Psychology Chapter on Abnormality and Disorders

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an element of abnormality?

Cultural conformity (correct)

Deviance

Dysfunction

Statistical rarity

Distress

Which government initiative improved access to mental health care in Australia?

Lifeline

National Mental Health Strategy

Better Access to Mental Health Care (correct)

Mental Health First Aid

Beyond Blue

The DSM-5 defines mental disorder as a syndrome characterized by all EXCEPT:

Clinically significant disturbance

Significant distress or disability

Dysfunction in mental functioning

Culturally approved response to common stressors (correct)

Socially deviant behavior without dysfunction

Who was the first Professor of Psychology in Australia?

Henry Tasman Lovell Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an element of the 'three Ds' used to define abnormality?

Deviation Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe behavior that interferes with a person's ability to meet everyday requirements?

Dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following perspectives is considered the oldest and currently dominant approach to understanding mental disorders?

Biological perspective Signup and view all the answers

According to Wakefield, what two components are involved in the concept of mental disorder?

Dysfunction and harm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the defense mechanisms proposed by psychoanalytic theory?

Normalization Signup and view all the answers

Which stage in Freud's psychosexual development theory involves the Oedipus complex?

Phallic stage Signup and view all the answers

Which defense mechanism involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts to another person?

Projection Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation of human behavior according to the object relations theory?

Relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the inability to produce meaningful speech due to brain damage?

Broca's aphasia Signup and view all the answers

Which defense mechanism is described as acting in a way that is the exact opposite of one's true impulses?

Reaction formation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a limitation of the distress criterion in defining abnormality?

Not all individuals with distress seek treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which element of abnormality includes behaviors that are statistically rare but positively valued by society?

Rarity Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the socially approved response to common stressors or losses?

Expected response Signup and view all the answers

What did Henry Tasman Lovell contribute to the field of psychology in Australia?

Became the first Professor of Psychology Signup and view all the answers

The Better Access to Mental Health Care program was introduced by the Australian Government in which year?

2006 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a proposed limitation of the Better Access program?

High success rate among clients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an approach to understanding mental disorders?

Astrological perspective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true about statistical rarity as a criterion for abnormality?

It can define all mental disorders Signup and view all the answers

Which defense mechanism involves redirecting unacceptable impulses to acceptable activities?

Sublimation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT describe the DSM-5's view of mental disorders?

Culturally approved response Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the inability to understand speech due to brain damage?

Receptive aphasia Signup and view all the answers

The process by which the mind keeps distressing thoughts unconscious is called:

Repression Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the phallic stage in psychosexual development?

Genital pleasure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a challenge highlighted in the 'Ten Years of Better Access' report?

Successful treatment for psychological problems Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used for behaviors negatively evaluated by society?

Deviance Signup and view all the answers

The ability to meet the requirements of everyday life is assessed by which criterion of abnormality?

Dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of anxiety disorders?

Intense, disproportionate anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which survey found that 45% of Australians experience a mental disorder in their lifetime?

The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Signup and view all the answers

Which model describes fear as a 'true alarm' response to danger?

The True Alarm Model Signup and view all the answers

Barlow's Triple Vulnerability Model includes all except:

Social environmental vulnerability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not one of the diagnostic criteria for specific phobias according to DSM-5?

Fear is restricted to social situations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a subtype of specific phobia?

Social interaction Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks?

Panic disorder Signup and view all the answers

The DSM-5 specifies that agoraphobia must involve anxiety about how many situations?

Two Signup and view all the answers

Which is not a symptom of a panic attack?

Euphoria Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a common component of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders?

Medication management Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is incorrect about social anxiety disorder?

It always develops in adulthood Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy technique involves confronting feared stimuli in real life?

In vivo exposure Signup and view all the answers

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by:

Worry about a wide range of events Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a symptom associated with generalized anxiety disorder?

Euphoria Signup and view all the answers

Which is true about the epidemiology of social anxiety disorder?

It often begins before the age of 12 Signup and view all the answers

Which is not a treatment for panic disorder?

Herbal supplements Signup and view all the answers

Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about only one specific area.

False Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of individuals with anxiety disorders seek treatment?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder involves fear of being in places where escape might be difficult?

Agoraphobia Signup and view all the answers

The nature of anxiety disorders includes all except:

Emotional numbness Signup and view all the answers

According to the DSM-5, specific phobia must involve a fear that is:

Persistent and intense Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the triple vulnerability model?

It involves biological, generalized psychological, and specific psychological vulnerabilities Signup and view all the answers

Double Negative: It is not uncommon for individuals with social anxiety disorder to not seek treatment for:

Fear of public speaking Signup and view all the answers

Which is a common technique used in CBT for anxiety disorders?

