Psychology Chapter: Diagnosing Disorders

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which professional is primarily trained to assess, diagnose, and treat psychological disorders?

Psychiatric Nurse

Family Therapist

Clinical Psychologist (correct)

Counselling Psychologist

What distinguishes psychiatrists from clinical psychologists?

Psychiatrists specialize exclusively in counselling techniques.

Psychologists are typically researchers and do not provide treatment.

Psychiatrists cannot prescribe medication.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors focusing on biological aspects of disorders. (correct)

Which aspect is NOT typically part of a clinical description of psychological disorders?

Onset

Response to treatment (correct)

Prognosis

Prevalence

What is the role of the Scientist-Practitioner model in psychology?

It promotes the use of scientific methods in psychological practice. Signup and view all the answers

In Canada, what is a determining factor for someone to be recognized as a psychologist?

The specific provincial regulations regarding educational qualifications. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common misconception about psychological disorders during the 14th - 15th centuries?

They were believed to be a punishment for immoral behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What treatment was NOT associated with the supernatural tradition of understanding psychological disorders?

Cognitive behavioral therapy. Signup and view all the answers

What explanation for psychological disorders contrasts with the supernatural perspective during the historical context provided?

Insanity results from mental or emotional stress. Signup and view all the answers

What approach to treatment for King Charles VI was initially taken based on the understanding of his condition?

Providing leisure and relaxation activities. Signup and view all the answers

How did the belief in demonic possession influence the perception of psychological disorders?

It placed personal responsibility on the individual for their condition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component in defining a psychological disorder?

Atypical behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is not required to classify an individual with a psychological disorder?

Presence of distress Signup and view all the answers

How can culture influence perceptions of psychological disorders?

By altering what is considered normal behavior Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a psychological disorder from typical distress?

Severity and impact on functioning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes behavior that is beyond an individual's control in terms of psychological disorders?

Compulsively abusing substances Signup and view all the answers

What does the current accepted definition of a psychological disorder include?

Impacts associated with cultural context Signup and view all the answers

What were the main factors that Plato attributed to maladaptive behavior?

Social and cultural influences Signup and view all the answers

Which example represents a cognitive, emotional, or behavioral impairment?

Avoiding social activities due to fear Signup and view all the answers

Which psychiatrist is credited with the origins of Moral Therapy?

Phillippe Pinel Signup and view all the answers

Why is atypical behavior alone not a sufficient indicator of a psychological disorder?

Not all atypical behavior leads to distress Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of Dorothea Dix's Mental Hygiene Movement?

Reversion back to abusive treatment methods Signup and view all the answers

What type of emotional reaction might suggest a psychological dysfunction?

Exaggerated fear in ordinary situations Signup and view all the answers

Which concept did Sigmund Freud develop in his psychoanalytic theory?

The unconscious mind Signup and view all the answers

Which of these situations demonstrates an impairment in functioning?

Socially avoiding all interactions due to anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What method did Freud and Breuer employ to treat patients and explore their past traumas?

Hypnosis and talk therapy Signup and view all the answers

What was discovered by Benjamin Franklin in relation to Anton Mesmer's theory?

Animal magnetism was a placebo effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the psychoanalytic model developed by Freud?

Unconscious forces influencing behavior Signup and view all the answers

What did the term 'Moral' refer to in the context of Moral Therapy?

Emotional and psychological wellbeing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Ego in Freud's theory?

To mediate between the demands of the Id and the constraints of society Signup and view all the answers

Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own feelings to another individual?

Projection Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if either the Id or Ego becomes too strong according to Freud?

Psychological disorders may develop Signup and view all the answers

Which psychosexual stage is associated with potential issues leading to later psychological disorders?

Phallic stage Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of psychoanalytic psychotherapy?

To reveal unconscious mental processes and conflicts Signup and view all the answers

In humanistic theory, what is emphasized as the main driver for individuals?

Self-actualization Signup and view all the answers

Which concept describes how distressing life events can distort one’s self-perception?

Distorted self-concept Signup and view all the answers

What is countertransference in the context of therapy?

Therapist's emotional reactions toward the client Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines rationalization as a defense mechanism?

Justifying actions with logical reasons while ignoring the actual motivations Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic describes person-centered therapy as developed by Carl Rogers?

Emphasis on self-discovery and acceptance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Who Diagnoses Psychological Disorders?

Clinical Psychologists typically have a PhD or PsyD, conduct research on the causes and treatments of psychological conditions, and can assess, diagnose, and treat disorders.
**Psychiatrists ** are medical doctors who specialize in psychiatry, investigate the biological causes of psychological disorders, make diagnoses, and offer treatments.

