5.3: Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders

Psychological Disorder

A syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects dysfunction in mental functioning.

Level of Dysfunction

A key criterion in diagnosing a disorder--assesses how much the behavior interferes with daily life, relationships, or work.

Perception of Distress

The degree to which an individual feels emotional pain or discomfort, which can be a component in identifying psychological disorders.

Deviation from Social Norms

Behavior that significantly differs from societal expectations; often used as a factor in diagnosing abnormal behavior.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A belief or expectation that causes itself to become true due to the behavior it generates; relevant in labeling and stigma.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)

The APA's official classificaiton and diagnostic tool for mental disorders, providing standardized criteria and descriptions.

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

A global diagnostic system developed by the WHO that includes all health conditions, including psychological disorders.

Eclectic Approach

A therapeutic approach that integrates techniques from various schools of psychology depending on the client's needs.

Maladaptive Learning

Learned behaviors or thought patterns that interfere with daily life and contribute to the development of psychological disorders.

Incongruent Self-Concept

In humanistic psychology, a mismatch between an individual's self-image and actual experience, which can lead to anxiety and dysfunction.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A theory that psychological disorders result from a genetic vulnerability combined with environmental stressors.