Glossary
Behavioral Approach
A psychological perspective that focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through conditioning, such as classical and operant conditioning.
Example:
A student who develops a fear of public speaking after a negative experience during a presentation is demonstrating a learned behavior, which the behavioral approach would analyze through conditioning principles.
Biological Approach
A psychological perspective that explains behavior and mental processes by examining physical processes, including brain structures, neurotransmitters, hormones, and genetics.
Example:
Research suggesting that a person's mood swings might be linked to imbalances in brain chemicals like dopamine or serotonin aligns with the biological approach.
Biopsychosocial Approach
A holistic psychological perspective that integrates biological, psychological (thoughts, emotions), and social-cultural factors to understand an individual's behavior or disorder.
Example:
Understanding a person's chronic stress might involve looking at their genetic predisposition to anxiety (biological), their negative coping thoughts (psychological), and their demanding work environment (social), all through the biopsychosocial approach.
Cognitive Approach
A psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of mental processes, such as perception, memory, problem-solving, and thinking, in shaping behavior.
Example:
A therapist helping a client overcome depression by identifying and challenging their negative thought patterns, like always expecting the worst, is applying the cognitive approach.
Dehumanization
The process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities, often leading to them being treated as less than human or as objects.
Example:
In some institutional settings, patients might experience dehumanization if their individual needs and personalities are ignored in favor of their diagnostic label, reducing them to their illness.
Diagnostic Labels
Formal classifications given to mental health conditions, used by professionals to categorize symptoms and facilitate communication and treatment planning.
Example:
Receiving a diagnostic label like 'Generalized Anxiety Disorder' can help a person understand their symptoms and access specific therapeutic interventions.
Evolutionary Approach
A psychological perspective that uses principles of natural selection to explain human behavior and mental processes as adaptations that promoted survival and reproduction in our ancestors.
Example:
The tendency for humans to prefer sweet and fatty foods, which were once crucial for survival in environments with scarce resources, can be explained by the evolutionary approach.
Humanistic Approach
A psychological perspective that emphasizes inherent human goodness, free will, personal growth, and the drive towards self-actualization.
Example:
A counselor who believes a client's struggles stem from a lack of unconditional positive regard in their upbringing and focuses on helping them achieve their full potential is using the humanistic approach.
Misdiagnosis
The incorrect identification of a disease or condition, leading to potentially inappropriate or ineffective treatment.
Example:
A patient experiencing symptoms of a thyroid condition might receive a misdiagnosis of anxiety if their physical symptoms are overlooked, leading to ineffective psychological treatment.
Psychodynamic Approach
A psychological perspective that focuses on the influence of unconscious drives, conflicts, and early childhood experiences on an individual's behavior and personality.
Example:
A person's recurring dreams about being chased might be interpreted by a therapist, using the psychodynamic approach, as a manifestation of unresolved anxiety from their past.
Rosenhan Study
A famous experiment conducted by David Rosenhan that demonstrated the power of diagnostic labels and the difficulty of distinguishing sanity from insanity in psychiatric settings.
Example:
The Rosenhan Study showed that once admitted to a psychiatric hospital, even normal behaviors of the pseudopatients were interpreted as symptoms of their diagnosed mental illness.
Self-fulfilling Prophecies
A phenomenon where a person's expectation or belief about a situation or another person influences their behavior in such a way that the original expectation comes true.
Example:
If a student is told they are 'not good at math,' they might internalize this belief, put in less effort, and consequently perform poorly, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Sociocultural Approach
A psychological perspective that examines how cultural norms, social interactions, and environmental contexts influence an individual's thoughts and behaviors.
Example:
Studying how different cultures define and express mental health issues, or how peer pressure influences teenage behavior, falls under the sociocultural approach.
Stigma
A mark of disgrace or shame associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person, often leading to discrimination or negative stereotypes.
Example:
The stigma surrounding mental illness can prevent individuals from seeking help due to fear of judgment from friends, family, or employers.