Chapter 15: Abnormal behaviours

Question 1

The Medical Model

Answer 1

The medical model proposes that it is useful to think of abnormal behavior as a disease.

Question 2

Medical concepts (3)

Answer 2

1. Diagnosis: involves distinguishing one illness from another
2. Etiology: refers to the apparent causation and developmental history of an illness
3. Prognosis: is a forecast about the probable course of an illness

Question 3

Criteria of Abnormal Behavior (3)

Answer 3

1. Deviance: the behavior must be significantly different from what society deems acceptable
2. Maladaptive behavior: the behavior interferes with the person’s ability to function
3. Personal distress: the behavior is troubling to the individual.

Question 4

Anxiety Disorders

Answer 4

Anxiety disorders are a class of disorders marked by feelings of excessive apprehension and anxiety.

Question 5

5 principal types of anxiety disorders (5)

Answer 5

1. Generalized anxiety disorder
2. Phobic disorder
3. Panic disorder
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
5. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Question 6

Anxiety disorder:

Generalized anxiety disorder

Answer 6

Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by a chronic, high level of anxiety that is not tied to any specific threat.

Question 7

Anxiety disorder:

Phobic disorder

Answer 7

A phobic disorder (phobia) is marked by a persistent and irrational fear of an object or situation that presents no realistic danger.

+ Fear: a normal response to genuine danger

Question 8

Anxiety disorder:

Panic disorder

Answer 8

A panic disorder is characterized by recurrent at- tacks of overwhelming anxiety that usually occur suddenly and unexpectedly.

Question 9

Anxiety disorder:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Answer 9

An obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is marked by persistent, uncontrollable intrusions of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and urges to engage in senseless rituals (compulsions).

Question 10

Anxiety disorder:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Answer 10

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves enduring psychological disturbance attributed to the experience of a major traumatic event.

Question 11

Etiology of anxiety disorder

Answer 11

1. Biological factors
   - Genetic predisposition, anxiety sensitivity
   - GABA circuits in the brain
2. Conditioning and learning
   - Acquired through classical conditioning or observational learning
   - Maintained through operant conditioning
3. Cognitive factors
   - Judgement of perceived threat
4. Personality
   - Neuroticism
5. Stress
   - A precipitator