Vocab Flashcards
(434 cards)
1
Q
Abnormal Psychology
A
The scientific study whose objectives are to describe, explain, predict, and modify behaviors associated with mental disorders
2
Q
Abstinence
A
Restraint from the use of alcohol, drugs, or other addictive substances
3
Q
Acculturative Stress
A
The psychological, physical, and social pressures experienced by individuals who are adapting to a new culture
4
Q
Addiction
A
Compulsive drug-seeking behavior and a loss of control over drug use
5
Q
Adjustment Disorder
A
A condition involving reactions to life stressors that are disproportionate to the severity or intensity of the event or situation
6
Q
Adrenal Gland
A
A gland that releases sex hormones and other hormones, such as cortisol, in response to stress
7
Q
Agoraphobia
A
An intense fear of being in public places where escape or help may not be readily available
8
Q
Alcohol Poisoning
A
Toxic effects resulting from rapidly consuming alcohol or ingesting a large quantity of alcohol; can result in impaired breathing, coma, and death
9
Q
Alcoholism
A
A condition in which the individual is dependent on alcohol and has difficulty controlling drinking
10
Q
Alleles
A
The gene pair responsible for a specific trait
11
Q
Alogia
A
Lack of meaningful speech
12
Q
Alzheimer’s Disease
A
Dementia involving memory loss and other declines in
cognitive and adaptive functioning
13
Q
Amniocentesis
A
A prenatal screening procedure involving withdrawal of amniotic fluid from the fetal sac
14
Q
Amygdala
A
The brain structure associated
with the processing, expression, and memory of emotions, especially anger and fear
15
Q
Analogue Study
A
An investigation that attempts to replicate or simulate, under controlled conditions, a situation that occurs in real life
16
Q
Anhedonia
A
Inability to experience pleasure from previously enjoyed activities
17
Q
Anorexia Nervosa
A
An eating disorder characterized by low body weight, an intense fear of becoming obese, and body image distortion
18
Q
Antipsychotic Medication
A
Medicine developed to counteract symptoms of psychosis
19
Q
Anorexia Nervosa
A
An eating disorder Characterized by low body weight, an intense fear of becoming obese, and body image distortion
20
Q
Anxiety
A
An anticipatory emotion that produces bodily reactions that prepare us for “fight or flight”
21
Q
Anxiety Disorder
A
Fear or anxiety symptoms that interfere with an individual’s day-to-day functioning
22
Q
Anxiety Sensitivity
A
A trait involving fear of physiological changes within the body
23
Q
Anxiolytics Anxiety
A
A class of medications that reduce anxiety
24
Q
Asociality
A
Minimal interest in social relationships
25
Assigned gender
The gender to which a child is socially assigned at birth based on biological sex
26
Asthma
A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs
27
Atherosclerosis
A condition involving the progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries due to an accumulation of fats and cholesterol
28
Blood Pressure
The measurement of the force of blood against the walls of the arteries and veins
29
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Childhood-onset disorder characterized by persistent attentional problems and/or impulsive, hyperactive behaviors
30
Attributional Style
A characteristic way of explaining why positive or negative events occur
31
Atypical Antipsychotics
Newer antipsychotic medications that are chemically different and less likely to produce the side effects associated with first-
generation antipsychotic
32
Autism Spectrum Disorder
A disorder characterized by a continuum of
| impairment in social communication and restricted, stereotyped interests and activities
33
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
A system that coordinates basic physio- logical functions and regulates physical responses associated with emotional reactions
34
Avoidant Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by a fear of rejection and humiliation and an avoidance of social situations
35
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
A system that coordinates basic physio- logical functions and regulates physical responses associated with emotional reactions
36
Avoidant Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by a fear of rejection and humiliation and an avoidance of social situations
37
Avolition
Lack of motivation; an inability to take action or become goal oriented
38
Axon
An extension on the neuron cell body that sends signals to other neurons, muscles, and glands
39
Behavioral Inhibition
Shyness
40
Behavioral Models
Models of psychopathology concerned with the role of
| learning in abnormal behavior
41
Behavioral Undercontrol
A personality
| trait associated with rebelliousness, novelty seeking, risk taking, and impulsivity
42
Beta-Amyloid Plaques
Clumps of beta-amyloid proteins found in the spaces between neurons
43
Binge Drinking
Episodic intake of five or more alcoholic beverages for men or four or more drinks for women
44
Binge Eating
Rapid consumption of large quantities of food
45
Binge-Eating Disorder
An eating disorder that involves the consumption of large amounts of food over a short period of time with accompanying feel- ings of loss of control and distress over the excess eating
46
Biofeedback Training
A physiological and behavioral approach in which an individual receives information regard- ing particular autonomic functions and is rewarded for influencing those func- tions in a desired direction
47
Biopsychosocial Model
The perspective suggesting that interactions among biological, psychological, and social factors cause mental disorders
48
Bipolar I Disorder
A diagnosis that involves at least one manic episode that has impaired social or occupational functioning; the person may or may not experience depression or psychotic symptoms
49
Bipolar II Disorder
A diagnosis that involves at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode
50
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
A condition involving a preoccupation with a perceived physical defect or excessive concern over a slight physical defect
51
Body Mass Index (BMI)
An estimate of body fat calculated on the basis of a person’s height and weight
52
Borderline Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by in- tense fluctuations in mood, self-image, and interpersonal relationships
53
Brain Pathology
A dysfunction or disease of the brain
54
Brief Psychotic Disorder
Psychotic episodes with a duration of at least 1 day but less than 1 month
55
Bulimia Nervosa
An eating disorder in which episodes involving rapid consumption of large quantities of food and a loss of control over eating are followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting in an attempt to compensate for binges
56
Cardiovascular
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels
57
Case study
An intensive study of one individual that relies on clinical data, such as observations, psychological tests, and historical and biographical information
58
Catatonia
