Chapter 3: Models of Abnormality Flashcards
Psychological model or paradigm
A set of assumptions and concepts that help scientists explain and interpret observations
Biological model in treating abnormal symptoms
- Focus on anatomical or biochemical problems in the brain or body
- Abnormalities can arise from genetic inheritance and evolution
- Leading methods involve drug therapy, brain stimulation, and psychosurgery
Neuron
A nerve cell
Synapse
Tiny space between the nerve ending of one neuron and the dendrite of another
Neurotransmitter
A chemical that, released by one neuron, crosses the synaptic space to be received at receptors on the dendrites of neighboring neurons
Receptor
A site on a neuron that receives a neurotransmitter
Hormones
The chemicals released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream
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
Gene
chromosome segments that control that characteristics and traits we inherit
Psychotropic medications
drugs that primarily affect the brain and reduce many symptoms of mental dysfunction
Brain stimulation
interventions that directly or indirectly stimulate the brain in order to bring about psychological improvement
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
a biological treatment in which brain a seizure is triggered as an electric current passes through electrodes attached to the patient’s forehead
Psychosurgery
brain surgery for mental disorders
Psychodynamic model
the theoretical perspective that sees all human functioning as being shaped by dynamic (interacting) psychological forces and explains people’s behavior by reference to unconscious internal conflicts
Id
the psychological force that produces instinctual needs, drives, and impulses
Ego
the psychological force that employs reason and operates in accordance with the reality principle
Superego
the psychological force that represents a person’s values and ideals
Self-theory
the psychodynamic theory that emphasizes the role of the self- our unified personality
Object relations theory
the psychodynamic theory that views the desire for relationships as the key motivation force in human behavior
Free association
a psychodynamic technique in which the patient describes any thought, feeling, or image that comes to mind, even if it seems unimportant
Resistance
an unconscious refusal to participate fully in therapy
Transference
according to psychodynamic theorists, the redirection toward the psychotherapist of feelings associated with important figures in a patient’s life, now or in the past (when the patient acts and feels toward the therapist as they did or do toward important persons in their lives like parents, partners, etc.)
Dreams
a series of ideas and images that form during sleep
Effectiveness of psychodynamic perspective
- Limited research over the years
- Use individual case studies
- Findings suggest it is quite helpful
Conditioning
a simple form of learning
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
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
Modeling
a process of learning in which an individual acquires responses by observing and imitating others
Cognitive model
cognitive problems like maladaptive assumptions and illogical thinking processes, to help explain a person’s abnormal functioning
Exposure therapy
a behavior-focused intervention in which fearful people are repeatedly exposed to the objects or situations they dread
Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral method
An effective method backed up with research
Humanistic model
Focuses on the human need to successfully deal with philosophical issues such as self-awareness, values, meaning, and choice
Self-actualization
The humanistic process by which people fulfill their potential for goodness and growth
Client-centered therapy
The humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers in which clinicians try to help clients by conveying acceptance, accurate empathy, and genuineness
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
Existential therapy
a therapy that encourages clients to accept responsibility for their lives and to live with greater meaning and value
Sociocultural model
- Abnormal behavior is best understood in light of the broad forces that influence an individual
- Family-social perspective looks outward to 3 kinds of factors: social labels and roles, social connections and supports, and the family system
- Multicultural perspective, holds that an individual’s behavior, whether normal or abnormal, is best understood when examined in the light of his or her unique cultural context
Family systems theory
A theory that views the family as a system of interacting parts whose interactions exhibit consistent patterns of unstated rules
Group therapy
A therapy format in which a group of people with similar problems meet together with a therapist to work on those problems
Self-help group
A group made up of people with similar problems who help one support one another without the direct leadership of a clinician (A.K.A. mutual help group)
Family therapy
A therapy format in which the therapist meets with all members of a family and helps them to change in therapeutic ways
Couple therapy
A therapy format in which the therapist works with 2 people who share a long-term relationship (marital therapy)
Community mental health treatment
A treatment approach that emphasizes community care
Effectiveness of sociocultural model
- Sociocultural model sometimes succeed where traditional approaches have failed
- Sociocultural research findings are often difficult to interpret, its inability to predict abnormality in specific individuals
- Family-social and multicultural explanations operate in conjunction with biological/psychological methods
Group therapy
A therapy format in which a group of people with similar problems meet together with a therapist to work on those problems
Couple therapy
A therapy format in which the therapist works with 2 people who share a long-term relationship (marital therapy)
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 (A.K.A culturally diverse perspective)
Culture-sensitive therapies
Approaches that are designed to help address the unique issues faced by members of cultural minority groups
Gender-sensitive therapies
Approaches geared to the pressures of being a woman in Western society (A.K.A. feminist therapies)