Abnormal Psychology Flashcards

Question

What are some criticisms / limitations of psychoanalytic model?

Answer 1

- Lacks empirical evidence - Not open to empirical evaluation => concepts difficult to measure - Unfalsifiable

Answer 2

- 1960-70s response to negativity of psychoanalytical model - Begins with psychological health - Self-actualisation (Maslow) - Fully functioning human (Rogers)

Answer 3

When self-actualisation is thwarted – environment imposes conditions of worth; own exp, emotions, needs are blocked;

Answer 4

Involves empathy and unconditional positive regard.

Answer 5

Difficult to research – when is self-actualisation achieved.

Answer 6

Unlike unfalsifiable psychoanalytics, behaviour is observable and measurable. Suggests both normal / abnormal behaviour and adjustment / maladjustment from your learning associations. Treated by learned associations too.

Answer 7

— Overemphasis on behavioural aspects. — It excludes cognitive elements. (Bandura (1974): observational/vicarious learning/modeling – showed learning without own experience – reintroduced the importance of cognition)

Answer 8

Current dominant model. To do with what we think influences how we feel and what we do.

Answer 9

– Negative core beliefs – Biased thinking – Learned assocations

Answer 10

– Cognitive restructuring – Exposure – Behavioural experiments

Answer 11

Biological: focus on genetic, hormonal, and neuro-chemical explanations of behaviour. Psychoanalysis: innate drives of sex and aggression (nature); social upbringing during childhood (nurture); Cognitive psychology: innate mental structures such as schemas, perception and memory and constantly changed by the environment Humanism: Maslow emphasised basic physical needs. Society influences a person's self concept. Behaviourism: all behaviour is learned from the environment through conditioning.

Answer 12

– fear / panic – note: same in normal / abnormal anxiety – 3 inter-related systems that are activated in response to perceived threat are: (1) physical system (2) cognitive system (3) behavioural system

Answer 13

Flight / flight response: mobilise physical resources to deal with threat Some changes in the physical system: - mind becomes alert - less saliva - dry mouth - blood clotting ability increases preparing for possible injury - heart beat speeds up - blood pressure rises - sweating increases to help cool the body - blood is diverted to the muscles - 'pale with fright' - muscles tense - ready for action - breathing rate speeds up. nostrils and air passages in lungs open wider to get in air more quickly - digestion slows down - liver releases sugar to provide quick energy - sphincter muscles contract to close openings of bowel and bladder - immune responses decrease – useful in short-term to allow massive response to immediate threat - harmful over long period

Answer 14

- perception of threat - attention on threat - hypervigilance (difficulty concentrating on other tasks)

Answer 15

- escape / avoidance (safest and more frequently used option) - aggression - freezing

Answer 16

- EVOLUTIONARY value — safer to be anxious - eliciting conditions are: REALISTIC / OBJECTIVE threat to self (physical, social); SPECIFIC 'PREPARED' STIMULI (without even experience it, we anxious about insects, animals, heights, enclosed places); NOVEL STIMULI (new, unfamiliar things); - threat appraisal: EXPECTANCY OF HARM (i.e. OUTCOME of situation) = perceived PROBABILITY + perceived cost (based on past exp, observations, instructions)

Answer 17

Not qualitatively different form normal anxiety – still same systems activation. BUT: —Abnormal when EXCESSIVE or INAPPROPRIATE (i.e. absence of objective threat, anxiety > level of threat, most ppl might say there's nothing to fear) — OVERESTIMATION of threat [COST (social fears) / PROBABILITY of harmful outcome (physical)] — Socially inappropriate / harmful / unexpected

Answer 18

- Anxiety disorders. - Trauma-related and stressor-related disorders. - Obsessive compulsive and related disorders.

Answer 19

Trait anxiety – more likely to overestimate probability/cost of perceived threat. Specific fears (Note: it's all a continuum, abnormal is towards the end of spectrum – just high / intense experience of same symptoms).

Answer 20

* Improve communication between researchers * Improve communication between health professionals * May improve communication and understanding of mental health in the community * May reduce social stigma * Some people find diagnosis helpful

Answer 21

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) | – APA, DSM-5 (2013), English-speaking world, evolving

Answer 22

International Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems (ICD) – WHO, 10th edition, Europe

Answer 23

– Defines psychopathology / mental disorders – Defines Symptoms / Criteria / Differential Diagnosis – Most agreed upon definitions / current consensus – Helpful but guideline only

Answer 24

- Homosexuality removed from the DSM in 1973 - Generalised Anxiety Disorder first introduced in DSM-III-R (1987) - Binge Eating Disorder first included in DSM-5 (2013) - Asperger’s Disorder deleted from DSM-5 (2013)

Answer 25

Psychoanalytic theory

Answer 26

— Problematic reliability (how much is needed, how often, etc) — Problematic validity (based on unproven theories about aetiology/causes)

Answer 27

• Reflects the medical/biological model • No theoretical assumptions about causation • If causation is not known: description of symptoms – Patient report, direct observation, measurement – No assumptions about unconscious processes – Clear, explicit criteria and decision rules Improved reliability But not validity?

