Understanding Psychological Disorders: Approaches, Diagnosis, and Social Implications

Psychology

DSM-5

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1. Historically, what are the three different approaches that have been taken to addressing the problem of mental disorders? In particular, what is meant by the medical model and the bio-psycho-social perspective? How are they different?

Mental disorders are solely attributed to environmental factors

- acknowledgment that all behavior arises from the interaction of nature and nurture- a disorder may be due to either... - acknowledgment that all behavior arises from the interaction of nature and nurture- a disorder may be due to either one of the other or BOTH!

Mental disorders are solely attributed to genetics

Mental disorders have no underlying causes and are purely random occurrences

The correct answer highlights the interaction between nature and nurture in mental disorders, while the three incorrect answers oversimplify the causes by attributing them solely to genetics, environmental factors, or randomness.

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About This Quiz

Psychological Disorders Quizzes & Trivia

Explore the complexities of psychological disorders through this focused assessment. It evaluates understanding of various mental health conditions, their diagnostic criteria, and treatment approaches, enhancing both academic knowledge and practical insights into the field of psychology.

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2. What is the DSM-IV and what kind of information does it contain about mental disorders?

- defines 16 major categories of "mental disorder"describes them in terms of: 1. symptoms. 2. prognosis3. appropriate treatment

DSM-IV is a diagnostic manual for physical disorders rather than mental disorders.

The DSM-IV only covers five major categories of mental disorders.

The DSM-IV does not provide any information on appropriate treatment for mental disorders.

The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) is a classification system of mental disorders that defines various categories and provides detailed information about symptoms, prognosis, and appropriate treatment for each disorder.

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3. What social and ethical problems are associated with labeling an individual as having a particular psychological disorder?

Identifying someone as having a mental disorder has no impact on their personal and professional relationships.

Labeling individuals with psychological disorders can lead to social acceptance and understanding of their condition.

- diagnosis is important for getting appropriate treatment and health insurance- HOWEVER, once identified as having a mental disorder, a... - diagnosis is important for getting appropriate treatment and health insurance- HOWEVER, once identified as having a mental disorder, a patient may be subject to bias an stereotyping

Being labeled with a psychological disorder guarantees access to special privileges and benefits within society.

While a proper diagnosis is crucial for receiving the necessary treatment and considering health insurance, labeling individuals with psychological disorders can also lead to negative consequences such as bias and stereotyping.

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4. What are some of the proposed causes of anxiety disorders?

The Learning Perspective: anxiety is learned an maintained primarily through classical conditioning, stimulus, generalization and reinforcementThe Biological Perspective: anxiety disorders... The Learning Perspective: anxiety is learned an maintained primarily through classical conditioning, stimulus, generalization and reinforcementThe Biological Perspective: anxiety disorders correlate with overactive frontal lobes and amygdala, partly heritable, and many phobias may be adaptive

The Cognitive Perspective: anxiety disorders are the result of irrational thoughts and beliefs.

The Sociocultural Perspective: anxiety disorders arise from societal pressure and cultural norms.

The Psychodynamic Perspective: anxiety disorders are caused by unresolved unconscious conflicts and childhood traumas.

Anxiety disorders can have multiple proposed causes, ranging from learning theories to biological factors. While psychodynamic, sociocultural, and cognitive perspectives can contribute to understanding anxiety, the learning and biological perspectives are commonly cited in research literature.

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5. What are the similarities and differences between the learning perspective and the biological perspective?

Both focus on physical causes of anxiety disorders

Biological perspective suggests that anxiety disorders can be unlearned, whereas learning perspective does not support this

Learning perspective focuses on genetic factors while biological perspective focuses on environmental factors

Both deal with how anxiety disorders ariselearning says its the outside worlds that influences us.biological says the anxiety is... Both deal with how anxiety disorders ariselearning says its the outside worlds that influences us.biological says the anxiety is already within us

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6. Overactivity in what part of the brain is associated with anxiety disorders?

Medulla oblongata

Cerebellum

Frontal lobes and amygdala

Hippocampus

Anxiety disorders are primarily associated with overactivity in the frontal lobes and amygdala, whereas the cerebellum, hippocampus, and medulla oblongata are not typically linked to anxiety disorders.

