ABPS311 – Understanding Abnormal Psychology

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'psychopathology' refer to?

The scientific study of psychological disorders (correct)

The treatment of physical illnesses related to psychology

The process of psychological assessment for healthy individuals

The study of normal psychological development

Which of the following best defines the '4 D's' in understanding psychological disorders?

Distress, Dysfunction, Deviance, Danger (correct)

Distress, Diagnosis, Dysfunction, Denial

Dysfunction, Diagnosis, Danger, Distress

Disturbance, Dysfunction, Discontinuity, Deviance

What primary focus distinguishes clinical psychologists from counseling psychologists?

Clinical psychologists focus on vocational training

Clinical psychologists generally do not diagnose conditions

Clinical psychologists specialize in adjustment issues

Clinical psychologists address severe psychological disorders (correct)

What educational path must a psychiatrist follow to practice?

Earn an M.D. and complete a residency in psychiatry Signup and view all the answers

How does the DSM define abnormality?

As behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions that are unexpected culturally Signup and view all the answers

What did the Swiss physician believe regarding the cause of insanity?

It is always a result of physical issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment method is associated with Ugo Cerletti and Lucio Bini?

Hydro Shock Therapy Signup and view all the answers

What did Hippocrates suggest regarding psychological disorders?

They can be treated like any physical disease. Signup and view all the answers

Plato's view on maladaptive behavior emphasized which two factors?

Social and cultural influences and learning experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological defense mechanism involves redirecting feelings to a safer object?

Displacement Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'sanguine' refer to in the context of Hippocrates' theory?

An individual who is cheerful and optimistic Signup and view all the answers

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, which tactic is NOT typically used?

Hypnosis Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Louis Pasteur's germ theory in the context of psychology?

It linked bacterial infections to mental illness. Signup and view all the answers

Which emotional factor is associated with moral therapy?

Psychological well-being Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the psychosexual stages proposed by Freud?

Masculine Signup and view all the answers

What role does the pre-frontal cortex play in cognitive functions?

Decision making Signup and view all the answers

What environmental factors influence changes in cognitive abilities during adulthood?

Both B and C Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the thalamus in the brain?

Directing sensory information Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive symptoms may worsen due to hippocampus damage in Parkinson's disease?

Visual-spatial deficits Signup and view all the answers

What emotional impairments can result from damage to the amygdala?

Reduced recognition of fear Signup and view all the answers

Which condition has been linked to structural changes in the amygdala?

Bipolar disorder Signup and view all the answers

What type of deficits may individuals with bipolar disorder experience related to hippocampus abnormalities?

Cognitive impairments Signup and view all the answers

What might reduced amygdala volume suggest in terms of psychological vulnerability?

Increased vulnerability to stress Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is thought to have altered activity in individuals with schizophrenia?

Cingulate cortex Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the overall function of the limbic system?

Regulation of instinctive behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What type of psychological test involves the use of ambiguous stimuli?

Projective Test Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment method uses direct observation to evaluate an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors?

Behavioral Assessment Signup and view all the answers

Which type of psychological test focuses specifically on cognitive, emotional, or behavioral responses to determine specific disorders?

Psychological Test Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of neuroimaging techniques like MRI and PET scans?

Examine brain structure and function Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an idiographic strategy in psychological assessment?

It identifies unique individual characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the diathesis-stress model in understanding psychopathology?

To explore how inherited tendencies can be activated by stress. Signup and view all the answers

In genetic contributions to psychopathology, what does a dominant gene imply?

It strongly influences a particular trait. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'nomenclature' refer to in the context of psychology?

The labeling of disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What does neuropsychological testing primarily assess?

Receptive and expressive language abilities Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a semi-structured interview in psychological assessment?

It uses fixed questions but encourages elaboration on responses. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'classification' refer to in psychological assessment?

The categorization of entities based on shared attributes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of psychophysiological assessment?

Measuring brain structure and activity. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT typically assessed by intelligence tests?

Emotional intelligence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the amygdala in individuals with bipolar disorder?

Managing emotional responses and behavior Signup and view all the answers

What consequences can damage to the hippocampus lead to?

Disruption of memory and spatial navigation Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with feelings of pleasure and motivation?

Dopamine Signup and view all the answers

Which factor may contribute to hypothalamic dysfunction?

Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is associated with overactivity of glutamate in the nervous system?

Burnout of nervous system sections Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of low activity of serotonin?

Reduced inhibition in behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'learned helplessness'?

A response to uncontrollable conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in the brain?

Processing basic emotions and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What role does GABA play in the nervous system?

Inhibition of neural activity Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is linked to heart rate and blood pressure regulation?

Norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by exaggerated startle responses and observable fear reactions?

Fright Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What describes 'implicit memory'?

Memory evident from past actions without conscious recall Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the fear response?

To ensure survival through quick reaction Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Abnormal Psychology

Psychopathology is the scientific study of psychological disorders.
The 4 D's of abnormality: Distress, Dysfunction, Deviance, Danger.
Abnormality is characterized by psychological dysfunction resulting in distress or impairment in functioning that is atypical across cultural contexts.

