Download Exam 1 study guide S2017

CHILD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE
EXAM 1
Topics covered on Exam 1:
 Introduction and history of Child Psychopathology / Abnormal Child Psychology
 Theories and Causes
 Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment
 Anxiety Disorders (overview only – see below; no anxiety disorders covered on this exam)
Format of exam:
 20 multiple choice
 5 fill in the blank
 2 out of 3 short answer
 1 case study essay (you will not be asked to diagnose the case)
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Normal and Abnormal Behavior in Children & Adolescents
You should understand the historical context of abnormal child psychology. Have a clear sense of the
role of the early explanations for abnormal behavior. Please know how psychological disorders can be
defined. You should be able to define risk and protective factors and be able to provide and understand
examples of each. Also know the key categories of variable that affect risk of developing childhood
mental illness (i.e., poverty, sex differences, race & ethnicity, etc.).
Chapter 2 – Theories & Causes
You should understand the underlying assumptions of abnormal child psychology. That is, understand
what we mean when we say that abnormal development is multiply determined, that the child and
environment are interdependent, and why we need to understand typical development before we study
abnormal behaviors. It’s important for you to understand the developmental psychopathological
perspective, which underlies all that we will study this semester. You should have a good sense of each
of the models of abnormality that we discussed in class. Specifically, please know the biological model,
though you don’t need to worry about the details in the “Neurobiological Contributions” section. Please
review temperament and the 3 primary categories of temperament (and how these relate to abnormal
child psychology). You should also know the tenets of the behavioral and cognitive models. Know ABA,
classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and the cognitive theory well. Familiarize yourself with the
importance of the family and peer systems. For each of these models, it will be helpful to be able to
provide examples and to know how each model conceptualizes the development of psychopathology in
children.
Chapter 4 – Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Make sure you understand the purpose of assessment, and how it relates to diagnosis and treatment.
You should be able to describe how developmental considerations (age, gender, culture) inform
assessment. Know what a clinical interview is, and be able to describe the various components. You
should know about the different types of assessment measure (e.g., developmental testing, intelligence
testing, projective testing, etc.). Know why diagnosis is important, what the DSM is and how it is used.
You should understand the pros and cons of diagnostic labeling. Know what intervention means (and
different types of intervention, ranging from prevention to early intervention to treatment), and have a
sense of the general treatment approaches from each of the theoretical modalities (with most emphasis
on behavioral, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, and family treatments). Have a broad understanding of
the efficacy of MH treatment for children (i.e., do they work? How well?).
Chapter 11 – Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Please know the definition of anxiety. Be familiar with the idea that anxiety disorders are internalizing
disorders, and what that means. Know the difference between normal fears/anxiety in children and
those that would be considered psychopathological. Understand the components of the fight-or-flight
response (including examples of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms/indicators). Have a
general understanding of the gold standard treatment(s) used for children with anxiety disorders, and
how those models conceptualize the treatment of anxiety in children. Finally, have an understanding of
how the behavioral, temperamental/emotional, genetic, and family (parenting) theories think about the
development of anxiety in children.
Be familiar with:
 Lectures
 Case studies discussed in class
 Video clips shown in class
 Mash & Wolfe text
Generally speaking, this exam will largely focus on what has been covered in class (videos, cases,
discussions, and lecture), though it is also important to read and understand the textbook. My exams
center on central topics, rather than trying to quiz you on trivial dates and names. You should know the
most relevant theorists/psychologists, but you don’t need to worry that I’ll ask you about something
obscure if it wasn’t covered in class or centrally featured in your text/other readings.
One good way to test yourself and determine whether you’ve mastered a given concept is to attempt to
come up with an example (not one we derived in class, but one of your own).
As always, feel free to make an appointment or come and talk with me if you have questions.
Good luck!
Professor MacDonald