A condition characterized by marked disturbance in motor activity; either extreme excitement or motoric immobility
59
Cerebral Contusion
Bruising of the brain, often resulting from a blow that causes the brain to forcefully strike the skull
60
Cerebral Cortex
The outermost layers of brain tissue; covers the cerebrum
61
Cerebral Laceration
An open head injury in which brain tissue is torn, pierced, or ruptured
62
Child Psychopathology
The emotional and behavioral manifestation of psychological disorders in children and adolescents
63
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
A progressive, degenerative condition involving brain damage resulting from multiple episodes of head trauma
64
Circadian Rhythm
An internal clock or daily cycle of internal biological rhythms that influence various bodily processes such as body temperature and sleep–wake cycles
65
Civil Commitment
The involuntary confinement of a person judged to be a danger to the self or to others, even though the person has not committed a crime
66
Classical Conditioning
A process in which responses to new stimuli are learned through association
67
Cluster Headache
Excruciating stabbing or burning sensations located in the eye or cheek
68
Cognitive Models
Explanations based on the assumption that thoughts medi- ate an individual’s emotional state or behavior in response to a stimulus
69
Cognitive Restructuring
A cognitive strategy that attempts to alter unrealistic thoughts that are believed to be responsible for fears and anxiety
70
Cognitive Symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia associated with prob- lems with attention, memory, and developing a plan of action
71
Comorbid
Existing simultaneously with another condition
72
Competency
To stand trial a judgment that a defendant has a factual and rational understanding of the criminal proceedings and can rationally consult with counsel in presenting a defense
73
Compulsion
The need to perform acts or mental tasks to reduce anxiety
74
Concordance Rate
The degree of similar- ity between twins or family members with respect to a trait or disorder
75
Concussion
Trauma-induced changes in brain functioning, typically caused by a blow to the head
76
Conditioned Response
In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has acquired some of the properties of another stimulus with which it has been paired
77
Conditioned Stimulus
In classical conditioning, a previously neutral stimulus that has acquired some of the properties of another stimulus with which it has been paired
78
Conduct Disorder
A persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of oth- ers, including aggression, serious rule violations, and illegal behavior
79
Confidentiality
An ethical standard that protects clients from disclosure of information without their consent
80
Controlled Drinking
Consuming no more than a predetermined amount of alcohol
81
Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
A condition involving sensory or motor impairment suggestive of a neurologi- cal disorder but with no underlying medical cause
82
Coprolalia
Involuntary utterance of obscenities or inappropriate remarks
83
Coronary Heart Disease
A condition involving the narrowing of cardiac arteries, resulting in the restriction or partial blockage of the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart
84
Correlation
The extent to which varia- tions in one variable are accompanied by increases or decreases in a second variable
85
Cortisol
A hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress
86
Co-Rumination
Extensively discussing negative feelings or events with peers or others
87
Course
The usual pattern that a disorder follows
88
Criminal Commitment
The incarceration of an individual for having committed a crime
89
Cyclothymic Disorder
A condition involvIng milder hypomanic symptoms that are consistently interspersed with milder depressed moods for at least 2 years
90
Dangerousness
A person’s potential for doing harm to the self or to others
91
Defense Mechanism
In psychoanalytic theory, an ego-protection strategy that shelters the individual from anxiety, operates unconsciously, and distorts reality
92
Deinstitutionalization
The shifting of responsibility for the care of mental patients from large central institutions to agencies within local communities
93
Delayed Ejaculation
Persistent delay or inability to ejaculate within the vagina despite adequate excitement and stimulation
94
Delirium
An acute state of confusion involving diminished awareness, disorientation, and impaired attentional skills
95
Delusion
A firmly held false belief
96
Delusional Disorder
A condition involving persistent delusions without other unusual or odd behaviors; tactile and olfactory hallucinations related to the delusional theme may be present
97
Dementia
A condition involving deterioration in cognition and independent functioning
98
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Dementia involving visual hallucinations, cognitive fluctuations, and atypical movements
99
Dendrite
A short, rootlike structure on the neuron cell body that receives signals from other neurons
100
Dependent Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by submissive, clinging behavior and an excessive need to be taken care of
101
Dependent Variable
A variable that is expected to change when an independent variable is manipulated in a psychological experiment
102
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
A dissociative condition characterized by feelings of unreality concerning the self and the environment
103
Depressant
A substance that causes a slowing of responses and generalized depression of the central nervous system
104
Depression
A mood state characterized by sadness or despair, feelings of worthlessness, and withdrawal from others
105
Detoxification
The phase of alcohol or drug treatment during which the body is purged of intoxicating substances
106
Diastolic Pressure
The arterial force exerted when the heart is relaxed and the ventricles of the heart are filling with blood
107
Diminished Capacity
A law standard allowing a defendant to be convicted of a lesser offense due to mental impairment
108
Diminished Emotional Expression
Reduced display of observable verbal and nonverbal behaviors that communicate internal emotions
109
Discrimination
Unjust or prejudicial treatment toward a person based on the person’s actual or perceived member- ship in a certain group
110
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
A trauma-related attachment disorder characterized by indiscrimi- nate, superficial attachments and desperation for interpersonal contact
111
Disordered Eating
Physically or psychologically unhealthy eating behavior such as chronic overeating or dieting with the goal of losing or controlling weight or managing emotions
112
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
A childhood disorder involving chronic irritability and significantly exaggerated anger reactions
113
Dissociative Amnesia
