Unit 8 AP Psychology Terms

Healthy Psychology

• Study of how psychological, behavioral, cultural factors contribute to physical health and illness

Stress

• Response of the body/mind to challenges or demands

• Characterized by physical, emotional, and mental reactions

• Can cause high blood pressure, headaches, weakened immune system

Stressors

• Events or conditions that trigger stress by challenging an individual’s ability to cope/adjust

Eustress

• Positive stress that enhances motivation, performance, and emotional well-being

Distress

• Negative stress that decreases motivation, impairs performance, leads to emotional/physical problems

Daily Hassles

• Minor irritations that occur regularly

Significant Life Changes

• Major events that require adaptation

Catastrophes

• Unpredictable, large-scale events that cause widespread stress

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

• Stressful or traumatic events in childhood

• Can have long-lasting effects on health and well-being throughout one’s life

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

• Three-stage response to stress that includes alarm, resistance, exhaustion

• Describes how the body reacts/adapts to stress over time

Alarm Reaction Phase

• Initial stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome

• Body reacts to stressor with a “fight-or-flight” response

• Activating stress hormones and physiological changes

Fight-Flight-Freeze Response

• Physiological reaction to perceived threats that prepares the body to fight, flee, or freeze to enhance survival

Resistance Phase

• Second stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome

• Body tries to adapt and cope with a stressor

• Maintains heightened alertness and stress hormone levels

Exhaustion Phase

• Final stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome

• Body’s resources are depleted after prolonged stress

• Leads to decreased stress tolerance and potential health issues

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

• Behavioral reaction to stress that involves nurturing activities to protect oneself and one’s offspring

• Seeking social support to reduce stress

• This phenomenon occurs mostly in women

Problem-Focused Coping

• Involves directly managing or solving the source of the stress to reduce its impact

Emotion-Focused Coping

• Managing the emotional response to stress rather than changing the stressful situation itself

Abnormal Psychology

• Study of unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, thought

• May/may not be understood as precipitating a mental disorder

• Explores causes, symptoms, treatments of psychology disorders

Clinical Psychology

• Branch of psychology that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and prevents mental/emotional/behavioral disorders

• Utilizes therapeutic methods and interventions to improve individuals’ mental health and well-being

Psychology Student Syndrome

• Psychology students studying abnormal behavior can also become convinced that they have some mental disorder

DSM-5-TR

• (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision)

• Comprehensive classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose/categorize mental disorders

• Provides standardized criteria and description for consistent use across clinical settings

ICD (11th edition)

• International Classification of Mental Disorders

• Global standard for reporting/categorizing diseases (including mental/behavioral disorders)

• Used by healthcare professionals to diagnose conditions and track health trends worldwide

Deviation

• Significant departure from accepted social behaviors and cultural expectations

• Used as a criterion to identify and diagnose abnormal behaviors and psychological disorders in clinical settings

Distress

• Intense and prolonged emotional suffering that impairs an individual’s ability to function in daily life

• Often used as a key criterion for diagnosis

Dysfunction

• Disruption in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning that significantly impairs an individual’s ability to perform normal daily activities

Stigma

• Negative stereotypes/social disapproval directed at individuals with mental disorders

• Leads to discrimination and barriers to seeking/receiving mental health care

Biological Perspective

• Mental disorders are caused by physiological and genetic factors

• Focuses on how brain function, neurochemistry, and genetics contribute to psychological conditions

Behavioral Perspective

• Suggests that mental disorders arise from maladaptive learned behaviors and associations

• Focuses on how inappropriate conditioning and reinforcement of behaviors contribute to psychological issues

Psychodynamic Perspective

• Mental disorders stem from unresolved unconscious conflicts/impulses

• Often originates in childhood

• They influence current behavior and emotional states

Humanistic Perspective

• Emphasizes that mental disorders arise when individuals’ innate potential for self-fulfillment and personal growth is blocked

• Due to failures in achieving self-acceptance and meaningful personal goals

Cognitive Perspective

• Proposes that mental disorders are caused by maladaptive thought patterns

• Includes dysfunctional beliefs, attitudes, and emotional responses that negatively affect behavior and emotional well-being

Evolutionary Perspective

• Suggests that mental disorders arise from behaviors and mental processes that are maladaptive

• Reduces an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction in a given environment

Sociocultural Perspective

• Mental disorders stem from maladaptive social and cultural relationships & dynamics

• Emphasizes the influence of societal norms and interactions on mental health

Eclectic Approach

• Combines techniques and theories from multiple therapeutic orientations to tailor treatments to unique needs of each individual clients

• Enhances flexibility and effectiveness in therapy

Biopsychosocial Model

• Psychological disorders result form a complex interaction of biological, psychological, sociocultural factors

• Emphasizes the comprehensive and interconnected nature of influences on mental health

Diathesis-Stress Model

• Psychological disorders arise from a predisposing genetic vulnerability (diathesis) combined with stressful environmental factors (stress)

• Triggers onset of mental health issues