Lecture 1: Introduction to Models of Abnormality

Question 1

What 4 factors contribute to the empirical method to sutdy

Answer 1

1) description (classification and diagnosis)
2) causation (bio-psycho-social)
3) Treatment (effectiveness)
4) of Psychological ‘Abnormality’ => Mental Disorders

Question 2

What does description entail

Answer 2

how reliable, valid. need to know which category ostensibly generalised symptoms fit into.

Question 3

what is abnormal?

Answer 3

the 3-ds:
Deviant
Distress
Dysfunctional

Question 4

what are the characteristics of the criteria for abnormality?

Answer 4

• neither on its own is sufficient/necessary
• ALWAYS reflects cultural values and norms
  Deviant - is it unepected/rare, BUT positively valued deviance is possible
  Distress - to self or others? BUT normal distress, manic phase of bipolar
  Dysfunctional - maladaptive and interferes with life goals, aligned with social judgement, e.g. ADHD, BUT pathological independence, psychopaths may be functioning.

Question 5

How does psychological abnormality exist?

Answer 5

On a continuum with normality

Question 6

what type of model does DSM reflect

Answer 6

a biological/medical model

Question 7

what are the different models of mental illness. what do they each suggest as cause and treatment?

Answer 7

1) supernatural
- cause is astrology, past lives
- treatment is exorcism prayer etc
2) biological
- internal physical problems
- treatment is bleeding, celibacy, diet, medication etc
3) psychological
- cause is beliefs, motivation etc
- treatment is ‘talking therapy’, psychotherapy
4) sociocultural
- cause is poverty, prejudice etc
- treatment is fix social ills

Question 8

What did hippocrates do/suggest? What did galen?

Answer 8

1) suggested our experiences are governed by what goes on in our body. He also first proposed hysteria.
2) galen proposed psychotherapy

Question 9

what occurred in the Middle ages?

Answer 9

• Europe: Catholic church took over authority

* Islamic civilisations upheld biological model

Question 10

what happened in Europe 19-20th century?

Answer 10

•Europe 19-20th century: some mental illnesses
found to have physical causes (e.g. germs).
–Psychiatry became a legitimate field of medicine

Question 11

What are 3 assumptions of the biological model?

Answer 11

–Assumes that psychological disorders can be
• Diagnosed similarly to physical illness
• Caused by biological disease processes
»structural brain abnormalities (Schizophrenia)
»neurochemical imbalance (Depression)
• best treated with biological agents: medication,
surgery, ECT

Question 12

•Important criticisms and limitations of biological/medical model?

Answer 12

• Assumes that it is always caused by a biological process which can be identified.
• Not logical to argue backwards eg serotonin AD example

– Need to avoid extreme reductionism
• Certain complex psychological phenomena may be
impossible to explain at the neural/molecular level
– Need to avoid over-extrapolation from animal research
– Need to avoid assuming causation from treatment
– The medical model may not be applicable to
conceptualising and diagnosing ‘mental illness’ e.g.,
• Clear boundary between physical health and illness
– But: continuity between mental health and disorder