Abnormal Psychology
Study Guide Exam 1, Chpt. 1-5
Discuss the difficulty associated with defining “abnormal” behavior.
What factors are generally included in a definition of abnormality?
In general be able to discuss the different historical views of abnormality and how the view affected treatment.
Discuss the current trends in defining and treating abnormal behavior.
Describe the method of inquiry used in the field of abnormal psychology and limitations associated with application of that method to humans.
Define and discuss the advantages and limitations of the following methods of study:
Case study
Correlational method
Experimental Method
Biological Model
In general discuss anatomical factors in the brain that may contribute to abnormal behavior.
Discuss the variations in brain anatomy that may contribute to abnormal behavior
Discuss the biochemical factors that may contribute to abnormal behavior.
Neurons: method of transmission of neurological messages and the role of neurotransmitters.
Discuss the following biological therapies
Drug Therapy: (general effect ; do not need to identify specific drugs or trade names)
Antianxiety drugs
Antidepressant drugs
Antibipolar drugs
Antipsychotic drugs
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Psychosurgery
Discuss some of the pros and cons of the biological therapies
Psychodynamic Model
Id, ego, superego
Three levels of consciousness
Purpose of defense mechanisms (repression, denial, projection, displacement, reaction formation, and rationalization)
Personality features associated with fixation at each of the psychosexual stages
Behavioral Model
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Social Cognitive Theory
Cognitive Model
How does this model explain the cause of abnormal behavior and what treatments are used in this model?
Humanistic-Existential Model (not Gestalt)
How does this model explain the cause of abnormal behavior and what treatments are used in this model?
Sociocultural model: in general describe the focus of the social cultural model.
Describe some of the broader sociocultural factors that are believed to impact abnormal behavior
What is the purpose of clinical assessment?
Discuss the following components of assessment (uses, cautions, etc.)
Clinical Interviews
Structured
Unstructured
Clinical Tests (be able to match a description to each of the following)
Projective tests
Personality inventories
Psychophysiological tests
Neuropsychological tests
Intelligence tests
Clinical observations
What is the purpose of diagnosis?
What is the DSM-IV and how is it used?
Define the multi-axial system—what type of diagnosis goes on each axis?
Discuss some of the dangers associated with over-reliance on diagnosis
In general—is treatment effective?
Is one form of treatment clearly more effective than other forms?
Within each of the general categories of psychological disorders covered in this section be able to list each of the diagnoses discussed in class and describe the major features.
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Phobias (agoraphobia, social phobia, and specific phobia)
Panic Disorder (with and without agoraphobia)
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder
Stress Disorders
Acute stress disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Be able to provide the most salient explanation for the etiology (cause) of the disorder and describe the most beneficial treatment approaches. (Only for those disorders that etiology and treatment were discussed)
Be able to discuss the following terms in relation to the various anxiety disorders:
State anxiety
Trait anxiety
GABA
Norepinephrine
Obsession
Compulsion
Serotonin
Define psychophysiological disorders and identify some of the most common psychophysiological disorders
Discuss treatments (in general) for psychophysiological disorders.