Exam I, Unit 1: Abnormal behavior Flashcards
Deviance
Behaving differently
(not necessarily indicative of mental illness)
Deviant Behavior
Behaviors that differ from societal norms
Goodness of fit
Understanding behavior in a specific context
(ex: degree to which behavior is problematic depends on environment where occurs)
Normal vs. Abnormal Behavior
Behavior “away from normal”, deviation, not always bad/negative
-If frequent, can lead to dysfunction
Group Expectations
Standards of one group, can conflict with other expectations
Culture
Shared behavior patterns that differentiate one group from another
Culture-Bound Syndromes
Abnormal behaviors specific to a particular location or group
Factors influence expression of abnormal behaviors
1- Personal characteristics (sex, race, ethnicity)
2- SES (family income/edu),
Downward drift
3-Genetic predispositions/ Genetic Trajectory (symptoms vary by age)
Abnormal Behavior- Clinical Definition
-Behavior inconsistent w/ individual’s development, cultural, and societal norms
-Creates emotional distress/interferes w/ daily functioning
Dysfunctional Behaviors
Behaviors that interfere w/ one’s social, occupational, and emotional functioning (distressing)
Categorical Approach
Does patient meet criteria in DSM (y/n?), which one?
Cons of Categorical Approach
-Rarely fall neatly in 1 category
-Symptoms often not sufficient in severity to determine if disorder
Dimensional Approach
Looks at behavior on a continuum of normal to abnormal
Pros of Dimensional Approach
-What is abnormal behavior is constantly changing
-Abnormal behavior can exist on a continuum
Downward Drift
When psychological disorders lead to job loss or limited edu. achievement
Eccentricity
Behavior that violates cultural norms, but not always harmful
-Repeatedly, it may become dangerous
Dangerous behavior
Behavior that comes from intense emotional states or may signal presence of psych disorder
-Often normal behavior
Ancient theories of Abnormal Behavior
Witchcraft, demonic possession, spirits in head
Current view of Abnormal Behavior
Scientific advances can give more insight/lead to better approaches to abnormal behavior
Scientist-Practitioner Model
Psych. use scientific evidence to best treat patients
Biological Models of Abnormal Behavior
1- Biological Model
2- Viral Infection Theory
Psychological Models of Abnormal Behavior
Know behavioral and cognitive model
-Psychodynamic/analytic models–> much mental life unconscious and personality patterns begin to form adulthood
-Contemporary Models–> More focus on conscious
-Cognitive Model
-Humanistic Model
Behavioral Model of Ab. Behavior
Behavior product of environment and biology,
Behavior product of learning
1- Operant Conditioning (Skinner)
2- Observational/Vicarious Learning
Operant Conditioning Model of Ab.
-Behavior is increased or decreased by reinforcement & punishment
-Reinforcement–> strengths behavior
-Shaping–> Process of reinforcing target behavior over time
Sociocultural Model
Abnormal beh. needs to be understood in context of socio-cultural factors (ex: gender roles, SES, social support, race)
-Socio-cultural factors can influence presentation of symptoms
-Important for culture-bound syndromes/descrimination
Biological Model
Abnormal behavior results from biological processes
-Explores role of genetic and hereditary factors
-Brain structure- can show bio scarring/functional changes
Viral Infection Theory
Abnormal behavior can be result of exposure of fetus to toxin or virus
(prenatal/neonatal)
Cognitive Model
Ab. behavior result of distorted cognitive processes
Bio-psycho-social Model
Acknowledges that each case is unique and no one model can fully explain ab. behavior
Diathesis-Stress Model
Psych disorders start w/ genetic predisposition, are latent until a stressful event
(think chicken pox and shingles)
