Chapter 7 Mental Health

Question 1

normality

Answer 1

patterns of behaviour or personality traits that are typical, of that conform to some standard of proper and acceptable ways of behaving

Question 2

sociocultural approach

Answer 2

defines normality by determining whether behaviour is typical according to the cultural values and beliefs of a particular society

Question 3

norm

Answer 3

a general ‘rule’ or standard

Question 4

social nonconformity

Answer 4

failure to conform to societal norms of the usual minimum standards for social conduct

Question 5

cultural relatively

Answer 5

the idea that judgements about normally are made relative to the values of one’s culture

Question 6

functional approach

Answer 6

defines normality by the level of one’s ability to interact and involve oneself in society

Question 7

historical approach

Answer 7

defines normality by the period of time, century or era in which the judgement is made

Question 8

situational approach

Answer 8

defines normality by the social situation, behavioural setting or general circumstances in which a behaviour takes place

Question 9

medical approach

Answer 9

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

Question 10

statistical approach

Answer 10

defines normality according to the experiences and behaviours of the statistical majority

Question 11

normal curve

Answer 11

a bell-shaped curve with a large number of scores in the middle, tapering to very few extremely high and low scores

Question 12

health

Answer 12

a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

Question 13

mental health

Answer 13

the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment

Question 14

mental illness

Answer 14

the psychological state of someone who has emotional or behavioural problems serious enough to require psychiatric intervention

Question 15

psychopathology

Answer 15

the scientific and systematic study of abnormal experience, cognition and behaviour; also a terms used to refer to psychologically unhealthy behaviour

Question 16

hypochondria

Answer 16

a preoccupation with minor bodily problems and the presence of illnesses that appear to be imagery

Question 17

categorical approach

Answer 17

a method of categorising mental illness that groups psychological problems into broad categories or groups that share common symptoms

Question 18

DSM IV

Answer 18

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

Question 19

ICD 10

Answer 19

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

Question 20

dimensional approach

Answer 20

a method of categorising mental illness where an individual has a profile of scores on different continuums of diagnoses and symptoms

Question 21

labelling

Answer 21

when a certain characteristic of an individual is used as a name or brand to describe them

Question 22

stigma

Answer 22

social disapproval of an individual’s personal characteristics or beliefs, or social disapproval of a type of behaviour

Question 23

protective factors (in health)

Answer 23

factors that enhance or have a positive effect on the health of an individual

Question 24

risk factors (in health)

Answer 24

factors that impede or have a negative effect on the health of an individual

Question 25

biopsychosocial model

Answer 25

an approach that proposes that health and illness outcomes are determined by the interaction and contribution of biological, psychological and social factors

Question 26

genetic factors

Answer 26

biological factors that commonly enhance (or reduce) an individual’s risk of, or vulnerability to, developing a particular condition

Question 27

stress

Answer 27

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

Question 28

stressor

Answer 28

the object or the event that causes a feeling of stress

Question 29

eustress

Answer 29

a ‘good’ type of stress that helps the body perform at an optimal level

Question 30

distress

Answer 30

a ‘bad’ type of stress that has a negative effect on an individual and their performance

Question 31

Yerkes - Dodson Curve

Answer 31

a graph that demonstrates the relationship between arousal and performance, showing the optimal level of performance; insufficient or excessive arousal results in insufficient performance

Question 32

stress reactions

Answer 32

the physical and psychological responses to stress

Question 33

psychosomatic illness

Answer 33

physiological symptoms that arise as a result of psychological stressors or factors

Question 34

transactional model of stress and coping

Answer 34

a model that proposes that stressful experiences are transaction between a person and their environment; if demands exceed resources, stress is the likely result

Question 35

primary appraisal

Answer 35

in the transactional model of stress and coping, when we decide if a situation is threatening or positive, relevant or irrelevant to our situation

Question 36

secondary appraisal

Answer 36

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

Question 37

acculturative stress

Answer 37

stress that is the result of adapting to a foreign culture

Question 38

homeostasis

Answer 38

a stable, equilibrium in the body’s internal state. e.g. body temperature, water levels etc.

Question 39

allostasis

Answer 39

how our body achieves stability (homeostasis) through behaviour or physiological change to meet demands

Question 40

stress management

Answer 40

the application of strategies to reduce stress and improve coping skills

Question 41

biofeedback

Answer 41

the process of receiving information about autonomic physiological functions, in order to learn how to control them

Question 42

relaxation response

Answer 42

an innate physiological pattern that opposes activation of the body’s fight-flight mechanisms

Question 43

progressive muscle relaxation

Answer 43

a method physically relaxing the entire body by progressively tightening and relaxing all the muscles in given areas of your body

Question 44

guided imagery

Answer 44

a method of relaxation involving the intentional visualisation of images that are calming, relaxing or beneficial in other ways

Question 45

physical exercise

Answer 45

any activity of exerting oneself physically in order to maintain or increase fitness

Question 46

social support

Answer 46

support gained by forming close, positive relationships with other people