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7. What is major depression? What are its important defining characteristics? (i.e., that distinguish it from more common forms of temporary depression). Are men or women more likely to experience major depression? Who is more likely to commit suicide?

- prolonged feeling of worthlessness and diminished interest and pleasure in most activities w/ no apparent cause- UNIPOLAR- factors about... - prolonged feeling of worthlessness and diminished interest and pleasure in most activities w/ no apparent cause- UNIPOLAR- factors about 80% of suicides- men are more likely to commit suicide (more successful at it)

Sudden mood swings and heightened emotional reactivity - SCHIZOPHRENIA - factors about 60% of suicides - women are more likely... Sudden mood swings and heightened emotional reactivity - SCHIZOPHRENIA - factors about 60% of suicides - women are more likely to commit suicide

Feeling sad for short periods with an identifiable cause - BIPOLAR - factors less than 30% of suicides - women... Feeling sad for short periods with an identifiable cause - BIPOLAR - factors less than 30% of suicides - women are more likely to commit suicide

Intermittent feelings of happiness and contentment - ANXIETY - factors about 50% of suicides - men and women are equally... Intermittent feelings of happiness and contentment - ANXIETY - factors about 50% of suicides - men and women are equally likely to commit suicide

Major depression is characterized by a prolonged feeling of worthlessness and diminished interest and pleasure in most activities with no apparent cause. It is unipolar and accounts for about 80% of suicides, with men being more likely to commit suicide and being more successful at it.

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8. What is bipolar disorder and how does it differ from major depression in terms of symptoms, prevalence, gender differences, and genetics?

Major depression is more common in men than women, while bipolar disorder affects women more frequently.

- Manic Depression- alternating periods of depression and mania (hyperactive, impulsive, wild behavior) - no gender difference- strong genetic component

Bipolar disorder is solely characterized by depression with no manic episodes.

Genetics play a minimal role in the development of major depression compared to bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder differs from major depression by including manic episodes. There is no significant gender difference in the prevalence of bipolar disorder, contrary to the incorrect answers provided. Furthermore, genetics play a significant role in the development of bipolar disorder rather than major depression.

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9. What evidence exists for the role of genes and biology for mood disorders? What is the social-cognitive perspective?

- The frontal lobe is not involved in mood regulation.

- Biologically, there is a strong genetic predisposition, especially for bipolar disorder- correlates with reduced activity of serotonin and norepinephrine... - Biologically, there is a strong genetic predisposition, especially for bipolar disorder- correlates with reduced activity of serotonin and norepinephrine + reduced frontal lobe activity- belief that depression is a vicious cycle fed by self-defeating beliefs- negative interpretations of events encourage negative moods.

- Mood disorders have no genetic predisposition and are solely caused by external factors.

- Serotonin and norepinephrine are not related to mood disorders.

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10. What is schizophrenia and what are its most prominent characteristics? How prevalent is it, and what age group is most susceptible?

- personality disorder characterized by unstable relationships - 2-4% - more common in specific racial groups - onset occurs in... - personality disorder characterized by unstable relationships - 2-4% - more common in specific racial groups - onset occurs in middle age

- mood disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows - 5-7% - more common in females - onset occurs in... - mood disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows - 5-7% - more common in females - onset occurs in childhood

- psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, disordered thinking, and bizarre behavior- 1-2% - no gender of racial differences- onset occurs... - psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, disordered thinking, and bizarre behavior- 1-2% - no gender of racial differences- onset occurs at young adulthood

- anxiety disorder characterized by excessive fear - 10-15% - more common in males - onset occurs in elderly populations

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11. What types of brain abnormalities are observed in schizophrenics and what neurotransmitter is thought to be involved? What do studies about the heritability of schizophrenia tell us about its causes?

