Abnormal Psychology CLP4143 Spring 2014 Learning Objectives for 1 8 1 10 Chapter 1 Looking at Abnormality 1 Know all KEY TERMS on pages 2 7 and pages 14 16 These are the boldfaced terms found throughout the chapter and listed at end of chapter Definitions for most of these terms also can be found in the Glossary in the back of the textbook Psychopathology people who suffer mental emotional and often physical pain example woman whose bff s mom would turn into a witch Cultural Relativism view that there are no universal standards or rules for labeling a behavior abnormal instead behaviors can be labeled abnormal only relative to cultural norms advantage honors the norms and traditions of different cultures Biological Theories have viewed abnormal behavior as similar to physical diseases caused by the breakdown of systems in the body Cure Restoration of bodily health Supernatural Theories viewed abnormal behavior as a result of divine intervention curses demonic possession and personal sin Cure To rid the person of perceived affliction religious rituals exorcisms confessions and atonement have been prescribed Psychological Theories have viewed abnormal behavior as a result of traumas such as bereavement or of chronic stress Cure rest relaxation a change of environment and certain herbal medications are sometimes helpful General Paresis a disease that leads to paralysis insanity and eventually death Often with history of syphilis Mesmerism strange methods used by Mesmer to treat his patients that suffered from hysterical disorders Later labeled as hypnosis Psychoanalysis the study of the unconscious Classical Conditioning Pavlov s dogs Behaviorism the study of the impact of reinforcements and punishments on behavior Abnormal Psychology CLP4143 Spring 2014 2 What is this course all about That is define abnormal psychology and mental illness textbook and lecture Common belief is that behaviors thoughts or feelings can be viewed as pathological or abnormal if they are symptoms of mental illness However mental health experts view mental disorders as collections of problems in thinking or cognition in emotional responding or regulation and in social behavior 3 What criteria are used to determine the presence of a mental disorder four Ds of Abnormality and what are their pros and cons textbook and lecture Dysfunction behaviors thoughts or feelings that interfere with the person s ability to function in everyday life to hold a job or to form close relationships The more dysfunctional behaviors and feelings are the more likely they are to be considered abnormal by mental health professionals Example thinking you are satan and should be punished Distress Can cause tremendous emotional and even physical pain in other cases the person diagnosed with a disorder is not in distress for example through chronic lying stealing or violence Deviance hearing voices when no one else is around is a highly deviant behavior What is deviant in influenced by social norms Dangerousness Some behaviors and feelings are of potential harm to the individual such as suicidal gestures or to others such as excessive aggression Pro The four Ds together make up mental health professionals definition of behaviors or feelings as abnormal or maladaptive Con left making subjective judgments A person s behaviors and feelings can be more or less dysfunctional distressing deviant or dangerous Thus there is no sharp line between what is normal and what is abnormal 4 What is the continuum model of abnormality and when is someone s thoughts feelings or behaviors considered to be abnormal textbook and lecture Continuum model of abnormality making decisions about where to draw the line that indicates a sufficient amount of abnormality to warrant a diagnoses or treatment Abnormal Psychology CLP4143 Spring 2014 5 How does culture play a role in the concept of mental disorders textbook and lecture Culture and gender influences 1 influence the way people express symptoms 2 influence people s willingness to admit to certain types of behaviors or feelings 3 influence the types of treatments deemed acceptable or helpful for people exhibiting abnormal behaviors 6 What is the distress criterion for abnormality What about it is useful and what is problematic textbook and lecture 1 The distress criterion suggests that only behaviors or emotions that an individual finds distressing should be labeled abnormal This criterion acknowledges the importance of the subjective experience of the individual However not all people who are engaging in behaviors that might harm others or themselves are discomforted by these behaviors 7 What are the four different approaches theories called Modern Perspectives in the textbook for causes of abnormal behavior discussed in the textbook How do these theories influence treatment approaches mostly textbook Modern Biological Perspectives Wilhelm Griesinger wrote book presenting a systematic argument that all psychological disorders can be explained in terms of brain pathology Emil Kraepelin also developed a scheme for classifying symptoms into discrete disorders that is the basis for our modern classification systems Psychoanalytic Perspective Abnormal Psychology CLP4143 Spring 2014 Franz Anton Mesmer believed people had a magnetic fluid in the body that must be distributed in a particular pattern in order to maintain health Experiments of Bernheim and Liebault along with Charcot did a great deal to advance psychological causes of abnormal behavior Breur and Freud collaborated to lay out their discoveries about hypnosis the unconscious and the therapeutic value of catharsis Behaviorism Ivan Pavlov started the studies Skinner and Thorndike came up with operant or instrumental conditioning In other words focusing on positive or negative reinforcement 8 What are the various professions in the field of Abnormal Psychology textbook Psychiatrists have an MD degree and have received specialized training in the treatment of psychological problems Can prescribe medication for treatment of psychological problems Have been trained to conduct psychotherapies as well Clinical Psychologists typically have a PhD in psychology with specialization in treating and researching psychological problems Can conduct psychotherapy but in most states they do not prescribe medication Marriage and family therapists specialize in helping families couples and children overcome problems that are interfering with their well being Clinical
View Full Document
Unlocking...