AP Psychology Flashcards: Explaining And Classifying Psychological Disorders

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Explaining And Classifying Psychological Disorders, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify a key characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Answer: Recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Compulsions are performed to reduce anxiety from obsessions.

Flashcard 2: What is a psychological disorder?

Answer: A syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in behavior or cognition. Must cause distress or impairment in daily functioning.

Flashcard 3: What is the main characteristic of antisocial personality disorder?

Answer: A pervasive pattern of disregard for others' rights. Often involves criminal behavior and lack of remorse.

Flashcard 4: Identify a common symptom of autism spectrum disorder.

Answer: Impairment in social communication and interaction. May also include repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.

Flashcard 5: What is the main goal of psychodynamic therapy?

Answer: To explore unconscious conflicts and motivations. Based on Freud's theory of the unconscious mind.

Flashcard 6: What is the main feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Answer: Re-experiencing traumatic events through flashbacks or nightmares. Often triggered by exposure to life-threatening events.

Flashcard 7: What is the main symptom of major depressive disorder?

Answer: Persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Symptoms must persist for at least two weeks for diagnosis.

Flashcard 8: What is the primary treatment for phobias?

Answer: Exposure therapy. Gradually exposes patients to feared objects or situations.

Flashcard 9: What is the main focus of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?

Answer: To teach skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder.

Flashcard 10: What is the term for experiencing multiple distinct identities?

Answer: Dissociative identity disorder (DID). Previously known as multiple personality disorder.

Flashcard 11: What is the main symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Answer: Inattention and/or hyperactive-impulsive behavior. Symptoms must appear before age 12 for diagnosis.

Flashcard 12: What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer: A model that explains disorders through biological, psychological, and social factors. Recognizes that multiple factors interact to cause mental disorders.

Flashcard 13: What is an example of a somatic symptom disorder?

Answer: Illness anxiety disorder. Involves excessive worry about having a serious medical condition.

Flashcard 14: What is the main feature of histrionic personality disorder?

Answer: Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. Behavior is often theatrical and designed to draw attention.

Flashcard 15: What is a phobia?

Answer: An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation. Fear is disproportionate to actual danger posed.

Flashcard 16: What is the primary symptom of generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer: Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life. Worry is difficult to control and causes significant distress.

Flashcard 17: What is agoraphobia?

Answer: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. Can lead to complete avoidance of leaving home.

Flashcard 18: Identify a symptom of borderline personality disorder.

Answer: Instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image. Leads to chaotic relationships and fear of abandonment.

Flashcard 19: Identify a symptom of panic disorder.

Answer: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Attacks include physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and sweating.

Flashcard 20: Identify a common symptom of autism spectrum disorder.

Answer: Impairment in social communication and interaction. May also include repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.

Flashcard 21: What is the main goal of psychodynamic therapy?

Answer: To explore unconscious conflicts and motivations. Based on Freud's theory of the unconscious mind.

Flashcard 22: Identify a cognitive symptom of schizophrenia.

Answer: Disorganized thinking. Includes difficulty organizing thoughts and speaking coherently.

Flashcard 23: What is the main feature of histrionic personality disorder?

Answer: Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. Behavior is often theatrical and designed to draw attention.

Flashcard 24: Which disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings and energy levels?

Answer: Bipolar disorder. Manic episodes involve elevated mood and increased activity.

Flashcard 25: What is the term for experiencing multiple distinct identities?

Answer: Dissociative identity disorder (DID). Previously known as multiple personality disorder.

Flashcard 26: What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer: Hallucinations and delusions. Called 'positive' because they add abnormal experiences.

Flashcard 27: What is the primary symptom of paranoid personality disorder?

Answer: Pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. Often involves interpreting neutral actions as threatening.

Flashcard 28: What is the primary symptom of social anxiety disorder?

Answer: Intense fear of social situations and being judged by others. Can significantly impair work, school, or social functioning.

Flashcard 29: Identify a characteristic of dependent personality disorder.

Answer: Excessive need to be taken care of by others. Leads to difficulty making independent decisions.

Flashcard 30: What is the difference between bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa?

Answer: Bulimia involves binge eating and purging; anorexia involves severe food restriction. Both involve distorted body image and unhealthy eating patterns.

Flashcard 31: What is the DSM-5?

Answer: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. The official manual used by mental health professionals for diagnosis.

Flashcard 32: What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer: Hallucinations and delusions. Called 'positive' because they add abnormal experiences.

Flashcard 33: What is the primary symptom of social anxiety disorder?

Answer: Intense fear of social situations and being judged by others. Can significantly impair work, school, or social functioning.

Flashcard 34: Which disorder is characterized by alternations between mania and depression?

Answer: Bipolar disorder. Episodes can last weeks to months without treatment.

Flashcard 35: Identify the defining feature of schizophrenia.

Answer: Distorted thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. Affects reality testing and ability to function normally.

Flashcard 36: What is a phobia?

Answer: An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation. Fear is disproportionate to actual danger posed.

Flashcard 37: What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer: Apathy, lack of emotion, and poor social functioning. Called 'negative' because they represent absence of normal functions.

Flashcard 38: What is the primary focus of humanistic therapy?

Answer: Personal growth and self-fulfillment. Emphasizes client's inherent potential for positive change.

Flashcard 39: Identify a symptom of avoidant personality disorder.

Answer: Extreme sensitivity to criticism and rejection. Leads to social isolation and reluctance to take risks.

Flashcard 40: What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer: A model that explains disorders through biological, psychological, and social factors. Recognizes that multiple factors interact to cause mental disorders.

Flashcard 41: Identify one biological factor contributing to anxiety disorders.

