Psychopathology Exam 1 Study Guide (Credit in Description)

PSY 2201, Temple University, Spring '26 - Credit to Serenity Simon

Prevalence Rate

Proportion of active cases of a disorder that can be identified at a given time or period.

Incidence Rate

Onset rate of a given disorder in a given population.

Lifetime Prevalence

Estimates of the number of people who have/had a disorder — tend to be higher than other estimates.

Frequently Occurring Disorders

Anxiety, Mood, and Substance Use

Comorbidity

The presence of two or more disorders in one person.

For Anxiety:

9-23 years to seek help

For Depression:

6-8 years to seek help

Clinical Psychologist

Individual therapy. meets with patients several times a week. PsyD or PhD credential.

Social Worker

Helps patients resolve family issues, therapy, and resources. MSW credential.

Psychiatrist

Diagnoses and medication management. Requires an MD credential.

Case Studies

Biases, Low generalizability, lack of control

Questionnaire

Self-report biases, inaccuracy in recall, superficiality (numeric response)

Representative Sample

Small group that closely reflects the characteristics of the larger population.

Control Group

comparison without disorder criterion group with disorder or condition.

Correlation studies

Shows relationship between variables but cannot prove causation

Positive Correlation

Variables increase together

Negative Correlation

One Increases While other decreases

Effect Size

A measure of strength of a relationship or treatment effect

Meta-Analysis

A statistical method that combines results from studies

Independent Variable

Manipulated by researcher.

Dependent Variable

Outcome being measured.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Psychological disorders result from the interaction between a vulnerability (diathesis) and life stress.

Temperament

Biologically based emotional and behavioral tendencies that influence personality development (behavioral inhibition)

Genetic Inheritance

Family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies

Genotype

Genetic makeup

Phenotype

Observable Traits

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated

Stimulus Acquisition

learning through association

Stimulus Generalization

Responding to similar stimuli

Stimulus Extinction

Conditioned response weakens

Operant Conditioning

Learning through consequences (reinforcement and punishment)

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward desired behaviors

Classical Conditioning

Explains phobias and treatments (IE exposure therapy)

Freud

Id, Ego, Superego. Conscious, Preconscious, Unconscious

Albert Ellis

Rational emotive behavior therapy

Aaron Beck

Cognitive therapy (negative thought pattern)

Marsha Linhan

Dialectical behavior therapy

Ben Rush

American Psychiatry

Kraepelin

Classification of Mental Disorders

Dorothea Dix

mental health reform

Pinel

Moral treatment

Mesmer

Early hypnosis

Freud

Psychoanalysis

Witmer

First psychology clinic

Wundt

First psychology lab

Presenting Problem

the main complaint or reason the client seeks treatment

Reliability

Consistency of measurement

Test-Retest

Stability overtime

Interrater

Agreement between observers

Validity

Accuracy of measurement (concurrent & discriminant, predictive, construct; test CANNOT be valid if not reliable)

Physical Exam

Rules out medical causes

Clinical interview

psychological history/symptoms

Behavioral Assessment

Focuses on observable behaviors in real-life settings

Mini Mental Status Exam

Screens cognitive functioning/orientation, memory, and attention

Projective Tests

Ambiguous stimuli (TAT, rorschach)

Non-projetive Personality Test

Structured self-report (I.e. MMPI)

Neuropsychological Tests

Assess brain-behavior relationships (memory, attention)

Brain Assessment Techniques

EEG, CT, PET, MRI/fMRI

Classification of Disorders

DSM (categorical approach), Dimensional Approaches

Ethical Issues in Assessment

Informed consent, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, ongoing evaluation

Follow Me on IG!

@jared.auriemma