Discuss why thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are merely atypical or unusual would not necessarily signify the presence of a psychological disorder. Provide an example.
Describe the DSM-5. What is it, what kind of information does it contain, and why is it important to the study and treatment of psychological disorders?
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the DSM differ in various ways. What are some of the differences in these two classification systems?
Why is the perspective one uses in explaining a psychological disorder important?
Describe how cognitive theories of the etiology of anxiety disorders differ from learning theories.
Discuss the common elements of each of the three disorders covered in this section: obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and hoarding disorder.
List some of the risk factors associated with the development of PTSD following a traumatic event.
Describe several of the factors associated with suicide.
Why is research following individuals who show prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia so important?
The prevalence of most psychological disorders has increased since the 1980s. However, as discussed in this section, scientific publications regarding dissociative amnesia peaked in the mid-1990s but then declined steeply through 2003. In addition, no fictional or nonfictional description of individuals showing dissociative amnesia following a trauma exists prior to 1800. How would you explain this phenomenon?
Compare the factors that are important in the development of ADHD with those that are important in the development of autism spectrum disorder.
Imagine that a child has a genetic vulnerability to antisocial personality disorder. How might this child’s environment shape the likelihood of developing this personality disorder?