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Abnormal Psychology Exam 2 Study Guide – Step-by-Step Guidance

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Q1. What are the four treatment views of Uma?

Background

Topic: Treatment Approaches in Abnormal Psychology

This question is testing your understanding of the main perspectives or approaches used to treat mental disorders, as illustrated by the case of Uma.

Key Terms:

  • Biological, Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Humanistic approaches

  • Each approach has its own theory about the causes and treatments of mental disorders.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the four main treatment perspectives commonly discussed in abnormal psychology.

  2. For each perspective, briefly describe its core idea about how mental disorders develop and how they are treated.

  3. Think about how Uma's case might be interpreted or treated differently by each approach.

  4. List the four views and write a short summary for each, stopping before you write the full details for Uma.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q2. What is a lobotomy?

Background

Topic: Biological Treatments in Abnormal Psychology

This question is testing your knowledge of historical medical procedures used to treat mental illness.

Key Terms:

  • Lobotomy: A surgical procedure once used to treat severe mental disorders.

  • Prefrontal cortex: The area of the brain affected by lobotomy.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall what a lobotomy is and which part of the brain it targets.

  2. Think about why this procedure was used and what mental disorders it was intended to treat.

  3. Consider the risks and outcomes associated with lobotomy.

  4. Write a brief definition, stopping before you describe its historical impact.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q3. ECT – what is it? What is it used for?

Background

Topic: Biological Treatments for Mental Disorders

This question is testing your understanding of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and its clinical applications.

Key Terms:

  • ECT: Electroconvulsive Therapy

  • Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder: Common conditions treated with ECT

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall what ECT stands for and the basic procedure involved.

  2. Identify the main mental health conditions for which ECT is used.

  3. Think about why ECT might be chosen over other treatments.

  4. Write a brief summary of ECT, stopping before you list its effectiveness or side effects.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q4. What different categories of medications are used for the treatment of mental disorders?

Background

Topic: Psychopharmacology

This question is testing your knowledge of the main classes of psychiatric medications.

Key Terms:

  • Antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics

  • Each category targets specific symptoms or disorders.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the main categories of medications used in mental health treatment.

  2. For each category, briefly describe its primary use or target disorder.

  3. Think about examples of medications in each category.

  4. Stop before listing specific drug names or detailed mechanisms.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q5. What is systematic desensitization?

Background

Topic: Behavioral Therapy Techniques

This question is testing your understanding of a method used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders.

Key Terms:

  • Systematic desensitization: A behavioral technique involving gradual exposure to feared stimuli.

  • Relaxation training, hierarchy of fears

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the basic steps involved in systematic desensitization.

  2. Think about how relaxation techniques are used in this process.

  3. Describe the concept of a fear hierarchy.

  4. Stop before explaining how the technique is applied in practice.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q6. What is aversion therapy?

Background

Topic: Behavioral Therapy Techniques

This question is testing your understanding of a method used to reduce unwanted behaviors.

Key Terms:

  • Aversion therapy: A technique that pairs unwanted behaviors with unpleasant stimuli.

  • Classical conditioning

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the principle of classical conditioning as it applies to aversion therapy.

  2. Think about examples of behaviors that might be targeted by aversion therapy.

  3. Describe how an aversive stimulus is used in this technique.

  4. Stop before giving specific case examples or outcomes.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q7. What is cognitive therapy?

Background

Topic: Cognitive Approaches to Treatment

This question is testing your understanding of therapy methods that focus on changing thought patterns.

Key Terms:

  • Cognitive therapy: A treatment approach that aims to modify dysfunctional thinking.

  • Automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main goal of cognitive therapy.

  2. Think about how therapists help clients identify and challenge negative thoughts.

  3. Describe the process of restructuring cognitive patterns.

  4. Stop before listing specific techniques or examples.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q8. What is humanistic therapy?

Background

Topic: Humanistic Approaches to Treatment

This question is testing your understanding of therapy methods that emphasize personal growth and self-actualization.

Key Terms:

  • Humanistic therapy: Focuses on self-awareness and personal growth.

  • Client-centered therapy, unconditional positive regard

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main principles of humanistic therapy.

  2. Think about how therapists create a supportive environment for clients.

  3. Describe the role of empathy and acceptance in this approach.

  4. Stop before giving specific examples or techniques.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q9. What is psychodynamic therapy?

Background

Topic: Psychodynamic Approaches to Treatment

This question is testing your understanding of therapy methods based on unconscious processes and early experiences.

Key Terms:

  • Psychodynamic therapy: Focuses on unconscious conflicts and past experiences.

  • Free association, transference

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main goals of psychodynamic therapy.

