PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: Definitions Flashcards
Cultural relativism
The view that behaviour can’t be viewed properly unless viewed in the context of the culture which it originates.
Deviation from social norms
Abnormal behaviour is considered as deviating from unsaid social rules and how an individual should behave
DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
A list of mental disorders that can be used to diagnose mental disorders. List of clinical characteristics is given for each disorder
Statistical infrequency
Abnormality defined as extremely rare behaviours
Deviation from Ideal mental health
Abnormality defined in terms of metal health, including positive attitude towards self and an accurate perception of reality
Failure to function adequately
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
Depression
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
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
An anxiety disorder where anxiety occurs because of obsessions and compulsions. Individual will believe that compulsions will reduce anxiety
Phobias
Group of mental disorders that are characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a stimulus, anxiety interferes with everyday life.
Flooding
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
Systematic Desensitisation
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.
ABC model
Cognitive approach to understanding mental disorder, focuses on the effect of irrational beliefs on emotions
Negative Triad
A cognitive approach to understanding depression, focuses on how negative expectations (schema) about self, world and future could lead to depression
Schema
Cognitive framework which helps organise and interpret new information
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
A combination of cognitive and behavioural therapy, ABC model
Irrational thoughts
Rational thinking is flexible and realistic if beliefs are based on fact and logical thinking. Irrational thinking is rigid and unrealistic, lacks internal consistency
Concordance rates
A measure of genetic similarity
Dopamine
A key neurotransmitter in the brain, increases motivation and drive
Gene
A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA
Neurotransmitter
Chemical substances that play an important part in the workings of the nervous system by transmitting nerve impulses across a synapse
GABA
A neurotransmitter that regulates excitement in the nervous system, thus acting as a natural form if anxiety reducer
Noradrenaline
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)
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter implicated in many different behaviours and physiological processes including aggression, eating behaviour, sleep and depression
