Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Abnormal Psychology > Chapter 2 - Theoretical Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 2 - Theoretical Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Psychology flashcards Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

Why are Diagnostic Classification Systems important?

A
  1. Provides nomenclature and the structure of information
  2. Has social and political implications
  3. Classifies disorder, not the person
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the definition of a Mental Disorder (DSM)?

A

A clinically significant behavioural or psychological syndrome or pattern. Associated with distress or disability.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are some problems associated with DSMs?

A
  1. Stigma
  2. Stereotyping
  3. Labeling
  4. Comorbidity (having more than one psych. disorder at a time)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Prevalence

A

the number of active cases in a population during and given period of time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Incidence

A

the number of new cases in a population over a given period of time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Epidemiology

A

the study of the distribution of diseases, disorders, or health-related behaviours in a given population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the most common individual disorders (DSM-IV)?

A 
Major depressive disorder
Alcohol abuse
Specific phobias
Social phobias
Conduct disorder
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Etiology

A

the causal pattern of abnormal behavior

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Single-factor explanation (for cause of mental disorder)

A

attempts to trace the origins of a disorder to one factor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Interactionist explanation (for cause of mental disorder)

A

views behaviours as the product of the interaction of a variety of factors. i.e.. biology & behaviour, cognitive, social and cultural environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Reinforcing contributory cause

A

maintaining already-occuring maladaptive behaviour. i.e. afraid of dogs, so stays away from dogs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is one thing that can sometimes be manipulated to alleviate disorders with biological causes?

A

environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Diathesis

A

a vulnerability or predisposition to a particular disorder. Can be social, psychological or biological - long term, in the past, ongoing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Stress

A

the response of an individual to demands perceived as taxing. Can be social, psychological or biological - trigger, dramatic, less ongoing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Diathesis - stress model

A

A model that posits that abnormal behaviour problems involve the interaction of a vulnerability/predisposition with stressful life events or experiences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Protective factors

A

influences that change a person’s response to environmental stressors, making negative consequences less likely

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Resilience

A

the ability to adapt successfully to very difficult circumstances.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Viewpoints

A

theoretical constructions devised to orient psychologists in the study of abnormal behavior

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the benefits of viewpoints?

A
  1. Help professionals organize observations
  2. Provide systems of though
  3. Suggest areas of focus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How are mental disorders seen from a traditional biological viewpoint?

A

Diseases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the 5 categories of biological factors related to the development of maladaptive behaviour?

A
  1. Neurotransmitter and brain hormonal imbalances
  2. Genetic vulnerabilities
  3. Temperament/other constitutional liabilities
  4. Brain dysfunction/neural plasticity
  5. Physical deprivation/disruption
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical substances that carry messages from one neurone to the next

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How do neurons communicate?

A

By releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Synapse

A

Tiny space between neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What do axons do?

A

Carry the nerve impulse to the dendrites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What do dendrites do?

A

Pick up the activity from the neighbouring neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What can result from neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain?

A

abnormal behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers secreted by a set of endocrine glands in our bodies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Abnormalities in the structure or number of chromosomes are associated with what?

A

Malfunctions and disorders eg. down syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Genotype

A

a person’s total genetic endowment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Phenotype

A

the observed structural and functional characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Passive effect

A

a genotype-environment correlation resulting from the genetic similarity of parents and children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Evocative effect

A

a genotype-environment correlation where a child’s phenotype evokes particular kinds of reactions from the social and physical environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Active effect

A

a genotype-environment correlation where a child seeks out or builds an environment that is congenial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Genotype-environment interaction

A

refers to the fact that genes may influence behaviours that contribute to environmental stressors, which, in turn, increase the risk of psychopathology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

How do genetic influences operate in terms of mental disorders?

A

Polygenetically ie. through the action of many genes together in an additive or interactive fashion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What are the three traditionally used methods in studying behaviour genetics?

A
  1. The family history method
  2. The twin method
  3. The adoption method
38
Q

Concordance

A

When another family member displays the same disorder as the index case (person being studied)

39
Q

Psychodynamic viewpoint

A

4 features control behaviour/thinking: (via Freud)

  1. Levels of consciousness
  2. Structures of personality
  3. Stages of psychosexual development
  4. Defense mechanisms
40
Q

What are the levels of consciousness in the psychodynamic viewpoint?

A

Conscious - information in our current awareness
Unconscious - primary, behaviour-driving eg. hunger
Preconscious - Information that is not in awareness but can be brought into it

41
Q

What are the structures of personality in the psychodynamic viewpoint?

A

Id
Ego
Superego

42
Q

Id

A

source of instinctual drives

43
Q

Ego

A

mediates the demands of the id and the realities of the external world

44
Q

Superego

A

outgrowth of internalizing the taboos and moral values of society

45
Q

How does the Ego deal with neurotic or moral anxiety?

A

By resorting to irrational protective measures. ie. ego-defense mechanisms

46
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Repression

A

burying in the unconscious the unacceptable impulses of the id

47
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Regression

A

employing behaviors typical of an earlier stage of development

48
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Projection

A

attributing one’s own desires to others

49
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Intellectualization

A

hiding the real issues behind a screen of abstract analyses

50
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Denial

A

refusal to acknowledge an unpleasant reality

51
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Displacement

A

the transfer of feelings from one person to another, less threatening person

52
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Reaction formation

A

repressing unacceptable desires by expressing the opposite viewpoint

53
Q

Ego-defense mechanism: Sublimation

A

transformation of sexual or aggressive energy into some more acceptable activity

54
Q

What are the stages of psychosexual development?

