Unit 12: Abnormal Behavior Flashcards
1
Q
Define psychological disorder
A
A syndrome marked by a clinically significance disturbance in an individuals cognition, emotion, regulation, or behavior.
2
Q
What is maladaptive?
A
- Interferes w/ daily life
- Not appropriately adjusting to environment/situation
3
Q
What is dysfunctional?
A
- Disturbed/disruptive/troubled
- Abnormal and has undesired behavior can lead to impairment of functioning
4
Q
How should we draw the line between normality and disorder?
A
It is classified as a disorder once it starts to become disabling. ( limiting person’s movement, senses, or activities)
5
Q
Define syndrome
A
Set of medical signs and symptoms that correlate w/ each other and associate w/ a disease/disorder
6
Q
How do the medical model and the biopsychosocial approach understand psychological disorders?
A
Medical model: Diseases (in this case psych. disorders) have PHYSICAL causes that can be DIAGNOSED, TREATED, and MOST times CURED w/ hospital treatment.
Biopsychosocial approach:
Biology, psychological and social-cultural things interact to form a mental illness.
Difficulty in environment, persons interpretation of events, bad habits, can all contribute to a mental illness.
Social-Some disorders can be culture-bound, expectations
Bio-Evolution, genes, brain
Psych: Stress, trauma, learned helplessness
7
Q
Define ADHD
A
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Psychological disorder identified by age 7 with 1+ symptoms
3X more often in boys
Associations w/ abnormal brain activity patterns
Symptoms include:
-Extreme inattention
-Hyperactivity
-Impulsivity
8
Q
Define ADHD
A
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Psychological disorder identified by age 7 with 1+ symptoms
3X more often in boys
Associations w/ abnormal brain activity patterns
Symptoms include:
-Extreme inattention
-Hyperactivity
-Impulsivity
9
Q
Who is Phillippe Pinel
A
Reformer from France, believing that madness is not a demon but a sickness of mind caused by severe stress and inhumane conditions.
10
Q
Moral treatment
A
Pinel + others thought that this included boosting patients mood w/ more humane treatment
brutality to gentleness
isolation to activity
etc
11
Q
How did the discovery of syphilis affect/ lead to reform?
A
Discovery that syphilis infects brain + distorts mind lead to reform bc it has physical traits to be diagnosed with, and treatment before reaching such intensity
12
Q
What di today’s psychologists agree on regarding behavior?
A
All behavior (normal/disordered) comes from interaction of nature (genetic/physiological factors) and nurture (past/present experiences)
13
Q
How and why do clinicians classify psychological disorders?
A
Why: To create order and facilitate describing symptoms
Aims to predict future course, use appropriate treatment + stimulate (encourage interest) into its causes
How:
14
Q
What is the DMS-5
A
Book used to diagnose and classify psychological disorders.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , not in 5th edition
15
Q
What is the DMS-5
A
Book used to diagnose and classify psychological disorders.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , not in 5th edition
16
Q
What is the DMS-5
A
Book used to diagnose and classify psychological disorders.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , not in 5th edition
17
Q
Why do some psychologists criticize the use of diagnostic labels?
A
Can create preconceptions
A label Rosenhan discovered can have “a life and influence of its own”
18
Q
Who is David Rosenhan
A
One of eight patients who falsely gave their name and occupation along with the complaint of hearing voices. All were misdiagnosed despite answering follow up questions truthfully. Clinicians went on to “discover” the roots of their “disorder” and “evidence”. Proving his point of how dangerous labeling disorders can be.
19
Q
Who is David Rosenhan
A
One of eight patients who falsely gave their name and occupation along with the complaint of hearing voices. All were misdiagnosed despite answering follow up questions truthfully. Clinicians went on to “discover” the roots of their “disorder” and “evidence”. Proving his point of how dangerous labeling disorders can be.
20
Q
What term is from the legal system and NOT found in psychological diagnoses?
A
Insanity
21
Q
What are some benefits of diagnostic labels?
A
Facilitates communication of cases, comprehension of underlying causes, and recognize effective treatment programs.
22
Q
How many people suffer or have suffered, from a psychological disorder? Is poverty a risk factor?
A
26% of adult Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year
23
Q
What is immigrant paradox?
