Psychology

1. Psychology Psychological Tests and Disorders – Chapters 15 and 18 R. M. Tolles

2. Section 1: List the purpose and characteristics of psychological tests Purpose of Psychological Tests Used to help people make important decisions Examples: GRE, SATS, ASVAB, and Medical Entrance Exams Test assess abilities, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors Behavior-rating scales – used to measure behavior in places as classrooms and hospitals Self-reports – measuring a persons attitudes and behavior

4. Characteristics of Psychological Tests For a psychological test to be useful and reasonably accurate, it has to be: Standardized – one that is administered and scored the same way every time Reliability and Validity – consistency and honesty Validity Scales – involves questions that if answered in a certain way led the Psychologist know that the test taker is not answering the test questions honestly Norms for Scoring – establishing standards of performance Norms – established standards of performance Norm Groups – group of test takers similar in characteristics

6. Section 2: Explain how achievement tests, aptitude tests, and interest inventories are used. Achievement Tests Most tests people take throughout school are achievement tests Achievement Tests – measure people's skills and the knowledge they have in specific academic areas. Intelligence and motivation play a role in achievement as well as learning Narrow range of skills Aptitude Tests Intelligence tests – measure overall learning in ability Generally used to determine specific abilities related to application, such as careers

8. Evaluation of Interest Inventories: Interest in an area does not necessarily mean that one had the ability or aptitude to succeed. Vocational Interest Inventories – help people determine whether their interests are similar to those of people in various lines of work • Kuder Preference Test – forced choice test format. Scores show interest • Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory – not as obvious or direct, it includes many different kinds of items

10. Section 3: Identify the two kinds of personality tests, and discuss their uses. Personality Tests • There are two kinds of personality tests: objective tests and projective tests • Objective Tests – present test takers with a standardized group of test items in the from of a questionaire. Example: MMPI, and the CPI • Projective Tests – no clearly specified answers. Open-ended question format. Example: Rorschach Inkblots • Thematic Apperception Tests – these type of tests invite a variety of interpretations.

12. Section 4: Identify strategies for taking test and ways to avoid test anxiety Taking Tests • Tips – Gather information, Practice, Be test wise • Multiple Choice Tests – (book)‏ • True-False Questions – (book)‏ • Short-Answer Questions – (book)‏ • Essay Tests – (Book)‏ • Test Anxiety

15. Psychological Disorders Psychological Disorder a “harmful dysfunction” in which behavior is judged to be: atypical--not enough in itself disturbing--varies with time and culture maladaptive--harmful unjustifiable--sometimes there’s a good reason

16. Historical Perspective Perceived Causes movements of sun or moon lunacy--full moon evil spirits Ancient Treatments exorcism, caged like animals, beaten, burned, castrated, mutilated, blood replaced with animal’s blood

17. Psychological Disorders Medical Model concept that diseases have physical causes can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured assumes that these “mental” illnesses can be diagnosed on the basis of their symptoms and cured through therapy, which may include treatment in a psychiatric hospital

18. Psychological Disorders Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective assumes that biological, sociocultural, and psychological factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders

19. Psychological Disorders

20. Psychological Disorders--Etiology DSM-IV American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders presently distributed as DSM-IV-TR (text revision)

21. Psychological Disorders- Etiology Neurotic Disorder (term seldom used now) usually distressing but that allows one to think rationally and function socially Psychotic Disorder person loses contact with reality experiences irrational ideas and distorted perceptions

22. Anxiety Disorders Anxiety Disorders distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety Generalized Anxiety Disorder person is tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal

23. Anxiety Disorders Panic Disorder marked by a minutes-long episode of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensation

24. Anxiety Disorders Phobia persistent, irrational fear of a specific object or situation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions)

25. Anxiety Disorders Common and uncommon fears

26. Anxiety Disorders

27. Anxiety Disorders PET Scan of brain of person with Obsessive/ Compulsive disorder High metabolic activity (red) in frontal lobe areas involved with directing attention

28. Mood Disorders Mood Disorders characterized by emotional extremes Major Depressive Disorder a mood disorder in which a person, for no apparent reason, experiences two or more weeks of depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished interest or pleasure in most activities

29. Mood Disorders Manic Episode a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state Bipolar Disorder a mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania formerly called manic-depressive disorder

30. Mood Disorders-Depression

31. Mood Disorders-Depression • Canadian depression rates

32. Mood Disorders- Suicide

33. Mood Disorders-Bipolar PET scans show that brain energy consumption rises and falls with emotional switches Depressed state Manic state Depressed state

34. Mood Disorders-Depression Altering any one component of the chemistry-cognition-mood circuit can alter the others

35. Mood Disorders-Depression The vicious cycle of depression can be broken at any point

36. Dissociative Disorders Dissociative Disorders conscious awareness becomes separated (dissociated) from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings Dissociative Identity Disorder rare dissociative disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities formerly called multiple personality disorder

37. Schizophrenia Schizophrenia literal translation “split mind” a group of severe disorders characterized by: disorganized and delusional thinking disturbed perceptions inappropriate emotions and actions

38. Schizophrenia Delusions false beliefs, often of persecution or grandeur, that may accompany psychotic disorders Hallucinations sensory experiences without sensory stimulation

39. Schizophrenia

40. Schizophrenia

41. Schizophrenia

42. Schizophrenia

43. Personality Disorders Personality Disorders disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning usually without anxiety, depression, or delusions

44. Personality Disorders Antisocial Personality Disorder disorder in which the person (usually man) exhibits a lack of conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members may be aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist

45. Mood Disorders-Depression Boys who were later convicted of a crime showed relatively low arousal

46. Personality Disorders PET scans illustrate reduced activation in a murderer’s frontal cortex Murderer Normal

47. Personality Disorders

48. Rates of Psychological Disorders