Key Professionals in Psychology

Counseling Psychologists (Ph.D., Ed.D., Psy.D.) focus on adjustment and vocational issues for relatively healthy individuals.
Clinical Psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D.) treat more severe psychological disorders.
Psychiatrists start with an M.D. degree and specialize in psychiatry, often using a biological approach to treatment.

Historical Perspectives on Abnormality

Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine, believed psychological disorders could be treated like physical diseases.
The four bodily humors affecting behavior: sanguine (optimistic), melancholic (depressive), phlegmatic (sluggish), and choleric (irritable).

Biological Treatments

Insulin Shock Therapy, Shock Therapy, Hydro Shock Therapy were early biological treatments aimed at psychological disorders.

Psychological Traditions and Theories

Plato emphasized social and cultural influences on maladaptive behavior.
Psychoanalytic Theory introduced defense mechanisms (e.g., denial, displacement) and stages of psychosexual development (e.g., oral, anal).

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Characterized by unstructured and semi-structured interview techniques to explore thoughts and feelings.

Psychological Assessment Techniques

Psychological tests assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses.
Projective Tests involve interpreting ambiguous stimuli to gain insight into personality.
Intelligence Tests evaluate cognitive abilities, including attention and reasoning.

Neuropsychological and Physiological Assessments

Neuroimaging techniques such as CAT scans, MRI, and PET scans assess brain structure and function.
Psychophysiological assessments (e.g., EEG) measure nervous system activity.

Diagnosing Psychological Disorders

Idiographic strategies focus on individual uniqueness, while nomothetic strategies consider general classes of disorders.
Classification and taxonomy involve organizing disorders into categories based on shared attributes.

Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

The Multidimensional Model considers behavioral, biological, emotional, social, and developmental influences on psychopathology.

Genetic Contributions to Psychopathology

Genes are long DNA molecules located on 46 chromosomes, critical for biological functioning and trait development.
Dominant and recessive gene interactions influence traits and behaviors.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Proposes individuals inherit tendencies that may become expressed under stress, indicating a biological predisposition to develop psychological disorders.

Neuroscience's Role in Psychopathology

The frontal lobe is involved in voluntary movement, language, and executive functions, with distinct regions managing decision-making and emotions.
The limbic system regulates instincts; damage to areas can lead to memory issues and emotional dysregulation.
The amygdala is crucial for emotion processing; its damage can result in aggression, altered emotional responses, and impaired fear recognition.
Hippocampal damage is associated with cognitive decline in disorders like Parkinson's and bipolar disorder.

Key Brain Structures in Emotion and Behavior

Thalamus directs sensory information to the cortex.
Cingulate gyrus regulates emotions and behavior; structural differences are noted in disorders like PTSD and schizophrenia.### Childhood Violence and Brain Structure
Childhood violence exposure linked to reduced amygdala volumes.
This reduction interacts with later life stress, predicting worsening depression over time.
Decreased gray matter volumes identified in the anterior cingulate cortex of individuals with ADHD.

Amygdala and Bipolar Disorder

Structural and neurochemical differences in the amygdala found in young individuals with bipolar disorder.
Suggests a correlation between amygdala volume and the disorder.

Hippocampus Functionality

The hippocampus plays a critical role in memory.
Damage to this area disrupts cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and spatial navigation.

Hypothalamus and Mental Health

Located below the thalamus, regulates eating, drinking, and sexual behavior.
Involved in basic emotion processing and activation of the pituitary gland.
Damage linked to mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, and OCD.
Chronic stress and high cortisol levels can lead to hypothalamic dysfunction.

Major Neurotransmitters in Psychopathology

Norepinephrine: Influences heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
Dopamine: Associated with pleasure and motivation; connections to schizophrenia and addiction.
Serotonin: Regulates behavior and mood; extremely low activity linked to psychological dysfunction.
GABA: Inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces emotional response and overall arousal.
Glutamate: An excitatory transmitter; overactivity can cause nervous system burnout.

Cognitive Science and Learning

Cognitive science focuses on information acquisition, processing, and retrieval.
Learned helplessness involves experiencing uncontrollable conditions, affecting future behavior and mindset.
Learned optimism relates to maintaining a positive outlook despite stress and adversity.

Emotional Learning and Memory

Prepared learning signifies an evolutionary adaptation for acquiring knowledge about survival-related objects and situations.
Implicit memory demonstrated when actions are influenced by past experiences without conscious recollection.

The Emotion of Fear

Fear is a programmed response crucial for survival, as suggested by Charles Darwin.
Flight or fight response activates in life-threatening situations, involving subjective feelings of terror and motivational drive (escape or fight).

Mood and Affect

Mood represents a prolonged emotional state, while affect refers to the immediate emotional response (pleasant or unpleasant).

Fright disorders, such as Susto and Evil Eye, include anxiety-based symptoms and can have both psychological and somatic effects.
Susto involves a belief in black magic, leading to conditions like insomnia and increased heart rate.
Evil Eye can produce fatal psychological and somatic symptoms resulting from perceived malevolence.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of abnormal psychology, focusing on the scientific study of psychological disorders. It explores the concepts of psychopathology and the role of counseling psychologists in treating various psychological issues. Prepare to deepen your understanding of mental health diagnoses.