Sudden partial or total loss of important personal information or recall of events due to psychological factors
114
Dissociative Anesthetic
A substance that produces a dreamlike detachment
115
Dissociative Disorders
A group of disorders, including dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder, and depersonalization/derealization disorder, all of which involve some sort of dissociation, or separation, of a part of the person’s consciousness, memory, or identity
116
Dissociative Fugue
An episode involving complete loss of memory of one’s life and identity, unexpected travel to a new location, or assumption of a new identity
117
Dissociative Identity Disorder
A condition in which two or more relatively independent personality states appear to exist in one person, including experiences of possession; also known as multiple-personality disorder
118
Dopamine Hypothesis
The suggestion that schizophrenia may result from excess dopamine activity at certain synaptic sites
119
Double-Blind Design
An experimental design in which neither those helping with the experiment nor the participants are aware of experimental conditions
120
Down Syndrome
A chromosomal disorder (most frequently involving an extra copy of chromosome 21) that causes physical and neurological abnormalities
121
Dream Analysis
A psychoanalytic technique focused on interpreting the hidden meanings of dreams
122
Drug-Drug Interactions
When the effect of a medication is changed, enhanced, or diminished when taken with another drug, including herbal substances
123
Due Process
The constitutional guarantee of fair treatment within the judicial system
124
Durham Standard
A test of legal insanity also known as the product test—an accused person is not responsible if the unlawful act was the product of a mental disease or defect
125
Dyscalculia
A condition involving dif- ficulties in understanding mathematical skills or concepts
126
Dyslexia
A condition involving significant difficulties with reading skills
127
Dyspareunia
Recurrent or persistent pain in the genitals before, during, or after sexual intercourse
128
Echolalia
Repetition of vocalizations made by another person
129
Elevated Mood
A mood state involving extreme confidence and exaggerated feelings of energy and well-being
130
Emotional Lability
Unstable and rapidly changing emotions and mood
131
Endophenotypes
Measurable characteristics (neurochemical, endocrinological, neuroanatomical, cognitive, or neuropsychological) that can give clues regarding the specific genes involved in disorders
132
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
An independent neural system involved with digestion; capable of signaling the brain regarding stress and other emotions
133
Epidemiological research
The study of the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders in a population
134
Epigenetics
A field of biological research focused on understanding how environmental factors influence gene expression
135
Epinephrine
A hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to physical or mental stress; also known as adrenaline
136
Erectile Disorder
An inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse
137
Etiological Model
Model developed to explain the cause of a disorder
138
Etiology
The cause or origin of a disorder
139
Euphoria
An exceptionally elevated
mood; exaggerated feeling of well-
being
140
Excoriation (skin-picking) Disorder
A condition involving a distressing and recurrent compulsive picking of the skin resulting in skin lesions
141
Executive Functioning
Mental processes that involve the planning, organizing, and attention required to meet short-term and long-term goals
142
Exhibitionistic Disorder
Urges, acts, or fantasies that involve exposing one’s genitals to strangers
143
Exorcism
A practice used to cast evil spirits out of an afflicted person’s body
144
Expansive Mood
Person may feel extremely confident or self-important and behave impulsively
145
Experiment
A technique of scientific inquiry in which a prediction is made about two variables; the independent variable is then manipulated in a controlled situation, and changes in the dependent variable are measured
146
Experimental Hypothesis
A prediction concerning how an independent variable will affect a dependent variable in an experiment
147
Exposure Therapy
A treatment approach based on extinction principles that involves gradual or rapid exposure to feared objects or situations
148
Expressed Emotion (EE)
A negative communication pattern found among some relatives of individuals with schizophrenia
149
Externalizing Disorders
Disruptive behavior disorders associated with symptoms that disturb others
150
Extinction
The decrease or cessation of a behavior due to the gradual weakening of a classically or operantly conditioned response
151
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (1)
Side effects of antipsychotic medications that can affect a person’s gait, movement, or posture
152
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (2)
Side effects such as restlessness, involuntary movements, and muscular tension produced by antipsychotic medications
153
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
A therapy for PTSD involving visualization of the traumatic experience combined with rapid, rhythmic eye movements
154
Factitious Disorder
A condition in which a person deliberately induces or simulates symptoms of physical or mental illness with no apparent incentive other than attention from medical personnel or others
155
Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another
A pattern of falsification or production of physical or psychological symptoms in another individual
156
Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self
Symptoms of illness are deliberately induced, simulated, or exaggerated, with no apparent external incentive
157
Family Systems
Model an explanation that assumes that the family is an interdependent system and that mental disorders reflect processes occurring within the family system
158
Fear
An intense emotion experienced in response to a threatening situation fear extinction the elimination of conditioned fear responses associated with a trauma female orgasmic disorder sexual dysfunction involving persistent delay or inability to achieve an orgasm with adequate clitoral stimulation
159
Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
Distressing disinterest in sexual activities or an inability to attain or maintain physiological or psychological arousal during sexual activity
160
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Effects
A continuum of detrimental neurological and behavioral effects resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy
161
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A condition resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during gestation that involves central nervous system dysfunction and altered brain development
162
Fetishistic Disorder
Sexual attraction and fantasies involving inanimate objects
163
Field Study
