PSYC 3101 – Psychological Disorders

Abnormality

Defined using the 4 Ds: Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, Danger.

Deviance

Behavior that differs from social norms.

Distress

Causes emotional suffering.

Dysfunction

Interferes with daily life.

Danger

Poses risk to self or others.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor who prescribes medication and takes a biological approach.

Clinical Psychologist

A professional who conducts psychological testing, diagnosis, and therapy.

Counseling Psychologist

Focuses on adjustment, stress, and life transitions.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Provides talk therapy with a focus on coping and functioning.

Clinical Social Worker

Combines therapy with social systems and case management.

Onset

When symptoms first appear, can be acute or insidious.

Course

The pattern of a disorder over time, which can be chronic, episodic, or time-limited.

Prognosis

The expected outcome or likelihood of recovery from a disorder.

Supernatural Model

Attributes mental illness to demons, spirits, witchcraft, with treatments like exorcism.

Biological Model

Attributes mental illness to physical illness or brain dysfunction, treated with medication.

Psychological Models

Attributes mental illness to mental processes and emotions, treated with therapy.

Moral Therapy

An 18th–19th century reform movement emphasizing kindness and humane treatment of patients.

Freud’s Structural Model

Includes Id (primitive desires), Ego (mediator), and Superego (morals); psychopathology results from conflicts among these.

Humanistic Theory

Focuses on free will and personal growth; abnormality arises from blocked growth.

Behavioral Theory

Focus on observable behavior; abnormal behaviors are learned.

Multidimensional Models of Psychopathology

Suggests psychopathology results from multiple interacting factors: biological, psychological, social, cultural.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Suggests disorder develops when stress exceeds coping ability combined with predisposition.

Learned Helplessness

A phenomenon where past uncontrollable events lead to passivity and depression.

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

Proposes behavior is learned through observation and modeling, emphasizing cognitive processes.

Social Support and Psychopathology

Strong social support reduces stress and improves prognosis, while lack of support increases vulnerability.

Stigma

Negative attitudes toward mental illness leading to shame and discrimination.

Uses of Assessment

Includes diagnosis, treatment planning, progress monitoring, research, and prediction of outcomes.

Mental Status Exam (MSE)

A brief evaluation of appearance, mood, thought processes, cognition, and judgment.

Semi-Structured Interview

Combines standardized questions with flexibility; improves reliability.

Behavioral Assessments

Focus on observable behavior through methods like direct observation and self-monitoring.

MMPI

An objective, standardized self-report test used in personality assessments.

Projective Personality Tests

Tests using ambiguous stimuli to elicit unconscious thoughts, criticized for low reliability.

IQ

A measure of intellectual functioning, with a mean score of 100.

Purpose of Diagnosis

To facilitate communication, treatment planning, prediction of course, and research.

DSM-5-TR

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; a standardized diagnostic criteria guide.

Criticisms of DSM-5 & DSM-5-TR

Includes over-pathologizing normal behavior, cultural bias, and increases stigma.