Answer: Genetic predisposition. Family history increases risk of developing anxiety disorders.

Flashcard 42: What is the primary symptom of paranoid personality disorder?

Answer: Pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. Often involves interpreting neutral actions as threatening.

Flashcard 43: Identify a symptom of borderline personality disorder.

Answer: Instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image. Leads to chaotic relationships and fear of abandonment.

Flashcard 44: What is agoraphobia?

Answer: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. Can lead to complete avoidance of leaving home.

Flashcard 45: Which category of disorders includes depression and bipolar disorder?

Answer: Mood disorders. Both involve significant changes in emotional state and functioning.

Flashcard 46: What is a common symptom of narcissistic personality disorder?

Answer: Exaggerated sense of self-importance. Often includes lack of empathy for others.

Flashcard 47: What is the main symptom of major depressive disorder?

Answer: Persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Symptoms must persist for at least two weeks for diagnosis.

Flashcard 48: What is the main feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Answer: Re-experiencing traumatic events through flashbacks or nightmares. Often triggered by exposure to life-threatening events.

Flashcard 49: What is the primary characteristic of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Answer: Preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism. Different from OCD, which involves intrusive thoughts.

Flashcard 50: What is the main focus of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?

Answer: To teach skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder.

Flashcard 51: Identify the main purpose of the DSM-5.

Answer: To provide a standardized classification system for mental disorders. Ensures consistent diagnosis and treatment across different practitioners.

Flashcard 52: What is the main characteristic of antisocial personality disorder?

Answer: A pervasive pattern of disregard for others' rights. Often involves criminal behavior and lack of remorse.

Flashcard 53: Which disorder is characterized by alternations between mania and depression?

Answer: Bipolar disorder. Episodes can last weeks to months without treatment.

Flashcard 54: What is the primary effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

Answer: Alleviates severe depression symptoms. Used when medication and psychotherapy are ineffective.

Flashcard 55: What is the primary effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

Answer: Alleviates severe depression symptoms. Used when medication and psychotherapy are ineffective.

Flashcard 56: Identify the main purpose of the DSM-5.

Answer: To provide a standardized classification system for mental disorders. Ensures consistent diagnosis and treatment across different practitioners.

Flashcard 57: Which category of disorders includes depression and bipolar disorder?

Answer: Mood disorders. Both involve significant changes in emotional state and functioning.

Flashcard 58: Identify a characteristic of dependent personality disorder.

Answer: Excessive need to be taken care of by others. Leads to difficulty making independent decisions.

Flashcard 59: What is the focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Answer: Changing negative thought patterns to improve emotions and behaviors. Combines cognitive restructuring with behavioral techniques.

Flashcard 60: Identify the defining feature of schizophrenia.

Answer: Distorted thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. Affects reality testing and ability to function normally.

Flashcard 61: Identify a key characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Answer: Recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Compulsions are performed to reduce anxiety from obsessions.

Flashcard 62: What is the difference between bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa?

Answer: Bulimia involves binge eating and purging; anorexia involves severe food restriction. Both involve distorted body image and unhealthy eating patterns.

Flashcard 63: What is a psychological disorder?

Answer: A syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in behavior or cognition. Must cause distress or impairment in daily functioning.

Flashcard 64: Identify a cognitive symptom of schizophrenia.

Answer: Disorganized thinking. Includes difficulty organizing thoughts and speaking coherently.

Flashcard 65: What is the primary treatment for phobias?

Answer: Exposure therapy. Gradually exposes patients to feared objects or situations.

Flashcard 66: What is a common symptom of narcissistic personality disorder?

Answer: Exaggerated sense of self-importance. Often includes lack of empathy for others.

Flashcard 67: What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer: Apathy, lack of emotion, and poor social functioning. Called 'negative' because they represent absence of normal functions.

Flashcard 68: Identify a key feature of dissociative identity disorder (DID).

Answer: Presence of two or more distinct personality states. Each identity may have different memories and behaviors.

Flashcard 69: What is an example of a somatic symptom disorder?

Answer: Illness anxiety disorder. Involves excessive worry about having a serious medical condition.

Flashcard 70: Identify a symptom of avoidant personality disorder.

Answer: Extreme sensitivity to criticism and rejection. Leads to social isolation and reluctance to take risks.

Flashcard 71: What is the DSM-5?

Answer: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. The official manual used by mental health professionals for diagnosis.

Flashcard 72: What is the primary symptom of generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer: Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life. Worry is difficult to control and causes significant distress.

Flashcard 73: What is the primary focus of humanistic therapy?

Answer: Personal growth and self-fulfillment. Emphasizes client's inherent potential for positive change.

Flashcard 74: What is the primary characteristic of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Answer: Preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism. Different from OCD, which involves intrusive thoughts.

Flashcard 75: What is the main symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Answer: Inattention and/or hyperactive-impulsive behavior. Symptoms must appear before age 12 for diagnosis.

Flashcard 76: What is the focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Answer: Changing negative thought patterns to improve emotions and behaviors. Combines cognitive restructuring with behavioral techniques.

Flashcard 77: Identify a key feature of dissociative identity disorder (DID).

Answer: Presence of two or more distinct personality states. Each identity may have different memories and behaviors.

Flashcard 78: Identify a symptom of panic disorder.

Answer: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Attacks include physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and sweating.

Flashcard 79: Identify one biological factor contributing to anxiety disorders.

Answer: Genetic predisposition. Family history increases risk of developing anxiety disorders.

Flashcard 80: Which disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings and energy levels?

Answer: Bipolar disorder. Manic episodes involve elevated mood and increased activity.