Review suggestions for Abnormal Psychology

Chapter 1. Terms:
 

The ways to define abnormal norms maladaptive
dysfunctions ethnocentricity  Hippocrates
Trephining  Aretaeus Galen
Asclepiades  Malleus maleficarum Alonzo Salazar y Frias
Monasteries  Old Bedlam Benjamin Rush
Lunacy trials Pinel and Tuke Dorothea Dix
Moral treatment  Griesinger  Kraepelin
Sydenham  Mesmer and Charcot  Breuer
Krafft-Ebing / general paresis Vesalius/Willis/Wren Kirkbride plan
psychogenesis disability vs. dysfunction nosology
psychopathology Ibn Sina/Avicenna Mehmed the Conqueror
Al-Razi sociogenesis phrenitis
Essays: a. Construct a reasonable definition of abnormal which considers the strengths and weaknesses of at least five different ways of distinguishing abnormal behavior.

b. In a historical essay, compare and contrast the supernaturalist explanations of abnormal behavior with the naturalist explanations.

c. Explain and evaluate the traditional and the reconstructed views of how the Inquisition and witchcraft trials treated people with mental illnesses.

d. How and why did the British experience with the mentally ill differ from that on the continent of Europe?

e. Trace the development of somatogenesis from Hippocrates to Krafft-Ebing.

f. What do you think to be the dominant view of mental illness in the United States today? Is it the best possible at this time? Explain your reasoning.

g. Why did moral treatment not live up to its early, optimistic claims? Why did it decline?

 Chapter 2. Terms:
 
Paradigms  psychoanalysis  learning paradigms Cognitive paradigms  biological paradigms 
behavior genetics Probands  monochorionic diathesis-stress Eclectic 
Seamands Smedes Tournier Langer & Abelson linkage analysis
neuroscience paradigm        

Essays: a. Do you think paradigms actually influence the way we think? On what evidence do you base your belief? What kinds of evidence does your paradigm cause you to consider important? Unimportant?

b. What are the main contributions of psychoanalysis to current thinking in psychopathology circles?

c.  What causes mental disorders?

d.  Explain three methods of coping with paradigms.
 

  • Chapter 3. Terms:
    • taxonomy nosology Kraepelin ICD DSM
    multiaxial diagnosis GAF scale inter-rater reliability test-retest reliability alternate forms
    Bertillon classification nominal explanation content validity    
    criterion/concurrent validity predictive validity construct validity etiological validity Culture-bound disorders
  • Essays: 1. List and explain, with examples, the five axes of DSM-IV. Do you consider any of them to be more or less important than others? Why or why not?
  • 2. Diagnosis involves categorization. What are the advantages and disadvantages of categorization? Would a continuum approach yield more accurate diagnosis? Would it be better overall, considering factors like expense, limited resources, and the fact that some people need treatment more than others?
  • 3. Evaluate Rosenhan's (1973) study. What do you think it suggests about dangers of classification?
  • 4. What five cultural issues should be considered in diagnosing people whose culture differs from your own?
  • 5. List and explain five examples of culture-bound disorders.
  • 6.  Do you think that a multiaxial system will help you to be a better diagnostician?  Why or why not?
  • 7. What is your current score on the GAF scale? Why?
  • 8. Alice is feeling sad about her preparation for this exam. She has not been able to get extra help because she is afraid of the teacher. Whenever she tries to study, she just cannot concentrate, and either falls asleep or wanders down to the lounge to see if anyone is hanging out. She is thinking of just skipping the exam entirely. What is her GAF score? Why do you think so?  Be prepared to diagnose, using the five axes of DSM-IV TR, a fictional case report.
  • 9.  What changes are being considered for DSM-V?  Which of them do you support, and why?
  • More Terms:
    • assessment SCID SORC articulation of thoughts metabolite studies
    category test speech sounds test trailmaking test tactile performance test Luria-Nebraska
    Halstead-Reitan behavior checklist schema analysis imaging techniques psychophysiological tests
    Neurochemical analyses mental status exam neuropsychological tests reactivity effects projective tests
  • More essays: 1. Explain with examples the various approaches/methods used in clinical assessment.
  • 2. What elements should be part of a structured clinical interview?
  • 3. Explain five steps to diagnosis.

