Psychology Abnormal Behavior Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the disability/dysfunction definition?

Social effects on interpersonal relationships

Personal impairment in day-to-day functioning

Occupational impact leading to job loss

Genetic predisposition to mental illness (correct)

What is a significant advantage of the disability/dysfunction definition?

It identifies the underlying causes of dysfunction

It provides a clear universal standard for diagnosis

It typically encourages individuals to seek treatment (correct)

It allows for broad interpretations of mental health

In defining abnormal behavior, which statement is accurate?

All abnormal behaviors are uniformly unacceptable across cultures

Abnormal behavior always indicates a mental disorder

One definition can sufficiently encompass all abnormal behaviors

Cultural diversity affects the perception of abnormal behavior (correct)

What does the term 'symptom' refer to in the context of mental health?

A subjective report of a single characteristic Signup and view all the answers

What challenge arises in determining dysfunction as a measure of abnormal behavior?

The ambiguity in standards set for dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between RDoC and DSM-5-TR?

RDoC is grounded in biological theory; DSM-5-TR is descriptive. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents a dimensional approach to assessing anxiety?

A person ranks their anxiety from 1 to 10. Signup and view all the answers

What does the categorical system emphasize in diagnosing disorders?

It evaluates the presence or absence of a disorder. Signup and view all the answers

How do dimensional systems potentially enhance understanding of individual functioning?

By measuring the extent to which symptoms are present. Signup and view all the answers

What is the naive assumption regarding the structure of psychopathology addressed in the content?

Bimodality in characteristics indicates categorical syndromes. Signup and view all the answers

What major change was introduced in DSM-5 compared to DSM-IV?

Elimination of the multi-axial system Signup and view all the answers

What type of measures were included in the DSM-5 for assessing symptoms?

Environmental problems checklist Signup and view all the answers

Which organization developed the scale used to measure dysfunction in the DSM-5?

World Health Organization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is assessed regarding household responsibilities?

Taking care of your household responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule NOT include?

Employment status Signup and view all the answers

How is the level of difficulty in activities assessed in the DSM-5?

Using a standardized form from the WHO Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the aim of refining each syndrome in the DSM-5?

To ensure syndromes are homogeneous in terms of etiology and course Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of RDoC?

To promote research integrating genetics, neuroscience, and behavioral science. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant weakness of the DSM mentioned in the content?

Its lack of validity in diagnosing mental disorders. Signup and view all the answers

In which domain does the RDoC focus on brain systems that respond to fear and anxiety?

Negative valence systems Signup and view all the answers

Which construct is associated with the Cognitive systems domain of RDoC?

Attention Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the aims of RDoC in terms of diagnosis and treatment?

To develop an objective diagnostic system based on biological factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which domain of RDoC relates to how individuals interact and form connections with others?

Social processes Signup and view all the answers

Research Domain Criteria is different from the DSM in that it emphasizes:

Biological understanding and neurobiological processes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a domain included in the RDoC framework?

Emotional regulation systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of case formulation?

To formulate a hypothesis about psychological mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

Which element of case formulation outlines the presenting problem?

Problem list Signup and view all the answers

What are predisposing factors in case formulation?

Factors leading to the development of psychological issues Signup and view all the answers

How does the iterative approach function in case formulation?

It allows for repeated testing and revision of treatment hypotheses Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by precipitants in the context of case formulation?

Factors that worsen or trigger worsening of problems Signup and view all the answers

What is a strength of the case formulation approach?

Incorporation of sociocultural factors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT involved in communicating the treatment plan?

Assigning clients to a group therapy model Signup and view all the answers

What might influence a client's willingness to seek help according to cultural considerations?

Availability of treatments Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of a mechanism that can maintain a psychological problem?

Dysfunctional cognitions about self Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the process of monitoring progress in therapy?

It can strengthen the client-therapist relationship Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of the case formulation approach?

Limited research assessing its utility Signup and view all the answers

What role does culture play in the DSM's approach to psychological disorders?

Enhanced cultural sensitivity and inclusion of culture-bound syndromes Signup and view all the answers

How can social withdrawal act as a predisposing factor?

It can create emotional distress leading to psychological issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key elements that necessitates a revision of the treatment plan?

Identification of additional precipitating factors Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dysfunction Definition

The disability or dysfunction definition of abnormal behavior states that impairment of life function is a symptom of abnormal behaviors.
Life functions affected by dysfunction can be social, occupational, or personal.
The disability or dysfunction definition is advantageous because it requires minimal inference, and has the potential to help people seek treatment.
The downside of the definition is that it is difficult to decide who defines the standard of "dysfunction" and how many areas of functioning must be impaired to reach a conclusion of abnormal behavior.

Abnormal Behavior

There is no single definition of abnormal behavior.
Abnormal behavior does not mean the person has a mental illness.
When a disorder diagnosis is given, it means that the individual meets the criteria listed in the diagnostic manual; it does not imply an understanding of the cause of the disorder.
Clinicians strive to be inclusive of cultural and human diversity rather than using an “abnormality” descriptor.

