PSYA02H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Mental Disorder

• School: UTSC
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYA02H3
• Professor: Oren Amitay

Document Summary

Etiology the causes or origins of a disorder. Some psychological disorders, especially the less severe ones, appear to be more heavily influenced by environmental factors, such as stressors or unhealthy family interactions, or by a person"s perception of these factors. Ex: a child who is constantly criticized by an overbearing, demanding parent may learn to be passive and non-responding. In contrast, many of the more severe psychological disorders appear to be more heavily influenced by hereditary and other biological factors that disrupt normal cognitive processes or product inappropriate emotional reactions. Psychologists stress that the most important feature of a psychological disorder is not whether a person"s behaviour is abnormal different from that of most other people but whether it is maladaptive. Psychological disorders cause distress or discomfort and interfere with people"s ability to lead satisfying productive lives. Understanding the cognitive factors involved in psychological disorders requires identification of the origins of distorted perceptions and maladaptive thought patterns.