    •  

  • Chapter 4. Terms:
    • idiographic nomothetic overpathologizing incidence prevalence
    epidemiology analogue experiments natural experiments mixed designs risk factors
    underpathologizing Single-N designs
  • Essays. 1. Describe the case study approach to theory-building, and discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
  • 2.  Why are so many studies in psychopathology correlational in nature?  What limits does that fact place on our use of research results?
  • 3. Why are true experiments rarely used in psychopathology research? What options are offered by analogue experiments?
    • Explain and evaluate.

    Chapter 5. Terms:Second exam terms start here

    anxiety vs. fear Specific Phobia Social Phobia phobia Panic Disorder
    pa-feng, pa-leng, taijin kyofusho   Arieti vicarious conditioning ANS reactivity
    lability parasympathetic overshoot in vivo flooding imaginal flooding vicarious flooding
    .anxiolytic benzodiazepine panic attack agoraphobia Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    Overanxious Disorder of Childhood OCD obsessions compulsions Acute Stress Disorder
    Posttraumatic Stress Disorder trauma Anxiety Disorder NOS Ohman & Soares, 1994 preparedness
  • Second exam essays start here.
  • Essays. 1. Write an essay which describes the general characteristics, prevalence, and symptoms of the phobias. Then compare and contrast the different types of phobia.
  • 2. In treating phobias, when should you teach relaxation and when should you teach tension? Why?
  • :2. Compare and contrast the various theories about the etiology of phobias.
  • 3. Is it believable that people with phobias can simultaneously be unable to control their fear and recognize that their fear is groundless? Why or why not?
  • 4. Present and evaluate three different views which offer explanations for the disparity of phobia diagnoses between women and men.
  • 5. Are anxiolytic drugs an effective treatment for anxiety disorders? What factors influence your decision?
  • 6. Describe and explain the differences among Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, and Agoraphobia without History of Panic Disorder.
  • 7. Write a case report demonstrating the classic symptoms of OCD.
  • 8. In some ways, the stress disorders are like the anxiety disorders and in some ways they are different. Explain that statement, and evaluate whether DSM-IV editors made the right decision by including them in the same category.
  • 9. Compare and contrast the etiologies of OCD and PTSD.

    •  

    Chapter 6. Terms.
     

    somatoform disorders Somatization Disorder Body Dysmorphic Disorder Conversion Disorder
    Pain Disorder Hypochondriasis paresthesia la belle indifference
    overpathologizing primary and secondary gain malingering Factitious Disorder
    Factitious Disorder by proxy pseudocyesis dissociation Dissociative Amnesia
    types of Dissociative Amnesia Dissociative Fugue Dissociative Identity Disorder hosts and alters
    Depersonalization Disorder derealization Dissociative Trance Disorder Ganser's Syndrome
    Sackheim's stage model cortisol caudate nucleus right hemisphere
    posttraumatic view sociocognitive view iatrogenic  

    Essay questions:

    1. How can you test to see whether an apparently paralysed arm is really paralysed?
    2. Compare and contrast two etiologies of somatoform disorders.
    3. A patient presents with loss of sensation in the left hand and fingers. In the interviews, you learn that he also has suffered from unremitting stomach upsets and intestinal gas, frequent migraine headaches, and occasional difficulty urinating. What additional information, if any, do you need in order to make a differential diagnosis among Somatization Disorder, Conversion Disorder, Pain Disorder, Hypochondriasis, and Factitious Disorder? Show how the available information fits or does not fit with each possible diagnosis, and then make up what additional information you need to come to a firm diagnosis of only one of the listed disorders.
    4. Under what circumstances is the presence of dissociative symptoms not related to a dissociative disorder?
    5. What kinds of information are lost in Dissociative Amnesia?
    6. Outline the five types of Dissociative Amnesia,with a brief explanation of each.
    7. Describe and evaluate the controversies over the etiology of DID. Use the case of Tony as an example in discussing the different viewpoints about DID.
    8. Assess the etiological validity of DID.
    9. How have Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Fugue been related to legal issues and court actions?

    Chapter 7. Terms:
     

    psychosomatic Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Condition coping strategies COPE anger-in theory
    somatic weakness theory specific reaction pattern theory cognitive appraisal patterns biofeedback relaxation training
    cognitive restructuring stress management social support somatopsychic health psychology
    Behavioral Medicine SUNDS reframing    

    Essays:

    1. What psychological factors does DSM-IV identify as affecting physical condition?
    2. Compare and contrast three theories of the etiology of psychophysiological disorders.
    3. What cognitive appraisal patterns have the most effect on the development of psychophysiological disorders? Include research on coping strategies.

