Questions and Answers
What is a psychological disorder?
A condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Psychopathology is the study of ______.
psychological disorders
All atypical behaviors indicate a psychological disorder.
False
What are characteristics that may signify a psychological disorder?
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Which of the following is NOT a criterion for identifying psychological disorders?
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What does Wakefield's model of harmful dysfunction propose?
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Who was a major critic of the concept of mental illness?
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According to the American Psychiatric Association, a psychological disorder is characterized by which of the following?
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What is considered a significant disturbance in thoughts, feelings, or behaviors?
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Violating cultural expectations is ______ sufficient for identifying a psychological disorder.
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Study Notes
Psychological Disorders Overview
- Conditions characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Psychopathology involves studying symptoms, causes (etiology), and treatments of psychological disorders.
- Identifying abnormal behavior requires agreement among mental health professionals.
- Behavior patterns can indicate psychological disturbance versus situational, idiosyncratic, or unconventional responses.
Defining Psychological Disorders
- Psychological disorders often have atypical, distressful, dysfunctional, or dangerous behaviors.
- Atypical behavior does not automatically indicate a disorder; for example, having red hair is atypical but not disordered.
- Cultural expectations play a significant role in determining what is considered disordered behavior.
Cultural Influence on Disorders
- Behaviors violating cultural norms may not necessarily indicate a disorder.
- Social norms differ globally; for instance, smiling at strangers is expected in the U.S. but not in Japan.
- Hallucinations could be perceived as disordered in Western cultures but may be accepted and valued in others.
The Myth of Mental Illness
- Criticism of the mental illness concept gained momentum in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Thomas Szasz argued that mental illnesses are societal constructs that stigmatize those who deviate from social norms.
- Symptoms of mental illness should be viewed as "problems in living" rather than genuine illness.
- Szasz challenged the classification of homosexuality as a mental illness, contributing to more significant social and legal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Harmful Dysfunction Model
- Wakefield's model defines psychological disorder as a "harmful dysfunction" within internal mechanisms.
- Psychological processes must perform specific functions, and dysfunction occurs when these processes fail.
- Dysfunctions lead to negative effects on individual functioning, such as anxiety, depression, or impairments in daily life.
- Example: An extreme fear of spiders may signify a dysfunctional response to an appropriate learning process.
APA Definition of Psychological Disorder
- APA defines psychological disorder as involving significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Such disturbances are linked to biological, psychological, or developmental dysfunctions.
- Psychological disorders cause significant distress or functional impairment in daily life.
- Disturbances must not reflect culturally expected reactions; for example, sadness after a death is culturally normalized.
- There is no universally accepted definition or criteria that can distinctly categorize psychological disorders from non-disorders.
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Description
This quiz explores the definition and characteristics of psychological disorders, including their symptoms, causes, and treatments. It focuses on the field of psychopathology and aims to provide a clearer understanding of mental health conditions.
