Week 1 Chapter 1 Summary CF

Question 1

What is the study of psychopathology concerned with?

Answer 1

*A search for the reasons why people behave, think, and feel in unexpected, sometimes odd, and possibly self-defeating ways.

Question 2

What is an important consideration when working with people who have a mental illness or disorder?

Answer 2

*To recognise there is often a stigma attached with having a mental disorder and to attempt to reduce the associated stigma

Question 3

What do psychologists consider when evaluating whether a behaviour is part of a mental disorder?

Answer 3

Psychologists consider several different characteristics including personal distress, disability, violation of social norms, and dysfunction.

• The DSM definition includes all these
• Each characteristic tells us something about what can be considered a mental disorder, but no one by itself provides a satisfactory definition.

Question 4

List some of the various explanations for mental disorders.

Answer 4

• Supernatural e.g. demonology, (possession & exorcism), witches, lunatics
• Biological e.g. Hippocrates and eugenics
• Psychological causes e.g. disordered thinking

Question 5

What were some of the treatments for mental illness across history?

Answer 5

*Exorcism
*Burning / drowning
*15th Century - Bethlehem asylum
*Psychoanalysis
*Behaviourism: Conditioning
*Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Psychopharmacological treatments

Question 6

What are some of the health care professionals who work with people experiencing mental health issues?

Answer 6

*Clinical Psychologists
*Psychiatrists
*Counselling Psychologists
*Psychiatric Nurses
*Social Workers
*Counsellors including Marriage guidance and family therapists
Some will have an emphasis on research, psychological assessment, psychotherapy, or Psychopharmacology