  2. Think about how therapists help clients explore unconscious thoughts.

  3. Describe the techniques used in this approach.

  4. Stop before listing specific case examples or outcomes.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q10. DBT – what is it? What is it used for?

Background

Topic: Modern Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies

This question is testing your understanding of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and its clinical applications.

Key Terms:

  • DBT: Dialectical Behavior Therapy

  • Borderline personality disorder, emotion regulation

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall what DBT stands for and its main components.

  2. Identify the primary mental health conditions treated with DBT.

  3. Think about the skills taught in DBT (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance).

  4. Stop before listing specific treatment outcomes or effectiveness.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q11. Carl Rogers – what is he known for in terms of treatment?

Background

Topic: Humanistic Therapy

This question is testing your knowledge of Carl Rogers' contributions to psychotherapy.

Key Terms:

  • Carl Rogers: Founder of client-centered therapy

  • Unconditional positive regard, empathy

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main principles of Rogers' therapeutic approach.

  2. Think about how Rogers' methods differ from other therapy styles.

  3. Describe the importance of the therapeutic relationship in his approach.

  4. Stop before listing specific techniques or examples.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q12. What treatments may harm?

Background

Topic: Ethics and Risks in Treatment

This question is testing your understanding of potentially harmful interventions in mental health.

Key Terms:

  • Harmful treatments: Interventions that may cause physical or psychological harm

  • Ethical considerations

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall examples of treatments that have been shown to cause harm.

  2. Think about why these treatments are considered harmful.

  3. Describe the importance of evidence-based practice.

  4. Stop before listing specific treatments or historical examples.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q13. What is couples therapy?

Background

Topic: Family and Relationship Interventions

This question is testing your understanding of therapeutic approaches for couples.

Key Terms:

  • Couples therapy: Treatment focused on improving relationship dynamics

  • Communication skills, conflict resolution

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main goals of couples therapy.

  2. Think about the types of issues addressed in couples therapy.

  3. Describe the techniques used to improve relationships.

  4. Stop before listing specific therapy models or outcomes.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q1 (Chapter 4). Review case study of Michael

Background

Topic: Case Study Analysis

This question is testing your ability to apply assessment and diagnostic concepts to a real-life scenario.

Key Terms:

  • Case study: Detailed examination of an individual's history and symptoms

  • Assessment, diagnosis

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Review the details provided in Michael's case study.

  2. Identify key symptoms and behaviors described.

  3. Think about possible diagnoses or assessment tools that could be used.

  4. Stop before making a final diagnostic conclusion.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q2 (Chapter 4). What is assessment?

Background

Topic: Psychological Assessment

This question is testing your understanding of the process of evaluating psychological functioning.

Key Terms:

  • Assessment: Systematic evaluation of psychological, emotional, and behavioral functioning

  • Clinical interview, psychological testing

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main purpose of psychological assessment.

  2. Think about the types of information gathered during assessment.

  3. Describe the tools and methods used in assessment.

  4. Stop before listing specific assessment tools or examples.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q3 (Chapter 4). What are the classification systems of mental disorders?

Background

Topic: Diagnostic Systems

This question is testing your knowledge of how mental disorders are categorized.

Key Terms:

  • DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual), ICD (International Classification of Diseases)

  • Classification, diagnosis

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main classification systems used in psychology.

  2. Think about the purpose of these systems.

  3. Describe how disorders are organized within these systems.

  4. Stop before listing specific categories or examples.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q4 (Chapter 4). What is reliability?

Background

Topic: Assessment Quality

This question is testing your understanding of the consistency of psychological measurements.

Key Terms:

  • Reliability: The degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results

  • Test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the definition of reliability in psychological assessment.

  2. Think about the different types of reliability.

  3. Describe why reliability is important in assessment.

  4. Stop before listing specific examples or methods for measuring reliability.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q5 (Chapter 4). What is validity?

Background

Topic: Assessment Quality

This question is testing your understanding of the accuracy of psychological measurements.

Key Terms:

  • Validity: The extent to which an assessment tool measures what it is intended to measure

  • Content validity, criterion validity, construct validity

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the definition of validity in psychological assessment.

  2. Think about the different types of validity.

  3. Describe why validity is important in assessment.

  4. Stop before listing specific examples or methods for measuring validity.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q6 (Chapter 4). Which psychological assessment tools are available to use?

Background

Topic: Psychological Assessment Tools

This question is testing your knowledge of the instruments used to evaluate mental health.

Key Terms:

  • Assessment tools: Instruments such as interviews, tests, and observations

  • MMPI, Beck Depression Inventory, projective tests

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the main types of psychological assessment tools.

  2. Think about the purpose of each tool.

  3. Describe the differences between objective and projective tests.

  4. Stop before listing specific tools or examples.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

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