Study Notes - Psychological Disorders and DSM

Question Structure and Test Format

  • There will be approximately 16 questions per chapter (may vary slightly).
  • Each test:
    • Test forms: Two different forms, same questions in a different order.
    • Test format:
    • Half of the students will have the test on white paper.
    • The other half will take it on colored paper.
  • Test date: Only test on that day, students can leave after completion.

Class Logistics

  • Class starts at 02:20 PM and ends around 03:25 PM.
  • Students can finish early and leave if they complete the test before the end time.

Test Content and Preparation

  • Test questions will resemble pop quizzes from Connect.
  • Focus: Emphasis on application rather than mere memorization of definitions.
    • Students must grasp the material and be able to explain it in their own words.
  • A warning against inadequate understanding:
    • Relying solely on memorization may lead to a low test score.
  • Note: Students may drop their lowest test score.

Submission of Articles

  • Students need to provide the first page of articles used for assignments.
  • Importance:
    • The first page allows the instructor to assess the content relevance of the articles.
    • Instructor's feedback is crucial to avoid unproductive work on papers.
  • Students may submit articles on Wednesday.

Historical Context of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)

  • Overview of the DSM:
    • The original DSM was published in 1952.
    • Subsequent editions include:
    • DSM-II - 1968
    • DSM-III - 1980
    • DSM-IV - 1994
    • DSM-V - 2013
    • DSM-5-TR - released in the 2020s.
  • Purpose of revisions: Too many changes occur in the psychological field to wait 20 years for updates.
  • DSM’s evolution highlights mounting complexity and detail over the years.
  • Initial editions were informal and lacked numerous details that later versions incorporated.

Revision Processes

  • Revisions to the DSM occur when significant changes or improvements are necessary.
    • Example: DSM-III revolutionized diagnostic criteria, leading to a wider understanding of psychological disorders.
  • Changes include:
    • Removal and addition of diagnoses.
    • Introduction of categorically and dimensionally driven criteria for various disorders.

Issues with the DSM Classification

  • Concern regarding the dominance of psychiatrists on revision committees, leading to a bias favoring biological perspectives over psychological ones.
  • Ethical implications with DSM revisions due to potential conflicts with pharmaceutical companies.

Specific Disorders Mentioned

  • Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder):
    • Diagnostic criteria became more specific starting with DSM-III.
    • Rates of diagnosis increased with the release of the book and the corresponding media (e.g., movies).

Metrics in Psychology

  • Key terms:
    • Prevalence: Overall proportion of the population diagnosed with a disorder.
    • Incidence: Number of new cases over a specified period.
  • The distinction between prevalence and incidence is essential for understanding the impact of disorders within populations.

Normalization of Diagnoses

  • Reifying syndrome labels can lead to perceptions of realness, examples include:
    • Bereavement disorder and debates surrounding it.
  • Ethical considerations in labeling disorders and its effects on how individuals are treated socially.

Research Designs in Psychology

Key Research Designs:

  • Case studies
  • Correlational studies
  • Experimental designs
Detailed notes on Experimental Design:
  • Focus on independent (manipulated) and dependent (measured) variables.
  • Importance of operational definitions for clarity in measurement.

Internal and External Validity

  • Internal validity: assurance that results are caused by the experimenter’s manipulation.
  • External validity: generalizability of findings to broader populations or real-world situations.

Ethical Concerns in Research

  • Important ethical considerations when designing studies, especially with vulnerable populations or controversial topics like drug use.

Therapy Outcome Studies

  • Comparison between therapy and placebo/control groups.
  • Explore effects of different therapy techniques and isolate impactful strategies.
    • Difficulties in determining which aspects contribute to therapeutic success.

Single Case Experimental Designs

  • Use A-B-A-B model to show treatment effectiveness through baseline measurement and intervention application.
  • Ethical concerns around withdrawing treatment after initiation.

Research with Animals

  • Animal studies are often controversial; limited to non-human animals for ethical considerations.
  • Genetic studies through concordance rates examine hereditary influences in psychological disorders.

Cross-Cultural Research Challenges

  • Issues with translation, trust, and cultural perspectives can distort research findings.

Meta-Analysis

  • Method of combining data from multiple studies to draw general conclusions.
  • Advantages: Comprehensive review; limitations arise from reliance on published studies, leading to potential biases.

Summary of Key Terms

  • Risk factors and resilience: Risk factors may increase likelihood of disorder development; resilience factors help mitigate risks.
  • Concordance: Rate at which kin share a diagnosis confirming the hereditary aspects of disorders.