PSYC 3101 – Psychological Disorders

Exam 1 Study Guide (Answers)

CHAPTER 1

Definition of Abnormality

Abnormality is typically defined using the 4 Ds:

• Deviance – behavior differs from social norms

• Distress – causes emotional suffering

• Dysfunction – interferes with daily life

• Danger – poses risk to self or others

👉 No single criterion alone defines abnormality.

Degrees That Treat Mental Illness & Their Approach

• Psychiatrist (MD/DO)

  • Medical doctor

  • Prescribes medication

  • Biological approach

• Clinical Psychologist (PhD/PsyD)

  • Psychological testing, diagnosis, therapy

  • Research + psychotherapy

• Counseling Psychologist (PhD/PsyD)

  • Focus on adjustment, stress, life transitions

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

  • Talk therapy

  • Focus on coping & functioning

• Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

  • Therapy + social systems

  • Case management

Onset, Course, and Prognosis

• Onset – when symptoms first appear (acute vs. insidious)

• Course – pattern over time

  • Chronic

  • Episodic

  • Time-limited

• Prognosis – expected outcome or recovery likelihood

Historical Models of Psychopathology

Supernatural Model

• Cause: demons, spirits, witchcraft

• Treatment: exorcism, prayer

Biological Model

• Cause: physical illness, brain dysfunction

• Treatment: medication, medical procedures

Psychological Models

• Cause: mental processes, learning, emotions

• Treatment: therapy

Moral Therapy

• 18th–19th century reform movement

• Emphasized:

  • Kindness

  • Routine

  • Humane treatment

• Major shift away from punishment

Freud’s Structural Model

• Id – primitive, pleasure-seeking, unconscious

• Ego – rational, reality-based mediator

• Superego – morals and values

👉 Psychopathology = internal conflict among the three.

Humanistic Theory

• Focus on:

  • Free will

  • Personal growth

  • Self-actualization

• Abnormality results from blocked personal growth

• Key figure: Carl Rogers

Behavioral Theory

• Focus on observable behavior

• Abnormal behavior is learned

• Key processes:

  • Classical conditioning

  • Operant conditioning

• Treatment: behavior modification

CHAPTER 2

Multidimensional Models of Psychopathology

Psychopathology results from multiple interacting factors:

• Biological

• Psychological

• Social

• Cultural

👉 No single cause explains mental disorders.

Genes and Psychopathology

• Genes influence vulnerability, not destiny

• Disorders often involve gene–environment interaction

Diathesis-Stress Model

• Diathesis = predisposition or vulnerability

• Stress = life events triggering disorder

• Disorder develops when stress exceeds coping ability

Learned Helplessness

• Developed by Seligman

• Repeated uncontrollable events → passivity, depression

• Individual believes they have no control

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

• Behavior learned through:

  • Observation

  • Modeling

  • Reinforcement

• Emphasizes cognitive processes

• Key concept: self-efficacy

Gender and Psychopathology

• Women: higher rates of depression & anxiety

• Men: higher rates of substance use & antisocial behavior

• Influenced by:

  • Biology

  • Social roles

  • Stress exposure

Social Support and Psychopathology

• Strong social support:

  • Reduces stress

  • Improves prognosis

• Lack of support increases vulnerability

Stigma and Psychopathology

• Negative attitudes toward mental illness

• Leads to:

  • Shame

  • Avoidance of treatment

  • Discrimination

CHAPTER 3

Uses of Assessment

• Diagnosis

• Treatment planning

• Progress monitoring

• Research

• Prediction of outcomes

Levels of Assessment Qualification

• Level A – basic tests (any trained professional)

• Level B – limited training required

• Level C – advanced training (psychologists only)

Mental Status Exam (MSE)

Brief evaluation of:

• Appearance

• Mood & affect

• Thought processes

• Cognition

• Insight & judgment

Semi-Structured Interview

• Combines standardized questions + flexibility

• Improves reliability

• Allows clinical judgment

Behavioral Assessments

• Focus on observable behavior

• Methods:

  • Direct observation

  • Self-monitoring

  • Behavioral checklists

Personality Assessments

Used to assess personality traits and pathology.

MMPI

• Objective, standardized self-report test

• Includes validity scales

• Widely used in diagnosis

Projective Personality Tests

• Ambiguous stimuli

• Client projects unconscious thoughts

• Examples:

  • Rorschach Inkblot Test

  • TAT

• Criticism: low reliability & validity

IQ

• Measure of intellectual functioning

• Mean = 100

• Used for:

  • Cognitive assessment

  • Diagnosis of intellectual disability

Purpose of Diagnosis

• Communication

• Treatment planning

• Prediction of course

• Research

DSM-5-TR

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

• Provides standardized diagnostic criteria

• Updated text revision

Criticisms of DSM-5 & DSM-5-TR

• Over-pathologizing normal behavior

• Categorical (not dimensional)

• Cultural bias

• Diagnostic labels can increase stigma