Psychology Chapter on Abnormal Behavior

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes 'deviant' behavior?

Behavior that does not conform to accepted social standards (correct)

Behavior that causes personal distress over time

Behavior that conforms to accepted social standards

Behavior that interferes with a person's ability to function effectively

What does the term 'maladaptive' refer to in the context of abnormal behavior?

Behavior that is influenced by cultural norms

Behavior that is socially acceptable

Behavior that interferes with effective functioning (correct)

Behavior that effectively supports personal well-being

Which theoretical approach primarily focuses on the brain, genetics, and neurotransmitters?

Biopsychological Model

Medical Model (correct)

Sociocultural Approach

Psychological Approach

What does the Vulnerability Stress Hypothesis suggest?

Preexisting conditions can increase the risk of developing disorders Signup and view all the answers

Which approach considers cultural norms as potentially limiting and prejudiced?

Sociocultural Approach Signup and view all the answers

What is a critique of the DSM classification system?

It focuses too much on social norms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of personal distress as defined in abnormal behavior?

A person who vomits after meals due to shame Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the biological approach to psychological disorders?

Internal causes affecting brain function Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Abnormal Behavior

Defined as deviant, maladaptive, or personally distressful behavior lasting over a prolonged period.
Deviant Behavior: Does not conform to societal norms and can vary across cultures.
Maladaptive Behavior: Interferes with functionality and may pose danger to self or others.
Personal Distress: Long-term feelings of distress, such as shame or guilt, leading to harmful behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting).

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorders

Biological Approach: Focuses on organic and internal causes linked to brain functioning, genetics, and neurotransmitters.
Medical Model: Views psychological disorders as medical diseases with biological origins impacting thoughts, behaviors, and interactions.
Psychological Approach: Emphasizes the role of personal experiences, thoughts, emotions, and personality, often linked to childhood trauma.
Sociocultural Approach: Considers how social and cultural contexts influence mental health. Cultural norms can lead to misconceptions about mental illness.
- Example: Individuals interpreting protests as signs of mental illness due to cultural misunderstandings.
Biopsychological Model: Integrates psychological and sociocultural factors, recognizing both can lead to normal or abnormal behaviors.
Vulnerability-Stress Hypothesis (Diathesis-Stress Model): Suggests that genetic factors, personality traits, or past experiences increase the risk for developing psychological disorders, highlighted in the gene-environment interaction (G x E).

Classifying Psychological Disorders

Classification System: Organizes specific behaviors into defined psychological disorders.
DSM Classification System: Developed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) for mental health professionals.

Critiques of Classification

Overemphasis on individual problems without broader context.
Heavy reliance on societal norms that may not apply universally.
Introduction of numerous new disorder categories lacking substantial research support.

Key Concepts

Somatic Symptom Disorder: Formerly somatoform disorder, characterized by experiencing physical symptoms without a medical cause.
Comorbidity: Presence of two or more psychological disorders in an individual, such as anxiety combined with depression.
Risk Factors: Traits or experiences that increase the likelihood of developing a psychological disorder.

Description

Explore the definitions and theories surrounding abnormal behavior in this quiz. Understand the concepts of deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressful behaviors, along with the various theoretical approaches to psychological disorders. Test your knowledge on how biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors influence mental health.