A
When first generation individuals are at greater risk of mental disorder
24
Q
Who is most vulnerable to mental disorders?
A
Serious psych. disorders - 2x likely for those below poverty line
Ethnic and gender can also play a part, it depends
25
At what ages do disorders hit?
Diff. disorders have diff. early symptom showing.
antisocial/phobias @8
other more adult like ones @ 20+
26
Define anxiety disorders
Psych. disorder characterized by distressing (upsetting), persistent anxiety, or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety.
27
Define malapadtive
Not adjusting properly to an environment
28
What are the 3 different types of anxiety disorders?
Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Phobias
29
Explain generalized anxiety disorder
Person UNEXPLAINABLY + CONTINUALLY tense and uneasy
30
Explain panic disorder
Person has SUDDEN episodes of dread (fear)
31
Explain phobias
Person is INTESELY + IRRATIONALLY afraid of specific action/situation
32
Explain generalized anxiety disorder
Person UNEXPLAINABLY + CONTINUALLY tense and uneasy
In a state with aroused autonomic nervous system
Can be disabling bc ppl lose concentration
Can cause physical problems (high blood pressure)
33
Explain panic disorder
Person has SUDDEN episodes of dread (fear) usually a few minutes long w/ physical symptoms such as chest pain, terror, chocking, or other frightening sensations. Followed by worry of next panic attack.
34
Explain phobias
Person is INTESELY + IRRATIONALLY afraid of specific action/situation and trying to avoid it
35
Explain PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is when a person has lingering memories, nightmares, and other symptoms for wks after a SEVERELY threatening and uncontrollable event.
36
Explain OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is when a person is troubled by repetitive thoughts/actions
Only a disorder when impedes daily functioning
37
Explain PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is when a person has lingering memories, nightmares, and other symptoms for wks after a SEVERELY threatening and uncontrollable event.
AKA shell shock/ battle fatigue
Increased vulnerability w/ sensitive limbic sys. bc is releases more stress hormones w/ flashbacks/cues of stressful event
38
Define agoraphobia
Fear/avoidance of situations (crowd/wide open spaces) where one has felt loss of control and panic
39
Define agoraphobia
Fear/avoidance of situations (crowd/wide open spaces) where one has felt loss of control and panic
Can be developed bc ppl fear going to where they most have panic attacks/anxiety
40
Define agoraphobia
Fear/avoidance of situations (crowd/wide open spaces) where one has felt loss of control and panic
Can be developed bc ppl fear going to where they most have panic attacks/anxiety
41
Define posttraumatic growth
Positive pysch. changes bc of struggling w/ extremely challenging circumstances/ life crisis
(related to PTSD)
"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger
42
How does the learning perspectives explain anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD?
```
Fear conditioning(experiencing something bad and linking a stimulus to that negative emotion)
Stimulus generalization( fearful;-behavior reinforcement, and observational learning of others' fears and cognitions (interpretations irrational beliefs, and increased alertness)
all contribute to forming anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD
```
43
How does the biological perspectives explain anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD?
Natural selection- Fearing things that were identified as decreasing survival rate by our ancestors were passed down.- Anxiety + PTSD
Exaggeration of behaviors that contributed to survival leads to OCD.
Genetic predisposition for high temperament (emotional reactivity) and genes regulate neurotransmitters. Ex. Serotonin( regulated sleep and mood and glutamate w/ too much of it the brain's alarm center becomes overactive.) Research team identified 17 genes that are present in typical anxiety disorder symptoms.
The brain has abnormal responses in its fear circuits (usually overactive on certain parts depending on the disorder)
44
What are mood disorders?
Psychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes.
45
How does major depressive disorder differ from bipolar disorder?
Major depressive disorder more common than bipolar disorder
Person experiences 2+ wks of seriously depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, + takes little interest in, derives (obtains) little pleasure from most act.
Bipolar disorder much more dysfunctional
Experiences depression AND mania(hyperactive, euphoric, etc)
46
Name 4 other symptoms used to diagnose major depressive disorder
Significant weight loss/gain w/o dieting
Insomnia or sleeping too much
Fatigue/ loss of energy
Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide
47
Explain bipolar disorder and define mania
Mania- mood disorder presenting itself through hyperactive, euphoric, wildly optimistic state
Alternating between depression and mania signals bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder: mood disorder in which a person alternates between hopelessness and lethargy(lack of energy) of depression and the overexcited state of mania. AKA manic-depressive disorder
48
How do the biological and social-cognitive perspectives explain mood disorders?
