Chapter 3: Models of Abnormality

Question 1

Biological model states

Answer 1

that abnormal behavior is brought about by malfunctioning parts in brain anatomy or chemistry

Question 2

Brain anatomy and abnormal behavior

Answer 2

researchers have discovered connections between certain psychological disorders and problems in specific areas of the brain

Question 3

What disease has been traced to a loss of cells in the basil ganglia and cortex of the brain?

Answer 3

Huntington’s Disease, this would be an example of illness due to problems in the brain anatomy

Question 4

Brain chemistry and abnormal behavior

Answer 4

abnormal activity by certain neurotransmitters can lead to specific mental disorders as well as abnormal chemical activity in the body’s endocrine system

Question 5

Depression is linked to what?

Answer 5

Low activity of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine

Question 6

Anxiety and mood disorders have been linked to what?

Answer 6

abnormal secretions of cortisol in the adrenal glands

Question 7

Why do some people have brain structures or biochemical activities that differ from the norm? What is the source of these biological abnormalities?

Answer 7

Genetics, evolution, viral infections

Question 8

Genetics and biological abnormalities

Answer 8

states that specific genes are passed down that cause the biological abnormalities
examples are schizophrenia, mood disorders, etc.

Question 9

Evolution and biological abnormalities

Answer 9

controversial, not very supported by other scientists, but theorist’s state that specific human reactions that were keen to survival have been passed down throughout generations and are what cause disorder
for instance, fear is said to have been keen to survival for ancestor’s, the ones who survived reproduced and fear was passed down and now this plays out in anxiety disorder and such like this

Question 10

Viral infections

Answer 10

over the past decade, viral infections have sometimes been linked to anxiety, depressive and bipolar disorders

Question 11

Exposure to influenza or related viruses during pregnancy has been related to…

Answer 11

schizophrenia, it is said that lay dorment in baby until adolescent years where it plays out in schizophrenia

Question 12

Assessing biological model

Answer 12

strengths: constantly producing good and valuable information, has actual relief for disorders
weaknesses: can limit rather than enhance understanding because it leaves out social factors and psychological factors, treatments do not work for everyone

Question 13

Psychodynamic model (oldest and most popular)

Answer 13

based on the belief that a person’s behavior is determined largely by their unconscious (sigmund freud)
states that internal forces are dynamic, and when these forces become in conflict, this gives rise to abnormal behaviors, thoughts, emotions.

Question 14

Sigmund Freud helped to shape what model?

Answer 14

the psychodynamic model. When working with beruer on hypnotism, they found that hypnosis allowed people to talk about past traumatic experiences which led to them being healed (Patient Anna O.) Off of this, Freud developed the psychoanalytic theory.

Question 15

Freud’s 3 central forces

Answer 15

Freud believed that there were 3 internal, unconscious, dynamic forces that shaped our identities and actions.
ID, ego and superego

Question 16

Ego

Answer 16

reality principle
we cannot always act on our ID impulses, so it guides us to when we can and cannot express ID impulses
- ego defense mechanisms such as repression to control impulses

Question 17

Superego

Answer 17

morality principle

we unconsciously learn from parent’s values to develop a conscience

Question 18

How do Freud’s 3 psychodynamic stages explain dysfunction?

Answer 18

These 3 internal stages should work together, however, if they get out of a healthy conflict to which it is excessive, there is a dysfunction.

Question 19

Developmental Stages

Answer 19

each stage of development brought changes in id, ego and superego. If we don’t make it successfully through each stage, we get fixated which hinder all future development and this leads to psychological abnormalities such as depression

Question 20

Psychodynamic vs. Freud

Answer 20

people thought he focused on sex too much but agreed with some of his basic ideas. The Vienna Psychoanalytic Society split because of their differences and shaped their own theories.
ego theorists, self theorists, object-relations theorists

Question 21

Therapist Interpretation

Answer 21

the therapist listens, draws conclusions and shares interpretations when they believe patient is ready to hear them
3 types: resistance- patients show resistance because topic is too hard to talk about
transference- when patient acts and feels toward the therapist as they did or do toward important persons in their lives, parents, siblings, spouses
Dreams: therapist interprets manifest content to latent content

Question 22

Catharsis

Answer 22

reliving past repressed feelings to settle internal conflicts

Question 23

working through

Answer 23

examining the same issues over and over in the course of many sessions, each time with greater clarity

Question 24

contemporary trends

Answer 24

short-term: work on a single issue and find the underlying issue to that one problem
relational: you as a therapist become part of therapy and tell your reactions

Question 25

Is psychodynamic model good?

Answer 25

strengths: Freud had a big impact and was the first to believe that we could treat psychological problems without being a medical doctor, sees abnormal functioning as the same processes of normal functioning, applies theory and techniques systematically
weakness: supported ideas which is not able to research such as the unconscious mind which is inexcessible

Question 26

Biological treatments available

Answer 26

drug therapy-most common, electroconvulsive therapy, psychosurgery (neurosurgery)

Question 27

Drug therapy explained…

Answer 27

most common form

psychotropic medications are used to affect emotions and thought processes

Question 28

Electroconvulsive therapy

Answer 28

ECT, is used primarily on depressed patients when medication does not seem to work
In this procedure, an electrical current is sent through the brain at about 65-140 volts which causes a brain seizure for a few minutes. 7-9 ECTs spaced between 2-3 days a part has been shown to reduce depression considerably

Question 29

Psychosurgery/neurosurgery

Answer 29

Brain surgery for mental disorders
Very experimental and is used as a last resort for disorders that have lasted a long time with no response to other treatments

Question 30

ID

Answer 30

Freud attributed to instinctual needs, drives, impulses. Said that it was a part of the pleasure principle and that it was always seeking gratification

Question 31

Ego theorists

Answer 31

believe ego is more independent and powerful than Freud believed

Question 32

Self theorists

Answer 32

believe the basic human motive is to strengthen self

Question 33

Object relations theorists

Answer 33

believe that people are motivated mainly by a need to have relationships with others and severe problems in relationships between children and caregivers may lead to abnormal development

Question 34

What are the psychodynamic theories?

Answer 34

Free association, therapist interpretation, catharsis, working through