Chapter 1 and 9 Flashcards
What is the difference between normality and abnormality in human development?
Normality refers to typical development, while abnormality refers to atypical or maladaptive development.
Define ‘pathology’.
Pathology refers to the gathering of knowledge about the causes and effects of disease or diseases.
What is psychopathology?
Psychopathology is the science of the diseases that affect a person’s psyche or mind.
How did Karl Kahlbaum contribute to the understanding of mental illness?
Kahlbaum introduced the idea that mental illness should include the course of the illness, its effects on psychological well-being, and the developmental stage at which it occurred.
What is the medical model of mental illness?
The medical model views psychological distress as a disease that can be diagnosed and treated, similar to physical illnesses.
True or False: The term ‘disorder’ implies confusion or lack of order in psychological contexts.
True
What is the criticism against the medical model of mental illness?
Critics argue that it stigmatizes individuals and does not address the complexities of human thoughts and relationships.
Who is Thomas Szasz and what is his view on psychological difficulties?
Thomas Szasz argued that psychological difficulties should be viewed as ‘problems in living’ rather than diseases.
Define ‘abnormality’ in a statistical context.
Abnormality is what is quantitatively unusual or atypical in a population.
What is the evolutionary definition of abnormality proposed by Mealey?
Abnormality includes traits or behaviors that reduce an individual’s chances of adaptation, survival, and reproduction.
Fill in the blank: The defining features of adaptation, happiness, and mental health are _______.
lieben und arbeiten (love and work)
What is developmental psychopathology?
Developmental psychopathology is the study of the origins and course of individual patterns of behavioral maladaptation.
What does the term ‘equifinality’ refer to in developmental psychopathology?
Equifinality refers to the concept that individuals with different backgrounds can end up in the same state of psychological functioning.
What does ‘multifinality’ mean?
Multifinality means that individuals who start out similarly can end up differently in their psychological development.
True or False: The medical model is universally accepted among mental health professionals.
False
What metaphor does Sroufe use to illustrate developmental trajectories?
Sroufe uses the metaphor of a growing tree, where branches represent individual developmental paths.
What is the role of play in childhood adjustment according to David Elkind?
Play is considered the work of children and is crucial for their adjustment and development.
What does the adjective ‘mental’ imply in terms like ‘mental illness’?
The adjective ‘mental’ implies that the psychological distress originates in the mind or psyche.
What is a criticism of the term ‘abnormal’ in common parlance?
The term ‘abnormal’ often carries a negative connotation that is not inherent in its dictionary definition.
How can psychological problems affect individuals according to Georgaca?
Individuals with mental illness may believe their problems are of physiological origin, which can legitimize their issues but also relieve them of responsibility.
What does the medicalization of child psychiatry refer to?
It refers to the tendency to treat psychological issues in children as medical diseases that require biomedical interventions.
Fill in the blank: The focus of developmental psychopathology should be on _______.
development
What is the trajectory of adaptation that raises concern among mental health professionals?
Unsuccessful adaptation following initial successful adaptation.
What does resilience refer to in developmental psychopathology?
The capacity to achieve good adaptation despite exposure to risk factors.
Who coined the term ‘invulnerable’ in relation to resilience?
Norman Garmezy.
What is emphasized by developmental psychopathologists regarding human development?
Human development occurs across the lifespan, not just in early childhood.
How do developmental psychopathologists view children?
As organisms undergoing active growth and change, not as junior adults.
What type of research is prioritized in developmental psychopathology?
Longitudinal research encompassing multiple causal factors and outcomes.
What is the significance of longitudinal studies in understanding child psychopathology?
They help distinguish between transitory difficulties and stable problems.
What do developmental psychopathologists remind us about the diagnosis of disorders?
It is just a moment in time and part of a larger developmental trajectory.
What does Uri Bronfenbrenner suggest regarding understanding phenomena?
If you want to understand something, try to change it.
What is prevalence in the context of child psychopathology?
The number of people in a population affected by a particular disorder.
What does incidence rate indicate?
The number of new cases diagnosed within a specified time frame.
