Shared Flashcard Set

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Abnormal Psychology Final
Finals
180
Psychology
Undergraduate 4
12/12/2010

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Parasuicide
Definition
Attempted suicide not resulting in death
Term
Shneidman's identification of suicide
Definition
Subintentional Death. Death in which victim plays an indirect, hidden, partial or unconscious role
Term
Suicide rates
Definition

-More likely over 65

-Women 3x more likely than men to try, men 3x more likely to succeed

-twice as many white Americans than black Americans

Term
Events likely to trigger suicide (5)
Definition

1) Alcohol and drug use

2) Stressful evens and situations

3) Mood and thought changes

4) Mental disorders

5) Modeling and contagion suicides

Term
Dichotomous Thinking (Definition and what category it falls into for suicide risk)
Definition

1) Thinking of things in terms of rigid either/or forms

2) Part of mood/thought changes

Term
How is suicide explained? (Models)
Definition

Psychodynamic: themes of loss and self-directed anger

Biological: lower levels of serotonin activity

Sociocultural: egoistic, altruistic and anomic

Term
Durkheim's 3 Types of Suicide
Definition
Egiostic, altruistic, anomic
Term
Egoistic Suicide
Definition
Committed by people whom society has little or no control over
Term
Altruistic Suicide
Definition
Committed by people who are well integrated into society and who sacrifice themselves for the society's well being.
Term
Anomic Suicide
Definition

Committed by people who do not have stable structures (family, friends, religion) to support them and give them meaning to life

 

Term
Suicide Prevention (5)
Definition

1) Establishing a positive relationship

2) Understanding and clarifying the problem

3) Assessing suicidal risk

4) Assessing and mobilizing the caller's resources

5) Formulating a plan

Term
Risk and protective factors in relation to suicide (5)
Definition

1) Demographic

2) Pscyhosocial

3) Psychiatric

4) Physical illness

5) Psychological dimensions

Term
Demographic suicidal risk and protective factors
Definition
Male, widowed, divorced, single, increases with age, white
Term
Psychosocial suicide risk and protection factors
Definition
Lack of social support, unemployment, drop in socio-economic status, firearm access
Term
Psychiatric suicide risk and prevention factors
Definition
Diagnosis, comorbidity
Term
Physical illness suicide risk and prevention factors
Definition
diagnosis and status
Term
Psychological dimensions suicide risk and prevention factors
Definition
hopelessness, psychic pain/anxiety, psychological turmoil, decreased self-esteem, fragile narcissism, and perfectionism 
Term
Features of anorexia nervosa
Definition

-Refusal to maintain a body weight above a minimally normal weight for age and height

-Fear of gaining weight, even though underweight

-Body distortions, not able to recognize being underweight, undue influence of weight/shape on body self-evaluation, amenorhhea

Term
Features of bulimia nervosa
Definition

-Recurrent episodes of binge eating

-Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain

-Symptoms at least 2x a week for 3 months 

-Undue influence of weight/shape on body self-evaluation

Term

Typical ages of onset for anorexia and bulimia

 

Definition

Anorexia: 14-18

Bulimia: 15-21

Term
Medical and Psychological Consequences of Anorexia
Definition

Medical: Amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycle), lowered body temperature, lower heart rate, low blood pressure, body swelling, reduced bone mineral density

 

Psychological: anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse, OCD

 

Term
Medical and Psychological Consequences of Bulimia
Definition

Medical: Enlarged salivary glands and erosion of dental enamel, electrolyte imbalance, severe constipation and possible colon damage, calluses on fingers and back of hands

 

Psychological: Anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse

Term
Typical Binge
Definition

-2-40 times a week

-Associated with shame

-Preceded by tension and uncontrollable desire to consume, self-blame, guilt, depression, and concern about weight gain

-Compensatory measures: vomiting, laxatives, diuretics

Term
Differences in psychological characteristics between anorexics and bulimics
Definition

Anorexics: obsessive, control-focused, achievement oriented

 

Bulimics: concerned with pleasing others, being attractive, having relationships, and being sexually active; prone to mood swings, low impulse control

 

Term
Eating disorders explained in sociocultural terms
Definition
Thinness portrayed in media, discrimination against obese people, eating disorders more common in women higher up the economic ladder, enmeshed in family patterns (members overinvolved in each other's affairs and overly concerned about each other's welfare)
Term
Eating disorders explained by ego deficiencies and cognitive disturbances
Definition

Ego deficiencies: poor sense of independence and control

 

Cognitive disturbances: Result of ineffective parenting, victims of eating disorders improperly label internal sensations and needs)

Term
Eating disorders explained in terms of mood disorders
Definition
Many people with eating disorders experience depression
Term
Eating disorders explained in biological terms
Definition
Genetic factors possible, low serotonin activity, problems in hypothalamus
Term
Minuchin and Bruch
Definition

Minuchin: developed enmeshed family pattern. Little room for individuality and independence. Family over-involved in people's lives. Family might force kid to take on a "sick role" because the sick child needs her family.

