PSYC 435 - Abnormal Psychology Quiz 1 Concepts Exam Questions With Verified Answers

PSYC 435 - Abnormal Psychology Quiz 1 Concepts Exam Questions With Verified Answers Why is abnormality so difficult to define? - answerWhat is considered abnormal by one may be considered normal by another What characteristics help us recognize abnormality? - answer1. subjective distress 2. maladaptiveness 3. statistical deviancy 4. violation of the standards of society 5. social discomfort 6. irrationality and unpredictability 7. dangerousness What is stigma? How common is it? - answerPreconceived negative attitudes about a particular subject that are extremely common What challenges are involved in reducing stigma toward people with mental illness? - answerKnowledge alone is not enough to remove stigmas A person's self-concept may be directly affected by being given a diagnosis - perpetuating stigma Fear of individuals who exhibit dangerous or unpredictable behavior perpetuates stigma What is epidemiology? - answerinvolves the study of the distribution and frequency of disorders What is the difference between prevalence and incidence? - answerIncidence is the number of new cases in a population within a certain period. Prevalence is the total number of cases in a population in a certain period - including both new and existing cases What are the most common mental disorders? - answerMood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders How is illness severity associated with comorbidity? - answerComorbidity is positively correlated with illness severity What are the strengths and limitations of case studies? - answernew ideas and stimulus for research. insight into rare clinical conditions Studying and drawing inferences from past case studies alone often leads to erroneous thinking as we often focus on data that confirm our ideas of how things are. Why is it desirable not to rely solely on self-report data as a source of information? - answerBecause people will occasionally lie, misinterpret the question, or desire to present themselves in a particularly favorable (or unfavorable) light What is the difference between self-report and observational data? - answerSelf-report data is the individual's personal subjective experience, whereas observational data is what is observable to everyone as it currently is What range of measures could be considered to reflect observational data? - answerDirect observation, biological, laboratory, technological, clinical Explain what the term representative sample means - answerA group that is as indicative of what the entire population is as possible What is a sample of convenience? - answerA sample of what is most readily available, though not necessarily most indicative of the entire population What is the difference between internal and external validity? How can external validity be maximized? - answerInternal: how confident we are in the results of that study External: the extent to which we can generalize the findings of a study Create a sample that has wide ranges of various factors to represent the most of the population Why are comparison or control groups so important? - answerresearchers cannot test their hypothesis adequately. The control group must be comparable in all major respects to the criterion group except for the fact that they do not exhibit the disorder of interest. • comparison of the variables of interest shows if there are significant differences. How is experimental research different from correlational research? - answerExperimental research manipulates the variables and environments whereas correlational research observes without interference In experimental research, which variable (independent or dependent) is manipulated? - answerIndependent What is a placebo? - answerA treatment that has no effect. Explain the process of performing an ABAB design. Why are such designs helpful to clinicians and researchers? - answerWith/without/with/without treatment - infer causal relationships and determine how well the treatment works Explain how we define abnormality and classify mental disorders. - answer• A precise definition of abnormality remains elusive. Consider subjective distress, maladaptiveness, statistical deviancy, violation of societal norms, social discomfort, irrationality and unpredictability, and dangerousness. • The DSM employs a category type of classification similar to that used in medicine. Disorders are regarded as discrete clinical entities, though not all clinical disorders may be best considered in this way. • Even though it is not without problems, the DSM provides us with working criteria that help clinicians and researchers identify and study specific difficulties that affect the lives of many people. It is far from a "finished product." However, familiarity with the DSM is essential to significant study of the field. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of classification. - answer• Pros: Classifying disorders provides a common language as well as a communication shorthand Structures and organises information facilitating research and treatment. Defines the types of psychological difficulties that warrant insurance reimbursement and identifies the disorders that mental health professionals treat. • Cons: lose detailed personal information about the person with the disorder. can facilitate stigma, stereotyping, and labelling, (not caused by the classification system itself) fear of being viewed negatively or being discriminated against may lead some people to avoid seeking treatment. Explain how culture affects what is considered abnormal and describe two different culture- specific disorders. - answer• Culture shapes the presentation of clinical disorders in some cases. Culture also provides the backdrop against which we must evaluate whether a particular behavior is abnormal or not. • Taijin kyofusho - anxiety disorder in Japan. fear that one's body, body parts, or body functions may offend, embarrass, or make others feel uncomfortable. Ataque de nervios - anxiety disorder of Latino descent, especially those from the Caribbean. crying, trembling, fainting, uncontrollable screaming, and a general feeling of loss of control. Distinguish between incidence and prevalence and identify the most common and prevalent mental disorders. - answer• Epidemiology involves the study of the distribution and frequency of disorders - Incidence is the number of new cases that occur in a given period of time. Prevalence refers to the total num