The biological perspective on depression focuses on genetic predisposition (tendency to suffer from a particular condition) and abnormalities in brain structures, functions, including those found in neurotransmitters.
The social-cognitive perspective views depression as ongoing cycle of stressful experiences (interpreted through - beliefs, attributions, and memories) leading to - moods and actions, fueling new stressful experiences.
49
According to researcher Lewinsohn and his colleagues, any theory of depression must explain what
Behaviors and way of thinking change w/ depression
Depression is common, so the cause must be as well
Women have 2x risk of major depression than men
Major depressive episodes go away on their own
-even if they may relapse into it, normal 3/4 of the time
Stressful events in life come before depression
Each new generation experiences depression earlier and more frequently, more in developed countries
50
What is the genetic influence on mood disorders?
Risk of a mood disorder increases if it runs in the family.
| Researchers are looking @ DNA to try to identify the genes that interact to create depression.
51
What part does the brain play in mood disorders?
Brain activity varies depending on mental state: for bipolar disorder
- diminished (less) activity during slowed down depressive states
- More activity during mania
-Frontal lobe and adjacent brain reward center active during + emotions but less when depressed
-Severe depression ppl have 7% smaller frontal lobes
Brain structure also matters
- decreased axonal white matter or enlarged fluid-filled ventricles (in ppl w/ bipolar disorder)
Neurotransmitters also matter
-Norepinephrine ( increases arousal and mood) scarce (rare) during depression and overabundant during mania
-Serotonin ( helps w/ mood, cognition, reward, learning) may help recovery from depression by stimulating hippocampus neuron growth.
52
How does negative thoughts/moods interact and coincide with mood disorders?
-Self-defeating beliefs and negative explanatory style feed depressions viscous cycle.
- Obsessive rumination can cause us to loose focus on other things, therefore producing - emotional inertia (inactivity.)
Ppl who blame themselves are more prone to be depressed and pessimist
53
What causes self-defeating beliefs?
Learned helplessness, acting depressed, passive, and withdrawn after experiencing uncontrollable painful events
54
Define rumination
compulsive fretting (constantly worrying); overthinking about our problems and their causes
55
Define explanatory style
how people explain to themselves why they experience a particular event, either positive or negative.
(Who or what they blame for their failures/success)
56
What is the viscous cycle of depression?
One thing feeds to the other, reaffirming the initial depressive emotion.
1. Negative, stressful events interpreted though
2. A Ruminating (overthinking) pessimistic (seeing the worst) explanatory style
3. Create a hopeless, depressed state that
4. Impedes( does not allow) the way the person thinks and acts
1. In turn, fueling negative, stressful experiences such as rejection
57
What factors affect suicide and what are some warning signs to watch for in order to prevent it?
```
Nation, race, gender, age group, income, religious involvement, marital status, and for gay youth social support structure.
Those w/ depression are @ increased risk for suicide, but other factors like social suggestion, health status, and $$/social frustration contribute
Environmental barriers (no guns near by/ jump barriers) are effective in preventing suicides b/c it gives them time to think and calm down
Hints: verbal hints, giving things away, withdrawal, worrying about death, and discussing own suicide.
```
58
What is NSSI
nonsuicidal self-injury (cutting, burning skin) does not = suicide but may escalate to suicidal thoughts if not treated
Ppl who do NSSI do no handle stress well and tend to be self-critical, w/ poor communication and problem-solving skills
59
Define schizophrenia?
"Split mind"
60
What is a common misconception of schizophrenia?
"Split mind" A psychological disorder that refers to a split from reality that presents itself in disturbed perceptions, disorganized thinking/speech, and diminished, inappropriate emotions.
Great example of a psychosis
Misconception is that it means split personality or multiple personalities.
61
Define psychosis
Psychological disorder where a person loses contact w/ reality, experiencing irrational ideas and distorted perceptions.
62
Define delusions
False beliefs, often of persecution( harassment/punishment) that may accompany psychotic disorders.
63
Define hallucinations
False sensory experience, such as seeing something in the absence of an external stimulus.
