Lecture 2: Models of Abnormality Flashcards
models/paradigms
perspectives in science that are used to explain events and assumptions, and guide treatment techniques and principles
biological model
someone’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior can be explained by biological means
brain anatomy and chemistry
neurons communicate via neurotransmitters at synapses
- can also communicate with hormones
- disorders have been linked to certain brain regions, neurotransmitters, or hormones
three factors that cause biological abnormalities
- genetics: heritable information that is passed down from parents to siblings that is stored in genes (mutation/result of evolution)
- evolution: mental disorders might have been adaptive; they have helped individuals to survive and reproduce in the past
- viral infection: exposure to viruses may cause psychological disorders
biological treatments
try to find the physical sources of dysfunciton to choose a treatment
drug therapy
psychotropic medications = drugs that affect emotions and thoughts
- antianxiety drugs
- antidepressant drugs
- antibipolar drugs (mood stabilizers)
- antipsychotic drugs (reduce confusion, delusions, and hallucinations)
psychosurgery
brain surgery to reduce mental disorders
brain stimulation
- electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) = two electrodes are placed on the forehead that send a short-lived charge of electricity through the brain; used for depression unresponsive to other treatments
- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- deep brain stimulation (DBS)
strengths and weaknesses of biological treatments (general)
- strengths: produces new information, treatments bring relief when other treatments fail
- weaknesses: limits understanding of abnormalities by excluding nonbiological factors, producing undesirable effects
psychodynamic model (Freud)
behavior is influenced by unconscious forces, and abnormal behavior is a result of conflict between these forces
- based on Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis (Id, Ego, Superego)
Id
unconscious instinctual needs, pleasure principle (= always seek gratification)
Ego
unconscious reason, reality principle (= it can be unacceptable to express our id impulses)
Superego
conscious morality, morality principle (= a sense of what is right and what is wrong)
Ego defense mechanisms
control unacceptable id impulses and avoid or reduce the anxiety they arouse
repression
person avoids anxiety by simply not allowing painful or dangerous thoughts to become conscious
denial
person simply refuses to acknowledge the existence of an external source of anxiety
projection
person attributes his or her own unacceptable impulses, motives, or desires to other individuals
rationalization
person creates a socially acceptable reason for an action that actually reflects unacceptable motives
displacement
person displaces hostility away from a dangerous object and onto a safer substitute
intellectualization
person represses emotional reactions in favor of overly logical response to a problem
regression
person retreats from an upsetting conflict to an early developmental stage in which no one is expected to behave maturely or responsible
self-theory
emphasizes unified personality
object-relations theory
emphasizes relationships with others
psychodynamic therapies
aim to uncover past traumas and the resulting inner conflicts; once the conflicts are resolved, personal development can resume
- free association
- therapist interpretation
- catharsis
- working through
free association
naming any thought that comes to mind
therapist interpretation
drawing conclusions from patients’ words and behaviors; interpretation is particularly important for the following phenomena:
- resistance = unconscious refusal to fully participate in therapy
- transference = redirection toward psychotherapist of feelings associated with important figures in patient’s life and dream interpretation
- dreams = they are seen as the “royal road to the unconscious”
catharsis
relieving repressed feelings
working through
examining the same issue multiple times to gain insight
short-term psychodynamic therapies
patient chooses a single problem to focus on for the short-term