Counseling Psychologists study and treat adjustment and vocational issues individuals face.
Psychiatric/Clinical Social Workers gather information about the social and family situations of individuals with psychological disorders and treat them.
Psychiatric Nurses specialize in the care and treatment of patients with psychological disorders in hospitals or as part of a treatment team.
Family Therapists/Mental Health Counselors provide clinical services in hospitals and clinics.

The Scientist-Practitioner

A philosophy surrounding psychological research suggesting mental health practitioners should conduct themselves via the scientific method and actively review new information to improve their own work and that of others.

Aspects of a Clinical Description

Presenting Problem: The specific problem or reason the individual is seeking treatment.
Prevalence: The number of people in a population who have a particular disorder.
Incidence: The number of new cases of a disorder that occur in a given time.
Course: The pattern that a disorder follows over time.
Onset: The age of onset of the disorder.
Prognosis: The likely outcome of the disorder.

Abnormal Behavior in a Historical Context

Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between theoretical perspectives and models of psychopathology.
- Outline the history of beliefs about the causes of psychological disorders.
- Identify the characteristics commonly used when defining psychological disorders.
- Describe how culture and social context affect people's beliefs about psychological disorders.

What is a Psychological Disorder?

A breakdown or impairment of cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning.
Associated with distress or impairment.
Atypical, abnormal, or not culturally expected.
Beyond an individual's control.

Cognitive, Emotional, or Behavioral Impairments

Occur when the cognitive, emotional, or behavioral response to a given situation is disproportionate or inaccurate to that situation.
Example: Severe anxiety over a date, fainting at the sight of blood.

Personal Distress or Impairment

Distress by itself is not a sign of psychological dysfunction.
Distress is not necessary for something to be a dysfunction, such as a manic episode.
Example: Experiencing great distress over the absence of a loved one when they are on a trip or at the store is a sign of impairment.

Atypical or Not Culturally Expected

While it is important to acknowledge the atypical nature of psychological disorders, atypical in itself is not a useful category.
Atypical often refers to eccentric behavior, and cultural differences make it difficult to define "normal" behavior.
Atypical, in a useful sense, can be regarded as an unexpected or abnormal response from an otherwise evolved function.
Example: Fainting around blood can be considered an atypical response.

Beyond Individual Control

Conditions that are outside of an individual's conscious ability to prevent or stop.
Example: Excessive substance abuse, ruminations, manic episodes.

The Current Accepted Definition of a Psychological Disorder:

Behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions that are unexpected in their cultural context and associated with present distress and impairment in functioning, or increased risk of suffering, death, pain, or impairment.

The Supernatural Tradition

Prehistoric Evidence

Trephination: Stone tools were used to cut holes in the skull, possibly as a way of removing bone splinters or blood clots.
Demons: Abnormal behavior was thought to be a sign of demonic possession.

14th - 15th Century

Demons and Witches: Demons and witches were believed to be the cause of psychological disorders.
Divine Punishment: Abnormality was considered divine punishment for abhorrent behavior.
Individual Responsibility: Individuals were held responsible for their disorders.
Treatment Plans: Treatments included hanging people over snake pits, cold water baths, and exorcism.

Stress and Melancholy

Stress: Some believed that disorders resulted from natural issues like stress.
Insanity: Insanity was seen as a natural phenomenon caused by mental or emotional stress.
Depression: Depression was recognized by some as a mental health condition, characterized by despair and lethargy.
Treatment: Treatment involved rest, sleep, happiness, potions, baths, and other forms of mental and physical well-being.

Syndromes

Distinct features, differing in age of onset and course.
Suspected disorders had different causes (though these were all biological).
Precursor to the DSM-5 and ICD-10.

The Psychological Tradition

Plato

Precursor to the Psychological Tradition: Plato theorized that the cause of maladaptive behavior came from social and cultural influences in a person's life.
Treatment: Treatment involved rational discussion to re-educate and so that reason would predominate.
Humane Care: Plato and other philosophers advocated for humane and responsible care for individuals.

Moral Therapy

Phillippe Pinel: Originated with French psychiatrist Phillippe Pinel, meaning "emotional" or "psychological".
Humane Treatment: Treated institutionalized patients as normally as possible, providing opportunities for social contact.
Asylums: Asylums became more habitable and therapeutic.

