Basic Definitions

Question 1

What does DSM stand for?

Answer 1

Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Question 2

How many editions are there?

Answer 2

There are 5 editions (DSM, DSM-I, DSM-II, DSM-III, DSM-IV)

Question 3

What is DSM?

Answer 3

The handbook used by healthcare professionals as an authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders.

Question 4

General Definition of Phobic Disorder

Answer 4

Disorders characterized by marked, persistent, and excessive fear and avoidance of specific objects activities, or situations.

Question 5

Operational Definition

Answer 5

Procedures or ways in which a researcher is going to measure behaviors or qualities.

Question 6

Empiricism

Answer 6

Only source of knowledge comes through our senses (sight, etc) is the view that all knowledge is based on or may come from experience.

Question 7

Personality

Answer 7

Individual’s characteristic style of behaving, thinking, and feeling.

Question 8

Trait

Answer 8

Relatively stable disposition to behave in a particular and consistent way.

Question 9

Theory

Answer 9

A principle or idea that explains or solves a problem (presents a systematic way of understanding events, behaviors, and/or situations).

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

Is an idea or explanation that you then test through study and experimentation. (An educated guess).

Question 11

Population

Answer 11

Is the total group of individuals from which the sample might be drawn.

Question 12

Sample

Answer 12

Is a group of people who take part in the investigation.

Question 13

Experience

Answer 13

Is the first person effects or influence of an event or subject gained through involvement & behavior.

Question 14

Emotion

Answer 14

A feeling that results in physical and psychological changes that influence thought and behavior.

Question 15

Homeostasis

Answer 15

To maintain.

Question 16

Signs

Answer 16

Objectively observed indicators of a disorder.

Question 17

Symptoms

Answer 17

Subjectively reported behaviors, thoughts, & emotions.

Question 18

Hallucinations

Answer 18

False perceptual experiences that have a compelling sense of being real despite the absence of external stimulation.

Question 19

Delusions

Answer 19

False beliefs, often bizarre and grandiose, that are maintained in spite of their irrationality.

Question 20

Comorbidity

Answer 20

Co-occurrence of two or more disorders in a single individual.