Week 1 + 2
1. What do cultural relativists argue about determining normality?
Cultural relativism is the view that there are no universal standards or rules for
labeling a behavior abnormal; instead, behaviors can be labeled abnormal only
relative to cultural norms. This perspective honors the traditions of different
cultures, rather than imposing the standards of one culture on judgements of
abnormality.
Most mental health professionals these days do not hold an extreme relativist
view on abnormality, recognizing the dangers of basing definitions of
abnormality solely on cultural norms.
2. What are the 4 D’s?
Modern judgements of abnormality are influenced by the interplay of four
dimensions, called the 4 D’s; Dysfunction, Distress, Deviance and
Dangerousness. They thus interfere with daily life, cause suffering, are highly
unusual, and are potentially dangerous.
3. In which three categories do theories about abnormality usually fall into?
Biological theories, which view abnormal behavior as similar to physical
diseases, caused by the breakdown of systems in the body.
Supernatural theories
Psychological theories, which view abnormalities as a result of traumas or
chronic stress.
4. How do the deinstitutionalization movement and mental health centers fit
together?
The process of deinstitutionalization was the reintegration of the patients with
mental illnesses into the community with the support of community-based
treatment facilities such as mental health centers, which included teams of
social workers, therapists, and physicians.
5. What do biological theories on psychopathology usually focus on?
Biological theories of psychopathology typically attribute symptoms to
structural abnormalities in the brain, disordered biochemistry, or faulty genes.
,6. What are some medications against depression and mania?
The most frequently used antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRI), which affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system.
Lithium is a metallic element present in the sea, natural springs and animal and
plant tissue. It is widely used as a mood stabilizer. It does cause extreme side
effects such as nausea, blurred vision, diarrhea and twitches.
7. What does the third-wave approach involve?
The first wave of psychotherapeutic approaches was made of behavioral
approaches and the second of cognitive approaches. The third-wave approach,
however, combined behavioral and cognitive therapy with mindfulness
meditation practices derived from Zen buddhism. The most established
third-wave approach is dialectical behavior therapy. This therapy focuses on
difficulties in managing negative emotions and in controlling impulsive
behaviors.
8. Explain; face validity, content validity, predictive validity, construct
validity and concurrent validity.
A test is said to have face validity if the items seem to measure what the test is
intended to measure on face value.
Content validity is the extent to which a test assesses all the important aspects
of a phenomenon that it purports to measure.
Concurrent validity is the extent to which a test yields the same results as other,
established measures of the same behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
Construct validity is the extent to which a test measures what it is supposed to
measure and not something else altogether.
9. What does a clinician assess in a mental status exam?
In a mental status exam, the clinician assesses the individual’s appearance
(does the person appear in a healthy state) and behavior, thought processes
(how coherently does someone for instance talk), mood and affect, intellectual
functioning and orientation (does the person understand what day, time, year it
is?).
10. What is the difference between EEG, CT, PET and SPECT?
Computerized Tomography is an enhancement of X-ray procedures, in which
narrow X-ray beams are passed through a person’s head in a single plane from
, a variety of angles. The amount of radiation absorbed by each bean is
measured.
Positron-emission tomography requires injecting the patient with a harmless
radioactive isotope that travels through the blood to the brain. This one can
provide a picture of activity in the brain, as parts of the brain that are active
need the glucose in the radioactive isotope for nutrition.
Another procedure to assess brain activity is SPECT, in which a different tracer
substance is injected. It is less accurate than PET but also less expensive.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures the electrical activity along the
scalp produced by the firing of specific neurons in the brain. EEG is used most
often to detect seizure activity in the brain and can also be used to detect
tumors and stroke.
11. How do the three different axes of the DSM-5 work?
Since the DSM-III, clinicians have been asked to evaluate patients on
multiplate ‘axes’. The first axis included clinical disorders, and the second
addressed personality disorders and intellectual disabilities. The remaining axes
covered medical, psychosocial, environmental and childhood factors that added
to the clinical picture.
The DSM-5 has moved away from the axial system. The former Axis I, II, and
III are integrated into the overall diagnostic scheme.
12. What are the 4 different symptoms of PTSD?
A diagnosis of PTSD requires the presence of four types of symptoms;
re-experiencing of the traumatic event, persistent avoidance of situations,
negative changes in thought or mood, and hypervigilance or chronic arousal.
In addition to these symptoms, many people with PTSD experience some
symptoms of dissociation. These people can be diagnosed with the subtype
PTSD with prominent dissociative symptoms.
13. What is the difference between acute stress disorder and PTSD?
Acute stress disorder is diagnosed when symptoms arise within 1 month of
exposure to the stressor and last no longer than 4 weeks. In acute stress
disorder, dissociative symptoms are common.
14. What biological factors could increase vulnerability to PTSD?
The biological factors that increase vulnerability to PTSD may include
abnormally low cortisol levels and a genetic risk. Cortisol acts to reduce
