CH 1 Abnormal Psych: Overview & Research Approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain how we classify mental disorders & the advantages and disadvantages of classification

A

We classify mental disorders with the DSM-5

A: nomenclature simplifies discussions, classification enables us to structure info in a helpful manner, allows for study and learning new things
D: simplification leads to loss of info, stigma, stereotyping and prejudice

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2
Q

Explain how we define abnormality
(7 Criteria)

A
  1. Subjective distress
  2. Maladaptiveness
  3. Statistical deviancy
  4. Violation of the standards of society
  5. Social discomfort
  6. Irrationality and unpredictability
  7. Dangerousness
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3
Q

Explain how culture affects what is considered abnormal, and describe two different culture-specific disorders

A

Different cultures have different social norms and ways of describing psychological stress
1. People in China focus on physical concerns instead of feelings related to depression
2. “Attack of nerves” or ataque de nervios is a form of distress after stress in people of Latino descent

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4
Q

Distinguish between incidence and prevalence

A

Prevalence - number of cases in a population in a given time, expressed as %

Incidence - Number of new cases that occur over a given period of time (Usually 1 year)

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5
Q

Identify the most common and prevalent mental disorders

A

Most prevalent category: Anxiety disorders
Most common disorders: major depressive, alcohol abuse, specific phobias

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6
Q

Discuss why abnormal psych research can be conducted in almost any setting

A

Science is constantly evolving, naturalistic research is useful, many techniques are useful (brain imaging, statistics, etc.)

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7
Q

Describe three different approaches used to gather information about mental disorders

A

Case Studies - In-depth examination of an individual/family that draws from different data sources including interviews and psychological testing

Self-report - Data collected directly from individuals, typically by survey or questionnaire

Observational - Doesn’t involve directly asking people (not merely watching them either)

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8
Q

Explain why a control (comp group) is necessary to adequately test a hypothesis

A

We need them to act as a baseline so that we can determine what behaviors are normal and what are specific to the group being studied

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9
Q

Discuss why correlational research designs are valuable, even though they cannot be used to make causal inferences

A

For ethical and practical reasons, not every hypothesis can be tested in a typical fashion

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10
Q

Explain the key features of an experimental design

A

We have an independent and a dependent variable, they are tested on to evaluate the hypothesis and then data is gathered to form results

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11
Q

Abnormal psychology

A

The study of the nature, causes, and treatment of mental disorders

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12
Q

Point prevalence

A

Estimated proportion of actual, active cases of a disorder in a given population at a given point in time

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