Concept Review Quiz 1 Flashcards
How do psychologists define a psychological disorder?
A psychological disorder is (1) a psychological dysfunction that is (2) associated with distress or impairment in functioning and (3) a response that is not typical or culturally expected. All three basic criteria must be met; no one criterion alone has yet been identified that defines the essence of abnormality.
____________ is concerned with the scientific study of psychological disorders.
Psychopathology
What is a scientist–practitioner?
Mental health professionals can function as scientist- practitioners. They not only keep up with the latest findings but also use scientific data to evaluate their own work, and they often conduct research within their clinics or hospitals.
Research about psychological disorders falls into three categories:
description, causation, and treatment and outcomes.
What supernatural influences were formerly believed to explain abnormal behavior?
Supernatural treatments include exorcism to rid the body of the supernatural spirits. abnormal behavior is attributed to outside agents, such as demons or spirits
What are the underlying assumptions of the biological approach to understanding abnormal behavior?
disorders are attributed to disease or biochemical imbalances; in the psychological tradition, abnormal behavior is attributed to faulty psychological development and to social context. Biological treatments emphasize physical care and medical cures, especially drugs
How do the psychological approaches of psychoanalysis, humanism, and behaviorism explain abnormal behavior?
In therapy, Freud focused on tapping into the unconscious through such techniques as catharsis, free association, and dream analysis.
Humanistic psychology focuses on human potential and self-actualizing.
The behavioral model moved psychology into the realm of science. Both research and therapy focus on things that are measurable, including such techniques as systematic desensitization, reinforcement, and shaping.
Why is the scientific method so important in studying abnormal behavior?
With the increasing sophistication of our scientific tools, and new knowledge from cognitive science, behavioral science, and neuroscience, we now realize that no contribution to psychological disorders occurs in isolation.
How does a multidimensional model of causality differ from a unidimensional model?
The causes of abnormal behavior are complex and fascinating. Psychological disorders are caused by a complex interplay of nature (biology) and nurture (psychosocial factors).
To identify the causes of a psychological disorder in a given person we must consider the interaction of all relevant dimensions:
genetic contributions, the role of the nervous system, behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional influences, social and interpersonal influences, and developmental factors.
How do genes interact with environmental factors to affect behavior?
The genetic influence on much of our development and most of our behavior, personality, and even IQ score is polygenic—that is, influenced by many genes.
What kinds of models have been proposed to describe this interaction?
In the diathesis–stress model, individuals are assumed to inherit certain vulnerabilities that make them susceptible to a disorder when the right kind of stressor comes along.
In the gene–environment correlation or reciprocal gene–environment model, the individual’s genetic vulnerability toward a certain disorder may make it more likely that the person will experience the stressor that, in turn, triggers the genetic vulnerability and thus the disorder.
In epigenetics, the immediate effects of the environment (such as early stressful experiences) influence cells that turn certain genes on or off. This effect may be passed down through several generations.
What are neurotransmitters, and how are they involved in abnormal behavior?
Within the nervous system, levels of neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine activity interact to modulate and regulate emotions and behavior and contribute to psychological disorders.
Of the neurotransmitters that may play a key role in abnormal behavior, we investigated five:
serotonin, gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
What are the key differences between behavioral and cognitive explanations of the origins of mental illness?
The field of cognitive science provides a valuable perspective on how behavioral and cognitive influences affect learning and adaptation. Clearly, such influences not only contribute to psychological disorders but also may modify brain functioning, brain structure, and even genetic expression.