An investigative technique in which behaviors and events are observed and recorded in their natural environment
164
First-Generation Antipsychotics
A group of medications originally devel- oped to combat psychotic symptoms by reducing dopamine levels in the brain; also called conventional or typical antipsychotics
165
Flight of ideas
Rapidly changing or disjointed thoughts
166
Flooding
A technique that involves inducing a high-anxiety level through continued actual or imagined exposure to a fear-arousing situation
167
Fragile X Syndrome
An inherited condition involving limited production of proteins required for brain development resulting in mild to severe intellectual disability
168
Free Association
A psychoanalytic therapeutic technique in which clients are asked to say whatever comes to mind for the purpose of revealing their unconscious thoughts
169
Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
Dementia involving degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain causing declines in language and behavior
170
Frotteuristic Disorder
Recurrent and intense sexual urges, acts, or fantasies that involve sexual touching or rubbing against a nonconsenting person
171
Gateway Drug
A substance that leads to the use of additional substances that are even more lethal
172
Gender Dysphoria
Distress and impaired functioning resulting from an incongruence between a person’s gender identity and assigned gender
173
Gene Expression
The process by which information encoded in a gene is translated into a specialized function or phenotype
174
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
A condition characterized by persistent, high levels of anxiety and excessive worry over many life circumstances
175
Genes
Segments of DNA coded with information needed for the biological inheritance of various traits
176
Genetic Linkage Studies
Studies that attempt to determine whether a disorder follows a genetic pattern
177
Genetic Mutation
An alteration in a gene that Changes the instructions within the gene; some mutations result in biological dysfunction
178
Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder
Physical pain or discomfort associated with intercourse or penetration
179
Genotype
A person’s genetic makeup
180
Glia
Cells that support and protect
| neurons
181
Grandiosity
An overvaluation of one’s
| significance or importance
182
Gray Matter
Brain tissue comprised of
| the cell bodies of neurons and glia
183
Habit Reversal
A therapeutic technique in which a client is taught to substitute new behaviors for habitual behaviors such as a tic
184
Hallucination
A sensory experience (such as an image, sound, smell, or taste) that seems real but that does not exist outside of the mind
185
Hallucinogen
A substance that induces perceptual distortions and heightens sensory awareness
186
Heavy drinking
Chronic alcohol intake of more than two drinks per day for men and more than one drink per day for women
187
Hemorrhagic stroke
A stroke involving leakage of blood into the brain
188
Heredity
The genetic transmission of personal characteristics
189
Hippocampus
The brain structure involved with the formation, organization, and storing of emotionally relevant memories
190
Histrionic personality disorder
A personality pattern characterized by extreme emotionality and attention seeking
191
Hoarding disorder
A condition involving congested living conditions due to the accumulation of possessions and distress over the thought of discarding them
192
Homeostasis
The ability to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting physiological processes
193
Hormones
Regulatory chemicals that influence various physiological activities, such metabolism, digestion, growth, and mood
194
Humanism
A philosophical movement that emphasizes human welfare and the worth and uniqueness of the individual
195
Humanistic perspective
The optimistic viewpoint that people are born with the ability to fulfill their potential and that abnormal behavior results from disharmony between a person’s potential and self-concept
196
Huntington’s disease
A genetic disease characterized by involuntary twitching movements and eventual dementia
197
Hypertension
A chronic condition characterized by a systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 or higher
198
Hyperthermia
Significantly elevated body temperature
199
Hypervigilance
A state of ongoing anxi- ety in which the person is constantly tense and alert for threats
200
Hypnotics
A class of medications that induce sleep
201
Hypomania
A milder form of mania involving increased levels of activity and goal-directed behaviors combined with an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
202
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
The system involved in stress and trauma reactions and regulation of body processes such as “fight or flight” responses
203
Hypothalamus
The brain structure that regulates bodily drives, such as hunger, thirst, and sexual response, and body conditions, such as body temperature and circadian rhythms
204
Hypothesis
A tentative explanation for certain facts or observations
205
Hysteria
An outdated term referring to excessive or uncontrollable emotion, sometimes resulting in somatic symp- toms (such as blindness or paralysis) that have no apparent physical cause
206
Illness Anxiety Disorder
A condition involving persistent health anxiety and/ or concern that one has an undetected physical illness; the person has only mild or no physical symptoms
207
Impulsivity
A tendency to act quickly without careful thought
208
Incest
Sexual relations between people too closely related to marry legally
209
Incidence
The number of new cases of a disorder that appear in an identified population within a specified time period
210
Independent Variable
A variable or condition that an experimenter manipulates to determine its effect on a dependent variable
211
Insanity Defense
The legal argument used by defendants who admit that they have committed a crime but plead not guilty because they were mentally disturbed at the time of the offense
212
Intellectual Disability
A disorder characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors
213
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
A condition involving low-frequency, high-intensity outbursts of extreme verbal or physical aggression or frequent lower-intensity outbursts
214
Internalizing Disorders
Conditions involving emotional symptoms directed inward
215
Intoxication
A condition involving problem behaviors or psychological changes that occur with excessive substance use
216
Intrapsychic
Psychological processes occurring within the mind
217
Irresistible Impulse Test
A doctrine that contends that a defendant is not criminally responsible if he or she lacked the willpower to control his or her behavior
218
Ischemic stroke
A stroke due to reduced blood supply caused by a clot or severe narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the brain
219
Learned Helplessness