Bruch: psychodynamic theory of eating disorders. Result of poor parenting, making the child overly concerned with what people think of them, having a lack of support from family, ineffective parents, gender roles, overcoming helplessness. 

Term
Lateral and ventromedial hypothalamuses in eating disorders
Definition

Lateral: Produces hunger when it is activated

Ventro: Reduces hunger when it is activated

Term
Weight set point
Definition
Weight level that a person is predisposed to maintain controlled in part by the hypothalamus
Term
Treatment of Anorexia
Definition

Early focus: regain lost weight, recover from malnourishment and eat normally again

 

Most effective treatment: combination of supportive nursing care, high-calorie diet and nutritional counseling

 

 

Term
Treatment of Bulimia
Definition

Main goal: no binge/purge pattern, develop good eating habits.


1) Individual insight therapy: psychotherapy involving cognitive, psychodynamic and interpersonal therapies.

2) Behavioral therapy: with cognitive, including exposure and response prevention. 

3) Antidepressant medication: Prozac, in combination with psychotherapy

4) group therapy: self-help groups, helpful in about 75% cases

Term
Difference between substance abuse and substance dependence
Definition

Abuse: Rely on drug excessively and regularly, drug use has a negative impact on relationships, employment, etc., brings danger to self and others

 

Dependence: Restructures life around drug, possibly develops tolerance, may experience withdrawal symptoms when not taking it

Term
Tolerance
Definition
Adjustment that the brain and body make to regular use of certain drugs so that ever-larger doses are needed to achieve earlier effects
Term
Withdrawal
Definition
Unpleasant, sometimes dangerous reactions that occur when people who use a drug regularly stop taking or reduce dosage of the drug
Term
3 Broad categories of substance
Definition
Hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant
Term
Alcohol (how does it work, withdrawal effects, long-term effects)
Definition

Stimulant

 

Delirium Tremens (DTs): withdrawal from alcohol. confusion, clouded consciousness, terrifying hallucinations. 

 

Personal and social long-term effects: social/emotional danger, disruption and distress

Term
Prevalence of alcoholism
Definition
6.6% of population fall into long-term pattern of alcohol abuse or dependence
Term
Examples of Sedative-Hypnotics and what they do
Definition

-Types of depressants

-Barbiturates: addictive, reduce anxiety, help sleep. Affects GABA system- create sense of well-being and relaxed muscles. Slurring, poor motor control. High doses- death or coma, halt breathing, lower blood pressure.

-Benzodiazepines: reduce anxiety (Valium, Xanex), anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, affects GABA system like alcohol

Term
Examples of Opioids and what they do
Definition

-Type of depressant. Euphoria and disrupts social function.

-Opium: made from sap of poppy

-Morphine: reduces pain

-Heroin: one of the most addictive derivatives of opium

-Endorphins: neurotransmitters that help relieve pain and reduce emotional tensions. "Body's own opioids"

 

Term
Consequences of heroin abuse and dependence
Definition

-AIDS (needles)

-Easy to overdose

-Fatal if combined with other drugs

Term
Korsakoff's Syndrome
Definition
Marked by extreme confusion and memory impairment. From alcohol addition and dependence. 
Term
Cocaine (definition, statistics, how does it work in the nervous system)
Definition

Definition: Addictive, from coco plant. Stimulant. Most powerful natural stimulant.

 

Statistics: 28 million have tried, 2 million currently users

 

Nervous System: Blocks dopamine reuptake, increases norepinephrine and serotonin activity in selective areas

Term
Expression free-base cocaine and crack cocaine
Definition

Expression free-base: technique for ingesting cocaine in which pure cocaine is chemically separated from processed cocaine, vaporized by heat from a flame, and inhaled with a pipe

 

Crack: ready to smoke, free-base cocaine

Term
Physical consequences of cocaine use
Definition
Overdose can cause brain seizures, heart irregularities and stopped breathing
Term
Amphetamine and Methamphetamine; how they work in the nervous system
Definition

Amphetamine: a stimulant manufactured in a lab

Methamphetamine: Powerful amphetamine. Surge in popularity in recent years has caused major health and law enforcement problems. 

