Abnormal Psychology Definitions
Abnormal psychology
A branch of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. It deals with a wide range of psychiatric disorders which are characterized by maladaptive behavior that is destructive to the individuals or to others.
Diagnosis
Identifying and classifying abnormal behavior based on symptoms, the patients self-reports, observations by others, and clinical tests
Goal of diagnosis
Prognosis
Prevalence
The number/percentage of people who have a disorder at any given time
Life time prevalence
People who suffer from their disorder their entire life
What are the two approaches to the diagnosis of disorder?
Universalist and relativist
What are the 2 primary ethical concerns in abnormal psychology?
Responsibility of clinician to remain informed of new practices, procedures, and new findings related to diagnosis and treatment.
Responsibility to protect the client, including establishing the right diagnosis
Responsibility to protect the client, including establishing the right diagnosis
What are the 3 potential ethical issues with labeling?
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Distortion of behavior
Over-simplification
Distortion of behavior
Over-simplification
Internet-addictive disorder
Spending 16+ hours a day on the internet
DSM V
Diagnostic and Statistic Manual
ICD 10
International Classification of Diseases
CCMD
Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders
Eclectic Approach
A therapeutic approach in which a variety of methods, principles, and philosophies are used to create a treatment program
Lazarus’ 7 criteria for approving treatment
Behavior
Affect
Sensation
Imagery (self)
Cognition
Interpersonal relationships
Biology
Affect
Sensation
Imagery (self)
Cognition
Interpersonal relationships
Biology
Validity
Accuracy of diagnosis
Reliability
The consistency of diagnosis for some set of symptoms using the same instrument of measure
Inter-rater reliability
When more than one clinician uses the same instrument of measure and comes to the same conclusion
Multi-modal triangulation
Using different instruments of diagnosis on a single patient
Mental disorder
A distinctive, long-lasting maladaptive behavior or thought pattern that is disruptive or injurious towards the individual sufferer or to someone else
Therapy/Treatment
Cure for/ameliorating the disorder, allowing the person to live a normal life again
Walker-Tessner model
A biopsychosocial approach to disorder in which constitutional (biological) vulnerability, stress, and neuromaturational factors come together for a psychiatric outcome
Serptonin
A hormone/neurotransmitter that affects mood, sleep, and appetite
Seligman and Rosenhan’s Big 7 Criteria of Mental Illness
Causes of suffering
Irrationality
Violation of social standards
Unpredictability
Observer discomfort / suffering
Unconventionality
Maladaptiveness
Irrationality
Violation of social standards
Unpredictability
Observer discomfort / suffering
Unconventionality
Maladaptiveness
MDD
An affective disorder
Biological etiologies of MDD
Genetics
Chemical imbalance
Chemical imbalance
Cognitive etiologies of MDD
Cognitions
Cognitive distortions
Irrational beliefs
Cognitive distortions
Irrational beliefs
Sociocultural etiologies of MDD
Diathesis-stress model
Interpersonal relationships with people and your surroundings
Interpersonal relationships with people and your surroundings
PTSD
An anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive and persistent sens of apprehension and physical symptoms