Decline of Moral Therapy

Dorthea Dix: Dix's Mental Hygiene Movement advocated for patients with mental illness, leading to more humane treatment becoming available in North America.
Increase in Patients: This resulted in an increase in the number of patients.
Custodial Care Decline: Custodial care declined due to a lack of staff, leading to a reversal of the progress made during the Moral Therapy Era.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Anton Mesmer

Animal Magnetism: Mesmer believed that an invisible fluid in the body, called animal magnetism, could cause psychological disorders by becoming blocked.
Double-Blind Test: Benjamin Franklin conducted a double-blind test involving magnetic and non-magnetic water, concluding that animal magnetism was simply strong suggestion.

Jean Charcot

Legitimized Hypnosis: Charcot legitimized hypnosis as a therapeutic tool.

Sigmund Freud and Joseph Breuer

Hypnosis: Freud and Breuer employed hypnosis, allowing patients to talk freely about unpleasant past events they believed caused hysteria.
The Unconscious Mind: Patients often didn't remember these past events, leading to the development of the concept of the unconscious mind.
Cathartic Method: The idea that accessing the unconscious mind through talk therapy could help heal trauma.

Psychoanalytic Model

Sigmund Freud: Freud's model proposes that unconscious forces control behavior.
Anna O: This theory was inspired by a patient named Anna O, who developed hysteria following her father's death and was treated with hypnosis and talk therapy by Breuer.

The Structure of the Mind:

The Id: Fully unconscious, the source of strong sexual and aggressive tendencies. Strives to maximize pleasure and eliminate tension.
The Ego: Operates according to the reality principle. Satisfies the Id within the rules and confines of society.
The Superego: The conscience, representing moral principles instilled by society. The antithesis to the Id and appeases the Ego.

Defense Mechanisms

Ego: The Ego uses defense mechanisms to protect the mind if conflict between the Id and Superego threatens to overwhelm.
Repression: Blocks disturbing wishes, thoughts, or experiences from conscious awareness.
Projection: Falsely attributing one's own feelings to another person.
Denial: Refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality or subjective experience that is apparent to others.
Displacement: Transfer of feelings from one person to another.
Reaction Formation: Substituting a disliked behavior, emotion, or thought by adhering to thoughts, emotions, or behaviors directly the opposite of them.
Rationalization: Concealing the true motives behind behaviors, thoughts, or feelings through elaborate, reassuring, or self-serving, but incorrect, explanations.

The Psychosexual Stages of Development

Freud's theory describing the stages of psychosexual development,
Issues in getting through these stages can lead to the development of psychological disorders.

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Techniques: Techniques are designed to reveal the nature of unconscious mental processes and conflicts.
Free Association: Patients are instructed to say whatever comes to mind without censoring their thoughts or feelings.
Dream Analysis: Dream contents are explored as symbolic of Id impulses or intrapsychic conflicts.
Insight: The process of gaining understanding and awareness of unconscious conflicts and motivations.
Transference: Clients may seek to relate to the therapist as they do to important authority figures, particularly their parents.
Countertransference: The therapist's unconscious reactions and emotional responses to the client.
Duration: Psychoanalytic therapy often involves 4-5 sessions per week for 2-5 years.
Evidence: There is a lack of evidence that psychoanalytic therapy is actually effective.

Humanistic Theory

Humanistic Theory: A reaction to psychoanalytic theory, emphasizing the dignity and potential of humanity.
Self-Actualization: Humanistic theory believed that all people strive to achieve self-actualization, fulfilling their highest potential.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Abraham Maslow's model of human motivation proposes that individuals strive to fulfill their needs in a hierarchical order, starting with basic physiological needs.
Carl Rogers: Rogers, a pioneer in humanistic psychology, developed person-centered therapy, which focuses on self-acceptance, being honest in interactions, trusting experience, and relying on oneself for personal evaluations.

The Behavioral Model

Pavlov and Classical Conditioning: Pavlov's experiments showed that dogs could be trained to associate a bell ringing with food, leading to salivation.
John B. Watson: Watson's work laid the foundation for behaviorism, emphasizing the importance of observable behavior and the role of learning in shaping behavior.
Operant Conditioning: Skinner's operant conditioning theory suggests that behaviors are learned through reinforcement and punishment.
Social Learning Theory: Bandura's social learning theory expands on operant conditioning, suggesting that learning also occurs through observation and imitation.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Combines cognitive and behavioral principles to treat psychological disorders.

Studying That Suits You

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

Description

This quiz explores the various professionals involved in diagnosing psychological disorders. It covers the roles of clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, counseling psychologists, and other related fields. Test your understanding of their unique approaches and responsibilities in mental health care.