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Abnormal Psychology: An Overview Flashcards

Chapter 1: Abnormal Psychology: An Overview (69 cards)

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1
Q

Psychology

A

The study of human behavior and mental processes

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2
Q

Abnormal Psychology

A

The study of abnormal human behavior and mental processes

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3
Q

How common is mental illness?

A
  1. 7 Million Diagnosis (U.S.)

17. 7% of the population

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4
Q

Statistics of ADHD Diagnosis

A

15% of high school students in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADHD

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5
Q

Statistics of Prescribed Psychiatric Medications in the U.S.

A

8/10 medications prescribed in the U.S. are Psychiatric Medications

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6
Q

How do we decide that an individual is in need of hospitalization?

A
  • Legally: A danger to self or another
  • Enduring: 2 weeks
  • Intensity: Suicidal, Homicidal, Actively Psychotic
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7
Q

What is the D.S.M.?

A

Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5th Edition

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8
Q

Give an example of a D.S.M. diagnosis that has changed over time.

A

Homosexuality

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9
Q

“Old Treatments” for Mental Illness

A
  • Exorcism (called Priest)
  • Hidden (from public)
  • Locked Away (in attics)
  • Lobotomy (Rosemary Kennedy)
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10
Q

When did societies views of mental illness change?

A

After WWII.

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11
Q

How did WWII change societies views of mental illness?

A

Soldiers contracted syphilis, and when left untreated, caused symptoms of schizophrenia, thus creating the first understanding of the link between mental illnesses, the brain, and disease.

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12
Q

Name the two first psychiatric medications developed after WWII.

A

Thorazine & Haldol

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13
Q

How was “Prozac” discovered?

A

Eli Lilly developed and marketed a weight loss drug in 1985 that led to consumers reporting elevated mood levels which led to it being remarketed as the first antidepressant (SSRI).

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14
Q

Current Treatments for Mental Illness

A
  • Medication
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Relaxation Techniques
  • Specialized Treatments
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15
Q

ABAB Design

A

An experimental design, often involving a single subject, where in the baseline period (A) is followed by a treatment (B).
To confirm that the treatment resulted in a change in behavior, the treatment is then withdrawn (A) and reinstated (B).

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16
Q

Acute

A

A disorder with sudden onset, usually with intense symptoms.

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17
Q

Analogue Studies

A

Studies in which the researcher attempts to emulate the conditions hypothesized as leading to abnormality. (Animal Studies)

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18
Q

Bias

A

Observer bias occurs when the researcher has preconceived ideas and expectations that influence the observation that he or she makes in the research study.

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19
Q

Case Study Method

A

In-depth examination of an individual or family that draws from a number of data sources, including interviews and psychological testing.

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20
Q

Chronic

A

A long-standing or frequently reoccurring disorder, often with progressing seriousness.

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21
Q

Comorbidity

A

Occurrence of two or more identified disorders in the same psychologically disordered individual.

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22
Q

Control Group (Comparison Group)

A

The group of people who do not exhibit the disorder being studied but who are comparable in all other major respects to the criterion group (group with disorder).

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23
Q

Correlation

A

The tendency of two variables to change together.

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24
Q

Correlation Research

A

A research strategy that examines whether and how variables go together (co-vary) without manipulating (changing) any variables.