    Chapter 8. Terms:
     

    mood disorders mood episodes manic episode major depressive episode mixed episode
    hypomanic episode euthymia Bipolar I Disorder Bipolar II Disorder Cyclothymia
    Major Depressive Disorder Dysthymic Disorder Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Minor Depressive Disorder Recurrent Brief Depressive Disorder
    Postpsychotic Depressive Disorder of Schizophrenia chronic specifier seasonal pattern specifier psychotic specifier post-partum onset specifier
    high-risk activities rapid-cycling specifier catatonic specifier melancholic specifier atypical specifier

    Essays:

    1. Write a case report of an individual with Major Depressive Disorder. Include relevant symptoms, and describe the diagnostic criteria used.
    2. Write a case report of an individual with Bipolar I or Bipolar II Disorder. Include relevant symptoms, and describe the diagnostic criteria used.
    3. Distinguish among Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymia.
    4. Compare and contrast Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder.
    5. Which of the mood disorders would you least like to have? Why?

    Exam 3 starts here.

    More on chapter 8.  Terms:
     

    Beck's cognitive theory mourning work symbolic loss introjection negative triad
    characteristic logical errors arbitrary inference selective abstraction overgeneralization magnification/minimization
    Abraham learned helplessness attribution learned hopelessness interpersonal theory
    linkage analysis tricyclics MAOIs SSRIs dexamethasone suppression test
    Frankl logotherapy amygdala prefrontal cortex anterior cingulate cortex

    Essays:

    6. Compare and contrast the different theories of the etiology of depression.
    7. Use research results to explain and evaluate Beck's cognitive theory of depression.
    8. Describe and explain the three-step history of the development of a learned hopelessness theory of depression.
    9. Present and evaluate the evidence for a genetic basis to mood disorders.
    10. Outline the neurochemical theory of depression and mania.
    11. Explain the neuroendocrine theory of depression.
    12. Write a profile of the person in our culture who is most likely to commit suicide. Include demographics, circumstances, times, etc.
    13. Explain the existential theory of depression, then compare and contrast it with a behavioral/reinforcement theory of depression.
    14.  Explain the brain structure theories of depression.
    15.  Explain and evaluate mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

    Chapter 9. Terms:
     

    Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Disorder Body Mass Index amenorrhea
    subtypes of Anorexia Nervosa binge purge Eating Distress Syndrome interoceptive awareness

    Essays:

    1. In class, I argued that eating disorders are disorders of conflict, in the same way that the anxiety disorders are disorders of anxiety. Present and evaluate the evidence on each side of my claim, and draw a conclusion about the issue.
    2. Compare and contrast the three eating disorders, including their diagnoses, associated features, and etiologies.
    3. Evaluate the role of society in general, and the communication media in particular, in the etiologies of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulima Nervosa.
    4. What are the associated features of Anorexia Nervosa?
    5. What do studies of eating disorders in other cultures tell us about the DSM-IV diagnoses? Are eating disorders only found in Western industrial democracies? Are eating disorders culture-bound or culture-influenced?
    6. Do families play a role in causing eating disorders? Examine and evaluate the evidence.
    7. What biological factors may contribute to eating disorders?

     

     

    Chapter 11 Terms:
     

    Morel and Kraepelin Bleuler Schneider Meyer process-reactive dimension
    Hoch prodrome clang associations neologisms loose associations
    flat affect catalepsy stupor waxy flexibility echolalia and echopraxia
    positive and negative symptoms monochorionic twins thiamine deficiency dyskinesia hypofrontality
    nucleus accumbens VTA parkinsonism R.D. Laing double bind
    regression to primary narcissism Schizophreniform Disorder Brief Psychotic Disorder Schizoaffective Disorder perseveration
    residual rule-breaking avolition alogia anhedonia asociality
    Genain quadruplets cellular migration errors neurological symptoms cell pruning neurodevelopmental model
    Delusional Disorder Shared Psychotic Disorder COMT hypofrontality  

    Essays:

    1. Explain the historical development of the diagnosis of schizophrenia, from Kraepelin to DSM-IV.

    2. Describe and explain the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and its subtypes. Evaluate the distinctions between the subtypes--are they realistic? Write up a case report for a person who is diagnosed with one, and only one, of the subtypes.

