Psychopathology Key Words

Question 1

Psychopathology

Answer 1

The study of mental disorders in terms of their causes, classification and treatment

Question 2

Abnormality

Answer 2

This refers to the patterns of behaviours, thoughts,or emotions that deviate from societal norms, cause distress, impairment daily functioning or pose a risk to one’s self or others

Question 3

Deviation from social norms

Answer 3

A description of ‘abnormality’ which occurs when a person displays actions or
behaviours that deviate drastically from the established norms, expectations, or
rules commonly accepted within a particular community or society.

Question 4

Social norm

Answer 4

An unwritten rule or expectation that guides the behaviour of individuals within
a particular group, community, or society. These norms reflect shared beliefs
about what is considered acceptable, appropriate, or typical in social
interactions.

Question 5

Failure to function adequately

Answer 5

A description of ‘abnormality’ which occurs when an individual struggles to
manage or fulfil the typical responsibilities, tasks, and expectations required for
daily life. These include maintaining personal hygiene and employment,
managing relationships, and decision-making.

Question 6

Statistical infrequency

Answer 6

A description of ‘abnormality’ which occurs when an individual possesses a
characteristic, trait, or behaviour that is statistically ‘rare’ compared to the rest
of the population.

Question 7

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 7

A description of ‘abnormality’ which occurs when an individual fails to meet
specific criteria or standards for good mental well-being. These include
maintaining healthy relationships, managing emotions effectively,
demonstrating resilience in times of stress, having a positive self-concept,
engaging in productive and fulfilling daily activities.

Question 8

Behavioural characteristic

Answer 8

Ways in which people act

Question 9

Emotional characteristics

Answer 9

Ways in which people feel

Question 10

Cognitive characteristics

Answer 10

Ways in which people think, also refers too the process of knowing, perceiving and believing

Question 11

Phobia

Answer 11

Irrational fear of and object or situation

Question 12

Depression

Answer 12

A condition characterised by low mood and low energy levels

Question 13

OCD

Answer 13

A condition characterised by persisting, reoccurring, unpleasant thoughts and repetitive ritualist behaviours

Question 14

Obsessions

Answer 14

The cognitive component of OCD. Recurring thoughts images ect are experienced

Question 15

Compulsions

Answer 15

The behavioural component of OCD repetitive behaviour such as hand washing are completed to reduce the anxiety experienced

Question 16

Behaviourist approach

Answer 16

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of learning and what is observable

Question 17

Two process model

Answer 17

An explanation for phobias which suggests that they are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning

Question 18

Classical conditioning

Answer 18

Learning by association. It occurs when an unconditioned (unlearned) stimulus
and a new ‘neutral’ stimulus are repeatedly paired together. The neutral stimulus
eventually produces the same response that was originally produced by the
unconditioned stimulus.

Question 19

Operant conditioning

Answer 19

A form on learning which behaviour is shaped and maintained by it’s consequences

Question 20

Behaviourist approach

Answer 20

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.

Question 21

Systematic desensitisation

Answer 21

A behavioural therapy designed to reduce an unwanted response, such as anxiety, to a stimulus. It involves drawing up a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations related to a phobia, teaching the client to relax, and exposing them
to the phobic situations.

Question 22

Relaxation

Answer 22

The state of being free from tension and anxiety.

Question 23

Anxiety hierarchy

Answer 23

A list of situations related to the phobic object or situation arranged in order from least to most frightening.

Question 24

Flooding

Answer 24

A behavioural therapy in which a phobic client is exposed to an extreme form of a phobia in order to reduce anxiety.

Question 25

Cognitive approach

Answer 25

This approach is focused on how a person’s mental processes including their thoughts, perceptions and attention, impact their behaviour.

Question 26

Schema

Answer 26

A mental framework of ideas and information developed through experience.

Question 27

Negative self schema

Answer 27

Negative information a person holds about themselves based on negative past experiences that can lead to cognitive biases.

Question 28

Cognitive biases

Answer 28

A systematic error in thinking, impacting how individuals process information, perceive others, and make decisions. It can lead to irrational thoughts or judgments and is often based on perceptions, memories, or individual and societal beliefs.

Question 29

Negative triad

Answer 29

Beck proposed there were three types of negative thinking involved in depression – negative views of the world, of the self and of the future.

Question 30

ABC model.

Answer 30

Ellis proposed that depression occurs when an activating event (A), triggers an irrational belief (B) which in turn produces a consequence (C), i.e., an emotional response like depression. The key to this process is the irrational belief.

Question 31

Cognitive vulnerability

Answer 31

A predisposition or tendency to develop negative patterns of thinking that increase the likelihood of experiencing depression.

Question 32

CBT

Answer 32

A method for treating conditions based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques. The cognitive element aims to deal with challenging negative thoughts. Behavioural techniques include behavioural activation and can be used to gather evidence to challenge irrational thoughts.

Question 33

REBT

Answer 33

A form of CBT based on Ellis’s ABC model. It extends the ABC model to ABCDEF where D is dispute, E is effect and F is the new feelings the therapy produces.

Question 34

Irrational thoughts

Answer 34

Thoughts that are likely to interfere with a person’s happiness. They are also referred to as dysfunctional thoughts.

Question 35

Biological approach

Answer 35

A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural functions.

Question 36

Genetic explanations

Answer 36

Genes consist of DNA which codes for the physical and psychological features of an organism. It explains how mental conditions may be inherited.

Question 37

Neural explanations

Answer 37

The view that physical and psychological characteristics are determined by the behaviour of the nervous system, the brain and individual neurons.

Question 38

Serotonin

Answer 38

A neurotransmitter that prevents neurons from firing. Lower levels of serotonin are associated with atypical transmission of mood related information. An individual may therefore experience low moods.

Question 39

Dopamine

Answer 39

A neurotransmitter that can have excitatory or inhibitory effects, depending on which receptor it binds to and in which area of the brain. Dopamine produces pleasure when the ‘reward pathway’ in the brain is activated.

Question 40

Drug therapy

Answer 40

Treatment involving drugs. They have chemicals that have a particular effect on the functioning of the brain or bodily systems.

Question 41

SSRI’s

Answer 41

A class of drugs used to treat mental health disorders. They work by inhibiting the reuptake or reabsorption of serotonin in the brain. This leads to an increase in serotonin levels and improved mood and emotional regulation.