Somatoform Disorders: Types, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
Somatoform Disorders
F45.0 Somatization Disorder (300.81)
A. History
Many physical complaints beginning before age 30, persist for several years and force the patient to seek medical attention or cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
B. Criteria
Must satisfy all of the criteria set out below, and each symptom can occur at any time during the disorder:
- Four pain symptoms: a history of pain related to at least four areas of the body or four functions
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Effective Leadership
Introduction
The belief that certain individuals possess the “right stuff” for leadership is more art than science. Superb leaders have varying personal styles, and different situations demand different leadership approaches. Mergers often require a skilled negotiator, while turnarounds may necessitate a more assertive leader.
The most effective leaders share one key trait: a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI).
Evaluating Emotional Intelligence
Many large companies utilize trained psychologists
Read MoreGroup Decision Making & Leadership: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Stress Management
Group Decision Making
Advantages
- Groups make better decisions.
- More vigilant than individuals.
- Generate more ideas (diversity).
- Evaluate ideas better: processing power, checks & balances.
- Moderate extreme positions.
- Decision acceptance/commitment: increased understanding, important to implementation.
Disadvantages
- Less efficient (time, process losses).
- Conflict: politics, individuals protecting ideology, compromises between extreme points.
- Domination: sub-groups/coalitions, individuals dominating discussion.
Child Development and Socialization: A Comprehensive Guide
Child Development and Socialization
Discovering Others
As babies grow, they become aware of themselves and others, distinguishing objects and people. Their behavior shifts from reflexive actions to conscious interaction, seeking connection with loved ones. This stage involves possessiveness and reactions to the presence and absence of caregivers, leading to feelings of fear, anxiety, and loss. The child begins to understand social relationships and may experience social inhibition (difficulty communicating)
Read MoreMediating vs. Moderating Variables
Mediating Variables
A mediating variable (M) explains the process by which an independent variable (X) influences a dependent variable (Y). It creates a causal pathway: X affects M, which in turn affects Y. This helps us understand how X and Y are related. For example, if education level (X) influences occupation type (M), and occupation type influences income level (Y), then occupation is the mediating variable.
Example
Education level (X) influences occupation (M), which then influences income level
Read MoreClassical and Operant Conditioning in Anxiety and Fear
Classical and Operant Conditioning: Understanding Anxiety and Fear
Classical Conditioning Theory: The Rayner-Watson Model
This model highlights three main features:
- Repeated association between conditioned stimuli (CS) and unconditioned stimuli (US) strengthens the conditioned response (CR) of fear.
- Phobic fear reactions are more likely when the fear induced by the US is intense (e.g., traumatic events).
- Neutral stimuli similar to the CS can also elicit fear reactions, with the intensity increasing with