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Chapter 1 abnormal psych
Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3303)
University of Colorado Boulder
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abnormal behavior that involves a disturbance of psychological function or behavior; psychological dysfunction associated with distress or impairment that is not typical or culturally appropriate
criteria for psychological disorder -clinical significance -distress -behavior is not socially acceptable -psychological or biological disturbance -behavior is not defined in terms of social rebellion/deviance
clinical significance involves degree of impairment that a clinician can observe
distress (disability) how a person feels beyond what a clinician can observe
biopsychosocial perspective (definition) biological, psychological and sociocultural factors are seen as influencing the development of the individual
spiritual approach regarded psychological disorders as product of possession by evil/demonic spirits
trephining (spiritual treatment) a hole was cut into the skull in an attempt to release evil spirits from person's head
exorcism (spiritual treatment) shaman, priest, or medicine man carries out rituals that put the individual under extreme mental/physical duress
humanitarian approach regarded psychological disorders as a result of cruelty, stress, poor living conditions -moral treatment -mental hygiene movement -deinstitutionalization movement (aka Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Center Construction Act--mid-1970s)
scientific approach (Hippocrates--founder of modern medicine) believe there were 4 important bodily fluids that influenced physical and mental health, leading to 4 personality dispositions
Claudius Galen (130-200 A.) developed system of medical knowledge based on anatomical studies
Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) founder of American psychiatry; rekindled interest in scientific approach to psychological disorders; advocated for improvements in psychiatric hospitals
Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) discovered classical conditioning, which became basis for behaviorist movement
B. Skinner (1904-1990) formulated a systematic approach to operant conditioning
positive psychology emphasizes potential for growth and change throughout lifetime. views psychological disorders as difficulties that inhibit the individual's ability to achieve highly subjective well-being and feelings of fulfillment
randomized controlled trial (RCT) research in which researchers randomly assign participants to conditions in which they receive different forms of intervention; used as foundation for evidence-based treatments
placebo condition participants receive a treatment similar to experimental treatment
double-blind method neither the person giving the treatment nor the person receiving the treatment knows whether the participant is in experimental or control groups
correlational design involves tests of relationships between variables that researchers cannot experimentally manipulate; can be negative or positive
survey purpose: to obtain population data example: researchers working for a government agency attempt to determine disease prevalence through questionnaires administered over the phone
laboratory study purpose: to collect data under controlled conditions example: an experiment is conducted to compare reaction times to neutral and fear-provoking stimuli
Chapter 1 abnormal psych
Course: Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3303)
University: University of Colorado Boulder
