Psychology Bible
Aetiology: The study of the causation of mental disorders.
Clinical picture: The constellation of visible signs or symptoms
associated with a particular mental disorder, the interpretation of which
leads to a specific diagnosis.
Comorbidity: A mental disorder existing simultaneously, but
independently, with another mental disorder in the same individual.
Dangerousness: The extent to which an individual with a mental
disorder (or displaying abnormal behaviour) is likely to cause harm to self
or others. For example, Tom, who has a history of being a gang member
since he was an adolescent, relays to the clinical psychologist that his
girlfriend left him over a month ago and he is feeling very depressed and
angry at her. The clinical psychologist will need to assess whether Tom is
a danger to himself (suicidal) or others such as his girlfriend (homicidal).
Delusions: A false belief that is held strongly by an individual, even
though they are presented with evidence to the contrary. For example,
Sipho believes that he is Michael Jackson and spends hours practising his
dance moves for his pending international performance.
Deviance: The extent to which an individual’s behaviour and attitudes
differ from norms or accepted social standards. Tom, as a gang member,
hijacks expensive cars and uses a sizeable part of the money from the
sale on feeding his cocaine habit. His stealing and using drugs is against
the law and not what most members of his society do, therefore his
behaviour can be regarded as deviant.
Diagnosis: The determination of the nature of a case of a mental
disorder, or the distinguishing of one mental disorder from another; based
on identifying signs and symptoms of mental disorders. The clinical
psychologist will assess Sipho to determine if his symptoms meet the full
criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Differential diagnosis: The determination of which disorder may be
producing the symptoms of a mental disorder. Tom is continuously
stealing money from his parents. This one criterion is evident in conduct
disorder, kleptomania and antisocial personality disorder. The clinical
psychologist will need to gather further information (such as Tom’s age
and the severity and duration of his symptoms) to assess if he is also
displaying other symptoms and criteria in order to determine which
diagnosis, if any, best describes Tom’s abnormal behaviour.
Dysfunctional behaviour: In many cases, people are judged to have a
psychological disorder because their ability to perform their day-to-day
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