SCCC Abnormal Psychology Exam 1

Russ Reglin, Chapters 1-4

a fear beyond normal (irrational) regarding a specific situation or object that disrupts regular functioning

Specific Phobia

all encompassing

Holistic

behavior or disorder may have several causes

Equifinality

Around for 5000 years, started by devout Hindus in India. This would be culturally abnormal in the U.S.

Body Suspension

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th edition

DSM-V

Patient/Client

1st Party

Counselor

2nd Party

Insurance

3rd Party

client's thoughts, behaviors, feelings that signify a disorder (DSM-V criteria)

Clinical Description

how many people have disorder (schiz. 1 in 100 in a year)

Prevalence

number of new cases in a given time (why increase/decrease?)

Incidence

pattern the disorder often takes

Course

long term

Chronic

come and go

Episodic

get better in a fairly short time without treatment

Time-Limited

onset in which symptoms appear distinctly/quickly

Acute Onset

onset in which symptoms appear gradually over time

Insidious Onset

how things often turn out

Prognosis

treat more difficult psychological disorders, have a PhD or PsyD

Clinical Psychologist

psychologists that treat milder issues, (job struggles, relationships)

Counseling Psychologist

Medical Doctor with Mental Health specialization, cam prescribe medication

Psychiatrist

study of causation or origins of a disease

Etiology

believed that abnormal behaviors was due to demon-possession, being a witch, or someone making a deal with the devil.

The Supernatural Tradition

2500 yrs ago thought psychological disorders were due to head trauma, brain illness, or genetics. Also, 4 body fluids called blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm were out of balance

Hippocrates

1800s, he said all disorder behavior was biologically based. More emphasis on biological treatments, greater effort in medication development

John Grey

thoughts in our unconscious that can impact our daily lives & we can have no idea why, often due to some trauma. The trauma remains in our unconscious unless therapy can bring it to our conscious awareness for treatment.

Fixations

Works by the pleasure principle. we are born with it and its job is to remove anxiety and fulfill desires. Ignores rules/other's feelings.

Id

Works by the morality principle. Age 5 or 6 we learn right & wrong. Very concerned about perfect behavior, do what is expected

Superego

Works by the reality principle. Works to get desires of other 2 components of psyche met. Freud said a psychologically healthy adult will have the it involved in most of their decisions.

Ego

alter/distort reality when it is too uncomfortable (anxiety) for us to handle

Defense Mechanisms (DM)

to not believe something that is reality

Denial

replaces unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or actions with acceptable ones.

Reaction Formation

to psychologically revert to a time that was less stressful

Regression

when a patient says whatever comes to mind, no censoring. This demonstrates themes, leading to fixations

Free Association

actual dream

Manifest Content

what a dream means

Latent Content

patient unconsciously reacts to analyst as another important person in their life

Transference

Any time the patient resists talking, laughs something off, or is late. Means therapy is getting closer to important issues

Resistance

when one believes there is nothing they can do to better the situation

Learned Helplessness

what one observes is very powerful, especially in children. one can learn unhealthy behaviors or ways of viewing the world

Observational Learning / Modeling

to be the best we can be if we have the freedom to grow

Self-Actualization

• Self actualization

• Self esteem

• Love & Belonging

• Safety

• Physiological

Hierarchy of Needs

To be valued, acknowledged, and be heard by another human being

Unconditional Positive Regard

biochemical element that assists in chemically communicating from one neuron in the brain to another

Neurotransmitter

excites (turns on) other neurons, leading to the action (behavior). if low, insomnia, poor concentration, mental exhaustion, less energy

Glutamate

reduces activity between neurons (calming).
- helps lessen anxiety, especially generalized (everywhere) anxiety
- can be addictive (important to have careful medical support)

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

assists in processing info. & movement coordination

helps regulate thought processes, behavior, and moods
- very low level associated with impulsivity, overreactions, aggression, suicide, overeating, excessive sexual behavior

Serotonin

involved in heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure
- low levels can cause anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
- similar to adrenaline. used for severe low blood pressure and CPR
- this is an EpiPen

Norepinephrine

involved in outgoing, exploratory, and pleasure-seeking behaviors
- too much has been found in people with schizophrenia
- low levels are associated with depressive symptoms

