Explaining abnormality Flashcards
Describe the diathesis-stress model.
A belief that, in the case of certain disorders, individuals inherit a susceptibility for the disorder (diathesis) which develops only if the individual is exposed to difficult environmental conditions (stress). The greater the underlying vulnerability, the less stress is needed to trigger the disorder.
What are genes?
A unit of inheritance which forms part of a chromosome. Genes control the characteristics (traits) that we inherit from parents.
What is genetic inheritance?
The reception of genetically coded traits through transmission from parent to offspring.
What is the id?
It is the irrational, primitive part of personality. It is present at birth, demands immediate satisfaction and is ruled by the pleasure principle- an innate drive to seek immediate satisfaction.
What is the ego?
It is the conscious rational part of the personality. It develops by the end of the infant’s first year, as a child interacts with the constraints of reality and thus is governed by the reality principle.
What is the superego?
It develops between the ages of three and six, and embodies our conscience and sense of right and wrong.
What are ego defence mechanisms?
Unconscious methods, such as repression and displacement, which help the ego deal with feelings of anxiety and thus ‘defend’ the ego.
Who created the idea for the id, ego, super ego and defence mechanisms?
Freud.
Which approach to treating/ understanding abnormality does the id, ego, super ego and defence mechanisms come under?
It comes under the psychodynamic approach.
Which approach to treating/ understanding abnormality does genes, genetic inheritance and the diathesis-stress model come under.
It comes under the biological approach.