A learned belief that one is helpless and unable to affect outcomes
220
Learning Disorder
An academic disabil- ity characterized by reading, writing, or math skills that are substantially below levels that would be expected based on the person’s age, intellectual ability, and educational background
221
Least restrictive environment
The least restrictive alternative to freedom that is appropriate to a person’s condition
222
Lethality
The capability of causing death
223
Lifetime Prevalence
The percentage of people in the population who have had a disorder at some point in their lives
224
Limbic System
The group of deep brain structures associated with emotions, de- cision making, and memory formation
225
Localized Amnesia
Lack of memory for a specific event or events
226
Loosening of Associations
Continual shifting from topic to topic without any apparent logical or meaningful connection between thoughts
227
M’Naghten Rule
A cognitive test of legal insanity that inquires whether the ac- cused knew right from wrong when the crime was committed
228
Major Depressive Disorder
A condition diagnosed if someone (without a history of hypomania/mania) experiences a depressive episode involving severe depressive symptoms that have negatively affected functioning most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 full weeks
229
Major depressive episode
A period involving severe depressive symptoms that have impaired functioning for at least 2 full weeks
230
Major neurocognitive disorder
A condition involving significant decline in independent living skills and in one or more areas of cognitive functioning
231
Male hypoactive sexual desire disor- der
Sexual dysfunction in men that is characterized by a lack of sexual desire
232
Malingering
Feigning illness for an external purpose
233
Managed health care
The industrialization of health care, whereby large organizations in the private sector control the delivery of services
234
Mania
A mental state characterized by very exaggerated activity and emotions including euphoria, excessive excitement, or irritability that result in impairment in social or occupational functioning
235
Medically Induced Coma
A deliberately induced state of deep sedation that allows the brain to rest and heal
236
Mental Disorder
Psychological symptoms or behavioral patterns that reflect an underlying psychobiological dysfunction, are associated with distress or disability, and are not merely an expectable response to common stressors or losses
237
Mental Health Professional
Health care practitioners (such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers) whose services focus on improving mental health or treating mental illness
238
Mental Illness
A mental health condition that negatively affects a person’s emotions, thinking, behavior, relationships with others, or overall functioning
239
Metabolic Syndrome
A medical condition associated with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension
240
Migraine Headache
Moderate to severe head pain resulting from abnormal brain activity affecting the cranial blood vessels and nerves
241
Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
A condition involving a modest decline in at least one major cognitive area
242
Mindfulness
Nonjudgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and the environment
243
Mixed Features
Concurrent hypomanic/ manic and depressive symptoms
244
Model
An analogy used by scientists, usually to describe or explain a phenomenon or process they cannot directly observe
245
Modeling
The process of learning by observing models (and later imitating them)
246
Modeling Therapy
A treatment procedure involving observation of an unfearful individual successfully interacting with a feared object or situation
247
Moderate Drinking
A lower-risk pattern of alcohol intake (no more than one or two drinks per day)
248
Mood
An emotional state or prevailing frame of mind
249
Moral Treatment Movement
A crusade to institute more humane treatment for people with mental illness
250
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
A therapeutic approach that addresses ambivalence and helps clients consider the advantages and disadvantages of changing their behavior
251
Motor Tic
A tic involving physical behaviors such as eye blinking, facial grimacing, or head jerking
252
Multicultural Model
A contemporary view that emphasizes the importance of considering a person’s cultural background and related experiences when determining normality and abnormality
253
Multicultural Psychology
A branch of psychology that focuses on culture, race, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeco- nomic class, and other similar factors in its effort to understand behavior
254
Multipath Model
A model that provides an organizational framework for understanding the numerous influences on the development of mental disorders, the complexity of their interacting components, and the need to view disorders from a holistic framework
255
Muscle Dysmorphia
The belief that one’s body is too small or insufficiently muscular
256
Myelin
White, fatty material that surrounds and insulates axons
257
Myelination
The process by which myelin sheaths increase the efficiency of signal transmission between nerve cells
258
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, an exploitive attitude, and a lack of empathy
259
Negative Appraisal
Interpreting events as threatening
260
Negative Reinforcement
Increasing the frequency or magnitude of a behavior by removing something aversive
261
Negative Symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia associated with an inability or decreased ability to initiate actions or speech, express emotions, or feel pleasure
262
Neural Circuits
The signal-relaying network of interconnected neurons
263
Neural Stem Cells
Uncommitted cells that can be stimulated to form new neurons and glia
264
Neurocognitive Disorder
A disorder that occurs when brain dysfunction affects thinking processes, memory, consciousness, or perception
265
Neurodegeneration
Declining brain functioning due to progressive loss of brain structure, neurochemical abnormalities, or the death of neurons
266
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Conditions involving impaired development of the brain and central nervous system that are evident early in a child’s life
267
Neurofibrillary Tangles
Twisted fibers of tau protein found inside nerve cells
268
Neurogenesis
The birth and growth of new neurons
269
Neuron
A nerve cell that transmits messages throughout the body
270
Neuropeptides
Small molecules that can directly and indirectly influence a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters
271
Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to change its structure and function in response to experience
272
Neurotransmitter
Any of a group of chemicals that help transmit messages between neurons
273
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
Self-harm intended to provide relief from negative feelings or to induce a positive mood state
