EXAM I REVIEW Flashcards
What does DSM stand for, and what is and is not found in it?
DSM stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
It does contain criteria, common language, descriptive information, and definitions of professional domain for mental disorders
It does NOT contain treatment for mental disorders
Incidence
Rate of onset for new cases
Prevalence
Number of active cases
Comorbidity
Having 2 or more co-occurring mental conditions
Describe the findings and limitations of the National Comorbidity Study-Replication (NCS-R)
2001-2002, studied US adults
Left out eating disorders, schizophrenia, autism, and personality disorders
About half of people (46.4%) have a disorder in their lifetime
Anxiety disorders are most prevalent in 1 year and in a lifetime
The most common disorder is major depressive disorder, followed by alcohol abuse and phobias
LIMITATIONS: Did not include every disorder, only studied US adults, outdated at this point
Etiology
Causes/origin of disorder
Correlational design
(Overview, strengths, & weaknesses)
Studying the world as it is without manipulating variables
Used often to study differences between people with and without disorders
The strength of correlation is measured by the correlation coefficient (r)
We CAN NOT assume causation
Third variable problem - involvement of some unknown third variable
Useful when experimentation would be unethical/unrealistic
Experimental design
(Overview, strengths, & weaknesses)
Allows researchers to draw conclusions about causality and resolve questions about directionality
Control variables, independent and dependent variables
Double-blind studies and placebo treatment
Not always ethical to conduct an experiment
Criterion vs Control Groups
Criterion groups receive new treatment
The control group receives a standard treatment, placebo, or no treatment at all
Risk Factors
Variable associated with increased risk of disorder
“x” can be considered a risk factor only if shown to occur before “y”
Necessary vs Sufficient vs Contributory
Protective Factors
Variable associated with decreased risk of disorder
Biopsychosocial Model
Atheoretical - can be applied to any theory
Balancing act between social/environmental, biological, and psychological factors
Ecological Systems Theory
There are different systems surrounding an individual that have different levels of impact on their life and behavior
You DON’T control everything
Diathesis-Stress Model
Explains a disorder as the result of interaction between predispositional vulnerability (diathesis) and stress caused by life experiences
Heritability
How much is a trait impacted by one’s genetics?
Twin Studies
Study the differences between genetic and environmental factors (shared or non-shared environment)
Concordance
Presence of the same trait in both twins
Neural Communication: Describe the basics of the electrochemical process (how and where?)
Information is communicated in the brain through electrical impulses
Electrical - Inside neurons
Chemical - Between neurons
Hormones are chemical messengers
Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory
Id, Ego, Superego - Conflicts between them lead to anxiety
Unconscious mind is where mental illness originates