conformity to norms, subjective distress, and disability
or dysfunction.
Mental illness refers to a large class of fre-
quently observed syndromes that are comprised of
co-occurring abnormal behaviors. The diagnosis of
psychological problems or mental illness serves the
function of communication, promotes research, and
suggests treatment options. TheDSM-IV-TRis the
official diagnostic system used in the United States
(and other places as well).
Diagnostic classification systems should be prac-
tical, descriptive, reliable, valid, and unbiased and
provide comprehensive coverage of frequently
encountered clinical problems. Such diagnostic sys-
tems will advance the field by promoting psychopa-
thology research, allowing us to investigate the
causes and treatment of psychological problems.
Features of psychological disorders lie on a con-
tinuum and vary in degree. The diathesis-stress
model of psychopathology can accommodate major
theoretical models of how mental disorders develop.
Further, this comprehensive model highlights that
both vulnerability to disorder (diathesis) and stress
experienced lie on a continuum. It provides a better
understanding of why some people exposed to the
same stress develop problems whereas others do not.KEY TERMS
Axis IThe diagnostic axis of theDSM-IV-TRthat
identifies all of the clinical disorders that are
present, except for the personality disorders and
mental retardation.
Axis IIThe diagnostic axis of theDSM-IV-TR
that indicates the presence of personality disorders
or mental retardation.
Axis IIIThe diagnostic axis of theDSM-IV-TR
that identifies current medical conditions that may
be relevant to the conceptualization or treatment
of the disorders diagnosed on Axes I and II.
Axis IVThe diagnostic axis of theDSM-IV-TR
that specifies any psychosocial or environmental
problems relevant to diagnosis, treatment, and
prognosis.
Axis VThe diagnostic axis of theDSM-IV-TR
that provides a numerical index of the individual’s
overall level of functioning.
categoriesDiscrete classifications. Many of the
mental disorders in the current diagnostic system are
presented as categorical in nature, meaning that people
are judged either to have the disorder or not have it.
conformity to normsOne of the three major
definitions of abnormal behavior, this definition
labels behavior as abnormal if it violates cultural
norms.
cultural relativityIn the context of conformity-
oriented definitions of abnormal behavior, the fact
that judgments about the abnormality of a
particular behavior may vary from culture to
culture or subculture to subculture.
cutoff pointsIn the context of conformity-
oriented definitions of abnormal behavior, the
numerical values on a test or inventory that
differentiate normal from abnormal performance.
DC 0– 3 A diagnostic classification system
describing patterns of maladjustment and symp-
toms among children aged 0 to 3 years.
DC 0–3RThe current version of theDC 0– 3.
diathesisIn the diathesis-stress model of psycho-
pathology, a vulnerability (e.g., genetic, psycho-
logical) to develop a particular disorder.
dimensionsContinua. In a dimensional classi-
fication system, individuals may be seen as falling
on any point of a continuum ranging from total
absence of a disorder to its most severe
manifestation.
disability or dysfunctionOne of the three
major definitions of abnormal behavior, this
definition labels behavior as abnormal if it
creates social or occupational problems for the
individual.156 CHAPTER 5