Defining Abnormal Psychology Flashcards
What is the definition of abnormal psychology?
The branch of the science of psychology that addresses the description, causes, and treatment of abnormal behaviour patterns
How do we define abnormal behaviour?
- is the behaviour unusual?
- does the behaviour violate social norms?
- does the behaviour involve a faulty interpretation of reality?
- does the behaviour cause personal distress?
- is the behaviour maladaptive?
- is the behaviour dangerous?
Descriptors of Abnormality
Deviant
Different
Disordered
Bizarre
What factors affect our perceptions of what is normal?
Culture and context
Risk factors for developing a psychological disorder
Age Education Childhood trauma Current stress Life events Lack of social supports Gender Physical health
The demonological model
Demonic possession is what causes abnormal behaviour
The treatment was trephining
Trephining
Cutting a hole in the skull to release the spirits
The origins of the medical model
Hippocrates and ill humours
Abnormal behaviour is the result of underlying biological processes
Treatment of mental patients during medieval times
Abnormal behaviour was a sign of possession of evil spirits or the devil
The treatment was exorcisms
Witchcraft and Abnormal Behaviour
So-called witches may have been people who were actually mentally disturbed
Persecuted because their abnormal behaviour was taken as evidence they were in league with the devil
Malleus Maleficarum
Asylums in Europe and the New World
Residents were held in disgusting conditions and often chained up
Some asylums became a public spectacle
The Reform Movement
The idea that people who behave abnormally suffer from diseases and should be treated humanely
Was not popular at the time
Moral Therapy
The belief that providing humane treatment in a relaxed, decent, and encouraging environment could restore functioning
Phenothiazines
A group of antipsychotic drugs that help suppress the more flagrant behaviour patterns associated with schizophrenia
The Community Mental Health Movement
Mental illness should be treated as a medical condition in a medical facility
Deinstitutionalization
The belief that psychiatric patients would benefit from the opportunity to lead more independent and full-filling lives in the community while relying on general hospitals for short-term care during episodes
Psychiatric Homelessness
As deinstitutionalization left fewer beds for mental patients, poorer people left behind in the shuffle ended up on the streets
The Biological Perspective
Mental disorders are diseases of the brain with underlying biological defects or abnormalities
Dementia Praecox
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are caused by a biochemical imbalance
General Paresis
A degenerative brain disorder that occurs during the final stage of syphilis
The Psychological Perspective
Organic factors alone could not explain abnormal behaviour
Charcot
Experimented with hypnosis in treating hysteria
-a condition in which people present physical symptoms with no underlying physical cause
These symptoms could be removed by means of hypnotic suggestion
The Sociocultural Perspective
Psychological problems are rooted in the social ills of society, such as poverty, lack of economic opportunity, rapidly changing social values and morals, race and gender discrimination
The Homelessness in Canada
Lack of available housing, transitional care facilities, and effective case management for homeless Canadians who have psychological disorders and addictions
Biological Perspectives vs the Medical Model
A focus on biological factors does not require the medical model
Epigenetics
The study of the heritable and acquired changes in genes
Norepinephrine
Excesses and deficiencies linked to mood disorders and eating disorders
Acetylcholine
Reduced levels linked to Alzheimer’s disease