AP Psychology Flashcards: Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 34 cards to help you master important concepts.
Evolutionary perspective (on disorders)
This perspective explains psychological disorders by focusing on behaviors that may have once been adaptive but now reduce the likelihood of survival or reproduction.
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Evolutionary perspective (on disorders)
This perspective explains psychological disorders by focusing on behaviors that may have once been adaptive but now reduce the likelihood of survival or reproduction.
According to the psychodynamic perspective, what are the root causes of psychological disorders?
This perspective posits that disorders are caused by unconscious thoughts and unresolved conflicts stemming from childhood experiences.
What are the three core criteria used to identify psychological disorders?
The three criteria are level of dysfunction, perception of distress, and deviation from social norms.
How does the evolutionary perspective define psychological disorders?
This perspective defines disorders in terms of behaviors that reduce an individual's likelihood of survival and successful reproduction.
Psychodynamic perspective (on disorders)
This perspective attributes psychological disorders to unresolved unconscious thoughts, internal conflicts, and significant childhood experiences.
Diathesis-stress model
An interaction model that assumes disorders develop from a pre-existing genetic vulnerability (diathesis) that is triggered by stressful life experiences.
Perception of distress
A criterion used to identify psychological disorders based on the subjective feeling of emotional or physical pain and suffering experienced by an individual.
A psychologist explains that a client's phobia of spiders was learned after being repeatedly exposed to a parent's fearful reactions. Which perspective is this?
This explanation aligns with the behavioral perspective, which focuses on maladaptive learned associations.
How does the 'level of dysfunction' criterion help define a behavior as a disorder?
It defines a behavior as part of a disorder if it significantly impairs a person's ability to function in key areas of life, such as work, school, or relationships.
Level of dysfunction
A criterion used to identify psychological disorders based on the extent to which a behavior interferes with an individual's ability to carry out daily activities.
Behavioral perspective (on disorders)
This perspective explains psychological disorders as being caused by maladaptive learned associations and reinforcement of problematic behaviors.
How does the biopsychosocial model differ from single-perspective approaches?
The biopsychosocial model is an interaction model that integrates biological, psychological, and social factors, whereas single-perspective approaches focus on only one of these areas.
A person with a genetic predisposition for anxiety develops a panic disorder after experiencing a traumatic event. Which model best explains this?
The diathesis-stress model best explains this, as it combines a genetic vulnerability with a stressful life experience.
What is the relationship between stigma and the diagnosis of psychological disorders?
Stigma is a major negative consequence of diagnosis, where societal disapproval and negative stereotypes can lead to discrimination and prejudice.
Sociocultural perspective (on disorders)
This perspective explains psychological disorders as the result of maladaptive social contexts, cultural pressures, and interpersonal relationships.
What is required to properly diagnose psychological disorders?
Diagnosing psychological disorders requires specialized training and the use of standardized diagnostic tools like the DSM and ICD.
A researcher suggests that the high rate of a specific anxiety disorder in a particular community is due to poverty and unstable social structures. Which perspective is this?
This aligns with the sociocultural perspective, as it focuses on maladaptive social and cultural factors.
A psychiatrist prescribes medication for a patient with depression, believing it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Which perspective is being applied?
The biological perspective is being applied, as it focuses on physiological or genetic issues as the cause of disorders.
Biological perspective (on disorders)
This perspective attributes psychological disorders to physiological causes, such as genetic predispositions, hormonal imbalances, or brain structure abnormalities.
What are two examples of specialized tools used in the diagnosis of psychological disorders?
Two major diagnostic tools are the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Cognitive perspective (on disorders)
This perspective focuses on maladaptive thoughts, irrational beliefs, negative attitudes, or distorted perceptions as the cause of psychological disorders.
Why do most psychologists use an eclectic approach for diagnosis and treatment?
They use an eclectic approach because combining multiple perspectives often provides a more complete understanding and effective treatment for a complex disorder.
According to the diathesis-stress model, what two factors must be present for a disorder to emerge?
A genetic vulnerability (diathesis) must be present, which is then activated by stressful life experiences.
Deviation from social norms
A criterion used to identify psychological disorders where an individual's behavior violates the accepted standards and expectations of their society or culture.
What is the central idea of the sociocultural perspective on psychological disorders?
The central idea is that disorders are caused by maladaptive social and cultural relationships and the environment a person lives in.
To understand a client's disorder, a clinician examines their brain chemistry, thought processes, and family relationships. What approach is being used?
The clinician is using the biopsychosocial model by considering biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
Biopsychosocial model
An interaction model assuming that psychological disorders result from a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
What is the primary focus of the biological perspective when explaining psychological disorders?
The biological perspective's primary focus is on physiological or genetic issues, such as brain chemistry or heredity, as the cause of disorders.
Eclectic approach
An approach to diagnosis and treatment where a psychologist uses techniques and theories from multiple different perspectives.
How does the humanistic perspective explain the development of psychological disorders?
The humanistic perspective suggests disorders develop from a lack of social support and an inability to fulfill one's potential.
What are the potential negative consequences of diagnosing psychological disorders?
Diagnosing disorders can have negative consequences related to social stigma, cultural misunderstandings, and discrimination against the individual.
A therapist works with a client to uncover repressed memories from a difficult childhood that are believed to be causing current distress. Which perspective is this?
This is an application of the psychodynamic perspective, which focuses on unconscious thoughts and childhood experiences.
A therapist believes a client's depression is caused by their negative thought patterns and self-defeating beliefs. Which perspective is the therapist using?
The therapist is using the cognitive perspective, which focuses on maladaptive thoughts and beliefs.
Humanistic perspective (on disorders)
This perspective suggests psychological disorders arise from a lack of social support and the failure to fulfill one's innate potential (self-actualization).