What complicates the estimation of the population prevalence of child psychopathology?
Divergence in definitions of psychopathology and undiagnosed cases.
What is a significant finding of the Great Smoky Mountains Study?
Almost 37% of children suffer from some form of psychological disorder over seven years.
What is the relationship between childhood and adult mental health disorders?
Most adult mental health disorders first occur during childhood and adolescence.
What does the term ‘politics of hope’ refer to in recovery from psychological problems?
The speculation about the likelihood of recovery from psychological conditions.
What is the significance of the term ‘pathology’?
It refers to the study of diseases, originating from Greek words for knowledge and illness.
How is ‘disorder’ defined in relation to ‘disease’?
An illness that disrupts normal physical or mental functions.
Who is often credited with establishing the medical model in mental health?
Sigmund Freud.
What criticisms exist regarding the medical model?
It may restrict freedoms and impose Western values; it is viewed as sexist and racist.
What dynamic interaction is important in understanding psychological distress?
The interaction between mental and physical processes.
Why must terms like ‘atypical’ and ‘abnormal’ be used with caution?
They may glorify the typical and overlook benign behaviors.
According to Freud, what are the key indices of mental wellness?
Love and work.
What is the emerging field that evaluates mental health in the context of children’s development?
Developmental psychopathology.
Fill in the blank: The study of __________ refers to the study of illness affecting the mind.
psychopathology.
What is the definition of abnormality in an evolutionary context?
Abnormality is defined by an individual’s level of danger to those around them, and medically refers to part of the organism functioning improperly.
What emerging field focuses on evaluating mental health in the context of children’s development processes?
Developmental psychopathology.
What is studied by comparing normal development to?
Abnormal development.
Can developing individuals change between normal and abnormal states?
Yes.
What do developmental psychopathologists study?
Individuals’ developmental trajectories.
Is disorder likely to be caused by one trauma?
No, though it may be the trigger.
What area of study has emerged in the last 40 years focusing on resistance to disease?
Individual resilience.
Who initially spurred the study of protective factors in resilience?
Norman Garmezy.
How do developmental psychopathologists view children?
As developing organisms, not as ‘junior adults.’
What has developmental psychopathology raised the standards of research in?
Longitudinal research.
Does developmental psychopathology reject diagnosis of a disorder at a particular moment in time?
No, but it views it as one point in a developmental trajectory.
What has improved prediction in child psychopathology?
Longitudinal studies.
What is a major issue in estimating the incidence of child psychopathology?
Varying definitions of psychopathology and children with problems not coming to professional attention.
What is more important than individual moments in a study’s interpretation?
Following the same children over years in longitudinal study.
What must be considered regarding the age at which a study begins?
Few studies begin at birth or in preschool years.
What type of data collection method is often more accurate?
Interviews.
What must be considered due to the age of many major studies?
Era effects.
How prevalent have child and adolescent disorders become over the last 50 to 60 years?
They have become more prevalent.
What are the most common forms of disorders affecting children?
Anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, disruptive behavior disorder.
Fill in the blank: The prevalence of disorders varies greatly, with some affecting at least one child in _______.
fifteen to twenty.
What is the proposed definition of psychological assessment according to Ollendick and Hersen (1993)?
An exploratory, hypothesis-testing process using developmentally sensitive and empirically validated procedures to understand a child and formulate intervention procedures
The definition emphasizes the importance of understanding the child rather than simply conducting tests.
What is the main purpose of psychological assessment for children?
To engage with children and their parents to understand and alleviate the child’s problems
Assessment is not merely about testing but involves a collaborative process.
Who are the clients involved in the psychological assessment of children?
Parents, teachers, and children
The involvement of parents and teachers is crucial for formulating questions and goals.
What is the significance of collaboratively specifying the goals of assessment?
It ensures that the assessment addresses the concerns of clients and is relevant to their needs
Collaborative goal-setting enhances the therapeutic process.
According to Johnston and Murray (2003), what should determine the specific assessment measures used?
The goal of the particular assessment
This highlights the importance of tailoring the assessment process.
