Model

Psychological disorders are caused by biological factors and can be diagnosed and treated medically.

Biopsychosocial Model

Disorders result from interaction of biological; psychological; and social factors.

DSM-5

Standard manual used to diagnose psychological disorders.

Reliability

Consistency of diagnosis across clinicians.

Comorbidity

Co-occurrence of multiple disorders in one person.

Stigma

Negative labeling that can affect individuals with disorders.

Anxiety Disorders

Disorders involving excessive fear and worry; such as phobias and panic disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Flashbacks; nightmares; and avoidance after trauma.

Major Depressive Disorder

Persistent sadness and loss of interest.

Bipolar Disorder

Alternating episodes of mania and depression.

Schizophrenia

Disorder involving hallucinations; delusions; and disorganized thinking.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Presence of multiple distinct identities.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Excessive worry about having a serious illness.

Personality Disorders

Long-term maladaptive patterns of behavior and thinking.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior.

ADHD

Disorder involving inattention; hyperactivity; and impulsivity.

Psychotherapy

Treatment using psychological techniques and talk therapy.

Biomedical Therapy

Treatment using medication or medical procedures.

Eclectic Approach

Combining multiple types of therapy.

Psychoanalysis

Therapy focusing on unconscious conflicts and early experiences.

Free Association

Speaking freely to uncover unconscious thoughts.

Dream Analysis

Interpreting dreams to reveal unconscious desires.

Humanistic Therapy

Client-centered therapy focused on personal growth.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting the client without judgment.

Self-Actualization

Reaching full personal potential.

Behavioral Therapy

Changing behavior using conditioning principles.

Systematic Desensitization

Gradual exposure to reduce phobias.

Aversive Conditioning

Associating unwanted behavior with unpleasant stimulus.

Cognitive Therapy

Changing negative thought patterns.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Combines cognitive and behavioral techniques.

Antipsychotic Drugs

Reduce symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations.

Antidepressants

Increase serotonin or norepinephrine to treat depression.

SSRIs

A type of antidepressant that increases serotonin.

Antianxiety Drugs

Reduce anxiety by depressing central nervous system activity.

Mood Stabilizers

Regulate mood swings in bipolar disorder.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electrical brain stimulation used for severe depression.