The psychology answer book

Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page i About the Author Dr Lisa J Cohen is a licensed clinical psychologist who works as a teacher, scientist, and clinician She is Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, where she also serves as Director of Research for Psychology and Psychiatry Dr Cohen teaches topics in clinical psychology to graduate and undergraduate students in psychology and to psychiatric residents Her scientific research has covered a number of domains, including obsessive compulsive disorder, child trauma, personality pathology, psychological testing, opiate addiction, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia She has authored or co-authored over 70 articles in professional journal and 14 book chapters In her private practice, she provides psychotherapy to individuals and couples, combining psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral techniques She also works as a supervising psychologist on an inpatient psychiatric unit, where she oversees the provision of group therapy and psychological testing to psychiatric patients with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder i Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page ii Also from Visible Ink Press The Handy Anatomy Answer Book by James Bobick and Naomi Balaban ISBN: 978-1-57859-190-9 The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) by Judy Galens and Nancy Pear ISBN: 978-1-57859-110-7 The Handy Astronomy Answer Book by Charles Liu ISBN: 978-1-57859-193-0 The Handy Biology Answer Book by James Bobick, Naomi Balaban, Sandra Bobick and Laurel Roberts ISBN: 978-1-57859-150-3 The Handy Dinosaur Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-218-0 The Handy Geography Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Paul A Tucci and Matthew T Rosenberg ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9 The Handy Geology Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-156-5 The Handy History Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Rebecca Nelson Ferguson ISBN: 978-1-57859-170-1 The Handy Law Answer Book by David L Hudson Jr ISBN: 978-1-57859-217-3 The Handy Ocean Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-063-6 The Handy Philosophy Answer Book by Naomi Zack ISBN: 978-1-57859-226-5 The Handy Physics Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Paul W Zitzewitz, Ph.D ISBN: 978-1-57859-305-7 The Handy Politics Answer Book by Gina Misiroglu ISBN: 978-1-57859-139-8 The Handy Religion Answer Book by John Renard ISBN: 978-1-57859-125-1 The Handy Science Answer Book®, Centennial Edition by The Science and Technology Department Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh ISBN: 978-1-57859-140-4 The Handy Sports Answer Book by Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Hillstrom and Roger Matuz ISBN: 978-1-57859-075-9 The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book by David L Hudson, Jr ISBN: 978-1-57859-196-1 The Handy Weather Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Kevin S Hile ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9 The Handy Math Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-171-8 Please visit the Handy series website at handyanswers.com Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page iii THE HANDY PSYCHOLOGY ANSWER BOOK Lisa J Cohen, PhD Detroit Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM THE HANDY PSYCHOLOGY ANSWER BOOK Page iv Copyright â 2011 by Visible Ink Pressđ This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable copyright laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair competition, and other applicable laws No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or website All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended Visible Ink Press® 43311 Joy Rd., #414 Canton, MI 48187-2075 Visible Ink Press is a registered trademark of Visible Ink Press LLC Most Visible Ink Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, or groups Customized printings, special imprints, messages, and excerpts can be produced to meet your needs For more information, contact Special Markets Director, Visible Ink Press, www.visibleink.com, or 734-667-3211 Managing Editor: Kevin S Hile Art Director: Mary Claire Krzewinski Typesetting: Marco Di Vita Proofreader: Sharon R Gunton and Sharon R Malinowski ISBN 978-1-57859-223-4 Cover images: iStock.com Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Cohen, Lisa J The handy psychology answer book / Lisa J Cohen p cm — (Handy answer book series) Includes bibliographical references and index ISBN 978-1-57859-223-4 Psychology—Popular works I Title BF145.C59 2011 150—dc22 Printed in the United States of America 10 2010042165 Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page v Contents I NTRODUCTION vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix GLOSSARY … 453 B IBLIOGRAPHY … 469 I NDEX … 483 I NTRODUC I NG TH E BASIC S … B RAI N AN D B E HAVIOR … 95 The Basics … Psychology before Psychology … Psychology in Other Cultures … History and Pioneers … Sigmund Freud … John B Watson and B.F Skinner … Jean Piaget Basic Concepts in Neuroscience … The Major Structures of the Brain … Brain Development … From Brain to Mind … The Brain as