PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: Definitions

Question 1

Cultural relativism

Answer 1

The view that behaviour can’t be viewed properly unless viewed in the context of the culture which it originates.

Question 2

Deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Abnormal behaviour is considered as deviating from unsaid social rules and how an individual should behave

Question 3

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

Answer 3

A list of mental disorders that can be used to diagnose mental disorders. List of clinical characteristics is given for each disorder

Question 4

Statistical infrequency

Answer 4

Abnormality defined as extremely rare behaviours

Question 5

Deviation from Ideal mental health

Answer 5

Abnormality defined in terms of metal health, including positive attitude towards self and an accurate perception of reality

Question 6

Failure to function adequately

Answer 6

Individual is judged on their ability to go about everyday life, if they can’t do this or are causing distress to themselves or others, then it is considered a sign of abnormality

Question 7

Depression

Answer 7

A mood disorder where individual feels said and angry, will potentially lack interest in activities, negative thoughts and change in activity levels, concentration, sleep and eating

Question 8

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Answer 8

An anxiety disorder where anxiety occurs because of obsessions and compulsions. Individual will believe that compulsions will reduce anxiety

Question 9

Phobias

Answer 9

Group of mental disorders that are characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a stimulus, anxiety interferes with everyday life.

Question 10

Flooding

Answer 10

Form of behavioural therapy used to treat phobias and some other anxiety disorders. A client is exposed to extreme forms of situation or object until that anxiety is extinguished

Question 11

Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 11

Form of behavioural therapy used to treat phobias and some other anxiety disorders. A client is gradually exposed to situation/object until the anxious reactions is gone.

Question 12

ABC model

Answer 12

Cognitive approach to understanding mental disorder, focuses on the effect of irrational beliefs on emotions

Question 13

Negative Triad

Answer 13

A cognitive approach to understanding depression, focuses on how negative expectations (schema) about self, world and future could lead to depression

Question 14

Schema

Answer 14

Cognitive framework which helps organise and interpret new information

Question 15

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)

Answer 15

A combination of cognitive and behavioural therapy, ABC model

Question 16

Irrational thoughts

Answer 16

Rational thinking is flexible and realistic if beliefs are based on fact and logical thinking. Irrational thinking is rigid and unrealistic, lacks internal consistency

Question 17

Concordance rates

Answer 17

A measure of genetic similarity

Question 18

Dopamine

Answer 18

A key neurotransmitter in the brain, increases motivation and drive

Question 19

Gene

Answer 19

A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA

Question 20

Neurotransmitter

Answer 20

Chemical substances that play an important part in the workings of the nervous system by transmitting nerve impulses across a synapse

Question 21

GABA

Answer 21

A neurotransmitter that regulates excitement in the nervous system, thus acting as a natural form if anxiety reducer

Question 22

Noradrenaline

Answer 22

A neurotransmitter found mainly in areas of the brain that are involved in governing autonomic nervous system activity (e.g. blood pressure or heart rate)

Question 23

Serotonin

Answer 23

A neurotransmitter implicated in many different behaviours and physiological processes including aggression, eating behaviour, sleep and depression