A 
Oral (0-2 yrs)
Anal (2-3 yrs)
Phallic (2-6 yrs)
Latency (6-12 yrs)
Genital (puberty and beyond)
55
Q

How did Freud connect the psychosexual phases to abnormal behaviour?

A

He believed that life events could cause someone to get ‘stuck’ at a particular stage, which came out in their behavior

56
Q

Oedipus/Electra complex

A

When a child resents same-sex parent and developed an unhealthy attachment to the the other gender parent. Results from being ‘stuck’ at Phallic stage

57
Q

What is the Behavioural Perspective?

A

The idea that behaviour can be learned and changed through the process of classical conditioning

58
Q

Unconditioned Stimulus

A

a stimulus that elicits and unlearned response

59
Q

Unconditioned Response

A

an unlearned response

60
Q

Conditioned Stimulus

A

a previously neutral stimulus that evokes a conditioned response after repeated pairings with an unconditioned stimulus that had previously evoked that response

61
Q

Conditioned Response

A

a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

62
Q

Classical conditioning

A

a form of learning in which a response to one stimulus can be made to occur to another stimulus by pairing or associating the two stimuli

63
Q

Operant conditioning

A

a form of learning in which behaviour is acquired and strengthened when it is reinforced

64
Q

Reinforcement

A

changes in the environment (stimuli) that increase the frequency of the preceding behavior

65
Q

Positive reinforcers

A

reinforcers that, when introduced, increase the frequency of the preceding behavior

66
Q

Negative reinforcers

A

reinforcers that, when removed, increase the frequency of the preceding behavior

67
Q

Punishment

A

application of aversive or painful stimuli that reduces the frequency of the behaviour it follows

68
Q

Generalization

A

when a response is conditioned to one stimulus it can be evoked by other similar stimuli

69
Q

Discrimination

A

when a person learns to distinguish between similar stimuli

70
Q

Social Learning Theory

A

a learning-based theory that emphasizes observational learning and incorporates roles for cognitive variables in determining behavior

71
Q

Modeling

A

learning by observing and imitating the behaviours of others

72
Q

Expectancies

A

beliefs about expected outcomes

73
Q

What is the basis of Cognitive Models of study?

A

That our interpretations of events is what determines our response, emotional state and if it devolves into abnormal behaviour. ( as opposed to the actual events)

74
Q

Who used the ‘ABC approach’ to explain the causes of misery?

A

Albert Ellis - prominent cognitive theorist

75
Q

What is the ‘ABC approach’?

A

A - Activating event
B - Beliefs
C - Consequences
The relationship between A and C depends on B

76
Q

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

A

a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping clients replace irrational, maladaptive beliefs with alternative, more adaptive beliefs

77
Q

Schema

A

an underlying representation of knowledge that guides the current processing of information

78
Q

What does Aaron Beck believe is the cause of depression?

A

‘cognitive distortions’ (ie. errors in thinking) - interpreting events in a negative light

79
Q

Cognitive Therapy

A

a therapeutic approach that encourages clients to recognize and change their cognitive distortions

80
Q

Cognitive - Behavioural Perspective

A

a perspective that focuses on how thoughts and information processing can become distorted and then result in maladaptive emotions/behavior

81
Q

Humanistic Model: Abraham Maslow

A

people behave dysfunctionally as a result of experience that diverts them from self-actualization

82
Q

Humanistic Model: Carl Rogers

A

abnormal behaviour results form a distorted view of self which comes from an inability to trust experience

83
Q

Self-actualization

A

the tendency to strive to become ‘all that you can be.’ The motive that pushes one to reach full potential and express unique capabilities

84
Q

What are the levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

A 
Physiological
Safety
Love/Belonging
Esteem
Self-actualization
85
Q

What is the focus of Humanistic Therapies?

A

The clients subjective, conscious experiences

The present, here and now

86
Q

Person-centered therapy

A

a therapeutic approach that uses a warm, accepting therapeutic relationship to encourage a client to engage in self-exploration and achieve self-acceptance.
Non directive, extensive use of reflection

87
Q

Psychosocial Causal Factors

A

developmental influences that may handicap a person psychologically

88
Q

What are some psychosocial causal factors?

A

Early deprivation or trauma
Inadequate parenting styles
Marital discord/divorce
Maladaptive relationships

89
Q

Sociocultural viewpoint

A

A viewpoint that sees the social environment as a source of either vulnerability or resistance to mental disorder

90
Q

Sociocultural Causal Factors

A

sociocultural factors that are associated with a greater risk of various disorders

91
Q

What are some examples of sociocultural causal factors?

A 
Low SES
Unemployment
Subjection to prejudice/discrimination
Social change/uncertainty
Gender
Social support levels
92
Q

Biopsychosocial Perspective

A

a perspective that examines the contributions of multiple factors representing biological, psychological, and sociocultural domains as well as their interactions, in the development of psychological disorders

Abnormal Psychology (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions