Individual Differences Flashcards
Psychologists research individual differences. Name the 4 main approaches for doing so.
The Biological Approach
The Behaviourist Approach
The Psychodynamic Approach
The Cognitive Approach
Name 4 main methods for studying Individual Differences
Case Studies
Meta-analysis
Correlational Studies
Physiological Studies (like brain scanning)
What is Meta-analysis?
This where you analyse results from loads of different studies and reach some general conclusions.
Psychologists like to classify people - what is the DSM-IV?
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
It contains all known medical health disorders and people can be rated on multiple axes/dimensions.
Name the study that showed how psychiatric classifications could be wrong
Rosenhan (1973) - being sane in insane places
Method: eight normal people got themselves admitted to mental hospitals by saying that they heard the word “thud” in their heads
Results: all were admitted to the mental hospital and it took on average over two weeks to get out! After this experiment, the embarrassed psychiatrists told him to repeat the experiment. This time the psychiatrists unmasked over 40 patients who they thought were in the experiment. And Rosenhan revealed no pseudo patients had actually been sent at all!
Conclusion: medical staff could not distinguish between sane and insane people.
Evaluation: field study so unable to control all variables. The pseudopatients did lie to get in - staff would not normally expect people to want to get in! Ethical considerations!
SEE YOUTUBE “Rosenhan’s Experiment:Being Sane In Insane Places(excerpt)” by ClassroomVideo
And YOUTUBE “Laing&Rosenhan-Being Sane in Insane Places(The “thud” Experiment)
What is Abnormality?
One definition is “Deviation from the Social Norm”
Another definition is “Failure to function adequately”
The idea of Mental Health varies across time and culture.
And may be biased by stereotypes, such as gender or race or sexual preferences
How can you define “Failure to function adequately”?
- Dysfunctional behaviour
- Observer discomfort
- Unpredictable behaviour
- Irrational behaviour
- Personal distress
If you can tick more than one box!
Jahoda identified 6 conditions associated with mental health. What are they?
- Positive self-attitude
- Self-actualisation
- Resistance to stress
- Personal autonomy
- Accurate perception of reality
- Adaptation to the environment
But…….
A violent offender may have a positive self attitude and be resistant to stress etc - but would you consider them to be in good mental health?
What symptoms does the Department of Health say are associated with mental illness?
One or more of the following symptoms (not temporary)
- Impairment of intellectual functions (memory, comprehension)
- Mood alterations
- Delusional beliefs
- Disordered thinking
What is self-actualisation?
Realising your potential, being fulfilled.
What s Personal Autonomy?
Being in control, making your own decisions
What is the problem with diagnosing mental abnormality?
Feelings are subjective - personal to the individual
Different approaches have different definitions of abnormal
There may be different causes
Labelling may change behaviour
What are the 4 different approaches to defining and treating abnormalities?
Psychodynamic
Biological
Behaviourist
Cognitive
What is the Biological Model of Abnormality?
This model assumes that psychological disorders are physical illnesses with physical causes.
What, according to the Biological Model, are the causes of psychological disorders?
- Genetics - like Huntingdon’s disease
- Neurotransmitters - for example, increased levels of dopamine is linked to schizophrenia - cocaine increases dopamine levels
- Infection - for example, syphilis causes delusions
- Brain injury