Mapmaker … Sensation and Perception … Motor Behavior and Intentional Action … Cognition and Behavioral Control … Emotions … Emotion and the Limbic System … Emotions in Mammals … Frontal Control of the Limbic System … Neurotransmitters and Other Brain Chemicals … Impact of the Environment on the Brain MAJOR MOVE M E NTS I N PSYC HOLO GY … 31 Behaviorism … Gestalt Psychology … Psychoanalytic Theory … Jungian Analytical Psychology … Humanistic Theories … Attachment Theory … Sociobiology and Evolutionary Psychology … Neurobiological Theories … Cognitive Science … Psychology as a Science … Psychological Tests … Intelligence Testing PSYC HOLO GICAL DEVE LOPM E NT AC ROSS TH E LI FE SPAN … 147 Freud’s Psychosexual Stages … Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages … v Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page vi Margaret Mahler … Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development … Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development … The Role of Culture … Infancy … Toddler Years … Preschool Years (3–5) … School Age Children (6–11) … Adolescence (12–18) … Early Adulthood (19–40) … Middle Adulthood (40–60) … Later Adulthood (60 and Older) … The End of Life: Death and Dying TH E PSYC HOLO GY OF EVE RYDAY LI FE: LOVE, MARRIAGE, AN D BABY CARRIAGE … 223 Love … Marriage … Pregnancy … Parenting … Families … Divorce … Sexuality … Sexual Orientation TH E PSYC HOLO GY OF EVE RYDAY LI FE: MOTIVATION AN D TH E SEARC H FOR HAPPI N E SS … 271 The Psychology of Happiness … Positive Psychology … Happiness across Cultures … The Psychology of Money … The Biology of Money GROU P DYNAM IC S AN D TH E PU B LIC SPH E RE … 301 Group Dynamics … Prejudice and Racism … Morality … Psychology in the Workplace … Psychology in the Public Sphere … Voting Behavior AB NORMAL PSYC HOLO GY: M E NTAL H EALTH AN D M E NTAL I LLN E SS … 343 Definitions and Classifications … Major Mental Illnesses … Disorders of Personality … Substance Abuse … Psychotherapy … Psychopharmacology … Popular Psychology TH E PSYC HOLO GY OF TRAUMA … 405 The Psychological Impact of Trauma … Child Abuse … Sexual Abuse … Domestic Violence FORE N SIC PSYC HOLO GY … 429 The Psychology of Criminal Behavior … Causes of Antisocial Traits … Specific Forms of Crimes … Mental Illness and the Law vi Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page vii Introduction I have been fascinated with psychology ever since I was a child I wanted to understand what made people what they do, what the story was behind their behavior I wanted to strip back the outer cover and see the machinery within Many years later, I am still fascinated with psychology Psychology is ultimately the foundation of all human endeavor Why we think, feel, and act the way we do? Why we love, hate, eat, work, or dance the way we do? How does our three-pound brain produce the incredible intricacies of human behavior? How much of our psychology is due to genes and how much to our environment? These questions are addressed every day in thousands of laboratories and consulting rooms across the country and across the world And the answers to such age-old questions are closer at hand than at any point in history While I not believe we will ever fully understand the extraordinary mystery of the human mind, we certainly can learn—and have learned—a tremendous amount about our mental processes Moreover, such discoveries can help reduce the suffering and improve the lives of millions of people Interestingly, the major players in the field of psychology used to be far better known to the general public Fifty years ago, the average person on the street was more likely to be familiar with the likes of Sigmund Freud, B.F Skinner, or Jean Piaget There was a widespread appreciation of the importance of the field of psychology and its relevance to everyday life In contemporary times, there is far less general awareness of the contributions of the field of psychology Perhaps psychology—that is, the scientific discipline of psychology—has been a victim of its own success Certainly talk shows and magazines are filled with psychological topics Dr Phil, Dr Laura, and Dr Joyce Brothers remain household names But I would suggest that the entertainment value of popular psychology has overtaken the appreciation of serious science Meanwhile, psychology is flourishing within the walls of academia Psychology remains an incredibly popular major in college and graduate school But within the university, the seriousness of the field has overtaken its inherent entertainment value Thus psychology has split into two vectors: popular psychology, which is entertaining vii Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page viii but not rigorous, and academic psychology, which is serious but not easily accessible to the non-specialist This book is intended to find a middle ground, to provide a rigorous and scientifically grounded book that is nonetheless accessible and engaging to the general public The first section of this book gives an overview of the fundamentals of psychology We cover the history and pioneers of psychology, the major theoretical movements, the science of psychology, the brain and its relationship to behavior, and psychological development across the lifespan