Abnormal Behavior Flashcards
Name the four components that characterize abnormal behavior.
1) unusual
2) maladaptive to situational functioning
3) labeled as abnormal in society
4) characterized by perceptual or cognitive dysfunction
How many of the four components of abnormal behavior are necessary for a positive diagnosis?
all four
What is psychopathology the study of?
origin, development, and manifestations of mental or behavioral disorders
Why is the word “insanity” not used in psychology?
Insanity is a legal, rather than a medical description
In the medical model of abnormal behavior, what is defined as the apparent cause and development of an illness?
etiology
Define:
prognosis
probable course of an illness
According to the psychoanalytic perspective, interactions among the __________, __________, and __________ are responsible for abnormal behavior.
id; ego; superego
Which psychological perspective contends that abnormal behavior results from internal conflict in the unconscious?
psychoanalytic perspective
Which theoretical perspective claims that abnormal behavior results from people being too sensitive to criticisms and judgments?
humanism
Which psychopathological approach aims to correct abnormal behavior by changing the faulty or illogical thoughts that characterize it?
cognitive approach
True or false:
The behavioral approach believes that abnormal behavior has at some point been rewarded or reinforced.
true
According to the __________ perspective, chemical or structural abnormalities are responsible for the manifestation of abnormal behavior.
biological
The sociocultural perspective emphasizes __________ and __________ in defining the parameters of acceptable behavior.
society; culture
This perspective believes that abnormal behavior occurs when psychological mechanisms do not effectively perform their naturally selected functions?
evolutionary perspective
Although each of the psychopathological perspectives has different views on the etiology of abnormal behavior, they all agree that disorders have multiple causes.
Name the three classes of causes.
1) predisposing causes
2) precipitating causes
3) maintaining causes
What is a predisposing cause?
environmental or genetic influence that exists before the onset of the disorder; increases vulnerability to the disorder
What is the name for an event that triggers the onset of a disorder?
precipitating cause
What is a maintaining cause?
factor that makes the disorder more likely to continue
What is the purpose of the DSM-IV-TR?
to identify and classify psychological disorders using diagnostic criteria
How many axes are used in order to obtain a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis?
five
Which of the following disorders would be found on Axis I of the DSM-IV-TR:
- histrionic personality disorder
- schizophrenia
- mental retardation
schizophrenia
Major disorders are found on Axis I, while personality disorders and mental retardation are found on Axis II.
What two classes of disorders are found on Axis II of the DSM-IV-TR?
personality disorders
mental retardation
Which axis of the DSM-IV-TR assesses the patient’s general health?
Axis III
Which axis of the DSM-IV-TR is used to assess the effects of a patient’s divorce or job loss, for example?
Axis IV
Axis IV assesses the personal level of psychosocial and environmental stress.
What does Axis V of the DSM-IV-TR assess?
general level of functioning
True or false:
It is possible to have a diagnosis on both Axes I and II of the DSM-IV-TR.
true
Name three shortcomings of the DSM-IV-TR.
1) The DSM-IV-TR is just a guide; cannot describe every symptom and diagnosis
2) It is overly reliant on the medical aspects of understanding disordered behavior
3) It is quick to use labels, which can lead to stigmas
What two overwhelming features characterize anxiety disorders?
tension
nervousness
Feelings of dread and worry, along with constant autonomic nervous system arousal, characterize which disorder?
generalized anxiety disorder
What factors characterize panic disorders?
- recurring panic attacks
- constant worry of another panic attack occurring
What is the difference between generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder?
Panic disorder has acute symptoms, whereas generalized anxiety disorder has less intense symptoms for a longer period of time.
People who have been exposed to high levels of violence, such as soldiers in war, are susceptible to which anxiety disorder, characterized by recurring thoughts and anxiety linked to that trauma?
post-traumatic stress disorder
If a patient presented with involuntary, persistent thoughts that were quelled only through repetitive behaviors that alleviated such thoughts, which anxiety disorder would she have?
obsessive-compulsive disorder
In order for a fear of common events or objects to be considered a phobia, it must be both __________ and __________.
persistent; irrational
Fear of public speaking is considered what type of phobia?
social phobia
What does a person with agoraphobia fear?
public places and/or open spaces