INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Flashcards
Also referred to as _____ (literally: “pathology of the mind”) is the study of abnormal behavior.
Psychopathology
▪ It is the application of science in the study of mental disorders.
▪ It is the study of individuals with mental, emotional, and physical pain.
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY or Psychopathology
definitions of what is considered normal behavior describe it as behavior that is socially acceptable to the standards of the society. In short, if behavior is socially acceptable or conforming to the standards of society, then that behavior is normal.
▪ Normal Behavior
Criteria for Normality
- Normality is average
- Normality is social conformity
- Normality is personal comfort
what is accepted by the majority is considered normal. A problem in this definition is that not everything that is accepted by the majority can be considered normal.
Normality is average
Anyone who conforms to the standards of the society is considered normal. Two main problems in this definition put consideration to the Problem of Criminality and the Problem of Social Standards.
Normality is social conformity
If a person feels/experiences pleasure or comfort, then the behavior is considered normal. Likewise, if a person feels/experiences displeasure or discomfort, then that is considered abnormal. Issues with this definition include the Problem of Objective and Subjective Symptoms, the Pro
Normality is personal comfort
Other definitions for normality:
- Normality is Ideal
2. Normality is a process
Criteria for Stating what is Abnormal Behavior
- Cultural Relativism
- Unusualness
- Distress
- Mental Illness
- the view that there are no universal standards or rules for labeling a behavior as abnormal. Behaviors can only be considered abnormal based on or relative to cultural norms.
Cultural Relativism
– behaviors which are considered unusual or deviant are considered as abnormal behaviors. This is tied to cultural relativism since the culture dictates what is usual or unusual.
Unusualness
– behaviors should be considered abnormal only if the individual suffers distress and wishes to be rid of the behaviors.
Distress
– behaviors are not considered abnormal unless they are a part of a mental illness.
Mental Illness
Four D’s of Abnormal Behavior
- Dysfunction
- Distress
- Deviance
- Dangerousness
– behavior causes impairment in social and occupational functioning. This means that the behavior interferes with the person’s ability to form and maintain relationships or hold a job.
- Dysfunction
– Behaviors and feelings that cause distress to the individual or to others around him or her are also likely to be considered abnormal.
- Distress
– deviant and unusual behaviors lead to the judgment of abnormality.
- Deviance
– some behaviors and feelings are of potential harm to the individual, such as suicidal gestures, or to others, such as excessive aggression. Such dangerous behaviors and feelings are often seen as abnormal.
- Dangerousness
The accepted definition of abnormality/psychological disorder, used the DSM-5, describes
behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions that are unexpected in their cultural context and associated with present distress and impairment in functioning, or increased risk of suffering, death, pain, or impairment.
___ saw that abnormal behavior is similar to physical disease, which is caused by a breakdown of the systems of the body. Because of that, the cure for abnormal behavior was to restore bodily health.
Biological Theories
the ___ saw abnormal behavior as a result of divine intervention, curses, demonic possession, or personal sin. To rid the person of such, they turn to religious rituals such as exorcism, confession, and atonement.
supernatural theories
the___ saw abnormal behavior as a result of traumas such as bereavement or chronic stress. In this model, rest, relaxation, and a change of environment can be helpful.
Psychological theories
▪ Father of modern medicine
▪ Abnormal behavior had natural causes, not because of demonological accounts.
▪ All problems are caused by imbalance in the body
▪ Treatment is aimed at balancing
Hippocrates
▪ He and his associates: Hippocratic Corpus - Suggested that psychological disorders can be treated like other diseases. Can be caused by brain trauma or genetics.
Hippocrates
Galen
▪ Physician who continued on the work of Hippocrates
▪ Hippocratic-Galenic Approach: HUMORAL THEORY
• Four Humors in HUMORAL THERAPY:
Blood,
Black Bile,
Yellow Bile,
Phlegm
STD caused by a bacterial microorganism entering the brain. Behavioral and Cognitive Symptoms include believing that everyone is plotting against you or that you are God, as well as other bizarre behaviors.
Syphilis
Cure for syphilis:
penicillin
Champion of the BT in the US, his position is that the cause of insanity is always physical, mentally ill patients are to be treated as though they are physically ill
▪ John P. Grey
Supernatural causes of psychological disorders
Work of the devil or Witchcraft
Demons and Witches
Treatment in Supernatural Tradition:
Exorcism,
Shaving a cross pattern in the hair, or securing sufferers to a wall near the front of a church
Exorcism,
three theories or models which attempt to explain the causes of abnormal behavior.
BIOLOGICAL TRADITION
SUPERNATURAL TRADITION
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRADITION
▪ Insanity was a natural phenomenon, caused by mental and emotional stress, and is curable
▪ Communal treatment for the insane
Stress and Melancholy
-Adviser to the King of France
• Bishop and Philosopher
• Melancholy is the source of bizarre behavior not demons
Nicholas Oresme
Treatment for Possession
▪ AIDS : divine punishment for homosexuality
▪ Exorcism: Reliable, If not, other methods are used such as beating and confinement
▪ Other approaches: Hanging people over a pit full of poisonous snakes or Dipping on icy water
▪ Large-scale outbreak of bizarre behavior during the Middle Ages wherein people go out running in the streets, dancing, shout, rave, and jump
▪ Also called Saint Vitus’ Dance and Tarantism
▪ Believed to be a reaction to insect bites
Mass Hysteria
Rejected possession and suggested that the movement of the moon and the stars had an effect on human behavior
▪ Paracelsus
▪ He suggested that causes of maladaptive behavior were the social and cultural influences and the learning that took place in that environment. This belief was a precursor to modern psychosocial approaches
Plato
▪ 19th century psychosocial approach to mental disorders
▪ Moral = emotional or mental
▪ Treating patients as normally as possible
▪ 16th century Asylums
Moral Therapy
▪ suggested to his patients that their problem was caused by an undetectable fluid found in all living organisms called “animal magnetism,” which could become blocked
Anton Mesmer
started the practice of hypnosis as treatment modality
Jean Charcot -
Use of drugs in therapy
Pharmacotherapy -
- Move to integrate patients with their communities: community-based treatment facilities
Deinstitutionalization
- Team of social workers, therapists and physicians
• COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
- Long-term treatment
- Structured and supportive environment
• HALFWAY HOUSES
- Treatment during the day, live at home during night
• DAY TREATMENT CENTER
PROFESSIONALS WITHIN PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ▪ PhD in Psychology ▪ PsyD Psychiatrists ▪ MD with Psychiatry Residency Psychiatric Social Worker ▪ Master’s Degree in Social Work ▪ Specialized Practice in Psychiatry Psychiatric Nurses ▪ Nursing Graduates ▪ Advanced training in psychiatry Marriage and Family Therapists ▪ Master’s Degree in Counseling ▪ Training
factors that cause a particular behavior
Determinants of behavior
▪ A factor that makes someone prone or susceptible to a certain pathology
Predisposing Factors
Factors that trigger the onset of a certain disorder
▪ Immediate Effect
Precipitating Factors
does not come out at an early stage, only when triggered
Remote Effect
Biological Determinants of Behavior
Can be predisposing or precipitating factor A. Genetic Factor B. Biological Deprivation C. Obnoxious Agents D. Accidents E. Body Constitutions F. Biochemical Factors
Psychological Determinants of Behavior
▪ Can be predisposing or precipitating factor A. Stress B. Frustration C. Over-Use of Defense Mechanisms D. Psychological Deprivation
Socio-cultural Determinants of Behavior
▪ Precipitating factor A. Poverty/Unemployment B. War C. Racial Discrimination D. Rural-Urban Setting E. Residential Mobility
