models & terms of psychopathology Flashcards
biomedical model + treatment & evaluation
attributes all causes of psychopathology to the body, incl. the brain, genes, hormones, drugs
treatment: medication, surgery, electroconvulsive shock therapy
evaluation: (1) neurological evidence exists for most disorders but interpreting it is difficult; disorder first or alteration first? (2) physiological causations have been identified as genes for schizophrenia, serotonin for depression, & brain structure alterations for Alzheimer’s but (3) biological factors alone cannot justify the conditions of all disorders, as evidenced by twin studies in which 1 twin develops a disorder but the other does not
behavioural model + treatment & evaluation
focuses on the role of learning; attributes maladaptive behaviours to failure in learning appropriate behaviours / learning maladaptive behaviours instead
treatment: shaping/eliminating behaviours through learning (e.g. CBT/ behavioural therapies)
evaluation: very effective in the short-term for phobias but hardly effective in other disorders (e.g. schizophrenia); some techniques can be unethical & result in patients’ resistance
cognitive-behavioural model + treatment & evaluation
attributes psychopathology to faulty cognitive processes (e.g. schemas / beliefs that are reinforced w/ maladaptive cognitive processes)
evaluation: (1) strong evidence exists for cognitive biases in people w/ some conditions (2) it can be difficult to change fundamental beliefs so cognitive approaches are strongest when combined w/ behavioural approaches
psychodynamic model + treatment & evaluation
attributes psychopathology to experiences in early development that lead to internal, unconscious conflicts and manifest as symptoms
treatment: psychodynamic talk therapies
evaluation: (1) evidence exists to support the importance of early childhood experiences in many disorders, as well as thought processes that occur at a subconscious level (e.g. anxiety) (2) many people benefit from psychoanalysis but evidence from clinical trials is weak & it is difficult to standardise interventions
sociocultural model
focuses on the contribution of sociocultural variables, incl. context, culture, society / norms, & religion
biopsychosocial model
the most comprehensive model; considers the dynamic interaction of various factors that may lead to the development of psycopathology
mental disorder (DSM-5)
(1) a syndrome characterised by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning
(2) usually associated w/ significant distress or disability in social / occupational areas
prodrome + example
an early, premonitory sign or symptom of a disorder
ex: pre-psychotic functioning characterised by unusual beliefs or flat affect
symptom
a subjective manifestation of a pathological condition reported by the affected person, rather than observed externally
sign
an objective manifestation of a pathological condition that is observed externally
syndrome + example
a grouping of signs & symptoms based on their frequent co-occurrence that may suggest a common underlying pathogenesis, course, familial pattern, or treatment selection
ex: bizarre ideation, catatonic behaviours, & emotional blunting, taken together are signs & symptoms of schizophrenia; therefore they represent a schizophrenic syndrome
episode
a specified duration of time during which an individual has developed/experienced symptoms that meet the diagnostic criteria for a disorder
onset
age of the start of disorder
aetiology
a group of elements that cause / contribute to the development of a disorder; AKA contributing / risk factors
maintenance factors
factors that may contribute to sustaining the disorder post-onset; may overlap w/ risk factors
