Chapter 14:
Psychological
Disorders
, What is a psychological disorder?
• a condition that causes abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
How do psychologists and other mental health professionals determine
if a behavior is abnormal?
• in diagnosing disorders, psychological professionals consider four
things:
1. does the thought, feeling, or behavior deviate from the cultural
norms for what is acceptable?
2. Does the thought, feeling, behavior interfere with the person’s ability
to respond appropriately?
3. Is it self-destructive, does it cause personal distress or does it
threaten other people in the community?
4. Does it cause discomfort and concern to others?
Why do we need to be mindful of cultures when discussion abnormality?
• people differ in their beliefs of whether something deviates from
cultural norms
What is the diathesis- stress model?
• the idea that a disorder may develop when an underlying
vulnerability (diathesis) is coupled with stress
What causes psychological disorders (biopsychosocial approach)?
• the diatheses-stress model focuses on how stress can trigger
psychological disorders in people with vulnerabilities to them.
Psychological
Disorders
, What is a psychological disorder?
• a condition that causes abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
How do psychologists and other mental health professionals determine
if a behavior is abnormal?
• in diagnosing disorders, psychological professionals consider four
things:
1. does the thought, feeling, or behavior deviate from the cultural
norms for what is acceptable?
2. Does the thought, feeling, behavior interfere with the person’s ability
to respond appropriately?
3. Is it self-destructive, does it cause personal distress or does it
threaten other people in the community?
4. Does it cause discomfort and concern to others?
Why do we need to be mindful of cultures when discussion abnormality?
• people differ in their beliefs of whether something deviates from
cultural norms
What is the diathesis- stress model?
• the idea that a disorder may develop when an underlying
vulnerability (diathesis) is coupled with stress
What causes psychological disorders (biopsychosocial approach)?
• the diatheses-stress model focuses on how stress can trigger
psychological disorders in people with vulnerabilities to them.
