Diagnosis and Classification of Psychological Problems

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Questions and Answers

Why is it challenging to define abnormal behavior?

There is a universally accepted definition.

No single feature is shared by all forms and no clear boundary exists. (correct)

Abnormal behavior can be easily identified in all cases.

Abnormal behavior is only defined by medical professionals.

What are some common misconceptions about abnormal behavior?

Abnormal behavior is exclusively tied to mental illness.

Abnormal behavior is often seen as only bizarre. (correct)

Abnormal behavior always includes dangerous actions. (correct)

All forms of abnormal behavior lead to dysfunction.

Which of the following is NOT one of the proposed definitions of abnormal behavior?

Psychological help-seeking behavior (correct)

The experience of subjective distress

Conformity to norms

Disability or dysfunction

What can be inferred about Juanita's behavior after entering high school?

She displayed signs of withdrawal or excessive religiosity. Signup and view all the answers

Juanita’s choice of clothing and grooming reflected what change in her behavior?

A shift towards an atypical, severe style. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Juanita's behavior could indicate a dysfunction according to the definitions of abnormal behavior?

Her repeated attendance at multiple churches. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the varying diagnoses given to Juanita after her parents took her to a psychiatrist?

Schizophrenia, paranoid type Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic behavior of Juanita raises concerns for mental health professionals?

Her choice to read alone in her room. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of defining abnormal behavior based on conformity to norms?

Cultural and developmental relativity Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about subjective distress is accurate?

It is reasonable to expect individuals to assess their emotions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a criterion for determining if behavior is abnormal based on disability or dysfunction?

The behavior must disrupt social or occupational functioning. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the danger criterion for abnormal behavior not apply in all cases?

Not all psychological pathologies lead to risk of harm. Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT an advantage of using dysfunction as a criterion for abnormality?

It provides a clear standard for defining abnormality. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential issue with using subjective distress as a measure for abnormal behavior?

Not everyone deemed disordered experiences subjective distress. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a drawback of setting cutoff points in defining abnormal behavior?

They can lead to inconsistent definitions across societies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects a key point about abnormal behavior and mental illness?

Abnormal behavior does not necessarily indicate mental illness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)?

To standardize the diagnosis of psychological disorders Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dysfunction' refer to in the context of abnormality?

Impairment to conduct daily activities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following axes in DSM-IV-TR addresses clinical disorders?

Axis I Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'cultural relativism'?

The view that there are no universal standards for labeling behavior as abnormal Signup and view all the answers

What does Axis V in the DSM-IV-TR assess?

Global Assessment Functioning Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the term 'biopsychosocial' in the context of abnormality?

The combined influence of biological, psychological, and sociocultural interactions Signup and view all the answers

How does the DSM primarily differ from the ICD?

It generates substantial revenue for the publisher Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of the DSM-IV compared to its predecessors?

It provided a more quantitative and objective approach Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a biological cause of abnormality?

Interpersonal conflicts Signup and view all the answers

What does 'distress' refer to in the context of defining abnormal behavior?

Emotional or physical pain that may or may not be present Signup and view all the answers

What are the 4 D's used to define abnormality in DSM-V?

Devience, Distress, Dysfunction, Dangerousness Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of empirical research in psychopathology?

To stimulate the development of diagnostic constructs Signup and view all the answers

Which edition of the DSM introduced a multi-axial system for diagnosis?

DSM-IV Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is essential for a syndrome to be considered a mental disorder?

It must result in distress, disability, or increased risk of problems. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a mental disorder under DSM IV-TR?

A cultural response to common life events. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advantages of diagnosing mental disorders?

It facilitates communication using standardized diagnostic criteria. Signup and view all the answers

What does the diagnosis of mental disorders primarily aim to achieve?

To classify behavior patterns within an accepted system. Signup and view all the answers

Why are not all deviant behaviors classified as mental disorders?

They may not signify dysfunction in the individual. Signup and view all the answers

What role does research play in the diagnosis of mental disorders?

It helps establish a connection between diagnosis and treatment options. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a key component of mental disorder diagnosis?

Classifying the abnormal behavior pattern systematically. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus when determining a mental disorder?

Assessing the presence of distress or dysfunction. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Abnormal Behavior and Mental Illness

Abnormal behavior is difficult to define as it lacks a single descriptive feature shared by all forms and no one criterion suffices.
There is no clear boundary between normal and abnormal behavior.
Common equated aspects of abnormal behavior: bizarre, dangerous, and shameful actions.
Proposed definitions of abnormal behavior include:
- Conformity to social norms.
- Experience of subjective distress.
- Disability or dysfunction in functioning.

The Case of Juanita L.

Juanita, initially normal, exhibited significant behavioral changes in high school, including severe grooming and obsessive religious behavior.
Her academic performance declined, and she began isolating herself while expressing strict moral judgments on peers.
Juanita's actions drew concern from her parents, leading to psychiatric intervention and varied diagnoses such as schizophrenia.

Classification of Abnormal Behavior

Conformity to Norms
- Deviant behavior identified by statistical infrequency or violation of social norms.
- Advantages include intuitive appeal and clear cutoff points; disadvantages involve subjective choice of cutoff points and cultural relativity.
Subjective Distress
- Focuses on individuals' feelings of happiness or fulfillment.
- Advantages include self-assessment capacity; disadvantages highlight that not all disordered individuals report distress.
Disability/Dysfunction
- Identified by interpersonal or occupational issues in daily functioning.
- Advantages include observable dysfunction prompting help-seeking; disadvantages include challenges in defining adequate functioning standards.
Danger
- Significance lies in the risk presented by an individual to themselves or others, though not all abnormal cases exhibit danger.

Key Points on Mental Illness

Mental illness refers to a group of syndromes comprised of abnormal behaviors.
The DSM-IV-TR defines mental disorders as clinically significant syndromes that lead to distress or functional impairment.
Mental disorders must sustain a degree of dysfunction unrelated to culturally expected responses.

Importance of Diagnosis

Diagnosis aids in communication among professionals and promotes empirical research.
It facilitates a better understanding of etiology and directs effective treatment approaches.

DSM Overview

Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM details psychological disorders and uses a multi-axial system to evaluate conditions.
The latest version, DSM-5, simplifies to single-line diagnosis with specifiers.

Cause of Abnormality

Classifications include biological, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions, with a biopsychosocial approach emphasizing their interactions.
Biological causes encompass genetics, medical conditions, and environmental stimuli.
Psychological causes involve distressing life events and cognitive distortions.

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Description

Explore the complexities of diagnosing and classifying psychological problems in this quiz. Delve into topics such as abnormal behavior, mental illness, and the various classification systems like DSM IV-TR, DSM V, and ICD. Understand the challenges in defining what constitutes abnormal behavior.