 

In nervous system: Enhancing norepinephrine and dopamine activity. Increase vigor and elation, reduce fatigue

Term
Experiences with LSD
Definition
Change in perception, very individual impact, strengthens sensory perception and causes visual hallucinations, produces delusions
Term
Cannabis (varieties, effects of marijuana, active ingredient in marijuana, why today's marijuana is more dangerous)
Definition

Varieties: Hashish and marijuana

Ingredient: THC

Why more dangerous: 4x stronger

Effects: increasingly a pattern of abuse and dependence, affecting social, occupational and academic function

Term
Synergistic Effect
Definition
Increase in effects when more than one drug is acting on the body at the same time. In pharmacology. 
Term
Sociocultural view of "substance abuse personality"
Definition
Socioeconomic context is a significant factor in the development of patterns of substance abuse and dependence
Term
Psychodynamic view of "substance abuse personality"
Definition
Links development of drug dependence to excessive dependency needs resulting from poorly formed early attachment and emotional deprivation; link drug dependence to personality characteristics like impulsivity, antisocialness, etc.
Term
Behavioral and cognitive view of "substance abuse personality"
Definition

Behavioral: Operant- rewarded by reduction of tension associated with using drug, negative reinforcement. Classical- important in development of associations with objects or circumstances associated with drug use

 

Cognitive: pattern of reward associated with constant drug use creates cognitive expectancies which promote craving

Term
Biological explanations for tolerance and withdrawal (biological view, biochemical factors important in explaining substance abuse)
Definition

Biological View: Genetic basis for drug dependence (twin studies, molecular biology techniques), abnormal forms of dopamine-2 receptor sites

 

Biochemical factors: biochemistry, brain's reward center, increased dopamine activity

 

Term
Reward centers and reward deficiency syndrome
Definition

Reward centers: dopamine-rich pathway in the brain that produces feelings of pleasure when activated

 

Reward-deficiency syndrome: in some individuals, brain's reward centers not activated by usual events in their lives

Term
Role of dopamine in addiction
Definition
When dopamine is activated along the pleasure pathway, a person experiences pleasure
Term
Psychodynamic approaches to drug abuse and dependence
Definition
Uncover and resolve underlying issues and change substance-related lifestyles
Term
Types of behavioral treatments of drug abuse and dependence
Definition
aversion therapy, covert sensitization, contingency management
Term
Aversion therapy
Definition

For treating drug abuse and dependence

 

Clients repeatedly presented to unpleasant stimuli while performing undesirable behaviors like taking a drug

 

Often paired with alcohol abuse and dependence

Term
Contingency management
Definition

Behavioral way of treating drug abuse and dependence

 

Patients rewarded for following rules and regulations of treatment plan, punished less for not following

Term
Behavioral self-control training
Definition

Cognitive behavioral approach to treating alcohol abuse and dependence

 

Clients keep track of drinking behavior and apply coping strategies in situations that generally trigger excessive drinking

Term
Relapse-prevention training
Definition

Approach to treating alcohol abuse similar to behavioral self-control training. 

 

Clients plan ahead for risky situations and reactions

Term
Detoxification
Definition

Biological approach to treating drug abuse and dependency

 

Systematic and medically supervised withdrawal from drug

Term
Sociocultural Therapy (in terms of drug abuse and dependency)
Definition
Self-help and residential programs (AA, residential treatment centers, therapeutic communities), culture and gender sensitive programs, community prevention programs
Term
Antagonist drugs (definition and examples)
Definition

Drugs that block or change effects of addictive drugs. 

 

Examples: Disulfram, Antabuse

Term
Sexual dysfunction and paraphilias
Definition

Dysfunction: persistent inability to function normally in some area of the human sexual response cycle

 

Paraphilias: recurrent and intense sexual urges, fantasies or behaviors involving nonhuman objects children, non-consenting adults, or experiences of suffering or humiliation

Term
Gender identity disorder
Definition
Person feels persistently uncomfortable with his or her assigned sex and strongly wishes to be a member of the opposite sex. Also known as transexualism. 
Term
4 phases of human sexual response cycle and who defined them?
Definition

Masters and Johnson

 

Sexual desire, excitement, orgasm, resolution. Sexual dysfunction happens in the first 3 stages

Term
Desire phase and 2 dysfunctions
Definition

Desire phase: urge to have sex, sexual fantasies, sexual attraction to others

 

2 disorders: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (lack of interest in sex and low level of sexual activity), sexual aversion disorder (aversion to and avoidance of sexual interplay)

Term
Biological, sociocultural and psychological factors that explain sexual dysfunction in the desire phase
Definition

Biological: high levels of prolactin, low levels of testosterone, high or low levels of estrogen.

