Exam 3 Flashcards
Criteria for abnormal behavior
Abnormal behavior is any behavior that deviates from what is considered normal. There are four general criteria that psychologists use to identify abnormal behavior: violation of social norms, statistical rarity, personal distress, and maladaptive behavior.
Models of psychopathology
- Medical model
- Bio-Psycho-Social Model
- Psychoanalytic Model
- Behavioral Model
Medical model
The medical model of psychopathology is a framework that views mental illness as a disease caused by physical or organic problems in the brain, genetics, neurotransmitters, or other biological factors.
Examples: Depression and anxiety, Traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, and Down’s syndrome
Bio-Psycho-Social model
The BPS model incorporates interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors to help determine why an individual might suffer from a disorder.
Examples: Depression, Chronic pain, or Schizophrenia
Psychoanalytic model
This model views mental disorders as arising from unconscious conflicts and repressed memories, primarily stemming from early childhood experiences, which manifest as symptoms in conscious behavior.
Example: a person developing an intense, irrational fear of spiders as an adult due to an unconscious childhood trauma where they were bitten by a spider, causing them to associate spiders with extreme anxiety, even though they may not consciously remember the incident
Behavioral model
Behavioral model is a model of abnormal psychology that assumes that psychological issues are caused by learned behaviors and environmental factors
Example: the development of a phobia through classical conditioning
Mythical Madness
“Mythical Madness” in the context of psychopathology refers to the ancient belief that mental illness was caused by supernatural forces, like possession by demons or the wrath of gods
Psychopathology
Psychopathology is the study of mental illness. It includes the signs and symptoms of all mental disorders.
- Major disorders categories
- Universal/peripheral (cultural) specifics
- Culture syndromes & examples
Major disorders categories
- anxiety
- mood (depression)
- psychoticism (schizophrenia)
Anxiety
Anxiety is experienced across all cultures, but the way it is expressed, perceived, and understood can vary significantly depending on cultural norms, with some cultures tending to manifest anxiety more through psychological symptoms like worry, while others may express it primarily through physical symptoms like headaches or stomach upset.
- Western cultures might see anxiety as more psychological (fear, worry)
- Eastern cultures may experience it more physically (dizziness, stomach issues)
- Collectivist cultures might experience anxiety related to group harmony and social expectations
- Individualistic cultures might focus on personal achievement and anxieties related to individual performance
- Asian cultures: Often report more physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and stomach discomfort when experiencing anxiety.
- Mediterranean cultures: May express anxiety through somatic complaints and strong emotional reactions.
- Indigenous cultures: Anxiety may be linked to spiritual beliefs and ancestral spirits.
Depression
Depression can manifest differently across cultures, including in how symptoms are expressed, the level of stigma, and how people seek care.
- Universal Symptoms: Dysphoria, Anxiety, Tension, Low Energy/Concentration
- West … Guilt
- Latino & Mediterranean Countries … Headaches
- Asian Countries … Weakness, Imbalance, Fatigue
- Middle East … Problems of the “Heart”
Schizophrenia (1% of World Population)
Schizo = Split … Phrenum = Mind
Individuals from different societies often describing their symptoms in ways influenced by their local beliefs and social norms, including the nature of voices heard being more benign in some cultures compared to others.
For example, in some non-Western cultures, voices may be perceived as spiritual or ancestral guidance rather than purely negative entities as in Western societies.
- Africa and India: Individuals may report hearing voices that are more familiar, benevolent, or ancestral in nature compared to Western experiences.
- East Asian cultures: Delusions of guilt or shame related to family honor may be more prominent.
- Indigenous cultures: Some cultures may interpret psychotic symptoms as a sign of spiritual connection or a shamanistic ability.
Personality disorders
Father of Western psychotherapy
Sigmund Freud
Indigenous healing practice
- Religion & Spirituality
- Indigenous healing practices are often holistic and informal, and they emphasize interdependence in healing. They can be effective for some populations, and they can lead to new treatments for illnesses.
Examples:
- Japanese Naikan Therapy: psychotherapeutic method that involves self-reflection and is intended to promote personal growth, self-awareness, and gratitude
- African Oracle: Spirit World