exam 4 Flashcards
Defining “abnormal”
Cognitive model- abnormal thoughts or beliefs
Sociocultural model- violations of local social norms
Biological model-changes in biological functioning
Abnormality is inextricably attached to cultural norms, expectations, and laws
Thomas Szasz
The Myth of Mental Illness
-argued that the mental disorder classification system is an attempt by society to control those who are different, criticized the system of involuntary commitment
-criticized medical model as turning people into passive patients instead of active controllers of their own lives
-preferred the term “problems in living”
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
the standard reference manual for disorder diagnosis and classification
Advantages:
-can be useful when properly used for diagnosis and treatment of disorders
-provides systematic structure for future research and insurance reimbursement
Criticisms:
-number of disorders INCREASED with each new addition
-providing classifications may lead to OVERDIAGNOSIS (ADHD, MPD/DID), PD-NOS is most commonly diagnosed disorder-despite there being 400 defined disorders, particularly a concern with newer DIMENSIONAL approach and RISK SYNDROMES
-gives the illusion of OBJECTIVITY
still subject to individual judgement, cultural norms( homosexuality), circumvention (NOS diagnosis)
Phobias
an exaggerated, unrealistic fear of a specific situation, activity, or object
agoraphobia
a set of phobias, often set off by a panic attack involving the basic fear of being away from a safe place of person
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
when a person who has experienced traumatic events has symptoms such as numbing, reliving or trauma, detachment, relationship challenges, self-destructive behaviors
-military service-sexual abuse-9/11-1st responders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
person feels trapped in repetitive, persistent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualized behaviors (compulsions) designed to reduce anxiety
-person understands that the ritual behavior is senseless but guilt and anxiety increase if not performed- cleanliness v contamination
Biological theory of depression
genetics and brain chemistry
Social theory of depression
the stressful circumstances of people’s lives
Attachment theory of depression
problems with close relationships
Cognitive theory of depression
negative/maladaptive habits of thinking or interpreting events (learned helplessness)
Bipolar disorder
a mood disorder in which a person alternates between episodes of depression and mania (excessive euphoria)
-driven primarily by brain chemistry
Narcissistic
a personality disorder characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and self-absorption
Paranoid
a personality disorder characterized by habitually unreasonable and excessive suspiciousness and jealousy
Borderline
intense but unstable relationships, fear of abandonment, unrealistic self-image, emotional volatility, self-destructive behavior
Antisocial
a personality disorder characterized by antisocial behavior such as lying, stealing, manipulating others, and sometimes violence; and a lack of guilt, shame, and empathy
Schizophrenia
group of psychotic disorders marked by positive and negative symptoms that indicate a distorted perceptive of reality
Positive symptoms of Schizophrenia
something abnormal is present
-delusions, hallucinations, incoherent speech, inappropriate behavior
Negative symptoms of Schizophrenia
something normal is absent
-lack of affect, loss of motivation, social withdrawal
- may be grouped to form an overall state of catatonia- lack of movement, communication or excessive activity and confusion
Delusions
false beliefs that often accompany schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Hallucinations
sensory experiences that occur in the absence of actual stimulation
Diathesis-stress model
-environmental stressors can trigger physical vulnerabilities
-vulnerability may be genetic
*strong correlations in twin studies
-vulnerability may be brain abnormality
*research suggests prenatal neural differences
*synaptic pruning in adolescence may trigger early episodes
-vulnerability in neurotransmitter levels
*dopamine, glutamate
dopamine
can affect movement and emotion
glutamate
major excitatory neurotransmitter
Biological treatments
involve the use of drugs, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), brain surgery or other methods that affect body or brain chemistry
CONCERNS
-some effects overstated due to publication bias
-placebo effect
-increasing off label prescription
*side effect are possibly worse than disorder symptoms
Off label prescriptions
bad with lithium and antipsychotics, leading to high relapses and dropout rates
long term effects
-addiction-diabetes- tardive dyskinesia
tardive dyskinesia- disorder that results in involuntary repetitive body movements, which may include grimacing, sticking out the tongue or smacking the lips, which occurs following treatment with medication
frontal lobotamy
-destroys or separates parts of the frontal lobes
-stops strong emotional reactions, leads to flat affect- severely restricted or nonexistent expression of emotion
-also can interfere with other frontal lobe functions- planning, socially appropriate behavior
Antonio Moniz’s Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
-used in cases of severe major depression
-ineffective for other conditions
-initiated by Ugo Cerletti in 1937
-produces retrograde amnesia for the procedure itself
-widely used today
-criticized as a tool more of control than treatment
Antipsychotic drugs
-block or reduce sensitivity or brain receptors that respond to dopamine
-some increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter that inhibits dopamine activity
-can relieve positive symptoms of schizophrenia but are ineffective or worsen negative symptoms
-side effects are weight gain, diabetes
-increasing prescribed off label
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate)
elevate norepinephrine/ serotonin in brain by blocking an enzyme that deactivates them
Tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil, Tofranil)
boost norepinephrine and serotonin in brain by preventing normal reuptake of these substances
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
an inhibitory neurotransmitter
Anti- Anxiety (Tranquilizers)
-developed for the treatment of anxiety
-developed for shorter term use, with high relapse rate when people stop taking them
-over prescription and long term use can lead to addiction
Xanax, valium
