Chapter 1 - Abnormal Behavior

PYSCH 270

abnormal psychology

the scientific study of mental disorders

psychopathology

the study of the symptoms, causes, and treatments of mental disorders

mental health professional

health care practitioners (such as psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and mental health counselors) whose services focus on improving mental health or treating mental illness

psychodiagnosis

assessment and description of an individual’s psychological symptoms, including inferences about possible causes for the psychological distress

myth

Mental illness causes people to become unstable and potentially dangerous.

reality

The vast majority of individuals who are mentally ill do not commit crimes, do not harm others, and do not get into trouble with the law. However, there is a slightly increased risk of violence among individuals with a history of mental illness, substance abuse, and prior victimization (Rozel & Mulvey, 2017).

etiology

the cause or origin of a disorder

biological vulnerability

genetic or physiological susceptibility

**psychotherapy**

a program of systematic intervention aimed at improving a client’s behavioral, emotional, or cognitive symptoms

we are currently experiencing a national ________ of psychiatrists, which is exacerbated by retirements and insufficient numbers of psychiatrists-in-training

shortage

clinical psychologist

* Holds a PhD or a PsyD.


* Coursework and internship focus on psychopathology, personality, psychological testing, diagnosis, therapy, and neuropsychology.

counseling psychologist

* Academic and internship requirements are similar to those for a clinical psychologist, but with a focus on life adjustment problems rather than mental illness

mental health counselor; marriage/family therapist

* Holds a master’s degree in counseling or psychology as well as supervised clinical experience.

**neuropsychologist**

* Holds a PhD. or a PsyD with specialization in brain-behavior relationships.
* Coursework focuses on assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and research related to neurological, medical, developmental, or psychiatric conditions.

**psychiatrist**

* Holds an MD degree; can prescribe medication.
* Completes the 4 years of medical school required for an MD, and an additional 3 or 4 years of training in psychiatry.

**psychiatric nurse**

* Holds an RN degree from a nursing program, plus specialized psychiatric training.
* Performs assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness.
* Some advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have completed master’s or doctoral degrees and are allowed to prescribe medication.

**psychiatric social worker**

* Holds a master’s degree in social work.
* Conducts assessment, screening, and therapy with high-need clients and facilitates outreach to other agencies.

**school psychologist**

* Holds a master’s or a doctoral degree in school psychology.
* Assesses and intervenes with the emotional and learning difficulties of students in educational settings.

**substance abuse counselor**

* Professional training requirements vary; many practitioners have personal experience with addiction.
* Works in agencies that specialize in the evaluation and treatment of drug and alcohol addiction.

what does the DSM-5 short for?

The *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders*

the DSM-5 indicates that a mental disorder have which components?

* (a)

involves a significant disturbance in thinking, emotional regulation, or behavior caused by a dysfunction in the basic psychological, biological, or developmental processes involved in normal development;
* (b)

causes significant distress or difficulty with day-to-day functioning; and
* (c)

is not merely a culturally expected response to common stressors or losses or a reflection of political or religious beliefs that conflict with societal norms.ted response to common stressors or losses or a reflection of political or religious beliefs that conflict with societal norms.

what are four major factors involved in judging psychopathology?

* distress,
* deviance,
* dysfunction
* dangerousness

distress affects what kind of functioning?

social, emotional, or physical

anosognosia

a lack of awareness of or insight into one’s own mental dysfunction

definitions of deviance rely on what?

statistical standards (behaviors that occur infrequently)

moral or religious beliefs (deviations from religious doctrine)

noncompliance with societal customs (departure from normative behavior)

certain ________ are considered deviant in most situations

behaviors

what roles of role dysfunction is often considered when determining if someone has a mental disorder?

a variety of social and occupational roles, such as friend, family member, student, or employee.

even though violence is ____, predicting the possibility that clients might be dangerous to themselves or to others has become an inescapable part of the role of mental health professionals.

rare

**psychiatric epidemiology**

the study of the prevalence of mental illness in a society

epidemiological data allow public officials to determine how _________________________ various conditions occur in the population.

frequently or infrequently

we can also use ________________ to compare how disorders vary by ethnicity, gender, and age.

prevalence data

**prevalence**

the percentage of individuals in a targeted population who have a particular disorder during a specific period of time

lifetime **prevalence**

the percentage of people in the population who have had a disorder at some point in their lives

