Chapter 2 - Theoretical Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior Flashcards
Why are Diagnostic Classification Systems important?
- Provides nomenclature and the structure of information
- Has social and political implications
- Classifies disorder, not the person
What is the definition of a Mental Disorder (DSM)?
A clinically significant behavioural or psychological syndrome or pattern. Associated with distress or disability.
What are some problems associated with DSMs?
- Stigma
- Stereotyping
- Labeling
- Comorbidity (having more than one psych. disorder at a time)
Prevalence
the number of active cases in a population during and given period of time
Incidence
the number of new cases in a population over a given period of time
Epidemiology
the study of the distribution of diseases, disorders, or health-related behaviours in a given population
What are the most common individual disorders (DSM-IV)?
Major depressive disorder Alcohol abuse Specific phobias Social phobias Conduct disorder
Etiology
the causal pattern of abnormal behavior
Single-factor explanation (for cause of mental disorder)
attempts to trace the origins of a disorder to one factor
Interactionist explanation (for cause of mental disorder)
views behaviours as the product of the interaction of a variety of factors. i.e.. biology & behaviour, cognitive, social and cultural environment
Reinforcing contributory cause
maintaining already-occuring maladaptive behaviour. i.e. afraid of dogs, so stays away from dogs
What is one thing that can sometimes be manipulated to alleviate disorders with biological causes?
environment
Diathesis
a vulnerability or predisposition to a particular disorder. Can be social, psychological or biological - long term, in the past, ongoing
Stress
the response of an individual to demands perceived as taxing. Can be social, psychological or biological - trigger, dramatic, less ongoing
Diathesis - stress model
A model that posits that abnormal behaviour problems involve the interaction of a vulnerability/predisposition with stressful life events or experiences
Protective factors
influences that change a person’s response to environmental stressors, making negative consequences less likely
Resilience
the ability to adapt successfully to very difficult circumstances.
Viewpoints
theoretical constructions devised to orient psychologists in the study of abnormal behavior
What are the benefits of viewpoints?
- Help professionals organize observations
- Provide systems of though
- Suggest areas of focus
How are mental disorders seen from a traditional biological viewpoint?
Diseases
What are the 5 categories of biological factors related to the development of maladaptive behaviour?
- Neurotransmitter and brain hormonal imbalances
- Genetic vulnerabilities
- Temperament/other constitutional liabilities
- Brain dysfunction/neural plasticity
- Physical deprivation/disruption
Neurotransmitters
Chemical substances that carry messages from one neurone to the next
How do neurons communicate?
By releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse
Synapse
Tiny space between neurons
What do axons do?
Carry the nerve impulse to the dendrites
What do dendrites do?
Pick up the activity from the neighbouring neurons
What can result from neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain?
abnormal behaviour
Hormones
Chemical messengers secreted by a set of endocrine glands in our bodies
Abnormalities in the structure or number of chromosomes are associated with what?
Malfunctions and disorders eg. down syndrome
Genotype
a person’s total genetic endowment
Phenotype
the observed structural and functional characteristics
Passive effect
a genotype-environment correlation resulting from the genetic similarity of parents and children
Evocative effect
a genotype-environment correlation where a child’s phenotype evokes particular kinds of reactions from the social and physical environment
Active effect
a genotype-environment correlation where a child seeks out or builds an environment that is congenial
Genotype-environment interaction
refers to the fact that genes may influence behaviours that contribute to environmental stressors, which, in turn, increase the risk of psychopathology
How do genetic influences operate in terms of mental disorders?
Polygenetically ie. through the action of many genes together in an additive or interactive fashion
What are the three traditionally used methods in studying behaviour genetics?
- The family history method
- The twin method
- The adoption method
Concordance
When another family member displays the same disorder as the index case (person being studied)
Psychodynamic viewpoint
4 features control behaviour/thinking: (via Freud)
- Levels of consciousness
- Structures of personality
- Stages of psychosexual development
- Defense mechanisms
What are the levels of consciousness in the psychodynamic viewpoint?
Conscious - information in our current awareness
Unconscious - primary, behaviour-driving eg. hunger
Preconscious - Information that is not in awareness but can be brought into it
What are the structures of personality in the psychodynamic viewpoint?
Id
Ego
Superego
Id
source of instinctual drives
Ego
mediates the demands of the id and the realities of the external world
Superego
outgrowth of internalizing the taboos and moral values of society
How does the Ego deal with neurotic or moral anxiety?