274
Normal Blood Pressure
The normal amount of force exerted by blood against the artery walls; systolic pressure is less than 120 and diastolic pressure is less than 80
275
Obesity
A condition involving a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30
276
Observational Learning Theory
The theory that suggests that an individual can acquire new behaviors by watching
other people perform them
277
Obsession
An intrusive, repetitive thought or image that produces anxiety
278
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A condition characterized by intrusive, repetitive anxiety-producing thoughts or a strong need to perform acts or dwell on thoughts to reduce anxiety
279
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
A personality pattern charac- terized by perfectionism, a tendency to be interpersonally controlling, devotion to details, and rigidity
280
Operant Behavior
Voluntary and controllable behavior, such as walking or thinking, that “operates” on an individual’s environment
281
Operant Conditioning
The theory of learning that holds that behaviors are controlled by the consequences that follow them
282
Opioid
A painkilling agent that depresses the central nervous system, such as heroin and prescription pain relievers
283
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A childhood disorder characterized by negativistic, argumentative, and hostile behavior patterns
284
Orbitofrontal Cortex
The brain region associated with planning and decision making
285
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
A seriously disturbed eating pattern that does not fully meet the criteria for another eating disorder diagnosis
286
Panic Attack
An episode of intense fear accompanied by symptoms such as a pounding heart, trembling, shortness of breath, and fear of losing control or dying
287
Panic Disorder
A condition involving recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with apprehension over future attacks or behavioral changes to avoid attacks
288
Paranoid Ideation
Suspiciousness about the actions or motives of others
289
Paranoid Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by distrust and suspiciousness regarding the motives of others
290
Paraphilia
Recurring sexual arousal and gratification by means of mental imagery or behavior involving socially unacceptable objects, situations, or individuals
291
Paraphilic Disorders
Sexual disorders in which the person has either acted on or is severely distressed by recurrent urges or fantasies involving nonhuman objects, nonconsenting individuals, or suffering or humiliation
292
Parkinson’s Disease
A progressive disorder characterized by poorly controlled motor movements that are sometimes followed by cognitive decline
293
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
A childhood disorder involving depressive and energized episodes similar to the mood swings seen in adult bipolar disorder
294
Pedophilic Disorder
A disorder in which an adult obtains erotic gratification through urges, acts, or fantasies that involve sexual contact with a prepubescent or early pubescent child
295
Persecutory Delusions
Beliefs of being targeted by others
296
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
A condition involving chronic depressive symptoms that are present most of the day for more days than not during a 2-year period with no more than 2 months symptom-free
297
Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by impairment in self and interpersonal functioning and the presence of pathological personality traits that are relatively inflexible and long-standing
298
Personality Psychopathology
Dysfunctional and maladaptive personality patterns
299
Phenotype
Observable physical and behavioral characteristics resulting from the interaction between the genotype and the environment
300
Phobia
A strong, persistent, and exaggerated fear of a specific object or situation
301
Physiological Dependence
A state of adaptation that occurs after chronic exposure to a substance; can result in craving and withdrawal symptoms
302
Pituitary Gland
A gland that stimulates hormones associated with growth, sexual and reproductive development, metabolism, and stress responses
303
Placebo
An ineffectual or sham treatment, such as an inactive substance, used as a control in an experimental study
304
Placebo Effect
Improvement produced by expectations of a positive treatment outcome
305
Plaque
Sticky material (composed of fat, cholesterol, and other substances) that builds up on the walls of veins or arteries
306
Polymorphic Variation
A common DNA mutation of a gene
307
Polymorphism
A common DNA mutation or variation of a gene
308
Positive Psychology
The philosophical and scientific study of positive
| human functioning and the strengths and assets of individuals, families, and communities
309
Positive Reinforcement
Desirable actions or rewards that increase the likelihood that a particular behavior will occur
310
Positive Symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia that involve unusual thoughts or perceptions, such as delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking,
or bizarre behavior
311
Possession
The replacement of a person’s
sense of personal identity with a super-
natural spirit or power
312
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
a condition characterized by flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance, and other symptoms that last for more than 1 month and that occur as a result of exposure to extreme trauma
313
Predisposition
A susceptibility to certain symptoms or disorders
314
Prefrontal Cortex
The outer layer of the prefrontal lobe responsible for inhibiting instinctive responses and performing complex cognitive behavior such as managing attention, behavior, and emotions
315
Prefrontal Lobotomy
A surgical procedure in which the frontal lobes are disconnected from the remainder of the brain
316
Prehypertension
A condition believed to be a precursor to hypertension, stroke, and heart disease, characterized by systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 and diastolic pressure from 80 to 89
317
Prejudice
An unfair, preconceived judgment about a person or group based on supposed characteristics
318
Premature (early) Ejaculation
Ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, during, or within one minute after penetration
319
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
A condition involving distressing and disruptive symptoms of depression, irritability, and tension that occur the week before menstruation
320
Premorbid
Before the onset of major symptoms
321
Pressured Speech
Rapid, frenzied, or loud, disjointed communication
322
Prevalence
The percentage of individuals in a targeted population who have a particular disorder during a specific period of time
323
Privileged Communication
A therapist’s legal obligation to protect a client’s privacy and to prevent the disclosure of confidential communications without a client’s permission
324
Projective Personality YTest
