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Somatoform Disorders
A somatoform disorder is a psychological disorder that impairs physiological functioning, but has no physiological basis. Conversion Disorder – the body converts psychological conflicts into physical symptoms, such as traumatic blindness Somatization – multiple and/or recurrent conversion disorders, most commonly experienced by women Pain Disorder – only symptom is pain Body Dysmorphic Disorder – pre-occupation
Five Characteristics of Adaptation
Adaptations via evolution must meet five specific characteristics in order to be successful. Function Efficiency Economy Precision Reliability
Decreasing Problem Behavior
Identify and operationally define the problem behavior. Begin data collection to determine frequency. Complete a functional assessment of the behavior. Create a hypothesis about the antecedents and consequences of the behavior. Develop and implement a treatment plan to decrease the reinforcing aspects of the consequence. Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. If it is effective,
The Psychodynamic Perspective
The psychodynamic perspective of Abnormal Psychology emphasizes the influence of unconscious conflicts in psychological disorders and behaviors. Freud’s model of personality focuses on the interactions between the id, ego, and superego of a person. The pleasure principle is a drive of the id for a person to seek pleasure and avoid pain in an attempt
Types of Independent Variables
Experience/Task – the amount and/or type of learning by the participant is manipulated Instructional – the instructions that participants receive is manipulated to alter their responses Physiological – the physiological state of the participant is manipulated
General Implication Form and Falsifiability
General Implication Form is a format for one’s hypothesis in which it is phrased as an “if…then” statement. The state of the independent variable is discussed following the “if,” while the resulting dependent variable change follows the “then.” This form allows for a scientific necessary of falsifiability, wherein the experiment can conclude that the hypothesis
Types of Statements
Synthetic statements are statements that can be either true or false, and would likely require research into determining the validity of them. For example, “all politicians are dishonest” or “all men are angry drunks.” Analytic statements are always true, essentially just being definitions. For example, “bachelors are unmarried” or “dogs are mammals.” Contradictory statements are
Elements of Science
The phenomenon under consideration can be measured objectively. Measurements made by other individuals can be verified or confirmed. Errors and faulty reasoning can be self-corrected. Control is used to rule out influence of unintended factors.
Basic Research Strategies
Cross-Sectional Research – comparing two groups to each other across the same time span Longitudinal Research – acquiring data from a single group over an extended period of time Single-Strata Approach – acquiring data from only a single strata of the population
Sampling Strategies
Random Sample – There is an equal probability of picking any one individual from a population as there is of picking any other individual from the same population. Random Sampling With Replacement – Once a member of a population has been chosen to be a part of the sample, that person is still eligible to