PSYC 3400 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Neurosurgery, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Family Therapy
Document Summary
Theory: set of ideas that provides a framework for questioning, gathering, and interpreting information about a phenomenon: describe causes or contributing factors to mental disorders. Therapy: treatments that target the causal factors of psychological disorders: generally based on a theory that addresses those factors the theory says cause the phenomenon, different for each theory of abnormal behavior. Psychological symptoms result from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Called risk factors when they increase the risk of psychological problems: transdiagnostic risk factors increase the risk of multiple types of psychological problems. Diathesis-stress model when risk factor and trigger/stress come together in same individual, a full-blown disorder emerges. Each approach to abnormality has led to treatments to relieve the symptoms. Proponents of psychological and some sociocultural approaches most often prescribe psychotherapy. Proponents of sociocultural approaches also may work to change social policies or the social conditions of vulnerable individuals.
