Diagnostic Issues

Question 1

What criteria are used to define abnormal behaviour? (5)

Answer 1

distress/suffering, impairment, risk to self and/or others, socially and culturally unacceptable behaviour, faulty perception of reality

Question 2

Explain the definition of mental illness

Answer 2

clinically significant (pattern) behavioural or psychological syndrome (group of symptoms)

Question 3

How do psychologists make a diagnosis?

Answer 3

clinical interview (symptoms, health, history, non-verbal behaviours)

Question 4

What information do intelligence tests provide?

Answer 4

overall intelligence, strengths/weaknesses, potential brain damage

Question 5

What is the difference between the two types of personality tests?

Answer 5

self report test vs projective tests (images)

Question 6

How does the Diathesis-stress theory explain the cause of mental illness?

Answer 6

a pre-existent vulnerability or predisposition + a stressor can cause mental illnesses to appear

Question 7

Explain why two psychologists, who agree on a client’s diagnosis, may recommend different treatments

Answer 7

it might vary based on the therapy and professional background of the helping professional

Question 8

Discuss how psychologists of different theoretical perspectives explain the cause of mental illness (6)

Answer 8

biological perspective , psychodynamic perspective , personality, learning perspective, cognitive perspective, socio-cultural perspective

all explore difference area surrounding mental illnesses

Question 9

DSM provides the diagnostic criteria for each mental disorder. Explain what “diagnosis criteria” means and list what it could include

Answer 9

symptoms, age requirement, time requirement, level of impairment

Question 10

Biological perspective

Answer 10

genetics, neurotransmitters, brain abnormalities

Question 11

Psychodynamic perspective

Answer 11

structure of the mind (unresolved issues of the past, primitive responses)

Question 12

Structure of personality

Answer 12

ego does not control the id, ego is overwhelmed by superego

Question 13

Learning perspective

Answer 13

classical conditioning, operant conditioning, observational conditional

Question 14

Cognitive perspective

Answer 14

distorted thinking, how to proceed emotions linked to situations

Question 15

Sociocultural perspective

Answer 15

gender issues, expectations, social effects, global issues

Question 16

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 16

human behaviour is linked to multiple biological, psychological and social factors