Testing involving responses to ambiguous stimuli, such as inkblots, pictures, or incomplete sentences
325
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
An approach incorporating sustained imaginary and real-life exposure to trauma-related cues
326
Protective Factors
Conditions or attributes that lessen or eliminate the risk of a negative psychological or social outcome provisional diagnosis an initial diagnosis based on currently available information
327
Psychache
A term created to describe the unbearable psychological hurt, pain, and anguish associated with suicide
328
Psychoactive Substance
A substance that alters mood, thought processes, or other psychological states
329
Psychoanalysis
Therapy whose goals are to uncover repressed material, to help clients achieve insight into inner motivations and desires, and to resolve childhood conflicts that affect current relationships
330
Psychodiagnosis
An assessment and description of an individual’s psychological symptoms, including inferences about what might be causing the psychological distress
331
Psychodynamic Model
Model that views disorders as the result of childhood trauma or childhood-based anxieties that operate unconsciously
332
Psychogenic
Originating from psychological causes
333
Psychological autopsy
The systematic examination of existing information after a person’s death for the purpose of understanding and explaining the person’s behavior before death
334
Psychological Flexibility
The ability to mentally and emotionally adapt to situational demands
335
Psychological Resilience
The capacity to effectively adapt to and bounce back from stress, trauma, and other adversities
336
Psychopathology
The study of the symptoms, causes, and treatments of mental disorders
337
Psychopharmacology
The study of the effects of medications on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
338
Psychophysiological Disorder
Any physical disorder that has a strong psychological basis or component
339
Psychosexual Stages
In psychodynamic theory, the sequence of stages—oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital— through which human personality develops
340
Psychosis
A condition involving loss of contact with or a distorted view of reality, including disorganized thinking, false beliefs, or seeing or hearing things that are not there
341
Psychotherapy
A program of systematic intervention with the purpose of improving a client’s behavioral, emotional, or cognitive symptoms
342
Psychotic Symptoms
Loss of contact with reality that may involve disorganized thinking, false beliefs, or seeing or hearing things that are not there
343
Psychotropic Medications
Drugs that treat or manage psychiatric symptoms by influencing brain activity associated with emotions and behavior
344
Purge
To rid the body of unwanted calories by means such as self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications
345
Rape
A form of sexual aggression that involves sexual activity (oral-genital sex, anal intercourse, or vaginal intercourse) performed without a person’s consent through the use of force, argument, pressure, alcohol or drugs, or authority
346
Rape Trauma Syndrome
A two-phase syndrome that rape survivors may experience, involving such emotional reactions as psychological distress, pho- bic reactions, and sexual dysfunction
347
Rapid Cycling
The occurrence of four or more mood episodes per year
348
Recovery Movement
The philosophy that with appropriate treatment and support those with mental illness can improve and live satisfying lives even with any limitations caused by their illness
349
Reinforcer
Anything that increases the frequency or magnitude of a behavior
350
Relapse
A return to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence
351
Relaxation Training
A therapeutic technique in which a person acquires the ability to relax the muscles of the body in almost any circumstance
352
Reliability
The degree to which a measure or procedure yields the same results repeatedly
353
Repressed Memory
A memory of a traumatic event has been repressed and is, therefore, unavailable for recall
354
Resilience
The ability to recover from stress or adversity
355
Resistance
During psychoanalysis, a process in which the client unconsciously attempts to impede the analysis by preventing the exposure of repressed material
356
Response Prevention
Treatment in which an individual is prevented from performing a compulsive behavior
357
Restricted Affect
Severely diminished or limited emotional responsiveness
358
Reuptake
The reabsorption of a neurotransmitter after an impulse has been transmitted across the synapse
359
Right to Treatment
The concept that mental patients who have been involuntarily committed have a right to receive therapy for their condition
360
Rumination
Repeatedly thinking about concerns or details of past event
361
Schema
The mental framework for organizing and interpreting information
362
Schizoaffective disorder
A condition involving the existence of both symptoms of schizophrenia and major depressive or manic symptoms
363
Schizoid Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by detachment from social relationships and limited emotional expression
364
Schizophrenia
A disorder characterized by severely impaired cognitive processes, personality disintegration, mood disturbances, and social withdrawal
365
Schizophrenia Spectrum
A group of disorders that range in severity and that have similar clinical features, including some degree of reality distortion
366
Schizophreniform Disorder
Psychotic episodes with a duration of at least 1 month but less than 6 months
367
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
A personality pattern characterized by peculiar thoughts and behaviors and by poor interpersonal relationships
368
Scientific Method
A method of inquiry that provides for the systematic collection of data, controlled observation, and the testing of hypotheses
369
Sedatives
A class of drugs that have a calming or sedating effect
370
Selective amnesia
An inability to remember certain details of an event
371
Selective Mutism
Consistent failure to speak in certain situations
372
Self-Actualization
An inherent tendency to strive toward the realization of one’s full potential
373
Self-Efficacy
A belief in one’s ability to succeed
374
Self-Stigma
Acceptance of prejudice and discrimination based on internalized negative societal beliefs or stereotype
375
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Severe distress about leaving home, being alone, or being separated from a parent
376
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter associated with mood, sleep, appetite, and impulsive behavior
377
Sexual Dysfunction
A disruption of any part of the normal sexual response cycle that affects sexual desire, arousal, or response
378
Sexual Masochism Disorder
Sexual urges, fantasies, or acts that involve being humiliated, bound, or made to suffer
379
Sexual Orientation
Sexual identity involving the gender to which a person is physically and emotionally attracted