Psychodynamic therapy
-uses various techniques to explore the unconscious as a route to identifying and solving problems
-dream analysis
Free association
a method of uncovering unconscious conflicts by saying freely whatever comes to mind
Transference
client transfers unconscious emotions or reactions onto therapists (conflicts about prevents)
Behavioral methods
apply principles and techniques of classical and operant conditioning to help people change self defeating or problematic behaviors
-systematic desensitization
-behavioral self-monitoring (via diaries)
-aversive conditioning- punishing undesirable behaviors
Cognitive therapy
aim is to have people identify and understand maladaptive thought patterns, then change them to improve their life
-Albert Ellis’s Rational- Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT): therapist and client actively challenge existing beliefs
-Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy examines interconnection of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
an integrative approach with a goal of using behavioral methods to change cognitions
-helps build self-efficacy
*Individual’s belief about their own ability to perform a task
Humanistic therapy
-emphasizes people’s free will to change
-often is nondirective, with the goal that the client should solve the problems themselves
self instructional methods
such as self-talk, can help restructure cognitive habits over time
client/person-centered therapy (Carl Rogers)
emphasizes empathy with client, seeing the world as the client does, unconditional positive regard
Reflective listening
-therapists will rephrase/ repeat back what the client is saying, to guide toward insight
Family- system perspective
therapy with individuals or families that focuses on how each member forms part of a larger interacting system
Group therapies
ADVANTAGES
-can be lead by a professional to show people that they are not alone in their problems-can learn from the growth of others-less expensive
DISADVANTAGES
-lacks confidentiality- requires a skilled facilitator to avoid social issues like groupthink
Evaluating therapies
success hinges on
-client and therapist having a therapeutic alliance
-therapists being culturally competent for client population
-client being motivated to change
- improvements have to be monitored up to the point where it levels off
Industrial psychology
studies job and applicant characteristics, and how to match them; also studies employee training and performance appraisal
scientist practitioner gap
-a substantial, serious disconnect between scientist who research and those who practice
-practitioners often disregard scientific evidence as not relevant to their personalized approaches
-this leads to perpetuation of misdiagnosis and useless or harmful treatment methods
-scientists may undervalue the individual human elements of therapy, overemphasize one size fits all approach
Organizational psychology
studies interactions between people working in organizations and effects of those interactions on productivity
Human factors psychology
studies how workers interact with the tools of work and how to design those tools to optimize workers’ productivity, safety, and health
Hawthorne Effect
an increase in productivity by employees who are being observed by a researcher or supervisor
task oriented employee selection
lists in detail the tasks that will be performed for the job
worker oriented employee selection
describes characteristics required of the worker to successfully perform the job (knowledge, skills, abilities)
orientation employee training
to organizational policies, practices, culture
mentoring employee training
informal or formal mentoring by an experienced employee can be beneficial to long term success, satisfaction, and productivity
Performance appraisals
may focus on defines job responsibilities and specific goals agreed upon between employee and supervisor
employee eval is a challenging aspect of a workplace culture
Organizational culture
the values, visions, hierarchies, norms, and interactions among its employees
- 3 layers
observable artifacts
symbols of language (jargon, slang, humor), narratives (stories and legends), and practices (rituals) that represent the underlying cultural assumptions
Espoused values
concepts/ beliefs that management or entire organization endorses
basic assumptions
usually unobservable and unquestioned
transactional leadership
focuses on supervision and organizational goals achieved through a system of rewards and punishments; maintenance of the organizational status quo
transformational leadership
leaders are charismatic role models, inspirational (optimistic about goal attainment), intellectually stimulating, and seek to change the organization
scientific management
research found 2 different managerial syles
theory x
manager assumes workers are inherently lazy and unproductive; managers must have control and use punishments
theory y
manager assumes workers are people who seek to work hard and productively; managers and workers can find creative solutions to problems; workers do not need to be controlled and punished
team halo effect
teams get credited for team success, individuals within teams get blamed for team failures
Panic disorder
an anxiety disorder in which a person experiences recurring panic attacks, feelings of impending doom or death, accompanies by physiological symptoms such as rapid breathing and dizziness
major depressive disorder
a mood disorder involving
-disturbances in emotion (excessive sadness)
-behavior (loss of interest in usual activities
-cognition (thoughts of hopelessness)
-body function (fatigue and loss of appetites)
-affects more women than men
persistent depressive disorder
more chronic than major depressive disorder, but may have lower severity of symptoms
personality disorder
rigid, maladaptive patterns that cause personal distress or an inability to get along with others
Dissociative Identity disorder
disorder marked by the appearance with one person of 2 or more distinct personalities, each with its own name and traits
Sociocognitive explanation for DID
disorder is not an actual fragmenting of the identity or multiples personalities, but is simply an extreme manifestation of the different roles we all hold
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
also inhibit reuptake of serotonin to boost levels- Prozac
How ABILIFY is thought to work
by adjusting dopamine activity, instead of completely blocking it and by adjusting serotonin activity
dopamine
can affect movement and emotion
glutamate
major excitatory neurotransmitter
