Abnormal Psychology Chapter 1- Key Terms

A group of emotional feelings, cognitive thinking, or behavioral symptoms that cause distress or significant problems.

The scientific study of troublesome feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with mental disorders. There are three types of prevention.

A behavior that interferes with a person’s life, including ability to care for oneself, have good relationships with others, and function well at school or work.

Those who study mental problems to see how disorders develop and continue and how they can be prevented or alleviated.

Places set aside for people with mental disorders.

The science of promoting mental health and thwarting mental disorder through mental education, early treatment, and public health measures.

A prevention approach that focuses on promoting good health and good health practices to avert disease. There are 3 types of prevention in this model

Targeting large group of people, sometimes the entire public, who have not yet developed a mental disorder.

Addressing emerging problems while they are still manageable and before they become resistant to intervention.

Involves reducing the severity, duration, and negative effects of a mental disorder after it has occurred. Its goal is to lessen the effects of an already diagnosed disorder.

A dimensional perspective of abnormal behavior characterized by others of disgrace or reproach based on an individual characteristic. Two types: self stigma and public stigma.

1. Deviance from the norm
2. Difficulties adapting to life’s demands or functioning effectively (including dangerous behavior)
3. Experience of personal distress

Offers clear guidelines for identifying emotions, thoughts, or behaviors as normal or abnormal. Bell curve data analysis.

Emotion, Cognitive, Behavioral, Distress, Impairment