AP Psychology: Clinical Psychology Notes

Key Takeaways: Clinical Psychology

1. A variety of conceptions of the causes of psychological disorders have emerged throughout history. Those models that are still embraced by contemporary psychologists each possess distinctive strengths and weaknesses.
2. The DSM-5 is the diagnostic tool used by clinical practitioners to diagnose a wide assortment of recognized disorders. The DSM-5 organizes these disorders by categories and identifies them by clusters of symptoms. 
3. The use of diagnostic labels carries advantages (like heightened consistency in diagnosis, treatment, and research) but also disadvantages (such as those revealed by the Rosenhan experiment). 
4. The judicial system interacts with clinical psychology in a number of ways, including confidentiality regulations and the insanity defense. 
5. Psychological treatment is provided by mental health professionals in a variety of settings. The two most common types of treatment are psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment. 
6. Psychotherapies come in a variety of theoretical orientations and formats. The most common treatment orientations are psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive, biomedical, and integrated. The four main formats of psychotherapy are individual, group, couples, and family. 
7. Research suggests that psychotherapy generally helps patients to make positive changes in their lives, but some types of treatment are more effective for particular conditions than others. 
8. Culture influences a variety of factors important to treatment. Decreased access, racism, and Eurocentrism contribute to unequal outcomes for patients from marginalized groups, but measures such as multicultural competence may help to alleviate these inequalities. 
9. Effective prevention programs reduce environmental risk factors for mental illness and build up strengths. Prevention efforts might focus on promoting health, increasing competence, or building resilience.