By resorting to irrational protective measures. ie. ego-defense mechanisms
Ego-defense mechanism: Repression
burying in the unconscious the unacceptable impulses of the id
Ego-defense mechanism: Regression
employing behaviors typical of an earlier stage of development
Ego-defense mechanism: Projection
attributing one’s own desires to others
Ego-defense mechanism: Intellectualization
hiding the real issues behind a screen of abstract analyses
Ego-defense mechanism: Denial
refusal to acknowledge an unpleasant reality
Ego-defense mechanism: Displacement
the transfer of feelings from one person to another, less threatening person
Ego-defense mechanism: Reaction formation
repressing unacceptable desires by expressing the opposite viewpoint
Ego-defense mechanism: Sublimation
transformation of sexual or aggressive energy into some more acceptable activity
What are the stages of psychosexual development?
Oral (0-2 yrs) Anal (2-3 yrs) Phallic (2-6 yrs) Latency (6-12 yrs) Genital (puberty and beyond)
How did Freud connect the psychosexual phases to abnormal behaviour?
He believed that life events could cause someone to get ‘stuck’ at a particular stage, which came out in their behavior
Oedipus/Electra complex
When a child resents same-sex parent and developed an unhealthy attachment to the the other gender parent. Results from being ‘stuck’ at Phallic stage
What is the Behavioural Perspective?
The idea that behaviour can be learned and changed through the process of classical conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus
a stimulus that elicits and unlearned response
Unconditioned Response
an unlearned response
Conditioned Stimulus
a previously neutral stimulus that evokes a conditioned response after repeated pairings with an unconditioned stimulus that had previously evoked that response
Conditioned Response
a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus
Classical conditioning
a form of learning in which a response to one stimulus can be made to occur to another stimulus by pairing or associating the two stimuli
Operant conditioning
a form of learning in which behaviour is acquired and strengthened when it is reinforced
Reinforcement
changes in the environment (stimuli) that increase the frequency of the preceding behavior
Positive reinforcers
reinforcers that, when introduced, increase the frequency of the preceding behavior
Negative reinforcers
reinforcers that, when removed, increase the frequency of the preceding behavior
Punishment
application of aversive or painful stimuli that reduces the frequency of the behaviour it follows
Generalization
when a response is conditioned to one stimulus it can be evoked by other similar stimuli
Discrimination
when a person learns to distinguish between similar stimuli
Social Learning Theory
a learning-based theory that emphasizes observational learning and incorporates roles for cognitive variables in determining behavior
Modeling
learning by observing and imitating the behaviours of others
Expectancies
beliefs about expected outcomes
What is the basis of Cognitive Models of study?
That our interpretations of events is what determines our response, emotional state and if it devolves into abnormal behaviour. ( as opposed to the actual events)
Who used the ‘ABC approach’ to explain the causes of misery?
Albert Ellis - prominent cognitive theorist
What is the ‘ABC approach’?
A - Activating event
B - Beliefs
C - Consequences
The relationship between A and C depends on B
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping clients replace irrational, maladaptive beliefs with alternative, more adaptive beliefs
Schema
an underlying representation of knowledge that guides the current processing of information
What does Aaron Beck believe is the cause of depression?
‘cognitive distortions’ (ie. errors in thinking) - interpreting events in a negative light
Cognitive Therapy
a therapeutic approach that encourages clients to recognize and change their cognitive distortions
Cognitive - Behavioural Perspective
a perspective that focuses on how thoughts and information processing can become distorted and then result in maladaptive emotions/behavior
Humanistic Model: Abraham Maslow
people behave dysfunctionally as a result of experience that diverts them from self-actualization
Humanistic Model: Carl Rogers
abnormal behaviour results form a distorted view of self which comes from an inability to trust experience
Self-actualization
the tendency to strive to become ‘all that you can be.’ The motive that pushes one to reach full potential and express unique capabilities
What are the levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
Physiological Safety Love/Belonging Esteem Self-actualization
What is the focus of Humanistic Therapies?
The clients subjective, conscious experiences
The present, here and now
Person-centered therapy
a therapeutic approach that uses a warm, accepting therapeutic relationship to encourage a client to engage in self-exploration and achieve self-acceptance.
Non directive, extensive use of reflection
Psychosocial Causal Factors
developmental influences that may handicap a person psychologically
What are some psychosocial causal factors?
Early deprivation or trauma
Inadequate parenting styles
Marital discord/divorce
Maladaptive relationships
Sociocultural viewpoint
A viewpoint that sees the social environment as a source of either vulnerability or resistance to mental disorder
Sociocultural Causal Factors
sociocultural factors that are associated with a greater risk of various disorders
What are some examples of sociocultural causal factors?
Low SES Unemployment Subjection to prejudice/discrimination Social change/uncertainty Gender Social support levels
Biopsychosocial Perspective
a perspective that examines the contributions of multiple factors representing biological, psychological, and sociocultural domains as well as their interactions, in the development of psychological disorders