Answer 28

``` –Psychiatrist –Clinical psychologist –Registered psychologist –Counsellor –Social worker ```

Answer 29

– medical doctor – specialised kwl of neurobiological changes/causes treat people with a diagnosed mental disorder – can prescribe medication – uses bio-medical approach

Answer 30

– psychological assessment, treatment and prevention – cannot prescribe medication – trained in psychological testing – bio-psycho-social approach in therapy

Answer 31

– More generalist than specialist training – Treat people without serious mental disorder – Help with everyday problems (non-clinical depression, anxiety, stress; relationship difficulties)

Answer 32

– work in direct services (e.g. healthcare, welfare, housing, etc) – work in clinical field –help develop practical plans, make referrals for services – emphasise environment and cultural factors (sociological approach)

Answer 33

– non-judgmental 'listening ear' | – help to gain understanding of themselves, make changes in their lives

Answer 34

* Builds an open and trusting rapport with client * Takes client’s perspective * Listens & responds to client in a non-judgmental way * Works with client to create realistic but positive treatment goals and expectations * Works with client in a flexible & self-reflective way * Empathizes and relates to client’s concerns * Challenges client in a supportive way & encourages exploration and change

Answer 35

A marked and consistent fear reaction to the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation. Phobic stimulus avoided / endured with intense fear; anxiety experience is out of proportion to actual threat; persistent, lasting 6 months +' causes distress or impairment in life

Answer 36

Animals Natural Environment Blood, Injection and Injury Situational / other

Answer 37

– Biological vulnerability / heritability – Classical conditioning (BUT not all individuals who experience conditioning event develop phobias, also not all who have phobia have experienced conditioning event – Seligman's (1971) notion of 'preparedness' – biological evolutionary basis for phobic fears

Answer 38

— Unexpected / spontaneous panic attacks – 2 panic attacks, cannot identify trigger — Anxiety / worry about having another attack — concerned about heart attack, going mad, epilepsy; significant behaviour change trying to avoid another attack; persist for 1 month+

Answer 39

How panic attacks are sustained – high sensitivity to bodily experiences... Attentional shift on their bodily sensations (shaking, increased heart rate) ——> misinterpret them ——> anxiety ——> increases bodily sensations

Answer 40

Marked fear or anxiety about 2 (or more): - public transportation - open spaces - enclosed spaces - crowd - outside of the home Excessive avoidance, not always panic attack 6 months or more Distress or impairment

Answer 41

Intense fear and avoidance of social or performance situations where embarrassment may occur; Strong desire to convey a favourable impression to others and a marked insecurity about one's ability to do so

Answer 42

Excessive and uncontrollable worry about wide range of outcomes Constant, sustained level of anxiety (as opposed to panic attacks where it builds up, intense, then gone) GAD people report feeling: tension (in muscles / body), irritability, restlessness, sleep problems

Answer 43

– High trait anxiety (score high on neuroticism – see lots of uncertainty in most situation) – Intolerance of uncertainty – Reduced ability to tolerate distress – Reduced problem solving confidence / success – less options / advantages; sees a problem in every possible solution —> never taking action to solve problem

Answer 44

Obssessions; - repeated, intrusive, irrational thoughts or impulses that cause severe anxiety / distress - E.g. contamination, perfectionism, losing control Compulsions: - repress/relieve anxiety through ritualised behaviours to relieve the anxiety caused by obssessions - e.g. washing and cleaning, checking, repeating

Answer 45

Intolerance of uncertainty Inflated responsibility Thought-action fusion Magical ideation

Answer 46

A treatment for anxiety disorders that aims to reduce biased threat appraisal. Reduce LIKELIHOOD and COST of perceived harm. - psycho-education (to reduce likelhood) - cognitive techniques (to reduce cost) - behavioural techniques (to increase exposure)

Answer 47

Cognitive restructuring / thought challenging. - thought diaries - pros and cons of having thought/belief - what is the evidence?

Answer 48

– in vivo exposure – real object / situation – imaginal exposure – VR exposure – systemaic desensitivation – flooding – fear and avoidance hierachy – relaxation techniques

Answer 49

Pharmocotherapy / medication is effective but only in short-term. It simply masks, treating the symptoms not the cause. Stop taking meds and become anxious again.

Answer 50

Depressive Disorders

Answer 51

– Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day – Markedly diminished pleasure/interest in activities Need at least 5 or more symptoms in a 2 week period (one of the core symptoms)

Answer 52

Weight loss or gain Insomnia or hypersomnia Psychomotor agitation Fatigue, loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt Diminished ability to concentrate Recurrent thoughts of death, suicide, suicide attempts

Answer 53

affective: depressed move, anhedonia cognitive: indecisiveness, lack of concentration somatic: fatigue, sleep or appetite change

Answer 54

single or recurrent depressive episode, NOT accounted for by other disorders (e.g. bipolar, schizophrenia)

Answer 55

Drugs/medication – antidepressants – quite effective; Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – last resort, effective for severe depression (80%) Relapse common with biomedical treatments

Answer 56

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – addressing unhelpful thoughts / cognitive errors in thinking – behavioural techniques (activation and experiments)

Abnormal Psychology Flashcards

(80 cards)