 

Sociocultural: situational pressures, problems in relationships, cultural standards, trauma of sexual molestation/assault

 

Psychological: general increase in anxiety, depression or anger

Term
Excitement phase and 2 dysfunctions
Definition

Excitement phase: changes in pelvic region, physical arousal, increases in heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure and rate of breathing

 

2 dysfunctions: Female sexual arousal disorder (persistent inability to attain sexual excitement, including adequate lubrication or genital swelling during sexual activity), Male erectile disorder (repeatedly fails to attain or maintain an erection during sexual activity)

Term
Biological, psychological and sociocultural explanations of erectile dysfunction
Definition

Biological: vascular problems, nocturnal penile tumescence (erection during sleep), use of certain medications, substance abuse

 

Psychological: depression, performance anxiety (fear of performing inadequately and a related tension experienced during sex) vs. spectator role (state of mind where you focus so much on performance during sex that performance or enjoyment are reduced)

 

Sociocultural: loss of job, financial stress, marital stress

Term
3 dysfunctions of orgasm phase
Definition

Orgasm phase: Sexual pleasure peaks and sexual tension is released as muscles in the pelvic region contract rhythmically

 

3 dysfunctions: Rapid/premature ejaculation (man reaches orgasm and ejaculates before, on or shortly after penetration, before he wants to), male orgasmic disorder (repeated inability to reach orgasm or long delays in reaching orgasm after normal sexual excitement), female orgasmic disorder (woman rarely has an orgasm/repeatedly experiences a very delayed one)

Term
What causes premature ejaculation?
Definition
Anxiety, hurried masturbation, experiences during adolescence, genetic predisposition to develop this dysfunction
Term
What causes male orgasmic disorder?
Definition
low testosterone level, certain neurological diseases, head/spinal cord injuries
Term
Vaginismus
Definition
Involuntary contractions of the muscles around the outer third of the vagina, preventing entry of the penis. feared response. 
Term
Dyspareunia and what causes it?
Definition

Person experiences severe pain in the genitals during sexual activity.

 

Cause: injury during childbirth, scar during episiotomy, collision of penis with hymen, vaginal infections, wiry pubic hair that rubs against labia 

Term
Eight broad principles of treating sexual dysfunction
Definition

1) Assessment and conceptualization of problem

2) Mutual responsibility

3) Education about sexuality (guided masturbation)

4) Attitude changes

5) Elimination of performance anxiety and spectator role

6) Increasing sexual and general communication skills

7) Changing destructive lifestyles and marital interactions

8) Addressing physical and mental factors

Term
Some specific treatments for sexual dysfunction
Definition

Affectual awareness: patients visualize sexual scenes in order to discover feelings of anxiety, vulnerability, and other negative emotions they have regarding sex

 

Self-instructive training: help patients change negative reactions to sex

Term
Fetishism and transvestic fetishism
Definition

Recurrent and intense sexual urges and fantasies and behaviors that involve use of a nonliving object, often to the exclusion of all other stimuli

 

Transvestic: repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies and behaviors that involve dressing in clothes of the opposite sex

Term
Exhibitionism
Definition

Repeated sexual arousing urges or fantasies about exposing genitals to another person. May act upon urges. 

 

 