    3. What is wrong with the DSM-IV approach to diagnosis of schizophrenia? What alternatives have been, or could be, proposed? Are they better?

    4. What causes schizophrenia? Integrate 3 theories: genetic, viral, and dopaminergic.

    5. Compare and contrast the family causation, sociogenic/social drift, and labeling theories of schizophrenia.

    6. Review and evaluate the evidence for brain damage as a factor in schizophrenia. Do you find it compelling? Why or why not? Remember Loren Mosher.

    7. What is delusional disorder? Explain the diagnostic criteria and the subtypes. How is it different from schizophrenia? Do you know anyone who may have delusional disorder? If so, describe that person in terms of what makes you suspect the diagnosis. If not, make up a case description of a person with delusional disorder.

    8. What is shared psychotic disorder? Under what circumstances is it most likely to develop?

    Chapter 10. Terms:
     

    drugs of abuse toxins substance use disorders substance dependence substance abuse
    substance intoxication substance withdrawal persisting amnestic syndrome polysubstance abuse dementia
    delirium tolerance flashback

    Essays:

    1. Outline the various substance-related disorders, in appropriate categories.

    2. Distinguish substance use disorders from substance induced disorders. Use examples.

    3. What are the substances which may produce substance-related disorders? Give the 13 categories listed in DSM-IV.

    4. What are the diagnostic criteria for Substance Dependence and Substance Abuse?

    Chapter 12. Terms:
     

    odd/eccentric cluster dramatic/erratic cluster anxious/fearful cluster paranoid p.d. schizoid p.d.
    schizotypal p.d. borderline p.d. antisocial p.d. sociopathy psychopathy
    histrionic p.d. narcissistic p.d. avoidant p.d. dependent p.d. obsessive-compulsive p.d.
    manie sans delire Lykken Hare splitting tuning out

    Essays:

    1. What are the defining features of the personality disorders?  How and why are they clustered? Which of the personality disorders is closest to describing you or a friend? Explain why you think so, and then explain why you do not actually meet the criteria for the disorder.

    2. Compare the inter-rater reliabilities of personality disorders with the test-retest reliabilities. Explain the differences, and show how they may reflect problems with DSM diagnosis of personality disorders. What other problems are found in personality disorder diagnosis? 

    3. What evidence supports a dimensional approach rather than the current categorical approach?

    4. Compare and contrast any subsets of the personality disorders which may be asked, for example, "one from each cluster" or "borderline with antisocial".

    5. How does self-injury relate to personality disorder?

    6.  What is the etiology of Borderline Personality Disorder? How can it be treated?

    7.  Compare the DSM-IV criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder with those of Cleckley. What does research show about people with Antisocial Personality Disorder? What is the etiology of APD?

    8.  What etiological factors are shared among paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders?

    9. What is passive-aggressive personality disorder? What is Conduct Disorder?

     

    Chapter 14. Terms:
     

    mental retardation learning disorders communication disorders conduct disorder pica
    educable trainable P.L. 95-602 Tay-Sachs Disease dyslexia
    Reading Disorder Mathematics Disorder Disorder of Written Expression Developmental Coordination Disorder Expressive Language Disorder
    Phonological Disorder Stuttering cluttering Leo Kanner Rumination Disorder
    selective mutism autistic disorder Rett's Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Asperger's Disorder
    AD/HD Oppositional Defiant Disorder Enuresis & Encopresis Tourette's Disorder Reactive Attachment Disorder
    externalizing disorders internalizing disorders Feeding Disorder Separation Anxiety Disorder Stereotypic Movement Disorder

    Essays:

    1. Explain the diagnosis and categorization of mental retardation. How does DSM-IV differ from the AAMR? Compare and contrast.

    2. What are the causes of Mental Retardation? What percentage of the MR population fits with each etiology?

    3.  How are learning disorders diagnosed?  What are the possible causes?  What is the prognosis?

    4.  How are communication disorders diagnosed?  What are the possible causes?

    5.  Compare and contrast Autistic Disorder, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Asperger's Disorder.

    For chapter 13, there is a PowerPoint slide set.

    Last updated 1 May, 2007