Exam I, Unit 1: Abnormal behavior

Question 1

Deviance

Answer 1

Behaving differently
(not necessarily indicative of mental illness)

Question 2

Deviant Behavior

Answer 2

Behaviors that differ from societal norms

Question 3

Goodness of fit

Answer 3

Understanding behavior in a specific context
(ex: degree to which behavior is problematic depends on environment where occurs)

Question 4

Normal vs. Abnormal Behavior

Answer 4

Behavior “away from normal”, deviation, not always bad/negative
-If frequent, can lead to dysfunction

Question 5

Group Expectations

Answer 5

Standards of one group, can conflict with other expectations

Question 6

Culture

Answer 6

Shared behavior patterns that differentiate one group from another

Question 7

Culture-Bound Syndromes

Answer 7

Abnormal behaviors specific to a particular location or group

Question 8

Factors influence expression of abnormal behaviors

Answer 8

1- Personal characteristics (sex, race, ethnicity)
2- SES (family income/edu),
Downward drift
3-Genetic predispositions/ Genetic Trajectory (symptoms vary by age)

Question 9

Abnormal Behavior- Clinical Definition

Answer 9

-Behavior inconsistent w/ individual’s development, cultural, and societal norms
-Creates emotional distress/interferes w/ daily functioning

Question 10

Dysfunctional Behaviors

Answer 10

Behaviors that interfere w/ one’s social, occupational, and emotional functioning (distressing)

Question 11

Categorical Approach

Answer 11

Does patient meet criteria in DSM (y/n?), which one?

Question 12

Cons of Categorical Approach

Answer 12

-Rarely fall neatly in 1 category
-Symptoms often not sufficient in severity to determine if disorder

Question 13

Dimensional Approach

Answer 13

Looks at behavior on a continuum of normal to abnormal

Question 14

Pros of Dimensional Approach

Answer 14

-What is abnormal behavior is constantly changing
-Abnormal behavior can exist on a continuum

Question 15

Downward Drift

Answer 15

When psychological disorders lead to job loss or limited edu. achievement

Question 16

Eccentricity

Answer 16

Behavior that violates cultural norms, but not always harmful
-Repeatedly, it may become dangerous

Question 17

Dangerous behavior

Answer 17

Behavior that comes from intense emotional states or may signal presence of psych disorder
-Often normal behavior

Question 18

Ancient theories of Abnormal Behavior

Answer 18

Witchcraft, demonic possession, spirits in head

Question 19

Current view of Abnormal Behavior

Answer 19

Scientific advances can give more insight/lead to better approaches to abnormal behavior

Question 20

Scientist-Practitioner Model

Answer 20

Psych. use scientific evidence to best treat patients

Question 21

Biological Models of Abnormal Behavior

Answer 21

1- Biological Model
2- Viral Infection Theory

Question 22

Psychological Models of Abnormal Behavior

Answer 22

Know behavioral and cognitive model
-Psychodynamic/analytic models–> much mental life unconscious and personality patterns begin to form adulthood
-Contemporary Models–> More focus on conscious
-Cognitive Model
-Humanistic Model

Question 23

Behavioral Model of Ab. Behavior

Answer 23

Behavior product of environment and biology,
Behavior product of learning
1- Operant Conditioning (Skinner)

2- Observational/Vicarious Learning

Question 24

Operant Conditioning Model of Ab.

Answer 24

-Behavior is increased or decreased by reinforcement & punishment
-Reinforcement–> strengths behavior
-Shaping–> Process of reinforcing target behavior over time

Question 25

Sociocultural Model

Answer 25

Abnormal beh. needs to be understood in context of socio-cultural factors (ex: gender roles, SES, social support, race)
-Socio-cultural factors can influence presentation of symptoms
-Important for culture-bound syndromes/descrimination

Question 26

Biological Model

Answer 26

Abnormal behavior results from biological processes
-Explores role of genetic and hereditary factors
-Brain structure- can show bio scarring/functional changes

Question 27

Viral Infection Theory

Answer 27

Abnormal behavior can be result of exposure of fetus to toxin or virus
(prenatal/neonatal)

Question 28

Cognitive Model

Answer 28

Ab. behavior result of distorted cognitive processes

Question 29

Bio-psycho-social Model

Answer 29

Acknowledges that each case is unique and no one model can fully explain ab. behavior

Question 30

Diathesis-Stress Model

Answer 30

Psych disorders start w/ genetic predisposition, are latent until a stressful event
(think chicken pox and shingles)