culture Flashcards
define culture
all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation. varies across different parts of the world between religious groups in the same region, mean and women and even between different age groups
what viewpoint suggests that culture should not effect mental illness
scientific model. the idea that if mental illness is scientific then culture should not effect diagnosis as it should be explain in a scientific way ie SZ is a mental illness that is diagnosed globally and effects 1% of the entire population so it is scientific as their is a biological factor ie NT that are a cause of mental illness. However in some cultures SZ is seen in a negative way ie that your going crazy but in other is it is seen positively that you are able to speak to the dead. this suggests that whilst diagnosis is scientific, the way it is view is dependent on the cultural expectations and ‘norms’
how is the diagnostic system prejudice
it was designed by middle aged, upper class white men so it is not representative of people in different groups of people who are more commonly defined as ‘abnormal’ for example depression is more commonly identified in women and black people and working class people are more likely to being diagnosed as mentally ill then those from non manual backgrounds.
give research to support that the diagnostic system is prejudice
Harrison found that West Indian patients in Bristol were more likely to be over diagnosed with SZ (type 2 error). suggesting that symptoms of ethnic minority groups are misinterpreted as despite showing that same symptoms they can receive different diagnosis due to their ethnic background.
why might Asian people be less likely to be diagnosed with depression.
rack et al found that it was rare that Asian people would go to the doctor about emotional problems. this may be due to their culture and the idea that they live very closely with family (typically in the same house) so they chose to sort it out with family rather then go to a doctor.
what could be some limitations in diagnosis of other cultures that is alternative to prejudice.
- language difficulties so some symptoms may be lost in translation.
- different moral codes
- lack of understanding of the role of the family
- lack of trust (usually from patient to doctor).
what are cultural bound syndromes
a pattern of mental illness and abnormal behavior that is unique to a specific ethnic or cultural population and does not conform to standard classifications of psychiatric disorders
give some examples of culture bound syndromes
penis panics in Africa and Asia is the idea that males think that their penis is going to retract into their body. women think the same about their breasts. the origin is thought to be witch craft.
Kuru an incurable brain disease found in Papua new guinea, symptoms are headaches, shaking and aching limbs. can lead to death within 18 months. caused by the cultural practise of eating human brain tissue.
In Japan TKS is common in young men causing an excessive fear of embarrassing or offending people. it is based on the emphasis in Japanese culture to not embarrass other and cause shame.
how is dim v addressing cultural effects on diagnosis
- provides a discussion for cultural and ethnic factors of each disorder
2. describes culture could syndromes - section III includes the need to be aware of culture difference but ensure that diagnosis is unaffected by cultural issues.