380
Sexual Sadism Disorder
Urges, fantasies, or acts that involve inflicting physical or psychological suffering on others
381
Single-Blind Design
An experimental design in which only the participants are unaware of the purpose of the research
382
Social Anxiety Disorder
An intense fear of being scrutinized in social or performance situations
383
Social Stigma
A negative societal belief about a group, including the view that the group is somehow different from other members of society
384
Sociocultural Influences
Factors such as gender, sexual orientation, spirituality, religion, socioeconomic status, race/ ethnicity, and culture that can exert an effect on mental health
385
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
A broad grouping of psychological disorders that involve physical symptoms or anxiety over illness, including somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder), and factitious disorder
386
Somatic Symptom Disorder
A condition involving a pattern of distressing thoughts regarding the seriousness of one’s physical symptoms combined with excessive time and concern devoted to worrying about these symptoms
387
Somatic Symptom Disorder with Predominant Pain
A condition involving excessive anxiety or persistent concerns over pain
388
Somatic Symptoms
Physical or bodily symptoms
389
Specific Phobia
An extreme fear of a specific object (such as snakes) or situation (such as being in an enclosed place)
390
Spirituality
The belief in an animating life force or energy beyond what we can perceive with our senses
391
Standardization
The use of identical procedures in the administration of tests
392
Standardization Sample
The comparison group on which test norms are based stereotype an oversimplified, often inaccurate, image or idea about a group of
people
393
Stimulant
A substance that energizes the
| central nervous system
394
Stress
The internal psychological or physiological response to a stressor
395
Stressor
An external event or situation that places a physical or psychological demand on a person
396
Stroke
A sudden halting of blood flow to a portion of the brain, leading to brain damage
397
Substance Abuse
A pattern of excessive or harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes
398
Substance-use Disorder
A condition in which cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms contribute to the continued use of alcohol or drugs despite significant substance-related problems
399
Suicidal Ideation
Thoughts about suicide
400
Suicide
The intentional, direct, and conscious taking of one’s own life
401
Suicidologist
A professional who studies the manifestation, dynamics, and prevention of suicides
402
Sympathetic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that automatically performs functions such as increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and raising blood pressure
403
Synapse
A tiny gap that exists between the axon of the sending neuron and the dendrites of the receiving neuron
404
Syndrome
Certain symptoms that tend to occur regularly in clusters
405
Systematic Desensitization
A treatment technique involving repeated exposure to a feared stimulus while a client is in a competing emotional or physiological state such as relaxation
406
Systematized Amnesia
Loss of memory for certain categories of information
407
Systolic Pressure
The force on blood vessels when the heart contracts
408
Tarantism
A form of mass hysteria prevalent during the Middle Ages, characterized by wild raving, jumping, dancing, and convulsing
409
Tarasoff Ruling
A California Supreme Court decision that obligates mental health professionals to break confidentiality when their clients pose a clear and imminent danger to another person
410
Temperament
Innate mental, physical, and emotional traits
411
Tension Headache
Head pain produced by prolonged contraction of the scalp and neck muscles, resulting in constriction of the blood vessels and steady pain
412
Tic
An involuntary, repetitive movement or vocalization
413
Tolerance
Decreases in the effects of a substance that occur after chronic use
414
Tourette’s Disorder
A condition characterized by multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics
415
Trait
A distinguishing quality or characteristic of a person, including a tendency to feel, perceive, behave, or think in a relatively consistent manner
416
Transference
The process by which a client undergoing psychoanalysis reenacts early conflicts by applying to the analyst feelings and attitudes that the person has toward significant others
417
Transgender identity
A person’s innate psychological identification as male or female does not correspond with the person’s biological sex
418
Transient Ischemic Attack
A “mini-stroke” resulting from temporary block- age of arteries
419
Transvestic Disorder
Intense sexual arousal obtained through cross-dressing (wearing clothes appropriate to a different gender)
420
Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
A therapeutic approach that helps clients identify and challenge dysfunctional cognitions about a traumatic event
421
Traumatic Brain Injury
A physical wound or internal injury to the brain
422
Treatment Plan
A proposed course of
therapy, developed collaboratively by a therapist and client, that addresses the client’s most distressing mental health symptoms
423
Treatment-Resistant Depression
A depressive episode that has not improved despite an adequate trial of antidepressant medication or other traditional forms of treatment
424
Trephining
A surgical method from the Stone Age in which part of the skull was chipped away to provide an opening through which an evil spirit could escape
425
Trichotillomania
Recurrent and compulsive hair pulling that results in hair loss and causes significant distress
426
Unconditioned response
In classical conditioning, the unlearned response made to an unconditioned stimulus
427
Unconditioned Stimulus
In classical conditioning, the stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response
428
Universal shamanic tradition
The set of beliefs and practices from non- Western indigenous traditions that assume that special healers are blessed with powers to act as messengers between the human and spirit worlds
429
Vaginismus
Involuntary spasms of the outer third of the vaginal wall that prevents or interferes with sexual intercourse
430
Validity
The degree to which an instrument measures what it was developed to measure
431
Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder
A condition involving decline in cognitive skills due to reduced blood flow to the brain
432
Vocal Tic
An audible tic such as coughing, grunting, throat clearing, sniffling, or making sudden, vocal outbursts
433
Voyeuristic disorder
Urges, acts, or fantasies that involve observing an unsuspecting person disrobing or engaging in sexual activity
434
Withdrawal
The adverse physical and psychological symptoms that occur after reducing or ceasing intake of a substance
