Kanel Chapter 1

Question 1

Behaviors proposed by Gerald Caplan (1964) as essential for getting through a crisis state. They can be learned through formal crisis intervention, through experience, or while growing up. In any case, the crisis worker needs to acknowledge these characteristics and to transmit them to clients when possible.

Answer 1

Caplan’s seven characteristics of effective coping behavior

Question 2

The perception a person has of the precipitating events that led to subjective distress. The crisis worker must identify the perception if he or she is to help the client change it and thereby increase functioning.

Answer 2

cognitive key

Question 3

The behaviors, thinking, and emotional processes that a person uses to handle stress and continue to function.

Answer 3

coping methods

Question 4

A state of disequilibrium that occurs after a stressor (precipitating event). The person then is unable to function in one or more areas of his or her life because customary coping mechanisms have failed.

Answer 4

crisis

Question 5

The condition that persists when people fail to grow from a crisis experience and instead deal with the crisis state by using ego defense mechanisms. Their ego strength will be weakened, leaving them unable to cope with future stresses.

Answer 5

crisis prone

Question 6

Model showing that anxiety has the potential to be either a positive or a negative influence for someone in crisis. Too much anxiety may overwhelm the person and lead to lowered functioning. However, moderate anxiety may offer an opportunity for growth and transition from one stage of life to another or may motivate the person to grow from the experience of trauma. People who have no anxiety tend not to be motivated to make any changes at all.

Answer 6

curvilinear model of anxiety

Question 7

Dichotomy associated with a crisis. During a crisis, a person can grow by developing new coping skills and altering perceptions. Consequently, when the person does not seek help and instead copes with the crisis state by using defense mechanisms, it can result in a lowered functioning level and possibly psychosis or even death.

Answer 7

danger and opportunity

Question 8

Normal transitional stages that often trigger crisis states, which all people pass through while growing through the life span.

Answer 8

developmental crises

Question 9

The degree to which people can see reality clearly and meet their needs realistically.

Answer 9

ego strength

Question 10

Title given to Gerald Caplan.

Answer 10

father of modern crisis intervention

Question 11

The way a person behaves socially, occupationally, academically, and emotionally. It is impaired when a person is in a crisis.

Answer 11

functioning level

Question 12

Tangible things such as money, transportation, clothes, and food. They constitute one determinant of how well a person is able to deal with a crisis.

Answer 12

material resources

Question 13

Determinants of how well a person will deal with a crisis. They include intelligence, ego strength, and physical health.

Answer 13

personal resources

Question 14

An actual event in a person’s life that triggers a crisis state that can be either situational or developmental.

Answer 14

precipitating event

Question 15

Unexpected traumas having a sudden onset that impair one’s functioning level.

Answer 15

situational crises

Question 16

A person’s friends, family, and coworkers. The more resources one has, the better one will weather a crisis.

Answer 16

social resources

Question 17

A natural, though trying, part of life. A reaction to difficult events usually involving feelings of anxiety. It does not become a crisis if a person can cope with them and functioning is not impaired.

Answer 17

stress

Question 18

Painful and uncomfortable feelings experienced by a person in crisis.

Answer 18

subjective distress

Question 19

The three-part approach to understanding what a crisis is, including the precipitating event, subjective distress (caused by cognitions), and, usually, failure to cope, which leads to lowered functioning.

Answer 19

trilogy definition

Question 20

What are Caplan’s Seven Characteristics of Effective Coping Behavior?

Answer 20

1. Actively exploring reality issues and searching for information
2. Freely expressing both positive and negative feelings and tolerating frustration.
3. Actively invoking help from others.
4. Breaking Problems into manageable bits and working through them one at a time.
5. Being aware of fatigue and pacing coping efforts while maintaining control in as many areas of functioning as possible.
6. Mastering feelings where possible; being flexible and willing to change.
7. Trusting in oneself and others and having a basic optimism about the outcome.

Question 21

What is the major goal of Crisis work?

Answer 21

To increase the person’s functioning level to precrisis levels or higher.