+ - excess of behavior- - poverty of behavior- overactivity of dopamine (in the nucleus abumbens) - enlarged ventricles/decreased temporal... + - excess of behavior- - poverty of behavior- overactivity of dopamine (in the nucleus abumbens) - enlarged ventricles/decreased temporal lobe volume- it's GENTIC: high concordance rate for identical twins

Normal brain size and structure

Hypoactivity of serotonin (in the prefrontal cortex)

Low concordance rate for identical twins

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12. What evidence exists for environmental causes of schizophrenia? In particular, why do some researchers believe that prenatal factors may play an important role?

Schizophrenia is caused solely by poor upbringing and trauma.

- viral infections, prenatal complications and flu epidemics assiciated with higher rates. - does not correlate with parenting skills

Genetics is the only known cause of schizophrenia.

Environmental factors have no impact on the development of schizophrenia.

Researchers believe that prenatal factors may play an important role in the development of schizophrenia due to evidence linking viral infections, prenatal complications, and flu epidemics with higher rates. It is important to note that parenting skills do not correlate with the onset of schizophrenia.

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13. What are the defining characteristics of personality disorders?

Characterized by maladaptive behavior patterns (excluding anxiety and depression) that impair social functioningCluster A: odd behavior- paranoids, schizoid, schizotypalCluster B:... Characterized by maladaptive behavior patterns (excluding anxiety and depression) that impair social functioningCluster A: odd behavior- paranoids, schizoid, schizotypalCluster B: erratic, overly dramatic- narcissistic, borderline antisocialCluster C: anxious- compulsive, avoidance, dependent

Characterized by excessive anxiety and depression

Characterized by lack of any specific behavior patterns

Characterized by adaptive behavior patterns that enhance social functioning

Personality disorders are characterized by maladaptive behavior patterns that impair social functioning, not adaptive behavior patterns. They also exclude anxiety and depression, hence the incorrect options mentioning excessive anxiety and depression. Personality disorders also involve specific behavior patterns as outlined in the correct answer, not a lack of any specific behavior.

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14. What is antisocial personality disorder, and why is it a major societal concern?

Those with antisocial personality disorder are typically shy and introverted individuals.

Antisocial personality disorder is a rare condition that only affects a small percentage of the population.

Aka sociopathy, psychopathy- manipulative, impulsive, aggressive- symptoms appear in childhood/adolescence (ROBERT ROGERS)

Symptoms of antisocial personality disorder only manifest in adulthood and are easily treatable with therapy.

Antisocial personality disorder is a serious mental health condition that can have significant negative impacts on individuals and society as a whole due to the manipulative, impulsive, and aggressive behaviors associated with it. Early recognition and intervention are crucial in addressing this societal concern.

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15. What evidence exists to suggest that this disorder may have a genetic or biological component?

- low levels of arousal (adrenaline) - reduced activity in frontal lobes- genetic predisposition* the opposite of anxiety: LOW LEVELS... - low levels of arousal (adrenaline) - reduced activity in frontal lobes- genetic predisposition* the opposite of anxiety: LOW LEVELS of everything

- high levels of arousal (adrenaline) - increased activity in frontal lobes - lack of genetic predisposition

The correct answer points out that the disorder is characterized by low levels of arousal, reduced activity in the frontal lobes, and a genetic predisposition. The incorrect answers provided are opposites to the evidence presented in the question.

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16. What are dissociative disorders?

A. Personality disorders characterized by excessive mood swings.

C. Anxiety disorders related to specific phobias.

B. Neurocognitive disorders affecting memory and cognition.

- having muliti-personalities- possessing 2 or more distinct identities- severe memory disruption- associated with child abuse

Dissociative disorders involve a disruption in a person's memory, identity, consciousness, and perception of surroundings. They are not the same as personality disorders, neurocognitive disorders, or anxiety disorders.

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17. What is dissociative identity disorder? Why are some clinical psychologists skeptical of the existence of this disorder?

- a disorder characterized by a fear of public spaces

- a disorder that causes temporary memory loss

- multiple personalities- some psychologist may just diagnose patient to say they have done it in their record. Some people... - multiple personalities- some psychologist may just diagnose patient to say they have done it in their record. Some people may also be just acting the way the therapist wants them/expects them to act.

- a disorder related to an excessive fear of spiders

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