Week 1 Flashcards
Psychological disorder
A disorder that occurs within an individual
Cannot be primarily resulted from social deviance, or conflict with society
Abnormal
Deviating from what is normal or usual. Is just one way of understanding psychological phenomena
Psychopathology
Describes the study of abnormal behaviour generally, specific psychological disorders and characteristics of mental health
Mental distress
Used to re~conceptualise psychological, phenomena and experiences that are otherwise referred to as “abnormal” or “illness”
Heritability
Refers to the extent to which variability in a particular behaviour or disorder in a population can be accounted for the genetic factor
Forebrain
Largest part of the brain with wide ranging functions
Midbrain
Hearing, vision, arousal, temperature regulation and motor functions
Hindbrain
Controls Breathing, blood flow, functions outside conscious control
Serotonin
Carries messages between nerve cells in your brain and throughout your body, is a neurotransmitter
Dopamine
Chemical within the brain, helps nerve cells to send messages back to each other and often makes you feel good
Norepinephrine
Communicates with the sympathetic nervous system, where it is involved in producing states if high arousal ~ may be involved in the anxiety disorders and other stress related conditions
Gamma~aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Inhibits nerve impulses throughout most areas of the brain and may be involved in anxiety disorders
Antidepressant medications
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Antipsychotic medications
Reduce the activity of neurons that use dopamine by blocking the receptors, also impacts serotonin
Methylphenidate (ritalin)
Often used to treat adhd, operates on several neurotransmitters that aid attention
DSM~5
Description of disorder (5th edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders)
The four characteristics of stigma
Distinguishing label is applied, labels refers to undesirable attributes, people with the label are seen as different, people with the label are discriminated against, STIGMA
Three main types of learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Learn by watching and observing
Cognitive theory
Emphasises that the way people construe themselves, the world, and the future is a major determinant of psychological experiences
Third wave therapies
Variants of cognitive behavioural therapies
Incorporate a varying focus on cognitive, behavioural and emotional processes
Examples of third wave therapies
Acceptance and commitment therapies (ACT)
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness based CBT
Narrative therapy
