Chapter 7 Mental Health Flashcards
normality
patterns of behaviour or personality traits that are typical, of that conform to some standard of proper and acceptable ways of behaving
sociocultural approach
defines normality by determining whether behaviour is typical according to the cultural values and beliefs of a particular society
norm
a general ‘rule’ or standard
social nonconformity
failure to conform to societal norms of the usual minimum standards for social conduct
cultural relatively
the idea that judgements about normally are made relative to the values of one’s culture
functional approach
defines normality by the level of one’s ability to interact and involve oneself in society
historical approach
defines normality by the period of time, century or era in which the judgement is made
situational approach
defines normality by the social situation, behavioural setting or general circumstances in which a behaviour takes place
medical approach
defines normality in terms of physical health and well-being; an individual with an illness that has an underlying physical cause would be considered abnormal
statistical approach
defines normality according to the experiences and behaviours of the statistical majority
normal curve
a bell-shaped curve with a large number of scores in the middle, tapering to very few extremely high and low scores
health
a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
mental health
the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment
mental illness
the psychological state of someone who has emotional or behavioural problems serious enough to require psychiatric intervention
psychopathology
the scientific and systematic study of abnormal experience, cognition and behaviour; also a terms used to refer to psychologically unhealthy behaviour
hypochondria
a preoccupation with minor bodily problems and the presence of illnesses that appear to be imagery
categorical approach
a method of categorising mental illness that groups psychological problems into broad categories or groups that share common symptoms
DSM IV
a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association that groups psychological problems into categories based on similar symptoms, in order to try to diagnose and treat mental disorders
ICD 10
an international standard of diagnosing and categorising all health problems. published by the World Health Organisation, which provides details on the incidence and prevalence of diseases and morbidity and mortality rates
dimensional approach
a method of categorising mental illness where an individual has a profile of scores on different continuums of diagnoses and symptoms
labelling
when a certain characteristic of an individual is used as a name or brand to describe them
stigma
social disapproval of an individual’s personal characteristics or beliefs, or social disapproval of a type of behaviour
protective factors (in health)
factors that enhance or have a positive effect on the health of an individual
risk factors (in health)
factors that impede or have a negative effect on the health of an individual
biopsychosocial model
an approach that proposes that health and illness outcomes are determined by the interaction and contribution of biological, psychological and social factors
genetic factors
biological factors that commonly enhance (or reduce) an individual’s risk of, or vulnerability to, developing a particular condition
stress
a state of mental or physical tension that occurs when an individual must adjust or adapt to their environment but they do not feel they have the capacity to do so
stressor
the object or the event that causes a feeling of stress
eustress
a ‘good’ type of stress that helps the body perform at an optimal level
distress
a ‘bad’ type of stress that has a negative effect on an individual and their performance
Yerkes - Dodson Curve
a graph that demonstrates the relationship between arousal and performance, showing the optimal level of performance; insufficient or excessive arousal results in insufficient performance
stress reactions
the physical and psychological responses to stress
psychosomatic illness
physiological symptoms that arise as a result of psychological stressors or factors
transactional model of stress and coping
a model that proposes that stressful experiences are transaction between a person and their environment; if demands exceed resources, stress is the likely result
primary appraisal
in the transactional model of stress and coping, when we decide if a situation is threatening or positive, relevant or irrelevant to our situation
secondary appraisal
in the transactional model of stress and coping, when we assess what resources are available to us to help combat or cope with the stressor
acculturative stress
stress that is the result of adapting to a foreign culture
homeostasis
a stable, equilibrium in the body’s internal state. e.g. body temperature, water levels etc.
allostasis
how our body achieves stability (homeostasis) through behaviour or physiological change to meet demands
stress management
the application of strategies to reduce stress and improve coping skills
biofeedback
the process of receiving information about autonomic physiological functions, in order to learn how to control them
relaxation response
an innate physiological pattern that opposes activation of the body’s fight-flight mechanisms
progressive muscle relaxation
a method physically relaxing the entire body by progressively tightening and relaxing all the muscles in given areas of your body
guided imagery
a method of relaxation involving the intentional visualisation of images that are calming, relaxing or beneficial in other ways
physical exercise
any activity of exerting oneself physically in order to maintain or increase fitness
social support
support gained by forming close, positive relationships with other people
