Self Made Flashcards
(175 cards)
What are the four main objectives of abnormal psychology?
Describing what behaviours are evident Explaining why it is evident Predicting outcome Managing behaviours that are considered abnormal #Lecture 1
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Incidence = number of new cases of a disorder in a population in a specific time period Prevalence = total number of active cases in a given population during specific period of time #Lecture 1
What changes in psychology did the psychoanalytic revolution bring about?
Psychological factors affect behaviour
Talking treatment more effective than harsh physical and moral treatments
Behaviour influenced by thoughts, impulses and wishes (unaware of)
Non-psychotic disorders are worthy of treatment
#Lecture 1
What did the biopsychosocial framework (Meyer, 1940s) consider abnormal behaviour to be a combination of?
Biological factors (genetics, disease) Psychological factors (feelings) Social factors (family, social support structure) Environmental factors (quality of food and schooling, smog) Note: Posits that no single model can fully explain abnormal behaviour #Lecture 1
When were psychotropic drugs introduced, and how were they discovered?
When did deinstitutionalisation begin?
1930s and 1940s, and accidentally
1970s. Led to out-patient psychiatric clinics and community mental health centres
#Lecture 1
What is a symptom?
A manifestation of pathological condition. In some uses of the term it is limited to subjective complaints – also includes objective signs of pathological conditions (mood) #Lecture 1
What is a syndrome?
A group of symptoms that occur together that constitute a recognisable condition
In DSM-V most disorders are syndromes
Classification that lists a series of symptoms, like a checklist that must be met
#Lecture 1
What is the purpose of a classification system? What is the major problem with this approach?
Enables clinicians to diagnose a person’s problem as a disorder
Information retrieval
Facilitates research
Facilitates communication
Facilitates treatment selection (sometimes, not as straightforward as with other kinds of illnesses)
What are the major criticism of diagnostic practice?
Distinct entity vs continuum approach Results in labels and associated stigmas Issues with reliability and validity Affected strongly by bias #Lecture 1
List the types of clinical assessments and an example of each
Projective tests (Rorschach, Thematic Apperception); Personality inventory (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), California Psychological Inventory, Eysenck Personality Inventory); Intelligence Tests; Neuropsychological tests (CAT scan, EEG); Behavioural assessment (direct observation, self monitoring); Physiological assessment (skin conductance, sweat, etc) #Lecture 1
What is the scientist-practitioner approach of psychology
Psychologists use research findings to guide assessment, diagnosis and treatment of people with mental health disorders. Models are used to explain origins of abnormal behaviour, how to treat it and how to prevent it. #Lecture 2
What are the main five models of psychology?
Biological Psychodynamic Humanistic/existential Behavioural Cognitive #Lecture 2
What methods are used to determine if genetics plays a role in aetiology? (Biomedical model)
Pedigree (family history) Twin study (monozygotic and dizygotic comparison) Adoption studies Molecular genetics (is one allele more frequent in people with disorder?) #Lecture 2
What does serotonin do?
Serotonin system regulates behaviour, mood & thought processes
Low serotonin activity associated with Aggression, Suicide, Impulsive overeating, Hyper-sexual behaviour
#Lecture 2
What does Gamma Amniobutyric Acid (GABA) do?
Inhibits a variety of behaviours & emotions
Seems to reduce overall arousal (Anxiolytic effects)
Benzodiazepines make it easier for GABA molecules to attach themselves to the receptors of specialized neurons
#Lecture 2
What does noradrenaline do?
Induces alarm responses in dangerous situations #Lecture 2
What does dopamine do?
Merge and cross with serotonin circuits, relays messages to control movements, mood and thought processes #Lecture 2
In what situations could the endocrine system function aetiologically?
Prolonged stress- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-cortical axis is where hypothalamus and endocrine system interact and controls stress reactions, responsible for signalling prediction of adrenalin and cortisol #Lecture 2
What are the arguments against pharmacotherapy?
Peter Gøtzsche claims that they are a leading cause of death due to dishonesty in research and marketing, that few benefit from medications and that randomised control trials are bad. People with serious psychological issues tend to do better in developing countries than in developed countries #Lecture 2
What do the id, ego and super ego do?
Id: Biological instincts, pleasure principle and wish fulfilment Ego: reality principle, achieve what id wants in socially acceptable way, has defense mechanisms Super Ego: Conscience and ego ideal, what is the right thing to do #Lecture 2
How does the psychodynamic model suggest symptoms form and are removed?
Traumatic childhood experience leads to defence mechanisms that become symptoms over time Free association leads to recovery of material, then awareness and interpretation #Lecture 2
What is the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) theory of change?
ACT uses mindfulness and acceptance process to produce greater psychological flexibility
Psych. problems originate from thought and language, triggering emotional pain and pysch. discomfort.
#Lecture 2
How does the humanist theory explain psychological disorders?
A lack of unconditional positive regard leading to self-deception and a distorted view of one’s experiences. #Lecture 2
What are Eugene Bleuler (1911)’s four core disturbances of schizophrenia?
Affect Ambivalence Associations Preference for fantasy over reality #Lecture 3