Term
Voyeurism
Definition
Repeated and intense sexual desires to observe unsuspecting people in secret as they undress or spy on couples as they have intercourse. May act upon these urges.
Term
Frotteurism
Definition
Repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies and behaviors involving rubbing genitals against a non-consenting person. 
Term
Sexual masochism
Definition
Repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies or behaviors that involve being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer
Term
Sexual sadism
Definition
Repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies or behaviors that involve inflicting suffering on others
Term
Pedophilia
Definition
Repeated and intense sexual urges or fantasies about watching, touching, or engaging in sexual acts with prepubescent children. May carry out urges or fantasies.
Term
How is gender identity disorder different from transvestism and from intersexed individuals?
Definition
A person would rather live fully as as the opposite gender and prefers to have his or her organs changed.
Term
Typical treatment for gender identity disorder
Definition
Sex change or sexual reassignment surgery.
Term
Schizophrenogenic (Fromm-Reichman) Mother
Definition
Type of mother (supposedly cold, domineering and uninterested in needs of others) who was once thought to cause schizophrenia in her child
Term
Cognitive explanation of schizophrenia
Definition
Efforts to understand and make sense of delusions and hallucinations may undermine rationality and encourage paranoia
Term
Labeling in schizophrenia
Definition
Features of schizophrenia influenced by diagnosis itself. Invisibility and powerlessness. 
Term
Family dysfunction and schizophrenia
Definition
Families display more conflict,have greater difficulty communicating with one another, and are more critical or overinvolved with their children than other parents
Term
Expressed emotion
Definition
General level of criticism, hostility and disapproval expressed in a family. Likely to relapse if family rates highly in expressed emotion.
Term
How was schizophrenia once treated and what is it like now?
Definition
Patients used to be institutionalized and abused. Now there are State Hospitals (public mental hospitals in the U.S. run by individual states)
Term
Milieu Therapy and who it was invented by
Definition
Maxwell Jones. Humanistic approach to institutional treatment based on belief that institutions can help patients recover by creating an atmosphere that promotes self-respect, responsible behavior and meaningful activity. 
Term
Token economy
Definition
Behavioral program. Patients rewarded throughout the day with tokens when they perform desirable behaviors. Tokens can be traded in later for goods or privileges. 
Term
Chlorpromazine
Definition
First phenothiazine to be used in treatment of schizophrenia
Term
Neuroleptics
Definition
conventional antipsychotic drugs that often produce undesired effects similar to the symptoms of neurological disorders.
Term
Extrapyramidal effects
Definition
Unwanted movements such as severe shaking, bizarre-looking grimaces, twisting of the body, and extreme restlessness. Sometimes produced by conventional antipsychotic drugs.
Term
Mode of action with newer, atypical antipsychotics?
Definition
Reduce positive and negative symptoms
Term
Three important types of therapy for schizophrenia
Definition
Insight Therapy (forum for support and exploration of experience of psychosis), Family Therapy (guidance, training and practical advice, education and sympathy), Social Therapy (Practical advice, problem-solving skills, decision making, social skills, and self-care).
Term
Community mental health center
Definition
Treatment facility that provides medication, psychotherapy and emergency care for psychological problems and coordinates treatment in the community.
Term
Personality Disorders (why on Axis II and defining features)
Definition

-Enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the person's culture, with at least 2 of the following areas affected: cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning and impulse control

-Pattern is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of personal and social situations

-Pattern is stable and long-lasting, onset traced back to at least adolescence or early adulthood

-Significant distress and impairment

Term
3 Clusters of personality disorder
Definition

A) odd or eccentric behavior. Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal

B) dramatic, emotional, erratic. Antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic

C) Anxious or fearful. Avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive

Term
Characteristics of Type A personality disorders
Definition
Similar behaviors (but not as extreme) as schizophrenia. Extreme suspiciousness, social withdrawal, and peculiar ways of thinking and perceiving things. Person may be isolated.
Term
Paranoid Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster A. Odd, eccentric behavior. Pattern of distrust and suspiciousness, early interaction with demanding parents, genetic causes. 

 

Treated with object-relations therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy

Term
Schizoid Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Persistent avoidance of social relationships, little expression of emotion, unsatisfied need for human contact and suffer from defenses in thinking.

 

Treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy.

Term
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster A. Extreme discomfort in close relationships, odd forms of thinking and perceiving, and behavioral eccentricities. Similar patterns that cause schizophrenia (deficits in attention and short-term memory, high activity of dopamine, enlarged brain ventricles)

 

Treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy and antipsychotic drugs.

Term
Antisocial Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster B. General pattern of disregard for and violation of other people's rights; absence of parental love during infancy, learned through modeling or imitation, lower serotonin activity, deficient functioning in frontal lobes.

 

Treatment: Treatments are ineffective.

Term
Underarousal and Fearlessness Hypotheses
Definition

Underarousal: Cortical arousal is low, so one needs to do exciting things to get physically aroused

 

Fearlessness: Fail to respond to danger cues and ignore them

Term
Borderline Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster B. Repeated instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image and mood and by impulsive behavior, parental relationships, biological abnormalities, biosocial theory, linked to cultures that undergo rapid change.

 

Treatment: Dialectical behavior therapy, antidepressants, antibipolar, antianxiety and antipsychotic drugs.

Term
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Definition
Homework assignments, psychoeducation, teaching of social skills, therapist modeling, clear goal setting, and collaborative examinations by client and therapist of client's ways of thinking.
Term
Histrionic Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster B. Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, unhealthy relationships with cold and controlling parents, lack of substance and extreme suggestibility, produced in part by social norms and expectations. 

 

Treatment: Seek treatment on own or through cognitive therapy.

Term
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster B. Broad pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration and lack of empathy. Cold, rejecting parents. People treated too positively- "eras of narcissism" in society.

 

Treatment: Difficult to treat. Psychotherapists try to help people recognize and work through their basic insecurities and defenses.