What is the role of good measurement in psychological assessment?
Good measurement is essential for developing a broader understanding of individuals and phenomena
Accurate and valid measurements are crucial for effective clinical assessment.
What does Reynolds (2010) state about the validity of a test?
A test by itself is not valid or invalid; it depends on its use and interpretation
This underscores the importance of context in assessment.
What is the common pitfall regarding the discriminant validity of assessment instruments?
Assuming that differences in test performance between clinical and non-clinical populations prove validity
Proper validation requires more rigorous evidence.
What does incremental validity refer to in psychological assessment?
The additional value a specific instrument adds to existing assessments
It is important for ensuring that assessments are comprehensive.
True or False: Self-reports are equally useful for diagnosing externalizing disorders as they are for internalizing disorders.
False
Self-reports are less useful for externalizing disorders like disruptive behavior.
What is the importance of cross-cultural validation in psychological assessment?
To ensure assessment instruments are valid for diverse populations
Cross-cultural validation helps avoid biases and misinterpretations.
What challenges exist in translating psychological assessment instruments?
Describing emotions and states of mind can be difficult to translate accurately
Cultural nuances can affect the interpretation of psychological terms.
What is a key consideration when using assessment tools across different cultures?
The potential for language and cultural biases
Ensuring culturally appropriate examples and language is critical.
What is the common goal of psychological assessment?
To determine the DSM or ICD diagnosis corresponding to the behaviors of the child being assessed
Where are assessments focused on mental health diagnosis most commonly conducted?
Hospitals and psychiatric clinics
What is a key selling point of the most recent revisions of the DSM and ICD systems?
Improved and more reliable diagnosis
What are structured diagnostic interviews primarily based on?
Symptoms specified for the disorders
Who is usually the interviewee in structured diagnostic interviews for children?
The parent
What is one shortcoming of most structured interview methods?
They do not indicate how common or uncommon a specific behavior might be
What is the best-known example of a structured diagnostic interview for child psychopathology?
Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children – IV (DISC-IV)
How long may the complete DISC-IV interview take?
Up to 2 hours
What is one limitation of shorter structured diagnostic interviews?
They may overlook high rates of comorbidity among disorders
What is the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) designed for?
A relatively restricted range of problems
True or False: Structured diagnostic interviews have been shown to achieve reliability of diagnosis.
True
What does the K-SADS protocol allow the clinician to do?
Select the questions to be asked
What is the trade-off mentioned regarding standard question administration?
Eliciting facts vs. eliciting emotional expression
What is a criticism regarding the empirical status of structured interviews?
They can be no better than the diagnostic categories they correspond to
What is often the sole informant in structured diagnostic interviews?
The parent
What is one advantage of checklists and questionnaires over structured interviews?
Economy and portability
What psychometric properties are established during the development of checklists and questionnaires?
Test–retest reliability and standardization norms
What is a common example of a checklist used for assessing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Conners-3 scales
What is the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) used for?
Assessment of child psychopathology
What scale is used by parents and teachers in the ASEBA?
A 0–2 scale to describe the child
What are the broad dimensions scored in the ASEBA?
- Externalizing * Internalizing
What are the three temperament types identified by Chess and Thomas?
- Easy * Difficult * Slow to warm up
What does the concept of ‘goodness of fit’ refer to?
Matching different temperament types to environments that maximize adjustment
What is the best-known projective technique in psychological assessment?
Rorschach inkblots
What assumption underlies projective techniques like the Children’s Apperception Test?
Projection of the child’s thoughts and feelings onto the story made up
What has increased caution regarding the use of projective techniques?
Subjectivity in interpretations
What model is commonly used to describe adult personalities?
Five-factor model (OCEAN)
What is a notable challenge in assessing children’s personality?
Lack of consensus on a prevailing model for child personality
What is a potential benefit of assessing both a child’s and parent’s personalities?
Understanding interactive effects on behavior
What is the five-factor model used to describe adult personalities?
Openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (acronym OCEAN)
This model is widely accepted for adults, but no consensus exists for child personality.
