CHAPTER 2: Assessment, Classification, and Treatment of Abnormal Behaviour Flashcards
Reliability
consistency of measuring instrument
Interrater reliability
when assessments from different researchers/evaluators are consistent
Internal consistency
when different items within an assessment produce similar results
Temporal stability
stability of the content of reports across time
Validity
degree to which test measures traits or constructs that it purports to measure
Content validity
extent to which a measure represents the entire domain of a given construct
Criterion validity
how well does it predict an established standard of outcome
Construct validity
extent to which the measure behaves in a way consistent with hypotheses
Unstructured clinical interview
interviewers determine which questions to ask
Structured clinical interview
interviewer obtains clinical information from a client by asking standard series of questions (highest reliability and consistency)
Semi-structured clinical interview
interviewers are guided by general outline, but are free to modify the order and branch off in other directions
Intelligence quotient (IQ)
IQ = mental age / chronological age x 100
Self-report tests
objective personality test, which may reflect underlying reponse biases
Objective tests
limited, specified range of response options or answers so they can be scored objectively
Forced-choice formats
method of structuring test questions that require respondents to select among set number of answers
Projective tests
personality test that offers no clear, specified answer, obtained from ambiguous stimuli (inkblots)
Bender-Gestalt II
clients are asked to copy geometric designs with distortions or rotations being signs of brain damage
asked to produce figures from memory to test memory
Halstead-Reitan neurospychological battery
contains tests that measure perceptual, intellectual and motor skills
Luria-Nebraska battery
reveals patterns of deficit that suggest particular sites of brain damage
tactile, kinesthetic, spacial, motor, and auditory skills
Functional analysis
analysis of problems in relation to antecedents, or stimulus cues that trigger it, and the reinforcements that maintain it
Self-monitoring
used to gather data regarding rate of occurence of target behaviour before treatment (baseline)
Analogue measures
stimulate settings in which behaviour naturally take place, but in laboratory or controlled setting
Behavioural rating scales
checklist that provides information about frequency, intensity, and range of problem behaviours
Behavioural assessment
focuses on object recording and description of behaviour
Cognitive assessment
assessment of cognitions (thoughts, beliefs, attitudes)
Thought diaries
carry diaries to record dysfunctional thoughts as they arise
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
record of electrical activity of brain, detecting minute brain waves conducted between electrodes
Computerized tomography (CT scans)
reveals abnormalities in shape and structure of brain (tumors, blood clots)
Positron emission tomography (PET)
study functioning of various parts of brain by mixing radioactive compound with glucose and injecting it into the bloodstream
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
person placed in tunnel that generates strong magnetic field and makes detailed 3d image of brain
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
yield far more information than basic MRI and produces static pictures of brain that show which regions of brain are active during specific mental activity
Brain electrical activity mapping (BEAM)
type of EEG where electrodes are attached to scalp to measure electrical activity in various regions of brain
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
measures brain activity in real time, and can pinpoint source of epilectic seizure much more accurately than traditional method of EEG
Diagnostic & statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM)
classifies disorders, not people
describes symptoms but does not explain
Sign
something observable in person’s behaviour that is characteristic of disease and can be observed by anyone
Symptom
sign of someone who is suffering, which is observable only by the person suffering from it
Realism
accurate description of whatever concept you are examining which has high validity but low reliability
Instrumentalism
high reliability, but low validity
the worth of an idea is based on how effective it is in explaining and predicting phenomena
Predictive validity
ability of diagnostic system to predict course that disorder is likely to follow or its response to treatment
Anti-anxiety drugs
tranquillizers that depress level of activity in certain parts of the central nervous system
Rebound anxiety
occurence of strong anxiety following withdrawal from tranquillizer
Antipsychotic drugs
treats schizophrenia or psychotic disorders such as hallucinations, delusions, states of confusion
Antidepressants
treats depression
Tricyclics (TCAs)
increase availability of norepinephrine and serotonin in brain
favoured over MAO inhibitors due to less serious side effects
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
increase availability of norepinephrine and serotonin in brain
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
increase avilability of serotonin in brain by interfering with its reuptake by the transmitting neuron
Serotonin norepinephrin reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
increase avilability of serotonin and norepinephrine in brain by interfering with its reuptake by the transmitting neuron
Lithium carbonate
stabilizes dramatic mood swings associated with bipolar disorder
Electroconvulsive therapy
induce convulsions by passing electric shock through person’s head to cure disorder, but may result in memory loss
Deep brain stimulation
electrodes implanted within part of brain affects mood and is used to treat Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor
Free associations (psychodynamic)
say anything that enters mind and analyst offers interpretation
Transference (psychodynamic)
client’s transfer to analyst feelings and attitudes the client hold towards important figures in their life
Countertransference
transfer of feelings that analyst holds toward other persons in their life onto client
Systematic desensitization (behaviour)
overcoming phobias by means of exposure to progressively more fearful stimuli while one remains relaxed
Gradual exposure (behaviour)
overcoming fears through stepwise process of direct exposure to increasingly fearful stimuli
Token economies (behaviour)
controlled environment where people are reinforced for desired behaviours by receiving tokens (poker chips) that may be exchange for rewards or privileges
Modelling (behaviour)
client observes harmless engagement with phobic object
Person-centered therapy (humanistic)
client takes lead and directs therapy while the therapist restates client’s feelings without interpreting or passing judgement
Unconditional positive regard
unconditional acceptance of another person’s basic worth, regardless of whether one approves of all of the behaviours
Emotion-focused therapy (humanistic)
intense and uncomfortable feelings are signal to take action
help people better accept, regulate, understand, and express their emotions
Ellis’ rational emotive therapy (cognitive)
adoption of irrational, self-defeating beliefs give rise to psychological problems and negative feelings
Beck’s cognitive therapy (cognitive)
encourage clients to recognize and change errors in thinking that affect mood and impair behaviour
Collaborative empiricism
client and psychologist work together to solve problem by gathering real world data and working through it
Meichenbaum’s cognitive-behavioural therapy
cognition and information processing play important roles in maladaptive behaviour and the impact of external events is filtered through thinking process
considers ways that clients can learn to develop and employ more adaptive coping skills
Eclectic (integrative) therapy
choose interventions from variety of different schools to best assist patient
NCRMD (not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder)
decision reached when a judge finds accused was suffering from a mental disorder while committing the criminal act, and is exempt from criminal responsibility
The insanity defence
defendent pleads guilty but not criminally responsible on basis of having mental disorder
