chapter 1 (science & practice of abnormal child psych)

Question 1

harmful dysfunction

Answer 1

a definition of abnormal behaviour characterized by:
1. a failure of some internal mechanism to perform a function for which it was naturally selected
2. the failure causes harm

Question 2

mental disorder

Answer 2

“a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behaviour that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning.” (DSM-5)

Question 3

sign

Answer 3

observable feature of a disorder (ex: hyperactivity, sluggish movement).

Question 4

symptom

Answer 4

a subjective experience associated with a disorder (ex: anxiety, depressed mood).

Question 5

APA ethics code

Answer 5

common set of principles and standards upon which psychologists build their professional and scientific work; other professions (ex: school psychologists, social workers) have similar ethics codes.

Question 6

assent

Answer 6

agreement to participate in treatment or research provided by a person who is unable to give consent because of his or her age or cognitive ability.

Question 7

categorical classification

Answer 7

diagnostic approach in which disorders are divided into mutually exclusive groups based on sets of essential criteria.

Question 8

comorbidity

Answer 8

the presentation of two of more disorders in the same person at the same time.

Question 9

competence

Answer 9

the education, training, and professional experience mental health professionals use to deliver evidence-based services; professionals must practice within its boundaries.

Question 10

confidentiality

Answer 10

the expectation that information that children and families provide during the course of treatment will not be disclosed to others without their consent.

Question 11

consent

Answer 11

a person’s informed and free decision to participate in treatment.

Question 12

culture

Answer 12

values, knowledge, and practices that people derive from membership in social groups.

Question 13

diagnostic specifier

Answer 13

a label that describes a relatively homogenous subgroup of individuals with a given disorder.

Question 14

dimensional classification

Answer 14

diagnostic approach in which the severity of the individual’s distress and/or impairment is described on a continuum.

Question 15

ethical principles

Answer 15

broad ideals or aspirational goals for the professional practice of psychology.

Question 16

ethical standards

Answer 16

specific rules that guide professional practice in psychology.

Question 17

ethics

Answer 17

principles and standards of a profession that ensure high-quality care and protect the rights and dignity of others.

Question 18

ethnicity

Answer 18

a culturally constructed identity that is used to define groups of people and communities; it can be rooted in a common history, geographic location, language, religion, or shared experience that distinguishes that person or group from others.

Question 19

evidence-based practice

Answer 19

the integration of empirical research with clinical expertise to help children and families in the context of their characteristics, culture, and preferences.

Question 20

evidence-based treatments

Answer 20

psychotherapies and medications that have been shown in well-designed research studies to reduce children’s symptoms and improve their functioning.

Question 21

incidence

Answer 21

the percentage of new cases of a disorder in a discrete period of time, usually 1 year.

Question 22

multiple relationship

Answer 22

occurs when a therapist, who is in a professional role with a client, enters into another relationship with the same individual or a person closely associated with that individual; it can impair the objectivity and quality of care.

Question 23

prevalence

Answer 23

the percentage of individuals in a given population who have a medical or psychological condition.

Question 24

prototypical classification

Answer 24

diagnostic approach that is based on the degree to which the individual’s signs and symptoms map onto the ideal picture of the disorder.

Question 25

psychotropic medications

Answer 25

prescription drugs used to treat psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

Question 26

race

Answer 26

a culturally constructed category that can be used to divide people into groups based on superficial physical traits.

Question 27

research domain criteria (RDoC) initiative

Answer 27

a program supported by NIMH to create a new system of classifying mental disorders based on underlying genetic and biological causes.

Question 28

socioeconomic status (SES)

Answer 28

a composite covariable that reflects three aspects of a child’s environment:
!. parent’s level education
2. parent’s employment
3. family income

Question 29

stigma

Answer 29

negative beliefs that can lead to fear, avoidance, and discrimination by others or shame and low self-worth in oneself.