What does recent research suggest about assessing children’s personalities?
Parents’ personalities should be assessed together with the child’s
This is due to the interactive effects of the child’s personality with those of his or her parents.
What is a frequent objective of psychological assessment regarding children?
Learning about a child’s intellectual and cognitive development
This is key in understanding their overall development.
What does dual diagnosis refer to?
A combination of learning and emotional/behavioral disabilities
This term highlights the co-occurrence of these disorders.
Why is recognizing dual diagnosis important?
It has implications for understanding the individual and prescribing optimal treatment
It emphasizes the need for sophisticated assessment and treatment procedures.
What must professionals conducting assessments be familiar with?
Measures of both intellectual and behavioral functioning
They also need to assess emotional functioning with valid measures for children and adolescents.
What was the mainstay of psychological assessment in the mid-20th century?
IQ testing
Assessments were heavily reliant on IQ tests, often to the exclusion of other methods.
What historical issue arose from the use of IQ testing in schools?
Children from underprivileged homes were often misassigned to special education classes
This was particularly prevalent among African-American students without true indications of intellectual disability.
What was the significance of the Larry P. vs. Riles case?
It ruled that IQ tests could not be used as the basis for special education placement for minority students
This case challenged the discriminatory use of IQ tests.
How has contemporary assessment practice changed since the Larry P. case?
IQ tests are now used as one of several sources of information
Greater attention is paid to potential biases against minority groups.
What is a key consideration for human examiners in assessments?
To consider much more than the raw score of a specific test
This includes evaluating the broader context of the individual being assessed.
What is the central concept of Sternberg’s triarchical model of intelligence?
Intelligence is subdivided into:
* Analytic intelligence
* Creative intelligence
* Practical intelligence
Sternberg emphasizes practical intelligence as crucial for understanding everyday social knowledge.
What is the primary instrument used for assessing intellectual abilities in children and adolescents?
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV)
The WISC-IV provides a total IQ score and scores on ten core and five supplementary subtests.
What are the four factors represented in the WISC-IV subtests?
The factors include:
* Verbal comprehension
* Perceptual reasoning
* Processing speed
* Short-term working memory
These factors help in understanding the component abilities assessed.
How long does the individual administration of the WISC-IV typically take?
1–1.5 hours
Group tests are not useful in clinical assessment.
What is a significant concern regarding the interpretation of individual subtest scores in intelligence tests?
Overinterpretation of subtest scores is often referred to as a prevalent ‘malpractice’
This concern highlights the need for caution in clinical assessments.
True or False: Direct observation can provide detailed information about children who cannot articulate their problems.
True
Direct observation is particularly beneficial for assessing children with communicative disabilities.
What is one of the main advantages of direct observation in behavioral assessment?
It provides information about the social and physical environment in which problem behavior occurs
This contextual understanding helps in formulating relevant interventions.
What coding system is known for observing parent-child interactions?
Dyadic Parent–Child Interaction Coding System
This system is valid and reliable for assessing various behaviors in parent-child interactions.
Fill in the blank: When natural observation is not possible, _______ techniques can be used to optimize observation time.
contrived observation
These techniques simulate real-life scenarios to gather behavioral data.
What challenges does Kazdin (2005) identify regarding the current state of assessment in psychopathology?
Challenges include:
* Lack of a ‘gold standard’ for validation
* High rates of comorbidity among disorders
* Disagreement among informants
* Need for information on adaptive functioning
These factors complicate the assessment process.
What is one encouraging trend in the field of psychological assessment?
Integrating assessment into the helping process and making it more collaborative
This approach considers the perspectives and desires of clients.
True or False: Experience-sampling techniques involve participants recalling their feelings and behaviors retrospectively.
False
Experience-sampling techniques involve real-time reporting of feelings and behaviors.
What technological advances are aiding in psychological assessment?
Advances include:
* Ambulatory biosensors
* Neuroimaging techniques
* Handheld devices for data collection
These technologies enhance understanding of physiological processes related to psychopathology.
What is the potential advantage of using neuroimaging techniques in assessment?
