Abnormal (Bias in Diagnosis) Flashcards
Bias
Is the tendency to treat people differentially due to factors such as race/gender or class. There are various biases in diagnosis such as:
Cultural: Where people are judged due to their ethnicity.
Gender: Based on gender differences.
DSM-IV
Is widely used systems that has a checklist of type/number of symptoms for a diagnosis of a disorder. The classification system is a processes whereby a “label” is signed to the individual. However because its based on symptoms rather than signs then it cannot be proven this is why DSM lack validity and reliability.
Culture
Is defined as the the socially acceptable norms and values in that society different cultures have different norms and values meaning they are relative as they vary over time and cultures.
DSM Culturally bias
The DSM was designed by western psychologists and is therefore culturally biased as it is not able to understand the behaviour and motivations of others from different backgrounds. West is only represented. This is cultural imperialism! Hearing voices?
Personality tests
They are devised by west and standardised on west ideas about psychology they are eurocentric because not accurate for non west.
Cohrane and sashidarn
Concludes that 7 times more likely to be diagnosed with schizo.
Blake
Found similar findings clinicians likely to give diagnosis if described as afro America.
Genetic
Found that afro may have greater genetical vulnerability of more stressful lives its real differences not biases.
Malagady
Considered the ethical consequences of the over/under diagnosis in terms of type 1/2 argued that type 2 error is more serious than cultural bias. It has also been found that depression is more in the west so it could actually be ethnic differences.
Male dominate
Majority of research is “male stream” Women 2’xs as likely to be diagnosed with depression and men substance abuse. Found no difference in schzio and bipolar. Domiance of men means that if women don’t conform to the male normal then its seen as abnormal
Worrel and remer
Suggested that it could be traditional sex stereotypes so they interpret behaviour. Found M/W scored high for depression women more likely. But it has been argued that there could be real differences such as hormones.
Labelling
If people show symptoms they are labelled now the are an “schizophrenic” not person with it. The label tend to stick. Affecting future judgements and resulting in people changing.
Idiographic
Its clear by rose hanse study that its not working the DMS its too difficult to diagnose and fit people into a certain disorder. Ideographic approach has been suggested that looks and individuals.
Class
Found difference in diagnosis based on class upper class had more favourable judgments. Johnstone found regardless of symptoms working class always given more serious diagnosis. But again it could be due to stressful lives e.g. debt and poverty.
