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Psychopathology Key Words Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Psychopathology?

A

The study of mental disorders in terms of their causes, development, classification, and treatment.

Psychopathology examines the nature and development of psychological disorders.

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2
Q

Define ‘Abnormality’ in the context of psychopathology.

A

Patterns of behaviours, thoughts, or emotions that deviate from societal norms, cause distress, impair daily functioning or pose a risk to oneself or others.

Abnormality is a key concept in diagnosing mental disorders.

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3
Q

What does ‘Deviation from social norms’ refer to?

A

Occurs when a person displays actions or behaviours that deviate drastically from the established norms, expectations, or rules commonly accepted within a particular community or society.

This aspect of abnormality highlights cultural and societal influences.

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4
Q

What is a Social norm?

A

An unwritten rule or expectation that guides the behaviour of individuals within a particular group, community, or society.

Social norms reflect shared beliefs about acceptable behaviour.

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5
Q

What does ‘Failure to function adequately’ mean?

A

Occurs when an individual struggles to manage or fulfil typical responsibilities, tasks, and expectations required for daily life.

This includes maintaining personal hygiene, employment, managing relationships, and decision-making.

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6
Q

Define ‘Statistical infrequency’.

A

Occurs when an individual possesses a characteristic, trait, or behaviour that is statistically ‘rare’ compared to the rest of the population.

This concept is often used to identify abnormal behaviour based on its rarity.

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7
Q

What is meant by ‘Deviation from ideal mental health’?

A

Occurs when an individual fails to meet specific criteria or standards for good mental well-being.

These criteria include maintaining healthy relationships, managing emotions effectively, and demonstrating resilience.

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8
Q

What are behavioural characteristics?

A

Ways in which people act.

This includes observable actions and responses in various situations.

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9
Q

What are emotional characteristics?

A

Ways in which people feel.

This encompasses a range of emotions and feelings experienced by individuals.

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10
Q

What are cognitive characteristics?

A

Ways in which people think. This also refers to the process of knowing, perceiving and believing.

Cognitive characteristics include thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes.

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11
Q

What is phobia?

A

An irrational fear of an object or a situation.

Phobias can lead to avoidance behaviors and significant distress.

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12
Q

What is depression?

A

A condition characterised by low mood and low energy levels.

Depression can affect daily functioning and overall quality of life.

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13
Q

What does OCD stand for?

A

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

OCD involves obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily life.

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14
Q

What are obsessions in the context of OCD?

A

Recurring thoughts, images etc., are experienced.

Obsessions are intrusive and often cause significant anxiety.

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15
Q

What are compulsions in the context of OCD?

A

Repetitive behaviours such as hand washing are completed to help reduce the anxiety experienced.

Compulsions are performed in response to obsessions to alleviate distress.

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16
Q

What are behavioural characteristics?

A

Ways in which people act.

This includes observable actions and responses in various situations.

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17
Q

What are emotional characteristics?

A

Ways in which people feel.

This encompasses a range of emotions and feelings experienced by individuals.

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18
Q

What are cognitive characteristics?

A

Ways in which people think. This also refers to the process of knowing, perceiving and believing.

Cognitive characteristics include thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes.

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19
Q

What is phobia?

A

An irrational fear of an object or a situation.

Phobias can lead to avoidance behaviors and significant distress.

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20
Q

What is depression?

A

A condition characterised by low mood and low energy levels.

Depression can affect daily functioning and overall quality of life.

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21
Q

What does OCD stand for?

A

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

OCD involves obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily life.

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22
Q

What are obsessions in the context of OCD?

A

Recurring thoughts, images etc., are experienced.

Obsessions are intrusive and often cause significant anxiety.

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23
Q

What are compulsions in the context of OCD?

A

Repetitive behaviours such as hand washing are completed to help reduce the anxiety experienced.

Compulsions are performed in response to obsessions to alleviate distress.

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24
Q

What is the Behaviourist approach?

A

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.

Behaviourism focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal mental states.