Possibility of discovering previously unknown processes in action
However, caution is advised regarding expectations of neuroimaging revealing true causes of psychopathology.
What is psychological assessment of children?
An exploratory, hypothesis-testing process to explain and alleviate a child’s problems.
It involves engagement with children and their parents, focusing on more than just testing.
Who should ideally formulate questions for psychological assessment?
Clients, teachers, parents, and children being assessed.
They should also establish goals for the assessment.
What is essential for proper psychological assessment?
Valid, reliable tests.
The appropriateness of tests is determined by their intended purpose.
According to Reynolds (2010), what is more important than the validity of tests?
The ways in which tests are used.
This is particularly relevant for intelligence tests.
What does incremental validity refer to?
The added value of a given test over other measures already in common use.
What must an assessment tool be valid for?
Its purpose and population.
Cross-cultural validation is necessary for tests used in diverse cultures.
What are structured diagnostic interviews designed based on?
Symptoms described in diagnostic manuals like DSM or ICD.
What is the best-known structured diagnostic interview for child psychopathology?
The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children.
What is a criticism of structured diagnostic interviews?
Parents are often the sole informants, excluding teachers who might provide valuable information.
What are checklists and questionnaires used for?
Clinical assessment and research.
They are portable, economical, and can be completed remotely.
What is a limitation of paper-and-pencil methods in diagnostics?
They cannot capture information from personal interactions with the interviewer.
What does the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment provide?
Separate scales for various age ranges and for parents and teachers.
What does ‘goodness of fit’ refer to in psychological assessment?
The matching of temperament types to environments to maximize adjustment.
What do projective measures provide?
Ambiguous stimuli that reveal differences in personality and adjustment.
What is a challenge in interpreting projective techniques?
The subjectivity of interpretations makes them difficult to defend in legal contexts.
How is personality assessment distinct from diagnostic status?
It characterizes traits of the individual rather than determining diagnostic status.
What does contemporary intelligence measurement emphasize according to Sternberg’s triarchical model?
Analytic intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence.
What is the most widely used intelligence test for children?
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition.
What is a significant risk when interpreting individual subtest scores from the WISC-IV?
Overinterpretation, which is considered malpractice.
What does direct observation in a natural setting provide?
Detailed information about children who cannot articulate their problems.
What are closed-field or analogue techniques?
Methods that optimize observation time by simulating real-life scenarios.
Why is it important to include multiple informants in the assessment process?
Informants often disagree in describing a child, providing a more comprehensive view.
What has limited research been done on regarding psychological assessment?
The benefits of the entire assessment process.
What are experience-sampling techniques improved by?
The proliferation of cell phones, allowing individuals to record feelings and behaviors.
What does the trait ‘Openness to Experience’ include?
Imagination, insight, a broad range of interests, openness to new ideas, unconventional values, varied experiences
High openness can be associated with creativity and a preference for novelty and variety.
What are key characteristics of ‘Conscientiousness’?
Thoughtfulness, good impulse control, goal-directed behaviors, organization, mindfulness of details
Highly conscientious individuals plan ahead, consider how their behavior affects others, and are mindful of deadlines.
Define ‘Extraversion’.
Excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, high emotional expressiveness
People who score high on extraversion are outgoing and gain energy in social situations.
What attributes are associated with ‘Agreeableness’?
Trust, altruism, kindness, affection, prosocial behaviors
Agreeable individuals are generally more cooperative rather than antagonistic towards others.
What does ‘Neuroticism’ involve?
Emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, irritability, sadness
Individuals who score high on neuroticism are more likely to experience feelings of anxiety, worry, and fear.
Fill in the blank: High openness can be associated with _______.
[creativity and a preference for novelty and variety]
True or False: Highly conscientious individuals tend to be disorganized and impulsive.
False
List three characteristics of individuals high in Extraversion.
- Excitability
- Sociability
- Talkativeness
Fill in the blank: Agreeable individuals are generally more _______ rather than antagonistic towards others.
[cooperative]
What emotional states are more likely in individuals scoring high on Neuroticism?
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Fear
