PSYCH257 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Acute Stress Reaction, Cognitive Disorder, Panic Disorder

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH257
• Professor: Uzma Rehman

Document Summary

Psychological disorder: behavioural, emotional or cognitive dysfunctions within an individual associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected. Phobia: disorder characterized by marked and persistent fear of an object or situation. Defined by psychological dysfunction, personal distress, and atypical/not culturally expected responses. All criteria must be met for a psychological disorder: psychological dysfunction; breakdown in cognitive, emotional or behavioural functioning, personal distress: individual must be extremely upset, interfering with everyday activities (boy who faints at the sight of blood=disorder). However, some disorders are characterized by a lack of distress: atypical/not culturally expected responses: the greater the deviation from the norm, the more abnormal it is. Violation of social norms can also constitute abnormal behaviour. Must be culturally atypical; trance-like states and possessions atypical in western culture, but is acceptable in other societies. Must pay attention to what is functional or dysfunctional in a given society.