Chapter 2: Models of Abnormality Flashcards
biopsychosocial theories
Explanations that attribute the cause of abnormality to an interaction of genetic, biological, developmental, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, and societal influences.
brain circuit
A network of particular brain structures that work together, triggering each other into action to produce a distinct kind of behavioral, cognitive, or emotional reaction.
brain stimulation
Interventions that directly or indirectly stimulate the brain in order to bring about psychological improvement.
catharsis
The reliving of past repressed feelings in order to settle internal conflicts and overcome problems.
classical conditioning
A process of learning by temporal association in which two events that repeatedly occur close together in time become fused in a person’s mind and produce the same response.
client-centered therapy
The humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers in which clinicians try to help clients by conveying acceptance, accurate empathy, and genuineness.
community mental health treatment
A treatment approach that emphasizes community care.
conditioning
A simple form of learning
couple therapy
A therapy format in which the therapist works with two people who share a long-term relationship. Also called marital therapy.
culture-sensitive therapy
Approach designed to help address the unique issues faced by members of cultural minority groups.
developmental psychopathology
A perspective that uses a developmental framework to understand how variables and principles from the various models may collectively account for human functioning.
dream
A series of images and ideas that form during sleep
ego
According to Freud, the psychological force that employs reason and operates in accordance with the reality principle.
ego defense mechanism
According to psychoanalytic theory, strategies developed by the ego to control unacceptable id impulses and to avoid or reduce the anxiety they arouse.
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
A biological treatment in which a brain seizure is triggered when an electric current passes through electrodes attached to the patient’s forehead.
endocrine system
The system of glands located throughout the body that help control important activities such as growth and sexual activity.
equifinality
The principle that a number of different developmental pathways can lead to the same psychological disorder.
existential therapy
A therapy that encourages clients to accept responsibility for their lives and to live with greater meaning and value.
exposure therapy
A behavior-focused intervention in which fearful people are repeatedly exposed to the objects or situations they dread.
family systems theory
A theory that views the family as a system of interacting parts whose interactions exhibit consistent patterns and unstated rules.
family therapy
A therapy format in which the therapist meets with all members of a family and helps them to change in therapeutic ways.
fixation
According to Freud, a condition in which the id, ego, or superego do not mature properly and are frozen at an early stage of development.
free association
A psychodynamic technique in which the patient describes any thought, feeling, or image that comes to mind, even if it seems unimportant.
gender-sensitive therapy
Approaches geared to the pressures of being a female or gender minority in society.
genes
Chromosome segments that control the characteristics and traits we inherit.
gestalt therapy
The humanistic therapy developed by Fritz Perls in which clinicians actively move clients toward self-recognition and self-acceptance by using techniques such as role playing and self-discovery exercises.
group therapy
A therapy format in which a group of people with similar problems meet together with a therapist to work on those problems.
hormones
The chemicals released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream.
id
According to Freud, the psychological force that produces instinctual needs, drives, and impulses.
intersectionality
A multicultural framework that examines how each individual’s membership in multiple cultural groups and social identities—including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, and sexual orientation—combines to shape their particular experiences, opportunities, outlook, and functioning.
model
A set of assumptions and concepts that help scientists explain and interpret observations. Also called a paradigm.
modeling
A process of learning in which an individual acquires responses by observing and imitating others.
multicultural perspective
The view that each culture within a larger society has a particular set of values and beliefs, as well as special external pressures, that help account for the behavior and functioning of its members. Also called culturally diverse perspective.
multifinality
The principle that persons with similar developmental histories may nevertheless have different clinical outcomes or react to comparable current situations in very different ways.
neuron
A nerve cell.
neurotransmitter
A chemical that, released by one neuron, crosses the synaptic space to be received at receptors on the dendrites of neighboring neurons.
object relations theory
The psychodynamic theory that views the desire for relationships as the key motivating force in human behavior.
operant conditioning
A process of learning in which individuals come to behave in certain ways as a result of experiencing consequences of one kind or another whenever they perform the behavior.
protective factor
A life event, condition, or attribute that reduces a person’s susceptibility to developing a particular disorder.
psychosurgery
Brain surgery for mental disorders.
psychotropic medication
Drugs that mainly affect the brain and reduce many symptoms of mental dysfunction.
receptor
A site on a neuron that receives a neurotransmitter.
relational psychoanalytic therapy
A form of psychodynamic therapy that considers therapists to be active participants in the formation of patients’ feelings and reactions and therefore calls for therapists to disclose their own experiences and feelings in discussions with patients.
