Test 1 Flashcards
Criteria for Determining
Abnormality
– Unusualness
– Social deviance
– Faulty perceptions/interpretations of reality
– Significant personal/emotional distress
– Maladaptive/self-defeating behavior
– Dangerousness
Biological Perspective
Abnormal behavior results from
organic/physiological factors
Genetics
Nervous System
Soma
process info
Axons
send impulses
Dendrites
receive impulses
Neurotransmitters
- Dopamine – influences movement/attention (schizo.)
- Serotonin – regulates mood (depression)
Psychoanalytic
–Abnormal behavior results from
unconscious motives/conflicts
Involve sexual & aggressive urges
Structure of mind
- Conscious – present awareness
- Preconscious – not aware of but may be brought to
consciousness - Unconscious – not aware of
Structure of personality
- Id – pleasure principle (instant gratification)
- Ego – reality principle (practical/possible)
- Superego – ideal principle (moral/values)
Defense mechanisms
– Repression – exclude unwanted thoughts from
consciousness (past)
– Rationalization – find reasonable explanations for
unacceptable behaviors
– Regression – return to earlier stage of development
– Denial – does not acknowledge unpleasant event or accept
reality (present)
Behaviorist
Abnormal behavior represents
learning of inappropriate/
maladaptive behaviors
earning models
–Operant conditioning
Reinforcement vs punishment
–Modeling - learn by observation
Humanistic
– Abnormal behavior results from poor self-
concept & lack of personal growth
– Self-actualizing – reach full potential
– Unconditional positive regard –
everyone is worthy of love
Cognitive
–Abnormal behavior results from
inaccurate/biased beliefs
–Cognitive distortions
Absolute thinking – viewing in extremes
Overgeneralization – make a rule based
on a few incidences/events
Sociocultural Perspective
Abnormal behavior results from
social/cultural factors (gender,
ethnicity, class)
Biopsychosocial Perspective
Abnormal behavior results from
multiple factors
Diathesis-Stress Model
Predisposition + Stressors =
Disorder
Clinical Interview
– Identifying information
– Description of presenting problems
– Psychosocial history
– Psychiatric history
– Medical problems/medication