chapter 2: theories & treatment of abnormality

amygdala

structure of the limbic system critical in emotions such as fear

antianxiety drugs

drugs used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other psychological symptoms

anticonvulsants

drugs used to treat mania and depression

antidepressant drugs

drugs used to treat symptoms of depression

antipsychotic drugs

drugs used to treat psychotic symptoms

behavioral approaches

approaches to psychopathology that focus on the influence of reinforcements and punishments

behavioral genetics

study of the processes by which genes affect behavior

behavioral therapies

psychotherapeutic approaches that focus on identifying the reinforcements and punishments contributing to a person’s maladaptive behaviors and on changing specific behaviors

biological approach

view that biological factors cause and should be used to treat abnormality

biopsychosocial approach

approach to psychopathology that seeks to integrate biological, psychological, and social factors in treating psychopathology

catharsis

expression of unconscious emotions connected to memories and conflicts

causal attribution

explanation for why an event occurred

cerebral cortex

part of the brain that regulates complex activities

classical conditioning

form of learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that naturally elicits a response

client-centered therapy (CTC)

form of psychotherapy which consists of an equal relationship between therapist and client as the client searches for his or her inner self

cognitions

thoughts or beliefs

cognitive theories

theories that focus on ways of thinking as the causes of abnormal behavior

cognitive therapies

therapeutic approaches that focus on changing people’s maladaptive thought patterns

cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

treatment focused on changing negative patterns of thinking

collective unconscious

the wisdom accumulated by society over hundreds of years of human existence and stored in the memories of individuals

conditioned response (CR)

response that first followed a natural stimulus but that now follows a conditioned stimulus

conditioned stimulus

previously neutral stimulus that becomes sufficient to elicit a response

degradation

process in which a receiving neuron releases an enzyme into the synapse, breaking down neurotransmitters into other biochemicals

diathesis-stress model

model that asserts that only when a diathesis interacts with a stress will a disorder emerge

ego psychology

emphasizes the importance of the individual’s ability to regulate defenses

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

treatment for depression that involves passing electrical currents through the patient’s brain

endocrine system

system of glands that produces many different hormones

epigenetics

study of how environmental conditions can change the expression of genes

family systems theories

theories that see the family as a complex system that works to maintain the status quo

family systems therapy

psychotherapy that focuses on the family as the source of problems

free association

method of uncovering unconscious conflicts in which the client is taught to talk about whatever comes to mind

global assumptions

fundamental beliefs that encompass all types of situations

hippocampus

structure of the brain involved in memory and in the stress response

hormone

chemical that carries messages throughout the body

humanistic theories

views that people strive to develop their innate potential for goodness and self-actualization

humanistic therapy

type of therapy in which the goal is to help the client discover his or her place in the world

hypothalamus

component of the brain that regulates eating, drinking, sex, and basic emotions

interpersonal therapy (IPT)

more structured, short-term version of psychodynamic therapies

limbic system

part of the brain that relays information from the primitive brain stem about changes in bodily functions to the cortex

lithium

drug used to treat manic and depressive symptoms

mindfulness

a state of consciousness in which attention is focused on present-moment phenomena

modeling

process of learning behaviors by imitating others

multiculturalism

the recognition and inclusion of cultural factors

neurotransmitters

biochemicals that transmit messages to a receiving neuron in the brain and nervous system

object relations

view that one develops a self-concept of others during childhood and retains them throughout adulthood

observational learning

a person observes the rewards and punishments of another’s behavior and then behaves in accordance

operant conditioning

behaviors lead to consequences that either reinforce or punish the organism

pituitary

produces the largest number of different hormones and controls the secretions of other endocrine glands

polygenic

combination of many genes

primary prevention

prevention of the development of psychological disorders before they start

psychoanalysis

form of treatment involving alleviating unconscious conflicts by helping people gain insight into their conflicts

psychodynamic theories

theories developed by Freud’s followers but usually differing somewhat from Freud’s original theories

psychodynamic therapies

therapies focused on uncovering and resolving unconscious conflicts

psychological approach

approach that focuses on personality, behavior, and ways of thinking as possible causes of abnormality

psychosurgery

a neurosurgeon attempts to destroy small areas of the brain thought to be involved in a patient’s symptoms

receptors

molecules on the membranes of neurons to which neurotransmitters bind

reflection

a therapist expresses his or her attempt to understand what the client is experiencing

relational psychoanalysis

emphasizes internalized relationships with other people based on the influences of early formative relationships

repression

defense mechanism in which the ego pushes anxiety-provoking material back into the unconscious

resistance

a client finds it difficult or impossible to address certain material

reuptake

a sending neuron reabsorbs some of the neurotransmitter in the synapse, decreasing the amount left in the synapse

secondary prevention

detection of psychological disorders in their earliest stages and treatment designed to reduce their development

self psychology

theory in which psychopathology is viewed as being the result of disrupted needs

self-actualization

fulfullment of one’s potential for love, creativity, and meaning

sociocultural approach

approach focusing on the role of the environment, stress, and culture in producing psychopathology

synapse

space between a sending neuron and a receiving neuron which neurotransmitters are first released

systematic desensitization therapy

type of behavior therapy that attempts to reduce client anxiety through exposure

tertiary prevention

program focusing on people who already have a disease with the aim of preventing relapse

thalamus

structure of the brain that directs incoming information from sense receptors to the cerebrum

theory

set of assumptions about the likely causes of abnormality and appropriate treatments

third-wave approaches

combines elements of behavioral and cognitive therapy with Zen Buddhism

transference

the clients react to the therapist as if the therapist were an important person in his or her early development

trephination

procedure in which holes were drilled in the skulls of people displaying abnormal behavior

unconditioned response (UR)

response that naturally follows when a certain stimulus appears

unconditioned stimulus (US)

stimulus that naturally elicits a reaction

working through

client repeatedly goes over and over painful memories as a way to understand and accept them