Lecture 1 Flashcards
What is abnormal psychology?
Anything that affects a person, personal distress, visible distressing
What defines normal and abnormal behavior?
Context matters, e.g., a man talking out loud to no one could be praying
What is psychopathology?
A field concerned with the nature and development of abnormal:
* Affects (feelings or emotions)
* Behaviors
* Cognitions (thinking)
What is abnormal behavior?
Need for objectivity, presence of several characteristics at one time
What are characteristics of abnormal behavior?
Presence of several characteristics:
* Statistical infrequency
* Violation of norms
* Personal suffering/discomfort
* Disability or dysfunction/maladaptiveness
* Unexpectedness/unusualness
What does statistical infrequency refer to?
A behavior that occurs rarely or infrequently
Provide an example of statistical infrequency.
A 10-year-old boy wetting his bed
What is meant by violation of norms?
A behavior that defies or goes against social norms, threatening or making anxious those observing it
How does culture influence the violation of norms?
Cultural practices like co-sleeping can either be acceptable or viewed negatively depending on context
What constitutes personal suffering/discomfort?
A behavior that creates personal suffering, distress, or torment in a person
What is disability or dysfunction in the context of abnormal psychology?
A behavior that causes impairment in important areas of life: work, personal relationships, or recreational activities
What does unexpectedness or unusualness refer to in abnormal behavior?
A surprising or out-of-proportion response to environmental stressors
What are the 3 D’s in psychopathology?
Dysfunction, Distress, Deviance
Who are the professions involved in abnormal psychology?
Social workers, psychiatrists, addiction counselors
What is the focus of counseling psychology?
Problems of adjustment in healthy individuals with less emphasis on research than clinical psychology
What do school psychologists primarily do?
Work in school settings with significant emphasis on testing/assessment
What is the educational path for a psychiatrist?
Medical school (4 years), Internship (1 year), Residency in Psychiatry (3 years), Board exams
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Psychiatrists hold an MD degree and can prescribe medication; psychologists typically have a PhD or PsyD and focus on research
What is the role of the College of Psychotherapists?
Provide psychotherapy with supervised hours and registration with a college
What is the emphasis of clinical psychology?
Integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment and personal development
What are the two important assumptions of science in clinical psychology?
Determinism and Empiricism