Term
Avoidant Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster C. Constant discomfort and restraint in social situations, overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation. Similar causes to anxiety disorders (traumas and fears), general sense of shame, fears of being judged by others, failure to develop social skills.

 

Treatment: Similar to social phobia treatment. Psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, group therapy, antianxiety and antidepressant drugs.

Term
Dependent Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster C. Pattern of clinging and obedience, fear of separation, ongoing need to be taken care of Unresolved conflicts during oral stage, parents unintentionally reward child's clinging, maladaptive attitudes.

 

Treatment: Couple or family therapy, CBT, group therapy.

Term
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (Cluster, definition, treatment)
Definition

Cluster C. Such intense focus on orderliness, perfectionism and control that individual loses flexibility, openness, and efficiency. Anal regressive and illogical thinking processes. 

 

Treatment: Psychodynamic or cognitive therapy. 

Term
Main problems in diagnosis of personality disorder (2)
Definition

1) Issues of reliability and validity make diagnosis difficult. (Some distinguishing signs of disorder cannot be observed and must be inferred, clinician has to judge difficult personality vs. disorder, psychiatric disorders vs. individual differences, distinguish disorders within or between clusters?)

 

2) Dimensions rather than categories (transitional DSM approach suggests an either/or approach to definition and diagnosis- an alternative would be to assess the degree to which a person exhibits particular personality dimensions, like the 5 Big Traits)

Term
Big 5 Personality Characteristics
Definition

1) Extraversion

2) Agreeableness

3) Conscentiousness

4) Neuroticism/Emotional stability

5) Openness to experience

Term
How might the Big 5 Personality Characteristics be helpful in assessment of personality disorders?
Definition
Traits are broad and comprehensive, they are not nearly as powerful in predicting and explaining actual behavior as are the more numerous lower-level traits. Studies have confirmed that in predicting actual behavior the more numerous facet or primary level traits are far more effective.
Term
Schizophrenia (general definition)
Definition
Characterized by cognitive and emotional dysfunctions, including delusions and hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and inappropriate emotions.
Term
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Definition
Childhood disorder in which children argue repeatedly with adults, lose their temper, and swear; feeling intense anger and resentment
Term
Conduct Disorder
Definition
Childhood disorder in which child repeatedly violates the basic rights of others, displaying aggression and sometimes destroying others' property, stealing, or running away from home.
Term
Causes and treatments for conduct disorders
Definition

Causes: possible biological disposition and environmental deprivation, more likely a hostile, rejecting and high-conflict family environment

 

Treatment: Parent/child therapy, parent management training, treatment foster care, juvenile training centers, problem-solving skills training, anger management programs, stimulant drugs (Ritalin, prevention programs)

Term
ADHD and secondary problems
Definition

ADHD: poor focus, disorganized, distractible, hyperactivity, impulsivity, poor control, blurting out answers, etc.

 

Secondary problems: compromised academic performance, social isolation

Term
Causes of ADHD
Definition

-Family pattern of general psychopathology

-Association with dopamine levels

-previously, ideas of minimal brain damage

-Accumulated psychosocial factors

-Mothers who smoke during pregnancy: child 3x more likely to have ADHD.

Term
Combination Therapy
Definition
Behavioral and medication management although treatment availability is often contingent on social circumstances. 
Term
Enuresis and Encopresis (definition, treatment)
Definition

Enuresis: Childhood disorder marked by repeated bed-wetting and wetting one's clothes. Not much treatment, may have behavioral treatment like bell and battery technique or dry-bed training.

 

Encopresis: Childhood disorder marked by repeated defecating in appropriate places, such as one's clothing. Training involves behavioral and medical approaches, such as laxatives, lubricants, diets, education and even family therapy

Term
What 2 major disorders are characterized as pervasive developmental disorders and why?
Definition
Aspergers and Autism. Impaired social interactions, unusual communication, inappropriate responses to stimuli and environment
Term
Features of Autism
Definition
Lack of responsiveness, language and communication problems, limited imaginative play, repetitiveness, rigid behavior, unusual motor movements (including self-stimulatory behavior and self-injurious behavior), disturbed and contradictory reaction to stimuli
Term
Preservation of Sameness
Definition
People are unable to cope with change and prefer normalcy
Term
Echolalia
Definition
Exact echoing of phrases spoken by others
Term
Autistic disorder
Definition
pervasive mental disorder marked by extreme unresponsiveness to others, poor communication skills, and highly repetitive and rigid behavior.
Term
Asperger's Disorder
Definition
Pervasive developmental disorder in which individuals display profound social impairment yet maintain a relatively high level of cognitive functioning and language skills.
Term
Features of Asperger's Syndrome
Definition
Same kinds of social deficits, odd interests and restricted/repetitive behaviors as autism but have normal/near normal adaptive, intellectual and language skills.
Term
Subtypes of Aspergers
Definition
Rules boys, logic boys, emotion boys 
Term
Sociocultural, psychological and biological causes of pervasive developmental disorders
Definition