64
What is the difference between delusions and hallucinations?
Delusions are false thoughts, hallucinations are false sensory experiences.
65
Disorganized thoughts may be a result from a breakdown in what?
Selective attention
66
People w/ schizophrenia often display
inappropriate emotions which are split from reality
inappropriate motor behavior (senseless, compulsive acts)
Catatonia
67
What is flat state?
Lack of reaction/emotion
68
Define catatonia
Becoming motionless
| involve symptoms such as staying still, fast or strange movements, lack of speech, and other unusual behavior.
69
How do chronic and acute schizophrenia differ?
Chronic:
Doubtful recovery, persistent and incapacitating - symptoms of social withdrawal
Develops slowly
Acute:
Develops rapidly, usually after stressful event
More likely to recover
+ symptoms, which are responsive to drug therapy
70
What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
They are symptoms ADDED to what is "normal'
| -hallucinations, disorganized and deluded (believing something that is not true
71
What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
The PRESENCE of inappropriate behaviors
| -hallucinations, disorganized and deluded (believing something that is not true, inappropriate laughter, tears, or rage
72
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
The ABSENCE of appropriate behavior
| -toneless voices, expressionless faces, or mute and rigid(stiff/not flexible) bodies.
73
Chronic schizophrenia refers to...
Slow-developing, long-lasting, consistent,
74
Men who usually develop schizophrenia avg. 4 years earlier...
Often exhibit - symptoms and chronic schizophrenia.
75
Chronic schizophrenia refers to ...
Developing it rapidly
76
What is schizophrenia considered?
A disease of the brain manifest(shown) in symptoms of the mind
77
How do brain abnormalities and viral infections help explain schizphrenia?
Ppl w/ schizophrenia have increased dopamine receptors.
Brain abnormalities associated w/ schizophrenia include enlarged, flued-filled cerebral cavities and corresponding decreases in the cortex.
Brain scans reveal abnormal activity in the frontal lobes, thalamus, and amygdala.
Interacting malfunctions in multiple brain regions and their connections may produce schizophrenia's symptoms.
Possible contributing factors include viral infections or famine conditions during mother's pregnancy and low weight or oxygen deprivation at birth.
78
What does dopamine regulate?
It's a neurotransmitter
Can make you feel pleasure if a lot is released, motivation,
Relates to memory and body movements
79
What does dopamine regulate?
It's a neurotransmitter
Can make you feel pleasure if a lot is released, motivation,
Relates to memory and body movements
80
Brain activities that point to schizophrenia
Low brain activity in frontal lobes ( critical for reasoning, planning, and problem solving)
Decline in brain waves that reflect synchronized neuronal firing frontal lobes. Out- of- sync neurons may disrupt the functioning of neural networks, maybe contributing to schizophrenia symptoms.
81
What have PET scans of schizophrenia patients demonstrated?
While hallucinating ( heard voice/ saw something) brain became overly active in core (central) regions: thalamus.
82
What did PET scans of paranoid patients ind?
Increased activity in amygdala.
83
What is the thalamus?
Structure deep in the brain that filters incoming sensory signals and transmits them into the cortex.
84
What is the amygdala?
Fear-processing center
85
Studies have found enlarged, fluid-filled areas and a corresponding shrinkage and thinning of cerebral tissue in people with...
schizophrenia
86
What other brain areas are smaller with schizophrenic ppl?
Cortex, corpus collosum, and thalamus.
87
What factors may be early warning signs of schizophrenia in children?
Possible warning signs include both biological factors
(mother w/ schizophrenia, oxygen deprivation, low weight @ birth, etc)
and psych. factors
(disruptive/withdrawn behavior, emotional unpredicatbiloty, poor peer relationships)
88
What is myelin?
A fatty substance that coats the axons of nerve cells and lets impulses travel at high speed through neural networks
89
What is myelin?
A fatty substance that coats the axons of nerve cells and lets impulses travel at high speed through neural networks
90
Define epigenetic
"in addition to genetic"
91
There are many different genes that influence schizophrenia, each in very small ways... T OR F
True, environmental factors may activate these genes and they'll combine to develop schizophrenia. (nature and nurture)
92
Are there genetic influences on schizophrenia?
Yes, twin and adoption studies show that predisposition to it is inherited but that environmental factors cultivate it.
