Abnormal Psychology

Psychopathology

study of the nature, development, and treatment of mental disorders

Developmental Psychopathology

the study of changes in abnormal behavior

Etiology

study of origins that includes biological, psychological, and social

dimensions

Scientist-Practitioner Model

mental health professionals that take a scientific approach to their work

Consumer of Science

use the most recent scientific findings and apply them to their work

Evaluator of Science

evaluate their own assessment and procedures to see whether they work

Creator of Science

conduct research that results to new useful technique and procedures

Eclectic Approach

treatments that do not adhere strictly to one theoretical approach

Scientific Method of Treatment

empirical-based approach in treating a disorder

Integrative Approach

no single influence ever occurs in isolation

Abnormal Behavior

actions or behaviors that deviate from what is considered typical or socially acceptable

Abnormal Behavior

Not necessarily a mental disorder, it can also be a temporary reaction to a stressful situation or a personality trait

Presenting Problem

Indicates the problem or reason why the individual is seeking help; Initial complaint of the client

Presenting Problem

Description of the individual’s presenting difficulties

Clinical Description

Combination of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that make up a disorder

Prevalence

Total number of cases in a population

Point Prevalence

existing at a given point in time

Period Prevalence

existing at a given period of time interval

Incidence

Number of new cases that develop in a population during a specific time period

Course

Progression and development of the disorder

Chronic Course

last a long time/a lifetime

Episodic Course

appear in distinct episodes/flare-ups

Time-limited Course

has a definitive duration and typically resolves after a certain period

Onset

Initial appearance of the disorder/how it develops

Acute Onset

Begin suddenly

Insidious Onset

develop gradually over an extended period

Prognosis

Anticipated course of action disorder

Guarded

Prognosis that is low possibility of suriviving

Good

Prognosis that is high possibility of surviving

Predisposing Factor

Factors that increase someone’s vulnerability to develop problems

Precipitating Factor

triggers of the current presenting issue (what triggered)

Protective Factor

strengths which help to maintain an individual’s emotional health

Perpetuating Factor

Factors that maintain the presenting issues and could reinforce symptoms

Psychological Disorder

psychological dysfunction within an individual that causes personal distress or disability that is not typical or culturally expected

Psychological Disorder

No single characteristic can fully define this concept; It must always be evaluated within the context of culture, society, and environment

Psychological Disorder

behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions that are unexpected in their cultural context and associated with present distress and impairment in functioning, or increased risk of suffering, death, pain, or impairment

Psychological Dysfunction

Breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning

Psychological Dysfunction

Internal mechanism is unable to perform its usual function

Personal Distress

Must cause clinically significant distress (requires clinical judgment)

Disability

Impairment in some important area of life

Disability

Interference in the normal functioning of the person

Deviance

Also called Violations of Social Norms

Deviance

Reaction is outside cultural norms because it occurs infrequently

Deviance

Deviates from the average

Duration

Symptoms must persist for a clinically significant period to qualify as a disorder

Duration

Helps differentiate temporary stress responses from chronic or clinical disorders

Cultural Relativism

understand that what is considered abnormal in one culture may be normative in another

Intersectionality

gender, race, socioeconomic status, and disability all influence how behavior is perceived and labeled

Systems Perspective

behavior must be assessed in relation to systemic factors like trauma, oppression, or community dynamics

Function Over Form

understand the purpose behind behavior, not just appearance