Individual Differences - key terms Flashcards
(24 cards)
Cultural relativism
View that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless viewed in context of culture in which it originates
Abnormality
Psychological condition/behaviour that departs from norm or is harmful and distressing to the individual/those around them. Usually violate society’s ideas of what is an appropriate level of functioning
Deviation from social norms
Abnormal behaviour seen as deviation from implicit rules about how one ought to behave. Anything that violates these rules considered abnormal
Failure to function adequately
Using practical criteria of adequate functioning, mentally healthy judged as being able to operate within certain acceptable limits. If abnormal behaviour interferes with daily functioning, may be considered abnormal
Deviation from ideal mental health
Abnormality seen as deviating from ideal of positive mental health. Ideal mental health: positive attitudes towards self, resistance to stress and accurate perception of reality
Psychopathology
Scientific study of psychological disorders, their nature and causes
Biology approach
View that behaviour can all be explained in terms of biological mechanisms e.g hormones, neurotransmitters, brain activity and genes
Psychodynamic approach
Explains dynamics of behaviour - what motivates a person. Freud suggested unconscious forces and early experience are the prime motivators
Behavioural approach
All behaviour learned through experience as a result of classical or operant conditioning
Cognitive approach
Key influence of behaviour is how individual thinks about situation
Diathesis-stress model
Individuals inherit susceptibility for disorder (diathesis) which develops only if exposed to difficult environmental conditions (stress). Greater vulnerability, less stress needed to trigger disorder
Genes
Unit of inheritance which forms part of a chromosome. Control characteristics that we inherit from parents
Genetic inheritance
Reception of genetically coded traits through transmission from parent to offspring
Id
Irrational, primitive, part of personality. Present at birth, demands immediate satisfaction, ruled by pleasure principle - innate drive to seek immediate satisfaction
Ego
Conscious rational part of personality. Develops end of infant’s first year, as child interacts with constraints of reality, governed by reality principle
Superego
Develops between 3-6, embodies conscience and sense of right and wrong
Ego defences
Unconscious methods, e.g repression and displacement, help ego deal with feelings of anxiety and ‘defend’ ego
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter, high levels linked with schizophrenia
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter, low level related to depression and high levels, anxiety
ECT
Administration of controlled electrical current through electrodes placed on the scalp, induces convulsive seizure, can be effective in relieving episode of major depression
Psychoanalysis
Form of psychotherapy, developed by Freud, intended to help patients become aware of long-repressed unconscious feeling and issues using techniques e.g free association
Systematic de-sensitisation
Form of therapy used to treat phobias and other behaviour problems involving anxiety. Gradually exposed to threatening situations under relaxed conditions until anxiety reaction is extinguished
CBT
Combination of cognitive therapy (way of changing maladaptive thoughts and beliefs), and behavioural therapy (way of changing behaviour in response to these thoughts and beliefs)
REBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy, helps people change dysfunctional emotions and behaviours by making them aware of self-defeating beliefs and then modifying these to remove unwanted states