Relaxation exercises Signup and view all the answers

Which is a key characteristic of panic disorder?

Recurrent panic attacks Signup and view all the answers

Double Negative: Generalized anxiety disorder is not characterized by a lack of:

True Signup and view all the answers

Which is a biological factor associated with anxiety disorders?

Genetic predisposition Signup and view all the answers

Double Negative: It is not unusual for specific phobias to not involve:

Fear of social situations Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is least likely to contribute to social anxiety disorder?

Positive self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

Which is true about the treatment of specific phobias?

Exposure therapy is highly effective Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Elements of Abnormality

Statistical rarity, deviance, cultural conformity, distress, and dysfunction are commonly considered elements of abnormal behavior.
Cultural conformity is NOT an element of abnormality.

Mental Health Care Initiatives

The Better Access to Mental Health Care program improved access to mental health services in Australia.

DSM-5 Definitions

The DSM-5 defines a mental disorder as a syndrome marked by clinically significant disturbance, dysfunction in mental functioning, and significant distress or disability.
A culturally approved response to common stressors is NOT considered a mental disorder by the DSM-5.

Pioneers in Psychology

Henry Tasman Lovell was the first Professor of Psychology in Australia.

Three Ds of Abnormality

The three Ds of defining abnormality include distress, deviance, and dysfunction.
Distress refers to behavior that interferes with the ability to meet everyday requirements.

Perspectives on Mental Disorders

The biological perspective is the oldest and currently dominant approach to understanding mental disorders.
Wakefield proposed that mental disorders involve both dysfunction and harm.

Defense Mechanisms

Common defense mechanisms in psychoanalytic theory include repression, denial, projection, and rationalization. Normalization is NOT included.
Projection involves attributing one's unacceptable thoughts to another person, while reaction formation entails acting in opposition to one’s true impulses.

Freud's Psychosexual Development

The Oedipus complex occurs during the phallic stage of Freud's psychosexual development.
The phallic stage involves genital pleasure and parental attachment.

Communication and Brain Damage

Receptive aphasia refers to the inability to understand speech, while expressive aphasia refers to the inability to produce meaningful speech due to brain damage.

Limitations in Defining Abnormality

A limitation of the distress criterion is that not all individuals with distress seek treatment.
Deviance may include statistically rare behaviors that are positively valued by society.

Cultural Responses

Culturally approved responses to common stressors are not classified as mental disorders.

Contributions to Australian Psychology

Henry Tasman Lovell is recognized for becoming the first Professor of Psychology and significantly contributing to the field in Australia.

Better Access Program and Its Limitations

The Better Access program was introduced by the Australian Government in 2006.
Limitations include a reduced number of Medicare-supported sessions, inadequate sessions for some disorders, and long waiting periods for public mental health services.

Types of Perspectives in Mental Health

The biological, psychological, sociocultural, and cognitive perspectives are recognized approaches in understanding mental disorders.
The astrological perspective is NOT considered a scientific approach.

Criteria for Statistical Rarity

Statistical rarity includes behaviors found rarely in society and acknowledges positive deviations from the norm.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Common treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves psychoeducation, exposure therapy, and cognitive restructuring.
It is important to note that individuals with anxiety disorders often do not seek treatment, even though a significant percentage may experience symptoms.

Specific Phobias and Panic Disorder

Specific phobia is characterized by a marked fear that is disproportionate to the actual danger and lasts for at least six months.
Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks and is marked by symptoms such as intense and disproportionate anxiety.

Epidemiology of Anxiety Disorders

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a fear of negative evaluation by others and is more common in females.
Generalized anxiety disorder involves worry about a wide range of events and is characterized by muscle tension, sleep problems, and irritability.

Treatment Modalities

Exposure therapy is highly effective for specific phobias, while medications such as SSRIs are used in panic disorder treatment. CBT is also a successful approach.
Relaxation training may be used to help manage anxiety symptoms.

Triple Vulnerability Model

Barlow's Triple Vulnerability Model identifies biological, generalized psychological, and specific psychological vulnerabilities contributing to anxiety disorders.

Individuals may experience social anxiety disorder from childhood, and excessive parental criticism may be a contributing factor.
The disorder is often treated effectively with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Key Characteristics of Panic Disorder

Key features include recurrent panic attacks and the presence of physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, and trembling.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the elements of abnormality and mental health care initiatives in Australia with this quiz. This assessment includes key concepts such as statistical rarity, deviance, and cultural conformity, as well as the DSM-5 definitions. Put your understanding of psychology to the challenge!