Psychological Disorders (Perspectives-Labeling)

Which is NOT one of the criteria mental health workers use to categorize ongoing patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as a psychological disorder?

• deviant

• distinguishable

• distressing

• dysfunctional

Answer explanation

Being different (deviant) from most other people in one's culture is part of what it takes to define a psychological disorder. Standards for deviant behavior vary by context and by culture. standards can also differ with time.

deviant and distressful behaviors are more likely to be considered disordered when also judged to be a harmful dysfunction. Dysfunction is key to defining a disorder: an intense fear of spiders may be deviant, but if it doesn't impair your life it is not a disorder.

The medical model assumes what?

• Psychological disorders arise from trauma and/or exposure to disorder behavior, which turns on certain genes, a process that is being studied by epigeneticists.

• Psychological disorders are mental illnesses that can be diagnosed through brain imaging and genetic tests.

• Psychological disorders are mental illnesses that can be diagnosed on the basis of their symptoms and cured through therapy, sometimes in a hospital.

• Psychological disorders are completely biological and always require medication and/or hospitalization.

The biopsychosocial approach contends that all behavior, whether normal or disordered, arises from the interaction of what two influences? Hint: related to biggest debate in psychology

Which is NOT true of the DSM?

• It is a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders.

• It explains the causes of various mental disorders.

• It provides diagnostic labels and descriptions that aid mental health professionals by providing a common language and shared concepts for communication and research.

• Most U.S. health insurance organizations require a DSM diagnosis before they will pay for therapy

Give one example of the stigmatizing power of labels.

Although there are many criticisms of diagnostic labels, there are some benefits. Which of the following is NOT one of those benefits?

• allows mental health professionals to communicate effectively about their cases

• allows mental health professionals to comprehend the underlying causes

• allows mental health professionals to discern effective treatment programs

• allows mental health professionals to know if a patient is likely to be a danger to himself or others