PSY 200 Chapter 14

Be familiar with some of the possible causes of schizophrenia including genetics, the dopamine hypothesis, and brain tissue loss.

Identical twins (48%) fraternal twins (17%). Dopamine hypothesis the idea that schizophrenia involves an excess of dopamine activity. progressive tissue loss beginning in the parietal lobe and eventually encompassing much of the brain

What is the diathesis-stress model?

a person may be predisposed for a disorder that remains unexpressed until triggered by stress

How does the study by Rosenhan show that labels need to be used carefully?

because if labeled incorrectly it can change the views that person has of themself

What is helplessness theory and how does it explain depression?

individuals who are prone to depression automatically put negative experiences to causes that are internal

What is preparedness theory?

people are predisposed towards certain fears

How do a specific phobia and social phobia differ?

specific phobia is fear of a particular object or situation. social phobia is fear of being publicly humiliated or embarrassed

Dissociative amnesia?

sudden loss of memory for personal information

What is panic disorder?

sudden occurrence of multiple psychological and physiological symptoms that turn into stark terror

What is comorbidity?

the co-occurrence of two or more disorders in a single individual

What is bipolar disorder?

unstable emotional condition characterized by cycles of high mood and low mood

Do men or women experience depression more often?

women

What are the heritability estimates for depression?

59% for identical twins and 30% for fraternal twins

What have theorists proposed cause DID?

child abuse and trauma

What is the DSM-V?

classification system that describes the features used to diagnose each recognized mental disorder and indicates how the disorder can be distinguished from other, similar problems

What pattern of brain activity do depressed people show?

decreased activity in the left prefrontal cortex and increased activity in the right prefrontal cortex

What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

depressive episodes in a seasonal pattern

What are personality disorders?

disorders characterized by deeply ingrained, inflexible patterns of thinking, feeling, relating to others, or controlling impulses that cause distress or impaired functioning.

What is schizophrenia?

distorted perception of reality, altered emotion, disturbance in thought. delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized behavior, and negative symptoms.

What are the three key elements needed to qualify as a disorder?

disturbances in behavior, thoughts, or emotions. personal distress or impairment. internal dysfunction.

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

excessive worry followed by restlessness, fatigue, concentration problems

What seems to be a common feature of personality disorders?

failure to take other peoples perspectives; usually on the self

What is agoraphobia and why does it often co-occur with panic disorder?

fear of going into public places.

Understanding psychological disorders may require an integrated framework- what things need to be considered (p. 410)?

incorporates biological, psychological, and environmental factors

Why are some criticisms of DID?

its easy to report evidence of alternate personalities or misunderstand the linkage between trauma and DID

What are anxiety disorders?

mental disorders in which anxiety is predominant

What are mood disorders?

mood disturbance as predominant feature

Low levels of what neurotransmitters might be involved in depression?

norepinephrine and serotonin

What are dissociative disorders?

normal cognitive processes are severely disjointed causing disruption in memory, awareness

What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)?

presence within an individual of two or more distinct identities that at different times take control of their behavior

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

repetitive, intrusive obsessions which result in behaviors to fend off the thoughts

What is major depression?

severely depressed mood that lasts 2 or more weeks; lack of sleep and appetite, lethargy

What is dissociative fugue?

sudden loss of memory for ones personal history and assumption of new identity

What is the medical model and how did it improve on earlier conceptualizations of mental illness?

the conceptualization of psychological disorders as diseases that, like physical diseases, have biological causes, defined symptoms, and possible cures

What are peer nominations and why are they used?

People with personality disorders won't admit. Peer nomination are reports by others who know the person.

What are psychological disorders?

Mental processes and/or behavior patterns that cause emotional distress and/or substantial impairment in functioning.