Symptoms and Syndromes

A symptom is a behavior or subjective report of a characteristic.
A symptom by itself has various potential meanings.
A syndrome is a group of symptoms that co-occur in a systematic pattern.
Syndromes have specified durations and potential treatment outcomes.
Syndromes are refined over time to develop consistency in how they are understood, treated, and affect people.

DSM-5(-TR)

The DSM-5(-TR) is a diagnostic manual for mental disorders.
The multi-axial system from the DSM-IV has been eliminated.
The DSM-5(-TR) includes environmental problem checklists and cross-cutting symptom assessment measures for youth and adults.
The dysfunction scale that measures "how much of a problem" is found in the DSM-5(-TR) and was developed by the World Health Organization.

World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule

The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule asks individuals to self-report the severity of their difficulty performing various life tasks, such as walking, washing, social interaction, and engaging in activities.

Mental illness and Diagnosis

The DSM's weakness is its lack of validity.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) shifted its research focus away from DSM classifications.

Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)

RDoC is an NIMH initiative that promotes research integrating genetics, neuroscience, and behavioral science.
RDoC aims to create an objective diagnostic system based on “biotypes" using biologically based treatments.
RDoC includes six domains with a set of constructs: negative valence systems, positive valence systems, cognitive systems, social processes, arousal and regulatory systems, and sensorimotor systems.

RDoC Compared to the DSM-5(-TR)

RDoC takes a dimensional approach and considers the degree to which an individual experiences symptoms on a scale. The DSM-5(-TR) offers a categorical approach, defining a disorder as present or absent.
RDoC starts with brain-behavior relations and links them to clinical signs and symptoms. The DSM-5(-TR) starts with disorder categories and fills the categories with symptoms.
RDoC is biologically based. The DSM-5(-TR) is a descriptive diagnostic system.

Categorical vs. Dimensional Systems

Categorical systems focus on if a disorder is present or absent.
Dimensional systems focus on the severity of symptoms on a continuous scale.
Dimensional systems have the potential to better capture an individual's functioning.

The Structure of Psychopathology

Is psychopathology continuous with the range of individual differences in the population, or is it qualitatively distinct?
Do the same factors that contribute to variation in the typical range of individuals also account for the extremes?
Do psychopathological problems have a different etiology than individual differences in the broader population distribution?

Discovering the Structure of Psychopathology

Researchers look for a bimodality in the distribution of the characteristic in question if they want to understand if a syndrome is categorical or dimensional.

Case Formulation

Case formulation is a hypothesis about the psychological mechanisms that create and maintain psychological distress or dysfunction.
It is principle-driven and grounded in psychological theories.
Case formulation includes a problem list, hypotheses about mechanisms for treatment problems, predisposing factors, and precipitants.

Case Formulation Components

Problem list: Outlines the presenting problem.
Mechanisms: Empirically supported factors that maintain the problem.
Predisposing factors: Factors that predetermine the client to developing problems.
Precipitants: Events that trigger or worsen the client's problems.

Multicultural Considerations

Case formulation reflects sociocultural variables during the clinical interview.
Psychologists assess the client's level of assimilation or acculturation.
Psychologists also assess the context of the behavior.

Iterative Approach to Case Formulation

Psychologists gather data when the case formulation is complete.
The intervention is based on the client's self-monitoring.
Case formulation and treatment are revised if other precipitating factors are identified.
The process is iterative.

Evaluation of Case Formulation

Case formulation is rooted in cognitive and behavioral theory.
It is customized for individual clients.
It considers sociocultural factors.
It allows for revisions to hypotheses.
The downside is that there is little research into the usefulness and outcomes.

Treatment Planning

Treatment planning uses case formulation to select the best intervention.
Treatment planning helps therapists develop a treatment course that addresses the hypothesized mechanisms identified in the case formulation.

Communicating Treatment Plans

Therapists provide a rationale for treatment plans.
They explain the risks and benefits of plans to the client.
They discuss various interventions and alternative plans.
Therapists refer clients to a psychiatrist if medication is required.

Monitoring Progress

Therapists use both formal and informal methods to collect data to monitor the process and outcome of therapy.
Progress monitoring allows clients and therapists to monitor improvement and adjust treatment plans.
Monitoring progress strengthens the client-therapist relationship and confidence.

Ethical and Cultural Considerations

Culture affects risk factors, types of symptoms experienced, willingness to seek help, and the availability of treatments.
The DSM includes enhanced cultural sensitivity and an appendix of culture-bound syndromes.

Cultural Considerations

Amok is a dissociative aggressive outburst.
Zar is possession by spirits.
Hikikomori is a Japanese syndrome that combines agoraphobia, hoarding, and social anxiety.

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Description

Explore key concepts related to the definition of abnormal behavior and its disability or dysfunction aspects. Understand the implications for life functions and the complexities of diagnosing mental disorders. This quiz will help clarify the criteria for defining abnormal behavior and its nuances.