Abnormal Psychology Chapter 1 Looking at Abnormality Learning

Abnormal Psychology

Chapter 1 Looking at Abnormality

Learning Objectives 1. 2. 3. Discuss the factors that influence whether a behavior is regarded as normal or abnormal. Summarize the different criteria for defining abnormality, and know the strengths and weaknesses of each criterion. Describe the components of maladaptive behavior and how culture and gender may influence maladaptive behavior. Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives, continued 4. 5. 6. Chapter 1 Distinguish among supernatural, and psychological theories of abnormality and discus how each type of theory has led to different ways of treatment. Summarize how people from the Stone Age, the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, and Hebrews thought about abnormality, and how each of these cultures treated the mentally ill. Discuss the historical shift from early asylums in Europe and America to the moral treatment movement. Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives, continued 7. 8. 9. 10. Identify some of the notable figures in Psychology from the late 19 th and early to mid 20 th centuries. Discuss the goal of the deinstitutionalization movement, how communities attempted to achieve that goal, and whether such efforts were successful. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of managed care systems of mental health care service delivery. Discuss the professions within abnormal psychology and how they differ from one another. Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

What Is Normal and Abnormal? A man kissing another man A man barking like a dog Chapter 1 A woman making a shrine and offerings to her dead husband A woman slapping a child A woman refusing to eat for several days A man driving a nail through his hand Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Standards For What Is Normal and Abnormal l l Cultural relativism Unusualness of behavior Discomfort of the person exhibiting the behavior Mental illness Maladaptiveness Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Standard 1: Cultural Relativism l l No universal standards or rules for labeling a behavior as abnormal. Instead, behaviors can only be abnormal relative to cultural norms. Example: In many cultures, family members sleep together in one room, often in the same bed. In the U. S. , it is considered normal for babies to sleep in their own bed in their own room. Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cultural Relativism continued. Gender Role Expectations l l Chapter 1 How are men expected to act? What types of behaviors are discouraged? How are women encouraged to act? What types of behaviors are discouraged? Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Standard 2: Unusualness l Is the behavior rare? (Depends in part on the norms for that behavior in a culture. ) Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Standard 3: Discomfort l l Proponents of this view argue that a behavior is only abnormal if the individual suffers as a result of the behavior(s) and wishes to be rid of them. Some therapists object to the subjective discomfort criterion because people are not always aware of problems that their behavior may create for themselves or others. Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Standard 4: Mental Illness l l Is the behavior caused by an identifiable disease? There is no medical test that identifies this process if it does exist. Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Standard 5: Maladaptiveness • Dysfunction- Does the behavior prevent normal daily functioning? • Distress- Does the person suffer distress? • Deviance- Is the behavior highly unusual? Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Historical Perspectives l Biological theories – l Supernatural theories – l Similar to physical disease, breakdown of some systems of the body. Divine intervention, curses, demonic possession, and personal sin. Psychological theories – Chapter 1 Mental disorders as the result of trauma(s). Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ancient Theories l Stone age – – l Spirit possession Trephination Ancient China – Yin and Yang Emotions controlled by internal organs Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ancient Theories, continued l Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome – – l Primarily “natural” theories Hysteria Medieval views – – Chapter 1 Witchcraft Psychic epidemics Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Growth of Asylums During the Renaissance l As early as the Twelfth Century, hospitals began to include special rooms for people with mental disorders. – – l Asylums were established and run by people who thought mental disorders were medical illnesses. – Chapter 1 Treatment was often inhumane. Example: La Bicetre Hospital Example: Benjamin Rush Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Moral Treatment Of the 18 th Century l l Chapter 1 Movement toward a more humane treatment of the mentally ill Incorporated a psychological view: People become mad because they are separated from nature and succumb to the stresses imposed by the rapid social changes of the period. Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Modern Perspectives l Classification systems using objective criteria and definitions, along with the discovery of syphilis as the cause of general paresis, gave credence to biological factors as a cause of abnormality Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Modern Perspectives, continued l l l Chapter 1 Psychoanalytic perspective focused on the role of the unconscious Behaviorism examined the role of reinforcement and punishment in determining behavior Cognitive approach recognized that how people think about their world determines their emotions and behaviors Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Patient’s Rights Movement l Mental patients could recover more fully or live more satisfying lives if they were integrated into the community, with the support of community-based treatment facilities. Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Professions Within Abnormal Psychology Psychiatrists Clinical psychologists Clinical social workers Psychiatric nurses Marriage and family therapists Chapter 1 Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.