Abnormal Psych, ch 1 Summary

Ch 1 Summary: Psychological disorder - A psychological disorder is 1) a psychological dysfunction within an individual that is 2) associated with distress or impairment in functioning and 3) a response that is not typical or culturally expected. All 3 basic criteria must be met; no one criterion alone has yet been identified that defines the essence of abnormality Ch 1 Summary: Psychopathology - Field is concerned with the scientific study of psychological disorders. Trained mental health professionals range from clinical and counsiling psychologists to psychiatrists and psychiatric social workers and nurses. Each profession requires a specific type of training. Ch 1 Summary: Scientist-practitioners - Using scientific methods, mental health professionals can function as scientist-practitioners. They not only keep up with the latest findings but also use scientific data to evaluate their own work, and they often conduct research within their clinics or hospitals Ch 1 Summary: research about disorders - Research about psychological disorders falls into 3 basic categories: description, causation, and treatment and outcomes Ch 1 Summary: Supernatural, Biological, and Psychological Traditions - Historically, there have been three prominent approaches to abnormal behavior. In the supernatural tradition, abnormal behavior is attributed to agents outside our bodies or social environment, such as demons, spirits, or the influence of the moon and stars; although still alive, this tradition has been largely replaced by biological and psychological perspectives. In the biological tradition disorders are attributed to disease or biochemical imbalances; in the psychological tradition, abnormal behavior is attributed to faulty psychological development and to social context Ch 1 Summary: Supernatural, Biological, and Psychological Traditions - Each tradition has its own way of treating individuals who suffer from psychological disorders. Supernatural treatments include exorcism. Biological treatments typically emphasize physical care and the search for medical cures, especially drugs. Psychological approaches use psychosocial treatments, beginning with moral therapy and including modern psychotherapy Ch 1 Summary: Supernatural, Biological, and Psychological Traditions - Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalytic therapy, offered an elaborate conception of the unconscious mind, much of which is still conjecture. In therapy, Freud focused on tapping into the mysteries of the unconscious through such techniques as catharsis, free association, and dream analysis. Although Freud's followers steered from his path in many ways, Freud's influence can still be felt today Ch 1 Summary: Supernatural, Biological, and Psychological Traditions - One outgrowth of Freudian therapy is humanistic psychology, which focuses more on human potential and self-actualizing than on psychological disorders. Therapy that has evolved from this approach is known as person-centered therapy; the therapist shows almost unconditional positive regard for the client's feelings and thoughts Ch 1 Summary: Supernatural, Biological, and Psychological Traditions - The behavioral model moved psychology into the realm of science. Both research and therapy focus on things that are measurable, including such techniques as systematic desensitization, reinforcement, and shaping Ch 1 Summary: Scientific Method and Integrative Approach - With the increasing sophistication of our scientific tools, and new knowledge from cognitive science, behavioral science, and neuroscience, we now realize that no contribution to psychological disorders ever occurs in isolation. Our behavior, both normal and abnormal, is a product of a continual interaction of psychological, biological, and social influences