M1: Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define: Psychopathology
the field concerned with the nature and development of abnormal behaviour, thoughts, and feelings.
Why is the field of abnormal psychology under scrutiny?
As a result of the next edition of the DSM-5 (which is now released)
Who is Clara Huges?
olympic champion who speaks about mental health issues and her own struggles with depression.
What is the best definition of abnormal behaviour?
patterns of emotion, thought, and action deemed pathological for one or more of the following reasons:
- statistical infreqnecy
- violation of norms
- personal suffering
- disability of dysfunction
- unexpectedness
(none of these reasons alone can explain or define abnormal behaviour, typically need multiple of them).
What is statistical infrequency?
(one contributor to abnormal behaviour)
Abnormal behaviour is infrequent in the general population
Normal Curve = places most people in the middle, with very few people at either extreme. If a person is “normal”, they do not deviate much from average.
CHALLENGE: Statistical infrequency gives us little guidance in determining WHICH infrequent behaviours psychopathologists should study.
Therefore, infrequency is NOT a sufficient definition of abnormal behaviour.
Define: Violation of Norms
(one potential contributor to abnormal behaviour)
Whether the behaviour violates social norms or threatens/makes those observing it feel anxious.
Cultural diversity can affect how people view social norms.
Challenge: Violation of norms can be too broad or too narrow
Define: personal suffering
(one potential contributor to abnormal behaviour)
Behaviour is abnormal if it creates great distress in the person experiencing it
CHALLENGES:
- Not all disorders involve distress (ex. The psychopath)
- Not all forms of distress (ex. hunger, or childbirth) belong to the abnormal psychology field.
Define: disability of dysfunction
(one potential contributor to abnormal behaviour)
Impairment in some important areas of life DUE TO THE abnormality.
Ex. Phobia can produce distress and disability like a severe fear of flying preventing taking a job promotion.
Disability does not apply to all disorders, what is an example of this?
Transvestism (cross-dressing for sexual pleasure) is a mental disorder if it distresses the person, but it does not create a disability.
Define: Unexpectedness
(one potential contributor to abnormal behaviour)
Distress and disability are considered abnormal when they are unexpected responses to environmental stressors.
Ex. a person who has lots of money is constantly worrying about their financial situation.
How do you define clinicians?
various professionals authorized to provide psychological services.
What is a clinical psychologist?
usually requires Ph.D or Psy.D degree and whose training has included an internship in a mental hospital or clinic.
*depending on the jurisdiction, you can become a “psychological associate” with a master’s degree.
What agreement made the framework so credidentials of professional psychologists is recognized in all parts of Canada?
1995 Agreement on Internal Trade
A Mutual Recognition Agreement (signed 2001) requires a person to obtain what 5 core competencies in order to become a registered psychologist in Canada?
(1) interpersonal relationships
(2) assessment and evaluation (including diagnosis)
(3) intervention and consultation
(4) research
(5) ethics and standards.
Clinical psychologists learn techniques of ——- and ——– of mental disorders and learn how to practice psychotherapy
assessment and diagnosis
What is psychotherapy?
Verbally helping troubled individuals change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviour to reduce distress
Who is a psychiatrist?
A physician (MD) who has taken specialized postdoctoral training (a residency) in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders
*main job responsibility is to provide psychoactive drugs (chemical compounds having a psychological effect to alter mood/thought process
Who is a psychoanalyst?
A therapist who has taken specialized post-doctoral training in psychoanalysis after earning an MD or a Ph.D. degree.
*very few in modern times → can take up to 10 years of graduate work.
Who are counselling psychologists?
A doctoral-level mental health professional with similar training to clinical psychologists (but with less focus on research and severe psychopathology).
What did the analyses of the national population health survey (1995) reveal?
- Approximately 2% of survey respondents had consulted with a psychologist one or more times in the preceding 12 months.
- Psychological services are more available in urban areas than in rural areas (leaving many underserved areas in Canada)
What is prescriptive authority?
the right to prescribe drugs
*current controversy if psyhologists should have the right to prescribe drugs or not
Prescriptive authority for psychologists has been granted in what 3 U.S. jurisdictions?
New Mexico, Louisiana, and the U.S. territory or Guam
What is demonology?
the doctrine that a person’s abnormal behaviour is caused by an autonomous EVIL SPIRIT
What did treatment for demonology often involve?
Extrocism
(the casting out of evil spirits by ritualistic chanting or torture - ex. prayer, noisemaking, startvation, beatings, drinking potions)