Mental Health Psychology - Topic 1

Question 1

Why is it important for us to understand how views on mental illness have changed?

Answer 1

to understand how the views of society may have affected mental illness so that we can work towards a better understanding

Question 2

What can we do with this knowledge?

Answer 2

develop the help that we can give to those with mental illnesses, and help mental illness be seen as normal

Question 3

Why does treatment need to change?

Answer 3

to find new treatments

stop it being seen as negative

Question 4

What are the biggest issues to do with mental illness in this country?

Answer 4

GPs aren’t qualified to deal with mental illness
budget cuts to treatment plans
diagnosis isnt accurate and doctors give medication to anyone that seems vaguely like they may have depression

Question 5

What were the beliefs on mental health in the middle ages?

Answer 5

not god given

impure soul

Question 6

How were those with mental illnesses treated by society in the middle ages?

Answer 6

through religion and processes being carried out by the churches

Question 7

What treatments were used in the middle ages?

Answer 7

exorcisms
shaving crosses
Bedlam founded in 1247 to lock them away from society

Question 8

What are the beliefs on mental health in the 21st century?

Answer 8

due to brain structure
nature and nurture
childhood experiences

Question 9

How are those with mental illnesses treated by society in the 21st century?

Answer 9

doctors
psychologists
talk therapy

Question 10

What treatments are used in the 21st century?

Answer 10

therapy
medication
support groups

Question 11

What are historical views on homosexuality?

Answer 11

gay marriage legalised in England
not legal in northern ireland
elderly have different views
declassified as mental illness in 1973 in UK

Question 12

What are cultural views on homosexuality?

Answer 12

punished by death in middle east

more accepted where religion is less central

Question 13

What is abnormal behaviour?

Answer 13

behaviour that differs from the norm

doesnt conform to social demands

Question 14

What are two definitions of abnormality according to Rosenhan and Seligman?

Answer 14

deviation from social norms

deviation from ideal mental health

Question 15

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 15

not fitting with what is socially acceptable

just because they differ, doesnt mean they are mentally ill

Question 16

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 16

if someone does not fit with the idea of normality
3 factors necessary for good mental health:
-> resistant to stress
-> positive attitude
-> capable of personal growth

Question 17

What 2 manuals are used to classify mental disorders?

Answer 17

ICD & DSM

Question 18

What are the key features of the ICD?

Answer 18

used worldwide
created in victorian era as causes of death manual
groups disorders by common symptoms
developed by WHO (World Health Organisation)

Question 19

What are the key features of the DSM?

Answer 19

USA and UK
various aspects of a person’s functioning seperately
rigid and standardised structure
developed by American Psychiatric Association (APA)