Psychopathology Spring 2024 Exam 1 Review

Define Psychopathology (what distinguishes a psychopathology from psychology?)

Answer explanation

Behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions that are unexpected in their cultural context and associated with present distress and/or impairment in functioning, or increased risk of suffering, death, pain, or impairment.

What is the main difference between prevalence of a disorder and incidence of a disorder?

Answer explanation

Incidence looks at the rate of new cases while prevalence looks at the total number.

What does etiology mean?

Answer explanation

a.        The cause or sets of causes that contribute to a disease.

b.        In psychology we often look at social, biological, genetic, and situational factors.

What are the three dominant traditions that have commonly been used in the past to try and describe abnormal behavior?

Answer explanation

Supernatural, biological, psychological

Looking back at the Salem Witch Trials, it’s most likely that the abnormal behavior there was caused by:

• Demonic Possession

• They were bored

• Ergot

• Mass hysteria

Answer explanation

It is now believed that a special fungal disease of Rye (Ergot) caused hallucinations that may have initiated the mass hysteria induced Salem Witch Trials. A very religious community at the time, mass hysteria (from the thought of witchcraft being in the community) led to dozens of people getting accused of witchcraft and ultimately to being hanged.

What are the four humors:

Answer explanation

Black bile,

yellow bile,

phlegm,

blood

What theoretical tradition did the four humors explanation of illness fall under?

• Biological
• Supernatural

• Psychological

Answer explanation

This fell under the biological theoretical tradition, not the supernatural or psychological theories.

What were the two medication classes that sprung up first for psychopathologies?

Answer explanation

a.        Major tranquilizers/neuroleptics/antipsychotics

b.        Minor tranquilizers

  What is the major goal of psychodynamic therapy?

Answer explanation

a.        To make the unconscious conscious which helps the client become aware of their thoughts, feelings, and conflicts in order to resolve issues.

What is the major goal of Humanistic Therapy?

Answer explanation

To help the client achieve congruency between their true self and ideal self, to help them grow, and develop positive self-regard.