Dopamine

medication meant to increase the activity of a neurotransmitter

Agonist

medication meant to decrease/block the impact of a neurotransmitter

Antagonist

idea that if one's friends/family downplay a disorder, this may cause guilt, confusion. and self doubt

Social Influence

events in one's past & age at which an event takes place can influence one's response and its intensity

Developmental Influence

predisposition for particular disorder
- genetics + enough stress = disorder
- ie. depression, anxiety, alcoholism

Diathesis

Looks at ways people develop maladaptive behaviors & ways to treat them

Behavioral Model

gradual exposure of fear issue/item along with relaxation

Systematic Desensitization

scientific study of mental disorders

Psychopathology

Measurement & evaluation of biological, social, and psychological factors due to suspicion of a psychological disorder

Clinical Assessment

designed to assess 5 areas, shows mental state/behaviors that represent mental struggles

Mental Status Exam

looking for physiological/psychological concern
- neat, disheveled, clean, appropriately dressed, posture, facial expression, motor behavior

Appearance & Behavior

people want to kill or harm me

Delusions of Persecution

I am the greatest, will save the world, above laws

Delusions of Grandeur

distorted senses (voices, seeing things)

Hallucinations

how one feels internally

Mood

how one feels going along with statements

Affect

speech: vocab, ideas, possibilities, memory
- age & educational fit

Intellectual Function

how senses are working regarding reality

Sensorium

seeks to reveal what appears to be a psychological disorder but is caused by other problems.

Physical Exam

causes sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness/irritability

Hyperthyroidism

observing someone in daily interactions to gain a better understanding of what is happening in their world

Behavioral Assessment

what happened before a behavior

Antecedent

what was done that is concerning

Behavior

what happened after a behavior

Consequence

when someone keeps track of their own thought, feelings, and behaviors

Self-Monitoring

Rorschach Test, Thematic Apperception Test

Projective Testing

a blank object to project inner thoughts, beliefs, and values onto

Ambiguous Stimuli

AKA ink blot test. Cards with nonspecific ink splotches on. Person is asked what they see

Rorschach Test

examiner shows picture and says, “tell me what is going on here. use imaginations and give as much detail as you can.”
- what was happening before that led up to this point?
- what will happen next?

Thematic Apperception Test

degree to which measure is consistent over time & with different individuals

Reliability

degree to which the test measures what it is supposed to measure

Validity

seeks to discover what might be in a person's psychological makeup that could be a disorder

Personality Inventories

most widely used book of its kind in the U.S.

Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

long standing health concerns

• lots of complaining

Hypochondriasis

unhappy long term

Depression

avoid responsibility by physical complaints

Hysteria

engage in antisocial behavior

• good first impression but lacks a healthy conscience

Psychopathic Deviate

involves intense and irrational feelings of distrust and suspicion about other people without any clear or real evidence, stems from a very likely psychotic experience

Paranoia

anxious, tense, agitated, rigid, moralistic
- Moralistic = perfectionistic

Psychathenia

blatant psychotic behavior, confusion, disorientation

Schizophrenia

over activity, accelerated speech
- possible hallucinations/delusions

Hypomania

more comfortable alone, great difficulty with decisions

Social Introversion

assessing the brain & nervous system functioning by testing performance of behavioral tasks

Neuropsychological Testing

photos of the brain

Neuroimaging

Studying adolescent SIB (self injurious behavior)
- Study 12, 14, 16, 18 yr olds. Entire age span at one time, a plus

Cross-Sectional Design of Research

Follow group of 12 yr olds for 6 years. Time & possible dropouts, cost.

Longitudinal Design of Research

when one agrees to participate after understanding what is involved. A formal, signed document
- Assurance of competent decisions & choices by researcher
- The participant is truly volunteering (not forced).
- Participant has full comprehension of what is taking place.

Informed Consent

a concern about the future which includes a degree of physical tension (muscle & increased heart rate)
- small amounts of anxiety can be positive. can motivate, raise awareness, etc.
- excessive amounts can make functioning difficult

Anxiety

works to keep important functions running
- happens automatically in a fraction of a second

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

reacts when there is a perceived emergency or threat
- when startled/threatened, adrenaline rushes in, breathing increases, sweating starts, eyes dilate

Sympathetic Branch

responsible for returning various systems to average
- heart rate slows, sweating stops, eyes return to normal
- takes about 20 minutes after the threat is gone

Parasympathetic Branch