Abnormal Psychology Mid-Term Exam

What is abnormal psychology?

the scientific study of abnormal behavior in an effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning

What are the four D's

DEVIANCE- different, extreme unusual, perhaps even bizarre

DISTRESS-unpleasant, and upsetting, to the person

DYSFUNCTION- interfering with the persons ability to conduct daily activities in a constructive way

DANGER- posing a risk of harm

What is therapy

A systematic process for helping people overcome their psychological difficulties

Challenges of research

Measurement issues, ethical issues, validity

Case study

a detailed account of a person's life and psychological experience

What is a model of abnormality

set of assumptions about where mental health issues stem from and how they can best be treated

Models of Abnormality

BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

• medical model

-medication

-genetic causes

PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

-psychodynamic model

-behavioral model

-cognitive model

-cognitive behavioral model

-humanistic existential model

SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

-family social model

-multicultural model

nervous system

Neurotransmitter, synapse, neurotransmission

Genetic in psychology

23 pairs of chromosomes with numerous genes that relate to the characteristics and traits one inherits

Biological Treatments

DRUG THEREAPY

-antianxiety

-antidepressant

-mood stabilizers

-antipsychotic

ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY

PSYCHOSURGERY

Psychodynamic model

A persons personality behavior, etc. is based on dynamic forces of which the person is largely unaware

Behavioral Model

• Several forms of learning

CLASSSICAL CONDITIONING

-unconditioned stimulus=unconditioned response

OPERANT CONDITIONING

-different bahaviors are reinforced, shaping behavior

(positive, negative, punishment)

MODELING

-teaching by example

Different types of treatment providers

-psychologist

-mental health counselor

-social worker

-psychiatrist

-primary care physician

What are the 6 categories for assessment and diagnosis and the most common test of each?

PROJECTIVE TESTS

-Rorschach inkblot test (most common)

PERSONALITY INVENTORIES

-Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 MMPI-2 (most common)

RESPONSE INVENTORIES

-Beck Depression Inventory is an example of Affective Inventories

PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL TESTS

-lie detector

NEUROLOGICAL TEST AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST

-EEG

-PET scan

-Cat scan

-MRIs

-FMRIs

INTELLIGENCE TEST

-among the most carefully produced and researched of all clinical tests

When was the DSM-5 released

It was released in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association

Is therapy helpful?

The average person who recieved treatment was better off than 75% of the untreated subjects

What are the 6 anxiety disorders

-Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

-Specific Phobias

-Agoraphobia

-Social Anxiety Disorder

-Panic Disorder

-Separate Diagnosis: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is the most common mental disorder in the US?

anxiety disorder- 18% of adults in any given year have anxiety disorder

Who is more likely to have specific phobia disorder?

Women outnumber men at least 2:1 and most pope do not seek treatment

What is systematic desensitization?

It is a type of therapy where the therapist teaches relaxation skills, creates a fear hierarchy, and pairs relaxation with feared objects or situations

What is flooding?

It is forced non-gradual exposure

What is agoraphobia and what therapies help?

-The fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult should they experience panic

-often comorbid with panic disorder

-behavioral therapy with exposure therapy is most effective

What is social anxiety disorder?

-The fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others

-persistent, they need to have it for 6 month's or more

What is panic disorder?

-Panic disorder is when panic attacks happen repeatedly, unexpectedly, an without apparent reason

-Results in dysfunctional changes in thinking and behavior as a result

How are people treated for Panic Disorder?

About 80% of people treated with cognitive therapy are panic-free for two years

What is OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

-Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, ideas, impulses, and images

-Compulsions are repetitive and rigid behaviors or mental acts to prevent or reduce anxiety. It takes up a lot of time, causes great distress, interferes with daily functions

What are common themes of Obsession

Dirt and contamination

Treatment for OCD?

Medication and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) may be the best way to treat

What are disorders related to OCD?

-Hoarding

-Trichotillomania (hair pulling)

-Skin picking

-Body dysmorphic disorder

What are the 2 components to stress?

Stressor and stress response

What are the 2 major categories in the DSM-5 related to trauma?

-Acute stress disorder

-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

*The have the exact same symptoms

What are guidelines for Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD?

Acute Stress Disorder: Lasts for less than 1 month

PTSD: Lasts for more than 1 month

*As many as 80% of acute stress disorders turn into PTSD

What has to happen as part of the diagnosis to be PTSD or Acute Stress Disorder?

Exposure to a traumatic event