psych 9c // chapter 14

• Psychopathology refers to sickness or disorder of the mind; psychological disorder.
• Etiology refers to the factors that contribute to the development of a disorder.
• Diagnosis is the process of identifying and categorizing a particular disorder or condition based on an individual’s symptoms, behaviors, and other factors.
• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a widely used classification system for diagnosing psychological disorders that provides standardized criteria and guidelines for the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of various psychological conditions.
• The categorical approach is one way of conceptualizing psychological disorders, in which disorders are viewed as distinct entities with clear boundaries between different diagnostic categories.
• The dimensional approach is one way of conceptualizing psychological disorders, in which disorders are viewed along a continuum rather than as discrete categories.
• Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) is a method that defines basic aspects of functioning and considers them across multiple levels of analysis, from genes to brain systems to behavior.
• Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more co-occurring medical or psychological conditions or disorders in the same individual.
• p factor is a general psychopathology factor that underlies the covariance among various psychological disorders.
• In psychology, assessment is the examination of a person’s cognitive, behavioral, or emotional functioning to diagnose possible psychological disorders.
• Prognosis refers to the likely course or outcome of a condition, including its expected duration, severity, and potential for worsening over time.
• Evidence-based assessment is the practice of using research evidence, empirical data, and scientifically validated methods to guide the process of evaluating and diagnosing psychological disorders.
• A structured interview is a systematic method of gathering information from an individual in a standardized and consistent manner.
• The diathesis-stress model is a diagnostic model proposing that a disorder may develop when an underlying vulnerability is coupled with a precipitating event.
• Diathesis refers to a predisposition or vulnerability that an individual may have for developing a particular disorder or condition, which can be biological or environmental.
• Stress refers to external or internal factors that challenge or overwhelm an individual’s coping resources.
• The family systems model is a diagnostic model that considers problems within an individual as indicating problems within the family.
• The sociocultural model is a diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of the interaction between individuals and their cultures.
• The cognitive-behavioral approach is a diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of learned, maladaptive thoughts and beliefs.
• Internalizing disorders are psychological disorders that are characterized by negative emotions, which can be divided into broad categories to reflect the emotions of distress and fear.
• Externalizing disorders are psychological disorders that are characterized by impulsive or out-of-control behavior.
• In general, the disorders associated with internalizing are more prevalent in women, and those associated with externalizing are more prevalent in men.
• Cultural syndromes are patterns of symptoms, behaviors, or experiences that are recognized within specific cultural groups and are often linked to cultural beliefs, values, and practices.
• Anxiety disorders are psychological disorders that are characterized by excessive fear and anxiety in the absence of true danger.
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excess worry and anxiety about various aspects of life.
• Social anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by intense fear or anxiety about social situations where they may be scrutinized or judged by others.
• A specific phobia is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by intense and irrational fear or anxiety about specific objects or situations.
• Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by intense fear or anxiety about being in situations or places where escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or where help may not be readily available.
• Major depressive disorder is a depressive disorder that is characterized by severe negative moods or a lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities.
• Persistent depressive disorder is a depressive disorder that is characterized by depression that is not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depressive disorder.
• Learned helplessness refers to a cognitive model of depression in which people feel unable to control events in their lives.
• Bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder that is characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression).
• Mania is the hallmark feature of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by an elevated or irritable mood and is accompanied by major increases in a person’s energy.
• Manic episodes are instances of mania that last at least one week and are characterized by heightened levels of activity and extreme happiness that often lead to excessive involvement in activities that feel good at the time but can be harmful in the long run.
• Hypomania refers to less extreme instances of mania that are characterized by heightened creativity and productivity.
• Bipolar I disorder is a psychological disorder that is characterized by extremely elevated moods during manic episodes and, frequently, depressive episodes as well.
• Bipolar II disorder is a psychological disorder that is characterized by alternating periods of extremely depressed and mildly elevated moods.
• Schizophrenia is a psychological disorder that is characterized by alterations in thoughts, in perceptions, or in consciousness, resulting in psychosis.
• Psychosis is a psychological condition that is characterized by a loss of contact with reality.
• Positive symptoms refer to additional experiences or behaviors that are not typically present in individuals without schizophrenia.