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25
Correlation Coefficient
A statistic that ranges from +1.0 to -1.0 and reflects the degree of association between two variables. The magnitude indicates the strength of the association and the sign indicates whether the correlation is positive or negative.
26
Criterion Group
Group of subjects who exhibit the disorder under study.
27
Dependent Variable
The factor that is observed to change with changes in the (manipulated) independent variables.
28
Direct Observation
Method of collecting research data that involves directly observing behavior in a given situation.
29
Direction of Effect Problem
Refers to the fact that, in correlation research, it cannot be concluded whether variable A causes variable B or whether variable B causes variable A.
30
Double Blind Study
A condition in which neither the subject nor the experimenter has knowledge about what specific experimental condition (or drug) the subject is receiving.
31
Effect Size
A statistical term referring to the strength of the relationship between two variables in a statistical population.
32
Epidemiology
The study of distribution of diseases, disorders, and health-related behaviors in a given population.
33
Etiology
Factors that are related to the development or cause of a particular disorder.
34
Experimental Research
Research that involves the manipulation of a given factor or variable with everything else held constant.
35
External Validity
The extent to which the findings from a single study are relevant to other populations, contexts, or times.
36
Family Aggregation
A clustering of certain traits, behaviors, or disorders within a given family. May arise due to genetic or environmental similarities.
37
Generalizability
The extent to which the findings from a single study can be used to draw conclusions about other samples.
38
Hypothesis
Statement or proposition, usually based on observation, that is tested in an experiment; may be refuted or supported by experimental results but can never be conclusively proved.
39
Incidence
Occurrence (onset) rate of a given disorder in a given population.
40
Independent Variable
The factor whose effects are being examined and which is manipulated in some way, while the other variables are held constant.
41
Internal Validity
The extent to which a study is free of confounds, methodologically sound, and allows the researcher to be confident in the findings.
42
Labeling
Assigning a person to a particular diagnosis category.
43
Lifetime Prevalence
The proportion of living persons in a population who have ever had a disorder up to the time of the epidemiological assessment.
44
Longitudinal Design
A research design in which people are followed over time.
45
Meta-Analysis
A statistical method used to combine the results of a number of research studies. The data from each study are transformed into a common metric called the "effect size".
46
Negative Correlation
A relationship between two variables such that a HIGH score on one variable is associated with a LOW score on another variable.
47
Nomenclature
A formalized naming system.
48
1-Year Prevalence
The total number of cases of a health-related state or condition in a population for a given year.
49
Placebo Treatment
An inert pill or otherwise neutral intervention that produces desirable therapeutic effects because of the subjects expectations that it will be beneficial.
50
Point Prevalence
The number of cases of a specific condition or disorder that can be found in a population at one given point in time.
51
Positive Correlation
A relationship between two variables such that a HIGH score on one variable is associated with a HIGH score on another variable.
52
Prevalence
In a population, the proportion of active cases of a disorder that can be identified at a given point in time or during a given period.
53
Prospective Research
Method that often focuses on individuals who have a higher-than-average likelihood of becoming psychologically disordered before abnormal behavior is observed.
54
Random Assignment
A procedure used to create equivalent groups in which every research participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group in the study.
55
Retrospective Research
Research approach that attempts to retrace earlier events in the life of a subject.
56
Sampling
The process of selecting a representative subgroup from a defined population of interest.
57
Self-Report Data
Data collected directly from participants. (Interviews; Questionnaires)
58
Single-Case Research Design
An experimental research design that involves only one subject. (ABAB Design)
59
Statistical Significance
A measure of the probability that a research finding could have occurred by chance alone.
60
Stereotyping
Tendency to jump to conclusions about what a person is like, based on the beliefs about that group that exist in the culture.
61
Stigma
Negative labeling.
62
Third Variable Problem
Refers to the problem of making casual inferences in correlation research, where the correlation between two variables could be due to their shared correlation with an unmeasured third variable.
63
Why is 'abnormality' or the definition of a mental disorder so difficult to define?
There is no 'one behavior' that makes someone abnormal. However there are some clear elements or indicators of abnormality. No single indicator is sufficient in and of itself to define or determine abnormality.
64
What characteristics help us define 'abnormality'?
The more that an individual experiences difficulties in the following areas, the more likely the individual is said to have some form of mental disorder: * Suffering * Maladaptiveness * Statistical Deviancy * Dangerousness * Violation of Social Norms * Irrationality & Unpredictability
65
True or False | There are certain disorders that appear to be highly culture-specific.
True. Culture-specific disorders are found only in certain areas of the world and seem to be highly linked to culturally bound concerns. (Examples include: Taijin Kyofusho Syndrome in Japan; Ataque De Nervios Syndrome in the Caribbean)
66
True or False | In some cases, culture shapes the presentation of clinical disorders.
True. Decisions about abnormal behavior always involve social judgments and are based on the values and expectations of society at large. (Examples include: Road Rage, Homosexuality, Smoking, Anorexia, Internet Gaming Disorder)
67
What is the difference between prevalence and incidence?
Incidence figures tend to be lower than prevalence figures because they exclude preexisting cases.
68
What are the most common mental disorders in the U.S.?
16. 6% Major Depressive Disorder 13. 2% Alcohol Abuse 12. 5% Specific Phobia 12. 1% Social Phobia 9. 5% Conduct Disorder
69
How is illness severity associated with comorbidity?
Comorbidity is especially high in individuals with severe forms of mental disorders.

Abnormal Psychology (4 decks)

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