Psychopathology

• What does statistical infrequency imply about a disorder?


  A disorder is abnormal if its frequency is more than two standard deviations away from the mean.
• How is statistical infrequency used in clinical diagnoses?


  It is used as a comparison with a baseline or 'normal' value to assess the severity of the disorder.
• What percentage of the general population is affected by Schizophrenia?


  1%
• What is a limitation of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?


  It assumes that any abnormal characteristics are automatically negative.
• What is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?


  It suggests that individuals may be considered abnormal if their mental state prevents them from leading a 'normal' life.
• Who proposed the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

  Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)
• What behaviors indicate failure to function adequately?


  Not obeying social norms, being in distress, and dangerous behavior.
• What is a strength of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?


  It takes into account the patient's perspective, leading to potentially more accurate diagnoses.
• What is a major weakness of the failure to function adequately definition?


  It may lead to labeling patients as 'strange' or 'crazy', reinforcing negative stereotypes.
• What does the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality suggest?


  Abnormal behavior is based on straying away from social norms specific to a culture.
• How can cultural differences affect the diagnosis of mental health disorders?


  Diagnoses based on social norms can vary significantly between cultures, leading to discrimination.
• What historical example illustrates discrimination in mental health diagnoses?


  'Nymphomania' was used to describe women attracted to working-class men to prevent infidelity.
• What is cultural relativism in the context of mental health definitions?


  It refers to the idea that definitions of abnormality may not apply universally across cultures.
• Who proposed the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

  Jahoda (1958)
• What criteria comprise the ideal mental state according to Jahoda?


  Self-actualization, accurate self-perception, absence of distress, normal motivation, and high self-esteem.
• What is a major issue with Jahoda's definition of ideal mental health?


  It may set unrealistic expectations that most people cannot meet.
• How does deviation from ideal mental health suffer from cultural relativism?


  Self-actualization may be viewed as selfish in collectivist cultures.
• What are the behavioral characteristics of phobias?


  Panic, avoidance, and endurance.
• What physiological response occurs during panic in phobias?


  Heightened physiological arousal due to increased sympathetic nervous system activity.
• How does avoidance behavior impact individuals with phobias?


  It negatively reinforces the avoidance, severely impacting daily life.
• What is endurance in the context of phobias?


  Remaining exposed to the phobic stimulus for an extended period while experiencing anxiety.
• What are the main emotional characteristics of phobias?


  Anxiety and unawareness of the irrationality of the anxiety.
• What cognitive characteristics are associated with phobias?


  Selective attention, irrational beliefs, and cognitive distortions.
• How does selective attention manifest in individuals with phobias?


  Patients focus on the phobic stimulus despite severe anxiety.
• What are irrational beliefs in the context of phobias?


  Incorrect perceptions of the danger posed by the phobic stimulus.
• What are cognitive distortions in phobias?


  Inaccurate perceptions of the phobic stimulus, often appearing grossly distorted.
• What are the behavioral characteristics of depression?


  Changed activity levels, aggression, and changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
• What emotional characteristics are associated with depression?


  Lowered self-esteem, constant poor mood, and high levels of anger.
• What cognitive characteristics are typical in individuals with depression?


  Absolutist thinking, selective attention to negative events, and poor concentration.
• What are the main behavioral characteristics of OCD?


  Compulsions and avoidance behavior.
• What emotional characteristics are associated with OCD?


  Guilt, disgust, depression, and anxiety.
• What cognitive characteristics are typical in individuals with OCD?


  Acknowledgment of excessive and irrational anxiety, cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions, and intrusive obsessive thoughts.
• How did Mowrer explain the acquisition and maintenance of phobias?


  Phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
• What experiment demonstrated classical conditioning in phobias?


  Watson and Rayner's Little Albert experiment.
• What was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in the Little Albert experiment?


  The loud bang.
• What is the result of the classical conditioning in the Little Albert experiment?


  Little Albert associated the white rat (CS) with fear (CR).
• How does operant conditioning maintain phobias?


  Avoidance behaviors are negatively reinforced by the avoidance of anxiety.
• What is a strength of Mowrer's theory of phobias?


  It explains the mechanism behind the acquisition and maintenance of phobias.
• What are SSRIs and how do they work?


  SSRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its concentration in the synapse.

  
• What is the purpose of tricyclics in treating OCD?


  They are reserved for those who do not respond well to SSRIs.