Sociocultural: research has failed to support original ideas of family relationships and stress

 

Psychological: perceptual or cognitive disturbances, like limited theory of mind

 

Biological: genetic (high rate among siblings, especially identical twins), prenatal difficulties (risks higher when mom exposed to rubella or toxins), birth complications (during labor or delivery), MMR vaccination (vaccines could cause autism in small children, but research has not confirmed a link)

Term
Theory of mind
Definition
Awareness that other people base their behaviors on their own beliefs, intentions and other mental states, not on information they don't know
Term
Behavioral therapy for autism and LEAP therapy
Definition

Shaping and developing speech and social skills, classroom and self-help skills, early behavioral intervention appears significant.

 

LEAP therapy: for preschoolers with autism. integration of autistic children into classrooms

Term
How does cognitive social integration theory help children with aspergers?
Definition
Children taught to be more flexible with regard to social rules, problem solving and behavioral choices.
Term
Communication programs for treatment of autism
Definition
Sign language and simultaneous communication
Term
Augmentative communication system
Definition
Method for enhancing communication in people with autism, mental retardation and cerebral palsy by teaching them to point to pictures, symbols, letters, or words on a communication board or computer
Term
Parents' role in managing kids with autism
Definition
Apply behavioral techniques at home, instruction manuals, individual therapy, support groups
Term
Mental retardation and Intelligence quotient
Definition

Mental retardation: Disorder marked by intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that are well below average.

 

Intelligence Quotient: Score derived from intelligence tests that theoretically represents a person's overall intellectual capacity. 

Term
How is adaptive functioning assessed?
Definition

Mild, moderate and profound

 

Mild- education, can support themselves as adults

Moderate- People can learn to care for themselves and benefit from vocational training

Profound- Need a very structured environment with close supervision

 

Severe- technically between moderate and profound. Require careful supervision and can learn to perform basic work in structured environment and sheltered settings)

Term
Likely causes of mental retardation (6)
Definition

1) Chromosomal causes- Down's Syndrome. Abnormality in 21st chromosome.

2) Trisomy 21. Third 21st chromosome.

3) Fragile X syndrome. X chromosome with genetic abnormality that leaves it prone to breakage. Intellectual dysfunction, language impairments, behavioral problems

4) Metabolic causes. PKU, Tay-Sachs disease

5) Pre-natal and birth related disorders (i.e. fetal alcohol syndrome). brain damage related to anoxia.

6) Childhood injury and exposure to toxins. Up to age 6, certain head injuries and exposures to toxins can lead to mental retardation, lead poisoning, meningitis, encephalitis  

Term
Special education and mainstreaming
Definition

Special education: Kids with disorder and grouped together and given a separate, specially designed education.

 

Mainstreaming: Placement of children with mental retardation in regular school classrooms.

Term

Geropsychology, and why it is different from a focus on disorders of cognition?

 

Definition

Geropsychology: Considers mental health issues of elderly including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, etc.

 

Disorders of cognition: includes memory and cognitive changes that are part of the aging process, like delirium, dementia, and Alzheimers

 

 

Term
Pattern of depression in later life and how it should be treated
Definition

-Increases with age, as does suicide risk

-up to 20% of people in old age

-Associated with physical, social and emotional challenges, poorer general health

-Slow recovery

 

Treatment: CBT, interpersonal therapy, antipsychotic medication

Term
Pattern of anxiety in later life and treatment
Definition

Challenges of this period, like physical challenges of aging, making sense of our experiences, traveling uncharted territory, likely to trigger anxiety. About 6% elderly men, 12% women. 

 

Treatment: Psychotherapy, CBT, anxiolytic medication (i.e. benzodiazepines).

Term
Substance abuse in later life and treatment
Definition

Not as common as younger generation (about 7%) but higher prevalence in nursing homes or hospitals. 

 

Treatment: detoxification, Antabuse, AA, cognitive therapy.

 

More important substance-related issue is misuse of prescription medication.

Term
Psychotic disorders in later life and treatment
Definition
Delusional disorders, such as suspicion of persecution. Disorders like schizophrenia do not tend to occur in later life.
Term
Delusional disorders and treatment
Definition

Delusional disorders: State of confusion or rapidly developing clouding of consciousness. Person has great difficulty concentrating, focusing attention and following an orderly sequence of thought.