**systemic racism**

deeply imbedded societal policies and structures that disadvantage certain racial groups

in the United States fewer than ________ of adults with a mental disorder are receiving treatment

one-half

culture (learned behavior)

the configuration of shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that is transmitted from one generation to another by members of a particular group

**cultural relativism**

the idea that a person’s beliefs, values, and behaviors are affected by the culture within which that person lives

**cultural universality**

the assumption that a fixed set of mental disorders exists whose manifestations and symptoms are similar across cultures

Thomas Szasz’s 3 Beliefs:

* (a)

that societal characterization of a behavior as abnormal does not necessarily mean that it is an illness;
* (b)

that unusual beliefs are not necessarily incorrect; and
* (c)

that unusual behavior or emotional distress is a reflection of something wrong with society rather than with the individual.

**stereotypes**

an oversimplified, often inaccurate, image or idea about a group of people

**social stigma**

a negative societal belief about a group, including the view that the group is somehow different from other members of society

**prejudice**

a biased, preconceived judgment about a person or group based on supposed characteristics of the group

**discrimination**

unjust or prejudicial treatment toward a person based on the person’s actual or perceived membership in a certain group

**self-stigma**

acceptance of prejudice and discrimination based on internalized negative societal beliefs or stereotypes

**self-efficacy**

a belief in one’s ability to succeed

some were randomly exposed to which exposed to varying explanations for their condition?

* (a)

a psychosocial explanation attributing psychosis to difficult life circumstances such as abuse or bullying or
* (b)

a biological explanation focused on dysfunctional brain development.

social stigma can cause individuals and families to not only delay or avoid seeking treatment but also develop a “code of _______” regarding mental illness,

silence

stigmatizing attitudes can be reduced when we _____ noun-based labels

avoid

empowerment

increasing one’s sense of personal strength and self-worth

according to historians, these ancient peoples attributed many forms of illness to what reasonings?

demonic possession, sorcery, or retribution from an offended ancestral spirit

which is the name for the system of belief that was used when people displaying symptoms were often held at least partly responsible for their misfortune?

demonology

**trephining**

a surgical method from the Stone Age in which part of the skull was chipped away to provide an opening through which an evil spirit could escape

Greeks, Chinese, Hebrews, and Egyptians used what other treatment method?

**exorcism**

**exorcism**

a practice used to cast evil spirits out of an afflicted person’s body

which physician is sometimes referred to as the father of Western medicine?

Hippocrates (460–370 B.C.)

brain pathology

a dysfunction or disease of the brain

hippocrates classified mental illnesses into which three categories?

mania, melancholia (sadness or depression), and phrenitis (brain fever)

which other thinkers who contributed to the organic explanation of behavior?

philosopher Plato and the Greek physician Galen

plato insisted that people who were mentally disturbed were the responsibility of their families and that they should not be ________ for their behavior.

punished

galen made major contributions through his scientific examination of the _______ system and his explanation of the role of the brain and central nervous system in mental functioning.

nervous

When mental illness was perceived to be punishment for sin, the sick person was assumed to be _____ of wrongdoing; relief could only come through atonement or repentance.

guilty

hysteria

an outdated term referring to excessive or uncontrollable emotion, sometimes resulting in somatic symptoms (such as blindness or paralysis) that have no apparent physical cause

**tarantism**

a form of mass hysteria prevalent during the Middle Ages, characterized by wild raving, jumping, dancing, and convulsing

what was the spread of mania through europe called?

*Saint Vitus’s dance*

publication of which text officially confirmed the existence of witches?

*Malleus Maleficarum* (1486)

**biological viewpoint**

the belief that mental disorders have a physical or physiological basis

**syndromes**

certain symptoms that tend to occur regularly in clusters

Wilhelm Griesinger (1817–1868)

German psychiatrist who believed that all mental disorders had physiological causes, received considerable attention.

Emil Kraepelin (1856–1926)

a follower of Griesinger, observed that certain symptoms tend to occur regularly in clusters, called **syndromes**.

In 1883/1923, Kraepelin outlined a system for classifying mental illnesses based on their physiological causes in what texts?

Textbook of Psychiatry

**psychological viewpoint**

the belief that mental disorders are caused by psychological and emotional factors rather than biological influences

Friedrich Anton Mesmer (1734–1815)

an Austrian physician who practiced in Paris, presented an early challenge to the biological viewpoint

theory of animal magnetism

disruptions in the flow of magnetic forces in the body could produce physical problems and that the use of magnetism could restore the flow to normal.

