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

Anxiety Disorders

• Characterized by excessive fear and anxiety that lead to significant disturbances in behavior

Specific Phobia

• Psychological disorder characterized by an intense/irrational fear of a specific object or situation

• Leads to significant distress and avoidant behavior that disrupts daily functioning

Acrophobia

• Classified as a specific phobia by DSM-5-TR

• Characterized by intense and persistent fear of heights

Arachnophobia

• Classified as a specific phobia by DSM-5-TR

• Characterized by an intense and irrational fear of spiders

Agoraphobia

• Psychological disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable

• Leads to avoidance of public spaces or crowds, significantly impacting daily activities

Panic Disorder

• Recurrent and unexpected panic attack (sudden episodes of intense fear/discomfort)

• Accompanied by heart palpitations, and ongoing concern about having additional attacks or their consequences

Ataque de nervios

• “Attack of the nerves”

• Episodes of intense emotional distress, dramatic expressions of emotions (screaming/crying) and sometimes uncontrollable physical symptoms

• Shaking and sense as if one is suffocating

• Commonly observed in Caribbean and Hispanic backgrounds

Social Anxiety Disorder

• Significant and persistent fear of social situations where embarrassment/scrutiny may occur

• Leads to avoidance behaviors and severe anxiety about performing or interacting in certain social situations

Taijin Kyofusho

• Characterized by an intense fear of offending or embarrassing others through one’s own bodily functions or appearance

• Leads to significant social anxiety and avoidance behaviors

• Predominantly observed in Japan and Korea

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life

• Accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating

• Not tied to any specific cause or event

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession

• Typically aimed at reducing anxiety

• Causes significant distress and interference in daily functioning

Hoarding Disorder

• Persistent difficulty discarding/parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, due to a perceived need to save them

• Results in excessive accumulation that compromises the use of living areas

• Significantly impairs daily functioning

Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders

• Involves psychological distress following exposure to a traumatic/stressful event

• Characterized by hyper-vigilance, severe anxiety, flashbacks, insomnia, emotional detachment, hostility

• Impairs daily functioning

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Persistent mental/emotional stress following exposure to a traumatic event

• Characterized by intrusive memories (flashbacks), avoidance of reminders of the trauma, heightened reactivity

Depressive Disorders

• Characterized by a persistent, sad, empty, or irritable mood

• Accompanied by physical and cognitive changes, significantly impairing a person’s ability to function in daily activities

Major Depressive Disorder

• Pervasive and persistent low mood

• Accompanied by low self-esteem and loss of interest/pleasure in normally enjoyable activities

• Significantly impairs daily functioning

Persistent Depressive Disorder

• Chronic, depressed mood lasting for at least two years

• Symptoms are less severe than those of major depressive disorder

• Affects daily functioning

Bipolar Disorder

• Characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression

• Bipolar cycling involving shifts between these mood states that can vary in duration and intensity

Bipolar II Disorder

• Characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, without ever having a full manic episode

• Leads to significant distress/impairment

Bipolar I Disorder

• Characterized by at least one manic episode, which may be preceded or followed by hypomanic/major depressive episodes

• Causes significant impairment in daily functioning

• More severe than Bipolar II due to presence of full manic episodes

Neurodevelopmental Disorder

• Group of disorders that begin in the developmental period

• Characterized by symptoms that affect behavior, learning, development

• Focuses on whether behaviors are appropriate for the person’s age/maturity level

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development

• Leads to difficulties in maintaining focus, controlling behavior, and staying organized

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Characterized by persistent challenges in social communications and interaction

• Accompanied by restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and/or activities, varying widely in severity and impact on daily functioning

Feeding and Eating Disorders

• Characterized by altered consumption or absorption of food

• Leads to significant impairment in health or psychological functioning

Anorexia Nervosa

• Psychological disorder characterized by restricted food intake

• Intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image

• Leads to significant weight loss and health complications

Bulimia Nervosa

• Characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors (vomiting, excessive exercise)

• Done to prevent weight gain

• Causes significant physical and psychological distress

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

• Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, disorganized motor behavior, and negative symptoms

• Can be experienced as either acute/chronic conditions

• Accompanied by psychosis (mental state disconnected from reality)

Schizophrenia

• Psychological disorder characterized by persistent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking/speech, disorganized motor behavior, and negative symptoms