 

Treatment: addresses underlying medical condition or mismanagement of medication. Social support important. 

Term
Dementia (definition and features)
Definition

Severe problems in memory and at least one other function.

 

General deterioration in function as a result of impairment in memory, planning and abstract reasoning. Includes emotional changes (depression; delusions).

 

Can occur at any age, most common in elderly.

Term
Alzheimer's Disease
Definition

Broad cognitive impairment: memory, orientation, judgment and reasoning, poor sequencing and planning- starting with lapses in attention and difficulties with language and communication- becomes increasingly pervasive. 


Loss of interest, social isolations and agitation, depression, anxiety, hostility. 


Begins in 60s/70s, believed to affect 4 million Americans.

Term
Possible biological causes of Alzheimer's dementia
Definition

Neurofibrilary tangles: twisted protein fibers that form within certain brain cells as people age. In Alzheimer's, MANY of these tangles.

 

Senile plagues: Sphere-shaped deposits of beta-amyloid protein that forms in spaces between certain brain cells and in certain blood vessels as people age.

Term
 genetic causes and structural and biochemical causes of Alzheimer's
Definition

Genetic: genetic basis increases likelihood of excessive tangle formation and plague.

 

Structural and biochemical: abnormal formation of proteins, high levels of zinc, autoimmune response, viral infection. 

Term
Stroke
Definition
Blood flow to specific area of the brain cut off, thus damaging the area. Also called vascular or multi-infarct dementia.
Term
Creutzfeldt-Jacob Syndrome
Definition
Dementia that causes body spasms
Term
Other conditions that result in progressive cognitive impairment (3 examples)
Definition
Pick's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease
Term
3 Broad goals in treatment of dementia
Definition

1) prevent certain conditions such as substance abuse that could bring on dementia

2) Stop brain damage from spreading and becoming worse

3) Help individuals and caregivers cope with advancing deterioration

Term
Biological treatments and preventions for Alzheimer's
Definition

Drugs that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, but benefits are limited and risks are high. Useful in early stages of condition. 

 

For prevention: estrogen and antiinflammatory drugs (Motrin, Advil, etc.)

Term
Cognitive, behavioral, and sociocultural treatments for Alzheimer's
Definition

Cognitive: Stimulate mental exercise

Behavioral: Changing everyday behaviors that are stressful- particularly for caregivers. Therapy for family and caregivers also important

Sociocultural: Day care and community support.

Term
Paradox of aging and how it relates to loss of function in later life
Definition
Surprising satisfaction and enjoyment of later life. Movement from theories of disengagement to socioemotional selectivity. Making sense of life, coping with loss. Developing a perspective on death- Ericson's integrity vs. depair
Term
Shneidbaum's Suicide Types
Definition
Death seekers, death initiators, death ignorers and death darers
Term
Death Seeker
Definition
Clearly intend to end their lives at the time they attempt suicide
Term
Death Initiator
Definition
Also intend to end their lives at the time they commit suicide, but they believe that the process of death is already underway so they're just quickening the process.
Term
Death Ignorer
Definition
Does not believe that death will mean end of existence. They think they'll just turn into something else. Applies often to children- they don't understand the finality of death.
Term
Death Darer
Definition
Experiences mixed feelings or ambivalence in their intent to die, even at the moment of death. Risk-taking behavior that doesn't always result in death (i.e. Russian roulette)
Term
How alcohol is processed in your body
Definition
Absorbed into bloodstream through lining of the stomach, enters CNS where it acts as a depressant by binding to neurons and slowing activity (esp. in the GABA system), effects weaken as it is metabolized
Term
Withdrawal from Opioids
Definition
Nausea, vomiting, chills, muscle aches, sweating, anxiety, fever
Term
Kraeplin and Bleuler
Definition

Kraepelin: clinical description of schizophrenia

 

Bleuler: term of schizophrenia, concept of "breaking of associative threads"

Term
Positive and Negative Effects of Schizophrenia
Definition

Positive: Paranoia, hallucinations, delusions

 

Negative: Loss for words, loss for expression, loss of motivation, social withdrawal

Term
Biological Explanations of Schizophrenia
Definition

Genetics. Path of transmission is unclear 

 

Biochemical: high levels of dopamine, drug L-dopa, amphetamines

 

Abnormal brain structure. 

Term
Psychological explanation of schizophrenia
Definition

Psychodynamic: response to ineffective parenting

 

Cognitive view: efforts to understand the delusions and hallucinations can undermine rationality and encourage paranoia

Term
Sociocultural Explanation of Schizophrenia
Definition
Social labeling, stress and family dysfunction
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