93
What environmental factor , by themselves, causes schizophrenia?
None, just like prenatal viruses and genetic predisposition, they have to interact w/ each other.
94
What are somatic symptoms and related behaviors?
Somatic symptoms- Real bodily symptoms w/o physical cause
| Related behaviors are conversion disorder- anxiety converts into a physical symptom w/o reasonable neurological basis.
95
Define conversion disorder
A disorder in which a person experiences very specific and genuine physical symptoms w/o physiological basis.
96
Define illness anxiety disorder
People interpret normal sensations(stomach ache, etc) as symptoms of a dreaded disease.
97
Define illness anxiety disorder
People interpret normal sensations(stomach ache, etc) as symptoms of a dreaded disease.
98
Define dissociative disorder
Disorder of consciousness
| Person suddenly losses memory/ changes identity often in response to an overwhelming stressful situation.
99
What are dissociative disorders, and why are they controvesial?
Dissociative disorders: The conditions in which conscious awareness seems to become separated from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings.
Dissociative disorders may just be an extension of our normal capacity for personality shifts. So labeling as a disorder may only fuel lying by those who use it to get out of responsibilities. Or fuel convincing themselves of their own "role" and losing themselves in "becoming" the parts they were acting out.
100
What is dissociative identity disorder? (DID)
When 2+ distinct (different) identities supposedly alternate in controlling the person's behavior.
aka multiple personality disorders
101
Define fugue state
a state or period of loss of awareness of one's identity, often coupled with flight from one's usual environment,
102
Define fugue state
a state or period of loss of awareness of one's identity, often coupled with flight from one's usual environment,
103
What are some support points by researchers and clinicians for DID?
There are distinct brain and body states associated w/ diff. personalities.
- Shifting visual acuity and eye-muscle balance
- Heightened activity in brain areas associated w/ the control and inhibition of traumatic memories.
104
What are the 2 diff. views on DID?
1. It is an effort of traumatized ppl to detach from horrific existence.
2. It isn't real and instead emotionally vulnerable ppl construct this idea w/ their therapist who "suggests" it.
105
How do anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder demonstrate the influence of psychological and genetic forces?
Genetically, twins or those with mothers who have had an eating disorder, are more likely to have the same disorder.
Psychologically, each has to do with culture pressures, low self-esteem, and negative emotions which align with stressful life experiences.
106
Define anorexia nervosa
Usually stats as a weight-loss diet, mostly young females, drop significantly below weight. Still manage to feel fat, fear being fat, and obsess over weight loss.
107
Define bulimia nervosa
Usually teens/early adult females who binge/over eat bad and high calorie foods, then in order to redeem themselves by purging (removing) it through throwing up or laxatives or overly exercising. It's a cycle that is easier to hide.
108
Define binge-eating disorder
Those who overly eat bad and high caloric food and feel remorse but DO NOT purge ,fast or exercise excessively
109
Define antisocial personality disorder
```
A person (usually man) shows lack of emotion, conscious of wrongdoing even w/ family and friends.
May be aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artists.
```
110
What biological features do people with antisocial personality disorder have?
Reduced activity in frontal lobes and 11% less frontal lobe tissue
Reduced activity in the cortex, which helps control impulses
111
What can antisocial personality disorder be attributed to?
Both nature and nurture.
Genetics alone and a bad environment alone won't develop it. It is the genetics that make someone more vulnerable to it, but environment that helps develop it.
112
What does antisocial personality disorder prove about nature and nurture?
Everything psychological is also biological
113
What are the three clusters of personality disorders?
1. anxiety
2. eccentric or odd behaviors
3. dramatic or impulsive behaviors
114
What behaviors and brain activity characterize antisocial personality?
Lack of emotion characterizes it
In regards to the brain, less activity and brain tissue in frontal lobe
Less activity in cortex
Higher rewards when acting on their impulses regardless of the consequences
115
Define personality disorders
Psychological disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning.
-Disruptive, inflexible, and enduring
116
What's the difference between somatic symptom disorder and conversion disorder?
Conversion disorder is a type of somatic disorder
Conversion disorder can't be due to neurologic or medical conditions
Somatic symptom disorder must be distressing and disruptive in life with criteria being nonstop thinking about these symptoms by the patient.
