Chapter 1 Flashcards
Abnormal Psychology
Scientific study of abnormal behavior in an effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning
- There are many definitions, none have total acceptance
Asylum
A type of institution that first became popular in the sixteenth century to provide care for persons with mental disorders
Deinstutionalization
The discharge of large numbers of patients from long-term institutional care so that they might be treated in community programs
- Begun during 1960s
Pros
- More humane treatment, outpatient treatment, and advances in medicine
Cons
- Released w/o support, many ended up homeless or in jail, lack of support + access medication
Managed Care Program
A system of health care coverage in which the insurance company largely controls the nature, scope, and cost of medical or psychological services
Moral Treatment
A nineteenth-century approach to treating people with mental dysfunction that emphasized moral guidance and humane + respectful treatment
Multicultural Psychology
The field of psychology that examines the impact of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and similar factors on our behaviors and thoughts and focuses on how such factors may influence the origin, nature, and treatment of abnormal behavior
Prevention
Behavioral, social, or biological intervention that aims to reduce the risk of mental problems
Psychogenic Perspective
The view that the chief causes of abnormal functioning are psychological
- Mesmer + Freud + Hypnotism
- Psychoanalytic theory
Psychotropic Medications
Drugs that mainly affect the brain and reduce many symptoms of mental dysfunction
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Antidepressant drugs
- Antianxiety drugs
- Led to deinstutionalization + rise in outpatient care
Somatogenic Perspective
The view that abnormal psychological functioning has physical causes
- Kraepelin: physical factors (ex. fatigue) are responsible for mental dysfunction
- Biological discoveries + new medicine 50+ years
Therapy/Treatment
Procedure designed to change abnormal behavior into more normal behavior
Features:
- Client/patient/sufferer
- Trained therapist
- Series of contact together
Deviance
Variance from common patterns of behavior
Distress
Negative feelings; anxiety, sadness, etc
Dysfunction
Interfering with the person’s ability to conduct daily activities in a constructive way
Danger
The possibility of suffering harm or injury
Discuss some of the issues involved with defining a persons behavior as “abnormal”
- Many definitions have been introduced to define “abnormality,” but none have gained 100% acceptance
- Tools such as “four D’s” offer starting point
- Many things impact what are called abnormal: financial stability, cultural habits, society values, etc.
Prehistoric Perspective on Abnormal Behavior
Believed that all events around and within them resulted from the actions of magical and at time sinister forces. The body was a war ground between good and evil
- If someone acted abnormally, meant the “bad” won
- Treatment: trephination (hole in skull) or exorcism (evict spirits w/ religious practice)
Greek/Roman Perspective on Abnormal Behavior
Adopted the views of Hippocrates which says that abnormal behaviors arise from internal diseases
- Brain pathology was the culprit, resulted in an imbalance of four fluids/humors (yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm)
- Natural causes treated by diet, exercise, celibacy, bleeding, abstinence of alcohol, etc.
Renaissance Perspective on Abnormal Behavior
During this time period we see a decline in the belief that abnormal behaviors stems from demons or evil spirits, begin to adopt more methodical approach
- German physician Johann Weber: 1st physician to specialize in mental illness, believed the mind like the body was susceptible to sickness like the body
- Towards end of this era, treatment decline and asylums rise
Reformation Perspective on Abnormal Behavior
Begin to better the treatment of individuals, the idea that we need to treat people with care and kindness because they are sick
- People with psychological problems increasingly perceived as potentially productive humans
Current Treatment and Prevention Programs
Treatment and prevention programs aim to change “abnormal” behavior into more “normal” behavior
Multicultural Psychology (and how it enhances clinical practices)
A field that examines the impact of culture, race, ethnicity, and gender on behaviors and thoughts, and focuses on how such factors may influence origin, nature, and treatment of abnormal behaviors
- Helps people understand differences in behavior from culture to culture and helps them identify whether or not a certain behavior can be attributed to the “abnormal behavior”
- Emerged from growing diversity in U.S.
Compare/Contrast the Professions that Study/Treat Abnormal Behavior
Psychiatrists: physicians who complete 3-4 additional years of training after medical school (a residency) in the treatment of abnormal mental functioning
Clinical Psychologists: professionals who earn a doctorate in clinical psychology by completing 4-5 years of graduate training in abnormal functioning and its treatment as well as a one year internship in a mental health setting
Clinical Researchers: have worked to determine which concepts best explain+predict abnormal behavior, which treatments are most effective, and what kinds of changes may be required
Influences on Abnormal Psychology
Societal Norms
- What does society say is “normal”
Culture
- ex. Appropriate talking, eye contact, beliefs, etc.
Context
- Reasoning