• Significantly impairs daily functioning

• Lasts for at least 6 months

Positive symptoms

• Additional behaviors/experiences not present in healthy individuals

• Ex. Hallucinations, delusions, incoherent speech

Negative symptoms

• Lack of/deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functions

• Ex. Reduced emotional expression, uncommunicative replies, neglect of hygiene

Delusions

• False beliefs strongly held despite clear evidence to the contrary

Hallucinations

• False sensory experiences without external stimuli

• Most commonly involving hearing voices that others do not hear

Disorganized Thinking/Speech

• Incoherent or nonsensical speech patterns (jumping between unrelated topics, using words inappropriately)

• Reflects disordered thought processes

Disorganized Motor Behavior

• Abnormal/erratic movements (excessive agitation, bizarre postures) that significantly impact daily functioning

Flat Affect

• Severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, where the individual shows little or no facial expression, voice tone, or emotional reaction

Dopamine Hypothesis

• Suggests that schizophrenia is linked to an imbalance of dopamine activity in the brain

• Excessive dopamine activity contributes to symptoms of delusions and hallucinations

Dissociative Disorders

• Characterized by disruptions or discontinuities in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception

• Leads to significant impairment in daily functioning

Dissociative Amnesia

• Involves an inability to recall important autobiographical information

• Inability to recall one’s past and confusion about personal identity

• Usually of a traumatic or stressful nature

Dissociative Identity Disorder

• Characterized by presence of two or more distinct personality states/identities

• Each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the world

• Results in gaps in memory and a disrupted sense of self

Personality Disorders

• Pervasive, inflexible, enduring patterns of internal experience/behaviors that deviate significantly from cultural expectations

• Begins in adolescence or early adulthood and are stable over time

• Leads to significant personal distress or impairment

Cluster A Personality Disorders

• Characterized by odd and eccentric behaviors and thinking

Paranoid Personality Disorder

• Characterized by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others

• Interpreting their motives as malevolent

• Leads to significant interpersonal difficulties and isolation

Schizoid Personality Disorder

• Characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and restricted range of emotional expression

• Leads to preference for solitary activities and limited interest in forming close relationships

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

• Cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentric behaviors

• Characterized by acute discomfort in close relationships

• Leads to significant social and interpersonal difficulties

Cluster B Personality Disorders

• Characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors

Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation, the rights of others

• Involves deceitful, manipulative ,and unlawful behaviors

• Lack of remorse for these actions

Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior

• Includes a need for approval and inappropriate seductiveness

• Leads to difficulties in maintaining deep and meaningful relationships

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy for others

• Results in exploitative behavior and difficulties in maintaining healthy relationships

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions

• Involves impulsive behaviors and intense fear of abandonment

• Leads to significant distress and difficulties in daily functioning

Cluster C Personality Disorders

• Characterized by anxious and fearful behaviors

• Involves patterns of social inhibition, submissiveness, and perfectionism

Avoidant Personality Disorder

• Pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation

• Leads to avoidance of social interactions and reluctance to engage in new activities

Dependent Personality Disorder

• Characterized by excessive need to be taken care of

• Leads to submissive and clinging behavior, and fears of separation

• Leads to difficulty making decisions without reassurance from others

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

• Characterized by pervasive patterns of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control

• At the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency

• Leads to significant distress or impairment in functioning

Positive Psychology

• The scientific study of human flourishing to help individuals and communities to thrive

Subjective Well-Being

• Self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with life

Resilience

• The ability to adapt and recover quickly from difficulties or change

• Maintaining psychological well-being in the face of adversity

Posttraumatic Growth

• Positive psychological changes experiences as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances

• Leads to a higher level of personal/interpersonal functioning

Positive Emotions

• Feelings that foster enjoyment, interest, and contentment

• Contributes to overall well-being and happiness

• Ex. joy, gratitude, serenity, hope, pride, awe, love

Gratitude

• The appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself

• Enhancing overall well-being by fostering positive feelings and relationships

Signature Strengths

• Core characteristics that a person naturally possesses and expresses

• Contributes to fulfilling, authentic, and engaged living

Wisdom

• Ability to make sound decisions based on deep understanding and experience

• Contributes to effective problem-solving and interpersonal relationships

Courage

• The mental/moral strength to persevere and withstand fear or difficulty

• Enables individuals to face challenge and act in accordance with their values despite potential risks

Humanity

• The quality of being compassionate, empathetic, and supportive towards others

• Fosters positive interpersonal relationships and social well-being

Justice

• A commitment to fairness, equity, and advocating for the rights of others

• Helps maintain healthy community and societal relationships