Week 1: Theory and Science of Clinical Psychology

Question 1

Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis using the scientific method

Answer 1

• How do this individual’s abilities compare to others?
• Do their abilities or symptoms indicate some kind of disorder
• Individual differences

Diagnosis

• Does the diagnosis hang together?
• Will different therapists give the same diagnosis for the same symptoms?

Question 2

What defines abnormal behaviour?

Answer 2

-Statistical Infrequency (is the behaviour unusual or rare)
-Violation of Norms (in context, often of culture)
-Personal Distress (suffering as a result of the behaviour)
-Dysfunction (maladaptive)
-Diagnosis by and expert (is this behaviour an aspect of a psychological disorder)

Question 3

Intersectionality

Answer 3

who we study/how we study/how we treat people with mental disorders

the entanglement and overlap of factors that might make someone uniquely vulnerable to mental disorders

Question 4

3 ways that scientific theories are strong

Answer 4

1. They integrate most of what is currently known about the phenomena in the simplest way possible
2. Make testable predictions
3. Make it possible to specify what evidence would deny that theory

Question 5

The aims for theories about mental disorders

Answer 5

-what is the etiology
-what are the factors maintaining the behaviour
-predict the course of the disorder
-design effective treatments

Question 6

• Define neurotransmitters and describe 4 ways they influence psychopathology with examples

Answer 6

There may be too much or too little of the neurotransmitter produced/released into the synapse

There may be too few or too many receptors on the dendrites

There may be an excess or a deficit in the amount of transmitter-deactivating substance in the synapse

The reuptake process may be too rapid or too slow

Question 7

Describe the roles of the id, ego, and superego as personality structures and explain how they influence individuals defence mechanisms

Answer 7

Id: represents biological or instinctual drives
The pleasure principle

Ego: develops to control the desires of the id
Develops defence mechanisms in an attempt to control the desires of the id
The reality principle

Superego: the internalization of the moral standards of society
Moral principle

Question 8

Early Maladaptive Schemas

Answer 8

Broad, pervasive themes or patterns that are composed of memories emotions, cognitions and bodily sensations regarding the self and one’s relationship with others

Act as truths and influence how an individual processes later experiences, and thinks, acts, feels and relates to others throughout life

Automatic thoughts are considered to be cognitive-by-products because they stem directly from an individuals core beliefs/schemas in interaction with the environment

Question 9

what are the three principles of cognitive theories

Answer 9

1. Thinking affects emotion and behavior
   2. Thoughts can be monitored and changed
   3. By altering one’s thoughts, a person will experience desired behavioural and emotional change

Question 10

concurrent validity

Answer 10

The ability of a diagnostic category to estimate an individuals present standing on factors related to the disorder but not themselves part of the diagnostic criteria

Question 11

Why do we need a classification system for mental disorders

Answer 11

provides a desciption of disorde4rs and their criteria to prevent misinterpretation

accurate diagnosis leads way for proper treatment

Question 12

classification relies on

Answer 12

presenting symptoms

etiology

prognosis

response to treatment

Question 13

best predictor of future behaviour is

Answer 13

past behaviour