AP Psychology Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health

Health psychology

A field that examines how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness.

Stress and immune suppression

The weakening of the immune system due to prolonged stress, increasing susceptibility to illness.

Stress-related conditions

Physical effects of stress, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and headaches.

Stressors (eustress vs. distress)

external or internal stimuli that cause stress by challenging an individual’s ability to cope, adapt, or maintain equilibrium.

Eustress

Positive stress that can enhance motivation and performance.

Distress

Negative stress that can lead to anxiety and health problems.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic events in childhood (e.g., abuse, neglect) that can impact long-term mental and physical health.

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

The body’s response to stress in three stages—alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Fight-flight-or-freeze response

An automatic reaction to perceived threats, preparing the body to confront, flee, or become immobile.

Tend and befriend theory

A stress response theory suggesting that individuals, especially women, respond to stress by nurturing and seeking social support.

Problem-focused coping

A strategy for managing stress by addressing the source of the problem directly.

Emotion-focused coping

A strategy that involves managing emotional responses to stress through methods like deep breathing, meditation, or medication.

Positive psychology

A branch of psychology focused on enhancing well-being, resilience, and positive emotions.

Gratitude

A positive emotion involving appreciation and thankfulness, which enhances well-being.

Signature strengths

Personal traits that contribute to a fulfilling life

Wisdom

The ability to apply knowledge and experience to make sound decisions.

Courage

The ability to face fear and adversity with bravery.

Humanity

Compassion and kindness toward others.

Justice

A commitment to fairness and moral integrity.

Temperance

Self-control and moderation in emotions and behavior.

Transcendence

Finding meaning and purpose beyond oneself.

Posttraumatic growth

Positive psychological changes experienced after overcoming trauma.

Psychological disorder

A mental condition characterized by significant disturbances in thoughts, emotions, or behavior.

Dysfunction

Impairment in normal psychological functioning.

Distress

Significant emotional suffering caused by a disorder.

Deviation from social norms

Behavior that significantly differs from societal expectations.

Stigma

Negative attitudes or discrimination against individuals with mental disorders.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A standardized classification system for diagnosing mental disorders.

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

A global diagnostic system for diseases, including mental disorders, published by the WHO.

Eclectic approach

A method of treatment that integrates multiple psychological perspectives.

Etiology

• The study of the causes and origins of psychological disorders.

Behavioral

Disorders arise from learned behaviors and environmental influences.

Psychodynamic

Disorders stem from unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences (Freudian theory).

Humanistic

Disorders result from blocked personal growth and self-actualization.

Cognitive

Mental disorders develop from irrational or maladaptive thought patterns.

Evolutionary

Disorders may have developed due to adaptations that were once beneficial for survival.

Sociocultural

Disorders are influenced by cultural, social, and economic factors.

Biological

Disorders are caused by genetic, neurological, or physiological factors.

Biopsychosocial model

A comprehensive approach considering biological, psychological, and social factors in the development of disorders.

Diathesis-stress model

A theory suggesting that disorders develop due to a genetic predisposition (diathesis) combined with environmental stressors.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

A condition characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior, often with repetitive patterns.

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms that add abnormal behaviors or perceptions

Delusions

False beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary.

Paranoid delusions

Belief that others intend harm.

Grandiose delusions

Belief in possessing exceptional abilities or importance.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences without external stimuli, such as hearing voices.

Disorganized thinking or speech

Incoherent or illogical speech (e.g., "word salad").

Catatonic excitement

Hyperactive, purposeless movements.

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms that involve the absence of normal functions

Catatonic stupor

Lack of movement or response to stimuli.

Flat affect

Lack of emotional expression.

Genetic/biological links

Includes prenatal influences (e.g., infections, malnutrition) and neurotransmitter dysfunction (dopamine hypothesis).

Major Depressive Disorder

Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Chronic, low-grade depression lasting for at least two years.

Bipolar I

Mood disorder with episodes of mania (extreme euphoria and energy) and depression.

Bipolar II

Similar to Bipolar I but with less severe manic episodes (hypomania).

Specific Phobia

Intense fear of a specific object or situation (e.g., heights, spiders).

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape may be difficult, leading to avoidance of public places.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with intense physical symptoms.

Ataque de nervios

A culturally specific panic reaction, often seen in Latin American populations, involving crying, screaming, or aggression.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Extreme fear of social situations and being judged by others.

Taijin Kyofusho

A Japanese cultural anxiety disorder involving fear of offending others with one’s appearance or behavior.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday activities.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Obsession

Intrusive, distressing thoughts.

Compulsion

Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.

Hoarding Disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions, leading to excessive clutter.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

A condition in which a person exhibits two or more distinct identities or personality states.

Dissociative Amnesia

Memory loss related to psychological trauma, sometimes including dissociative fugue (sudden travel or identity change).

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Persistent distress and flashbacks following exposure to a traumatic event.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder marked by extreme food restriction and fear of gaining weight.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder involving binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use).

Cluster A: Odd or Eccentric Personality Disorders

characterized by social withdrawal, suspicion, and unusual behaviors that resemble schizophrenia but without full-blown psychosis.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Distrust and suspicion of others without justification.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotions.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Social anxiety, eccentric behavior, and distorted thinking.

Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Personality Disorders

These disorders involve intense emotions, impulsivity, and unstable relationships.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Disregard for others' rights, lack of empathy, and manipulative behavior.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Instability in mood, relationships, and self-image.

Cluster C: Anxious or Fearful Personality Disorders

These disorders are marked by anxiety, fearfulness, and difficulty in relationships.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Extreme social inhibition due to fear of rejection.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Excessive need for care and fear of being alone.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

A preoccupation with order, perfectionism, and control (different from OCD, as it lacks true obsessions and compulsions).

Meta-analytic studies of treatment

Research combining multiple studies to assess overall effectiveness of therapies.

Therapeutic alliance

A strong, trusting relationship between therapist and client that enhances therapy effectiveness.

Cultural humility

Therapists’ self-awareness and respect for clients' diverse cultural backgrounds.

Deinstitutionalization

Movement to shift patients from psychiatric hospitals to community-based care.

Decentralized treatment (community psychology)

Providing mental health services within communities to improve accessibility.

Nonmaleficence

Avoiding harm to clients.

Fidelity

Maintaining trust and confidentiality.

Integrity

Being honest and truthful in professional conduct.

Respect for people's rights and dignity

Valuing clients' autonomy and treating them with respect.

Free association

Clients speak freely to uncover unconscious thoughts

Dream interpretation

Analyzing dreams to reveal unconscious conflicts.

Cognitive restructuring

Changing maladaptive thought patterns.

Fear hierarchies

Gradually exposing clients to feared stimuli in increasing levels of intensity.

Cognitive triad

Beck’s model describing negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future as contributing to depression.