Abnormal Psych Ch.1

defense mechanism

common pattern of behavior in response to particular situations

id

in psychoanalysis, the unconscious physical entity present at birth representing basic sexual and aggressive drives

classical conditioning

learning process whereby a neutral stimulus can evoke a response originally evoked by another stimulus

mental health hygiene movement

mid-19th-century effort to improve care of the mentally disordered by informing the public of mistreatment

incidence

number of new cases of a disorder appearing during a specific period

catharsis

rapid or sudden release of emotional tension thought to be an important factor in psychoanalytic therapy

moral therapy

19th century approach that involved treating patients as normally as possible in normal environments

systematic desensitization

A treatment technique where the client is exposed to gradually increasing anxiety provoking stimuli while relaxing; the goal is for the client to eventually confront a phobia or fear without the previously associated anxiety.

psychoanalysis

Assessment and therapy pioneered by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes exploration of, and insight into, unconscious processes and conflicts.

psychodynamic psychotherapy

Contemporary version of psychoanalysis that still emphasizes unconscious processes and conflicts but is briefer and more focused on specific problems.

psychosexual stages of development

In psychoanalysis, the sequence of phases a person passes through during childhood

intrapsychic conflicts

In psychoanalytic theory, a struggle among the id, ego, and superego.

Extinction

Learning process in which a response maintained by reinforcement decreases when that reinforcement or pairing is removed

abnormal behavior

a psychological dysfunction within an individual that is associated with distress or impairment in functioning

collective unconscious

according to Carl Jung, accumulated wisdom of a culture remembered across generations

transference

concept in which clients relate to their therapist as they do to important authority figures

behaviorism

explanation of human actions based on principles of learning and adaptation derived from experimental psychology

Superego

in psychoanalysis, the physical entity representing the internalized moral principles of parents and society

ego mediator

in psychoanalysis, the physical entity responsible for finding realistic ways to satisfy drives

Prevelance

number of people displaying a disorder in the total population at any given time

self-actualizing

process in which people strive to achieve their highest potential against difficult life experiences

phobia

psychological disorder characterized by marked and persistent fear of an object or situation

ego psychology

theory attributing psychological disorders to failure of the reality principle to manage impulses

object relations

theory involving how children incorporate memories and values of people who are important to them

dream analysis

therapy in which one's thoughts during sleep are examined as symbolic of intrapsychic conflicts

free association

therapy technique in which patients are instructed to say whatever comes to mind without censoring

psychosocial treatment

therapy that focuses on one's environment as well as cultural factors and other influences

person-centered therapy

treatment in which the client primarily directs the course of discussion, seeking self-discovery and self-responsibility