These are the areas traditionally covered in textbooks In the second half of the book we address how the scientific methods of psychology have been applied to questions of everyday life Here we see how the science of psychology has immediate relevance to a broad spectrum of human activities What can psychology tell us about love, marriage, family, and sexuality? What can psychology tell us about happiness or our relationship with money? Chapter explores the psychology of the group and how group dynamics play out in the work place, the public sphere, and in the problems of prejudice and racism Chapters through 10 look at abnormal psychology Chapter addresses clinical psychology, covering such topics as psychopathology, psychiatric diagnosis, psychotherapy, and psychiatric medication Chapter looks at the psychology of trauma, and chapter 10 at forensic psychology, where psychology intersects the law As part of the “Handy Answer Book” series, this book is structured in a questionand-answer format Approximately 1,000 questions are answered with one- or twoparagraph answers The goal is to break down complex topics into bite-size ideas While the questions were carefully selected to create a narrative flow, this is also the kind of book that you can open at any point and browse If you want, you can read the book from cover to cover, but you can also flip through to find questions that particularly jump out at you Although I want the reader to feel free to jump around, the nature of science is that it is cumulative In other words, the most recent developments rest upon the shoulders of earlier work Because of this, the sections in the second half of the book will sometimes refer to topics and people introduced in the first half If readers run across an unfamiliar idea, person, or issue, they can look the topic up in the index, which will then point them to other areas in the book where the issue is discussed viii I have applied the same scientific standards when writing this book that I use when writing scientific articles for professional journals and have worked hard to only include conclusions that are supported by solid if not multiple references In professional papers, you cite your sources in the middle of the text, right where you are referencing them While this practice is necessary for scientific accuracy, it does not make for easy reading Therefore we put the reference list at the back of the book Readers who are interested in learning more about any particular area can look up the relevant references for more information Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page ix INTRODUCTION This book is intended for the general public Anyone who has a passing interest in psychology could pick up this book to learn more about the field Did you study psychology in college and always maintained an interest in it? Have you had personal experience with psychological problems, either in yourself or in your family? Are you thinking you might like to pursue a career in the mental health field? Or you just wonder about why people behave the way they do? Then The Handy Psychology Answer Book is for you Although this book is intended for the general public, it can also be used to supplement traditional textbooks If you want a quick review on Attachment Theory or on Behaviorism, if you want to remind yourself of the basics of brain-behavior relationships, or if you want a quick introduction to key psychological theories, this book can be helpful for you Whatever your reasons for picking up this book, I hope that you can put it down with a better appreciation of just how fascinating psychology can be and how important it is to everyday life Lisa J Cohen, Ph.D AC KNOWLE D G M E NTS Many people contributed to the writing of this book I’d like to acknowledge Drs Igor Galynker, Nancy Maruyama, and the Division of Biological Psychiatry for their continual and extremely helpful feedback on various chapters Thanks to Drs Ramin Mojtabai, Alessandra Strada, and Ed D’Angelo for their comments on the accuracy or lack thereof of sections on neurobiology, humanistic psychology, and classical thought I would also like to acknowledge Vanessa and David Evans, Alex and Josh Cohen, David and Marina Vergara, Julie Cohen Evans, Katia Segre Cohen, and Sylvia Cohen for their insights into adolescent slang past and present and into the mysterious world of children’s thought Thanks as well to Dennis Mack for creative ideas as well as legal advice To Roger Janecke and Kevin Hile, there would be no book if it weren’t for you Finally, to Ed, for tolerating with such good grace my many, many hours absorbed at the computer ix ... at handyanswers.com Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM Page iii THE HANDY PSYCHOLOGY ANSWER BOOK Lisa J Cohen, PhD Detroit Handy Psychology 10/20/10 12:02 PM THE HANDY PSYCHOLOGY ANSWER BOOK Page... section of this book gives an overview of the fundamentals of psychology We cover the history and pioneers of psychology, the major theoretical movements, the science of psychology, the brain and... introduced in the first half If readers run across an unfamiliar idea, person, or issue, they can look the topic up in the index, which will then point them to other areas in the book where the issue