Abnormal Psychology Models (Bio and Psycho)

Question 1

Biological Model

Answer 1

Look at biological factors to explain abnormal behaviour to problematic brain chemistry or circuitry.
-Abnormalities result of inheritance or evolution
-Physical and chemical methods of treatment

Question 2

Neurotransmitters

Answer 2

A chemical that released by one neuron, crosses the synaptic space to be received at receptors on the dendrites of neighbouring neurone.
-Abnormal activity by NT’s sometimes tied to mental disorders

Question 3

Endocrine glands

Answer 3

Work along neurone to control vital activities such as growth, reproduction, sexual activity, heart rate, body temperature, response to stress, etc.
Releases hormones into the bloodstream

Question 4

hormones

Answer 4

chemicals released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream.

Question 5

brain circuit

Answer 5

network of particular brain structures that work together, triggering each other into action to produce a distinct kind of behavioural, cognitive, or emotional reaction.

Question 6

Fear circuit

Answer 6

Include the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insult, and amygdala
-May have a flawed interconnectivity or be dysfunctional in some other way that cause anxiety disorders.

Question 7

Genes

Answer 7

chromosome segments that control characteristics and traits we inherit
-Several or more genes combine to help produce our actions and reactions both functional and dysfunctional

Question 8

Evolutionary theorists

Answer 8

Human reactions and the genes responsible for them have survived over the course of time because they have helped individuals thrive or adapt.

Question 9

Cons of Biological Method

Answer 9

-Expectation that all human behaviour can be explained in biological terms
-Can limit understanding of abnormal function
-A great number of undesirable effects from drugs

Question 10

Forms of treatment

Answer 10

-Drug therapy
-Brain stimulation
-Psychosurgery

Question 11

Psychodynamic Model

Answer 11

A person’s behaviour, normal or abnormal is determined by underlying psychological forces the individual is not aware of. Abnormal behaviour is a conflict between these forces.
-Internal forces are dynamic
-Conflicts are tied to early relationships and childhood

Question 12

Psychoanalysis Theory - Freud

Answer 12

Three central forces shape the personality: instinctual needs(id), rational thinking(ego), moral standards(super ego).
-Forces operate at the unconscious level
-three forces are often in some degree of conflict
-healthy personality is one which an effective working relationship has formed a compromise.
-If in conflict, may show signs of dysfunction.

Question 13

id

Answer 13

Instinctual needs, drives, and impulses. Id always seeks gratification and tend to be sexual. Libido fuels the id
-Child’s pleasure obtained from nursing, defecating, masturbating.

Question 14

Ego

Answer 14

The psychological force that employs reason and operates in accordance with the reality principle.
-Seeks gratification unconsciously but guides us to know when we can and cannot express impulses of the id

Question 15

ego defence mechanisms

Answer 15

controls unacceptable id impulses and avoid/reduce the anxiety they arouse.

Question 16

repression

Answer 16

person avoids anxiety by simply not allowing painful or dangerous thoughts to become conscious

Question 17

denial

Answer 17

person simply refuses to acknowledge the existence of an external source of anxiety

Question 18

projection

Answer 18

person attributes their own unacceptable impulses, motives, or desires to other individuals

Question 19

rationalization

Answer 19

person creates a socially acceptable reason for an action that actually reflects unacceptable motives

Question 20

displacement

Answer 20

person displaces hostility away from a dangerous object and onto a safer substitute

Question 21

intellectualization

Answer 21

person represses emotional reactions in favour of overly responses to a problem

Question 22

regression

Answer 22

person retreats from an upsetting conflict to an early developmental stage in which no is expected to behave maturely or responsibly

Question 23

superego

Answer 23

psychological force that represents a person’s values and ideals. unconsciously adopted from our parents’ values. ‘conscience’

Question 24

fixation

Answer 24

condition in which the id, ego, or superego do not mature properly and are frozen at an early stage of development

Question 25

6 developmental stages

Answer 25

-Oral Stage (first 18 months)
-Anal stage (18 months-3 years)
-Phallic stage (3-5 years)
-Latency (5-12 years)
-Genital (12 years-adulthood)

Question 26

Self Theory

Answer 26

Emphasizes the role of self, the basic human motive is to strengthen the wholeness of the self

Question 27

Object relations theory

Answer 27

The psychodynamic theory that views the desire for relationships as the key motivating force in human behaviour. Severe problems in the relationships between children and their caregivers may lead to abnormal development.

Question 28

Psychodynamic therapies

Answer 28

-Free Association
-Therapist Interpretation
-Catharsis
-Working through