Chapter 3: Models of Abnormality

Question 1

Psychological model or paradigm

Answer 1

A set of assumptions and concepts that help scientists explain and interpret observations

Question 2

Biological model in treating abnormal symptoms

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Neuron

Answer 3

A nerve cell

Question 4

Synapse

Answer 4

Tiny space between the nerve ending of one neuron and the dendrite of another

Question 5

Neurotransmitter

Answer 5

A chemical that, released by one neuron, crosses the synaptic space to be received at receptors on the dendrites of neighboring neurons

Question 6

Receptor

Answer 6

A site on a neuron that receives a neurotransmitter

Question 7

Hormones

Answer 7

The chemicals released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream

Question 8

Brain circuit

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Gene

Answer 9

chromosome segments that control that characteristics and traits we inherit

Question 10

Psychotropic medications

Answer 10

drugs that primarily affect the brain and reduce many symptoms of mental dysfunction

Question 11

Brain stimulation

Answer 11

interventions that directly or indirectly stimulate the brain in order to bring about psychological improvement

Question 12

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer 12

a biological treatment in which brain a seizure is triggered as an electric current passes through electrodes attached to the patient’s forehead

Question 13

Psychosurgery

Answer 13

brain surgery for mental disorders

Question 14

Psychodynamic model

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Id

Answer 15

the psychological force that produces instinctual needs, drives, and impulses

Question 16

Ego

Answer 16

the psychological force that employs reason and operates in accordance with the reality principle

Question 17

Superego

Answer 17

the psychological force that represents a person’s values and ideals

Question 18

Self-theory

Answer 18

the psychodynamic theory that emphasizes the role of the self- our unified personality

Question 19

Object relations theory

Answer 19

the psychodynamic theory that views the desire for relationships as the key motivation force in human behavior

Question 20

Free association

Answer 20

a psychodynamic technique in which the patient describes any thought, feeling, or image that comes to mind, even if it seems unimportant

Question 21

Resistance

Answer 21

an unconscious refusal to participate fully in therapy

Question 22

Transference

Answer 22

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.)

Question 23

Dreams

Answer 23

a series of ideas and images that form during sleep

Question 24

Effectiveness of psychodynamic perspective

Answer 24

• Limited research over the years
• Use individual case studies
• Findings suggest it is quite helpful

Question 25

Conditioning

Answer 25

a simple form of learning

Question 26

Classical conditioning

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Operant conditioning

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Modeling

Answer 28

a process of learning in which an individual acquires responses by observing and imitating others

Question 29

Cognitive model

Answer 29

cognitive problems like maladaptive assumptions and illogical thinking processes, to help explain a person’s abnormal functioning

Question 30

Exposure therapy

Answer 30

a behavior-focused intervention in which fearful people are repeatedly exposed to the objects or situations they dread

Question 31

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral method

Answer 31

An effective method backed up with research

Question 32

Humanistic model

Answer 32

Focuses on the human need to successfully deal with philosophical issues such as self-awareness, values, meaning, and choice

Question 33

Self-actualization

Answer 33

The humanistic process by which people fulfill their potential for goodness and growth

Question 34

Client-centered therapy

Answer 34

The humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers in which clinicians try to help clients by conveying acceptance, accurate empathy, and genuineness

Question 35

Gestalt therapy

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Existential therapy

Answer 36

a therapy that encourages clients to accept responsibility for their lives and to live with greater meaning and value

Question 37

Sociocultural model

Answer 37

• 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

Question 38

Family systems theory

Answer 38

A theory that views the family as a system of interacting parts whose interactions exhibit consistent patterns of unstated rules

Question 39

Group therapy

Answer 39

A therapy format in which a group of people with similar problems meet together with a therapist to work on those problems

Question 40

Self-help group

Answer 40

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)

Question 41

Family therapy

Answer 41

A therapy format in which the therapist meets with all members of a family and helps them to change in therapeutic ways

Question 42

Couple therapy

Answer 42

A therapy format in which the therapist works with 2 people who share a long-term relationship (marital therapy)

Question 43

Community mental health treatment

Answer 43

A treatment approach that emphasizes community care

Question 44

Effectiveness of sociocultural model

Answer 44

• 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

Question 45

Group therapy

Answer 45

A therapy format in which a group of people with similar problems meet together with a therapist to work on those problems

Question 46

Couple therapy

Answer 46

A therapy format in which the therapist works with 2 people who share a long-term relationship (marital therapy)

Question 47

Multicultural perspective

Answer 47

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)

Question 48

Culture-sensitive therapies

Answer 48

Approaches that are designed to help address the unique issues faced by members of cultural minority groups

Question 49

Gender-sensitive therapies

Answer 49

Approaches geared to the pressures of being a woman in Western society (A.K.A. feminist therapies)