*mesmerism*

a technique that evolved into the modern practice of hypnotism

mesmer succeeded in demonstrating that the power of __________ could treat hysteria.

suggestion

Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault (1823–1904) and Hippolyte-Marie Bernheim (1840–1919), _____________ that hysteria was a form of self-hypnosis.

hypothesized

Josef Breuer (1842–1925)

discovered that after one of his female patients spoke quite freely about her past traumatic experiences while in a trance, many of her physical symptoms disappeared.

**cathartic method**

a therapeutic use of verbal expression to release pent-up emotional conflicts

**cathartic method**

a therapeutic use of verbal expression to release pent-up emotional conflicts

**intrapsychic**

psychological processes occurring within the mind

by ____ the United States will become a “minority white” population

2045

**multicultural psychology**

the increasing diversity within the United States having a major impact on the mental health profession

APA guidelines related to work with diverse populations emphasize the importance of:

* understanding that culture and diversity play a significant role in the experiences and perspectives of members of diverse groups.
* using culturally sensitive assessment and carefully interpreting information provided by clients from diverse populations.
* helping clients determine if their presenting problem is a result of prejudice, discrimination, or systemic racism.
* recognizing that a therapist’s own cultural background, values, and attitudes can influence his or her reactions to clients and the quality of services provided.

As a result of this social conditioning, women are more likely to _________ __their conflicts (resulting in anxiety and depression), whereas men are more likely to__ _________ and act out (resulting in impulsive behaviors or substance abuse).

internalize, externalize

experiencing physical complaints is a common and culturally accepted means of expressing psychological and emotional stress in which cultures?

asian americans and latinx immigrants

**racism**

prejudice against someone based upon his or her race based on beliefs that are reinforced by systems of power

**microaggressions**

subtle comments or actions that intentionally or unintentionally insult or invalidate members of socially marginalized groups

*overpathologize*

to exaggerate the severity of disorders

even the most __________ and well-intentioned mental health professional to be influenced by ethnic, gender, and social class bias.

enlightened

positive psychology

the philosophical and scientific study of positive human functioning focused on the strengths and assets of individuals, families, and communities

Positive psychology focuses on optimal human functioning in three domains:

First, there is interest in the degree to which someone has feelings of well-being, contentment, and satisfaction regarding the past; hope and optimism for the future; and flow and happiness in the present.

Second, research concentrates on positive personal traits such as resilience, courage, compassion, **spirituality**, and wisdom.

Third, at the group level, positive psychology addresses civic virtues and the institutions that move us toward better citizenship and social responsibility.

Identifying strengths is a positive ___________ for clients and can assist with recovery.

experience

**psychological resilience**

the capacity to effectively adapt to and bounce back from stress, trauma, and other adversities

recovery movement

the perspective that with appropriate treatment and support those with mental illness can improve and live satisfying lives despite any lingering symptoms of illness

the recovery model is based on the following assumptions:

1. Recovery begins when a person realizes that positive change is possible.
2. Recovery is not a continual movement forward; occasional setbacks can be viewed as opportunities for new learning.
3. Healing involves separating one’s identity from the illness and developing the ability to live and cope with psychiatric symptoms.
4. Self-acceptance and regaining belief in one’s self are vital.
5. Recovery involves learning about personal capabilities, talents, and coping skills and using these strengths to engage in new life roles.
6. Self-direction allows one to learn to control and exercise choice on the journey to recovery and to participate in all decisions affecting one’s life and well-being.
7. Personal empowerment helps overcome the sense of dependence that results from traditional mental health care.
8. Establishing or strengthening social connections and helping others can facilitate healing.
9. Taking personal responsibility for the journey toward recovery begins with understanding one’s experiences and identifying the most effective coping strategies and healing processes.
10. Understanding that barriers can be overcome allows one to confidently live, work, and participate in society.

**optimal human functioning**

qualities such as subjective well-being, optimism, self-determinism, resilience, hope, courage, and ability to manage stress

**psychotropic medications**

drugs used to treat or manage psychiatric symptoms by influencing brain activity associated with emotions and behavior

lithium

a naturally occurring element, was discovered to radically calm some patients who had been psychiatrically hospitalized for years

chlorpromazine

treats agitation in patients with schizophrenia.

managed health care

the industrialization of health care, whereby large organizations in the private sector control the delivery of services