personality - personality disorders

Question 1

objectives

Answer 1

-what causes them (eg biological,childhood,environment) according to the personality theories
-are they qualitativley different from healthy personalities (eysenck:no, contn=inuum; cattell : yes) spectrum hypothesis
-how can they be treated

Question 2

clusters of personality disorders dsm-iv

Answer 2

-odd/eccentric behaviour
-dramatic, emotional behaviour
-high levels of fear and anxiety

Question 3

odd/eccentric behaviour

Answer 3

paranoid-exaggerated suspicion and distrust of others: assumption that others’ motives are hostile; highly guarded and emotionally withdrawn
schizoid - detachment from social relationships, flat emotional expression; cold or indifferent to others
schizotypal-behaviour that is odd or peculiar; unusual cognitive or perceptual experiences; acute discomfort with close relationships

Question 4

dramatic/emotional behaviour

Answer 4

antisocial - extreme disregard for others; relationships are dishonest, deceitful and exploitive; typically impulsive and reckless (tend to not know they have a disorder)
borderline- severe instability in emotion and self concept; impulsive and self destructive behaviour (literally borderline)
histrionic- excessive need to be noticed and the centre of attention; emotions shallow and changeable ;engagement with others superficial
narcissistic - high degree of self interest and self importance; callous attitude towards others (tend to not know they have it)

Question 5

high levels of fear and anxiety

Answer 5

avoidant- extreme feelings of inadequacy; avoidance of social activities; inhibited personal relationships ; hypersensitive to criticism
dependent- excessive need to be cared for by others; clinging and submissive behaviour; difficulty making decisions
obsessive compulsive - pre occupied with perfectionism and control, at the expense of flexibility or enjoyment; excessive devotion to work and productivity

Question 6

trait perspective on personality disorders

Answer 6

-personality disorders are an exagerrated form of healthy perosnality (spectrum hypothesis) extreme ends of trait continuum

-personality disorders are biological in origin
-a trait perspective theorist may say if you are conscientious but too much you can develop some form of an obssesive complusive disorder so on an extreme end of the continuum

-big five could be used to determine best therapy
-eg low in openess- best helped through directive treatment including meds
-high in openess- best treated by exploring with psychoanalysis, or humanistic self actualisation