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25
What does the Two-process model explain?
It suggests that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning. ## Footnote This model combines both learning processes to explain the development and persistence of phobias.
26
Define Classical conditioning
Learning by association, where an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus are repeatedly paired together, leading the neutral stimulus to produce the same response as the unconditioned stimulus. ## Footnote This was famously demonstrated in Pavlov's experiments with dogs.
27
What is Operant conditioning?
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. ## Footnote This concept was largely developed by B.F. Skinner and involves reinforcement and punishment.
28
What is the Behaviourist approach?
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning. ## Footnote This approach emphasizes observable behaviors as the primary data for psychological study.
29
What is Systematic desensitisation?
A behavioural therapy designed to reduce an unwanted response, such as anxiety, to a stimulus. ## Footnote It involves creating a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations, teaching relaxation techniques, and gradual exposure to the phobic situations.
30
Define Relaxation in psychological terms.
The state of being free from tension and anxiety. ## Footnote Relaxation techniques are often used in therapies to help manage anxiety and stress.
31
What is an Anxiety hierarchy?
A list of situations related to the phobic object or situation arranged in order from least to most frightening. ## Footnote This hierarchy is crucial in systematic desensitisation to gradually expose clients to their fears.
32
What is Flooding in the context of behavioural therapy?
A behavioural therapy in which a phobic client is exposed to an extreme form of a phobia in order to reduce anxiety. ## Footnote This method involves immediate and intense exposure to the feared object or situation, often resulting in a rapid decrease in fear.
33
What does the cognitive approach focus on?
How a person's mental processes impact their behaviour ## Footnote This includes thoughts, perceptions, and attention.
34
Define schema in the context of psychology.
A mental framework of ideas and information developed through experience ## Footnote Schemas help individuals organize and interpret information.
35
What is a negative self-schema?
Negative information a person holds about themselves based on negative past experiences ## Footnote This can lead to cognitive biases.
36
What are cognitive biases?
Systematic errors in thinking that impact how individuals process information ## Footnote These biases can lead to irrational thoughts or judgments.
37
What is the negative triad proposed by Beck?
Negative views of the world, of the self, and of the future ## Footnote This model explains the thought patterns involved in depression.
38
Explain Ellis's ABC model.
An activating event (A) triggers an irrational belief (B) which produces a consequence (C) ## Footnote The consequence is often an emotional response like depression.
39
What is cognitive vulnerability?
A predisposition to develop negative patterns of thinking ## Footnote This increases the likelihood of experiencing depression.
40
What is the cognitive approach focused on?
How a person's mental processes including their thoughts, perceptions, and attention impact their behaviour.
41
What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?
A method for treating conditions based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques.
42
What does the cognitive element of CBT aim to do?
Deal with challenging negative thoughts.
43
What are some behavioural techniques used in CBT?
* Behavioural activation * Gathering evidence to challenge irrational thoughts.
44
What is rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)?
A form of CBT based on Ellis's ABC model, extending it to ABCDEF.
45
What does the 'D' in the ABCDEF model stand for?
Dispute.
46
What does the 'E' in the ABCDEF model stand for?
Effect.
47
What does the 'F' in the ABCDEF model stand for?
New feelings produced by the therapy.
48
What are irrational thoughts?
Thoughts that are likely to interfere with a person's happiness.
49
Irrational thoughts are also referred to as _______.
[dysfunctional thoughts]
50
What is the Biological approach?
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural functions. ## Footnote This approach focuses on biological factors in understanding behavior and mental processes.
51
What do genes consist of?
DNA which codes for the physical and psychological features of an organism. ## Footnote Genes are fundamental units of heredity and play a crucial role in inheritance.
52
What are Genetic explanations in psychology?
Explanations that describe how mental conditions may be inherited. ## Footnote Genetic predispositions can influence the likelihood of developing certain psychological traits or disorders.
53
What are Neural explanations?
The view that physical and psychological characteristics are determined by the behaviour of the nervous system, the brain and individual neurons. ## Footnote This perspective highlights the role of the nervous system in influencing behavior and emotional states.
54
What is Serotonin?
A neurotransmitter that prevents neurons from firing. Lower levels of serotonin are associated with atypical transmission of mood related information. An individual may therefore experience low moods. ## Footnote Serotonin is often linked to mood regulation and is a key factor in mood disorders.
55
What is Dopamine?
A neurotransmitter that can have excitatory or inhibitory effects, depending on which receptor it binds to and in which area of the brain. Dopamine produces pleasure when the 'reward pathway' in the brain is activated. ## Footnote Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, and the regulation of mood.
56
What is the Biological approach?
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural functions. ## Footnote This approach is often used in psychology to explain behavior and mental processes.
57
What does drug therapy involve?
Treatment involving drugs that have chemicals affecting the functioning of the brain or bodily systems. ## Footnote Drug therapy is commonly used in the treatment of various mental health disorders.
58
What are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A class of drugs used to treat mental health disorders by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. ## Footnote This leads to increased serotonin levels, which can improve mood and emotional regulation.
59
Fill in the blank: SSRIs work by inhibiting the _______ of serotonin in the brain.
[reuptake]
60
True or False: The Biological approach only considers environmental factors in understanding behavior.
False
61
What is the primary effect of SSRIs on serotonin levels?
They increase serotonin levels. ## Footnote This increase can lead to improved mood and emotional regulation.

Psychology Paper 1 (8 decks)

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