Introduction to Psychological Disorders [AP Psychology Unit 8 Topic 1]

Summary

This video introduces psychological disorders, defining them as conditions marked by cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disturbances. It explains how the DSM-5 is used for accurate diagnosis and the historical shift in understanding mental health from supernatural causes to scientific explanations. The video also discusses the role of the legal system, highlighting insanity defenses like the McNaughton Rule and the American Law Institute Test, which assess whether individuals can be held responsible for their actions. The content serves as a primer for students studying psychology, particularly in preparation for exams like AP Psychology.

Takeaways

• 😀 Psychological disorders are defined by cognitive and emotional disturbances, abnormal behaviors, and impaired functioning.
• 😀 The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) helps psychiatrists and psychologists diagnose mental health disorders consistently and reliably.
• 😀 Psychological disorders can be caused by various factors, including environmental, psychological, genetic, chemical, and social influences.
• 😀 Before the DSM, disorders were often viewed as supernatural phenomena, leading to poor treatment of individuals with mental health concerns.
• 😀 The World Health Organization (WHO) and the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) support the humane treatment and correct diagnosis of mental disorders globally.
• 😀 Advances in science and medicine help improve our understanding of the causes behind psychological disorders.
• 😀 Legal systems have adapted to acknowledge psychological disorders, especially when evaluating insanity defenses in court cases.
• 😀 The McNaughton Rule is a legal test used to determine if an individual was unable to understand right from wrong due to mental disorder at the time of committing a crime.
• 😀 The American Law Institute Test evaluates both the moral incapacity and volition of an individual, determining if they understood the consequences of their actions and could control their behavior.
• 😀 Insanity defenses are rare, as very few psychological disorders cause a degree of impairment where an individual loses control of their actions or fails to understand right from wrong.
• 😀 The video concludes with a reminder to review and practice the learned material and to consider subscribing for further study resources.

Q & A

What is the definition of a psychological disorder according to the APA?

The APA defines a psychological disorder as any condition characterized by cognitive and emotional disturbances, abnormal behaviors, impaired functioning, or a combination of these factors.

What is the DSM-5, and why is it important in diagnosing psychological disorders?

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) provides diagnostic criteria to help psychiatrists and psychologists make consistent and reliable diagnoses. It ensures that professionals base their decisions on a common understanding of different disorders.

How did the lack of standardization before the DSM affect mental health diagnoses?

Before the DSM, there was little to no standard consistency in classifying disorders, leading to misdiagnoses depending on the time and place in history.

How did historical views on psychological disorders differ from current understanding?

Historically, psychological disorders were often viewed as the result of supernatural forces or demonic influence, which led to mistreatment of individuals. Today, the understanding is more scientific, focusing on psychological, genetic, and environmental factors.

What role does the World Health Organization (WHO) play in mental health care worldwide?

The WHO works to ensure that hospitals and care facilities are humane and treat patients with respect. It also supports the accurate classification and diagnosis of psychological disorders globally, alongside the DSM-5 and the ICD (International Classification of Diseases).

What is the difference between the legal terms 'insane' and 'sane' and their use in the legal system?

In the legal system, 'insane' and 'sane' refer to an individual's mental state at the time of committing a crime. These terms are not used in clinical settings but in determining legal responsibility, such as in insanity defenses.

What is the McNaughton Rule, and how does it apply to the insanity defense?

The McNaughton Rule focuses on whether an individual could understand right from wrong at the time of the crime. It looks at the cognitive or moral incapacity of the individual to determine if they should be held responsible for their actions.

What is the American Law Institute Test, and what factors does it consider in an insanity defense?

The American Law Institute Test evaluates both the individual's ability to understand the consequences of their actions and their ability to control their behavior (volition). It assesses moral incapacity and the lack of control over one's actions.

How common is it for individuals with psychological disorders to use an insanity defense successfully?

It is very rare for an individual to successfully use an insanity defense, as few psychological disorders cause such severe impairment that a person loses control over their actions or fails to understand right from wrong.

Why is it important to have a standardized approach to diagnosing psychological disorders?

A standardized approach, like the DSM-5, ensures consistency and reliability in diagnoses, making it easier for professionals to classify disorders accurately, avoid misdiagnoses, and provide appropriate treatment.