Chapter 1 Definitions of Abnormal 1 Definitions of
Chapter 1. Definitions of “Abnormal” 1
Definitions of “abnormal” Ø Difficulty in coping as perceived by the individual. Ø Difficulty in coping as perceived by others. ØTheoretical model. Ø Statistical deviation. Ø Cultural & social norms. Ø What is included in a diagnostic system (e. g. DSM-IV) Ø Deviancy depends upon the context or situation. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Markers of abnormality ØBehavior ØFeelings or affect ØThought or cognitive process ØPhysiological responses ØExternal situation Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
A Working Definition of “Abnormal Behavior” Abnormal behavior is maladaptive behavior--any behavior that does not facilitate the ultimate well-being of the individual and/or the group. A behavior is abnormal if it keeps the individual from coping with the normal stresses of life. (Note that this definition begs the question of what the "normal” stresses of life are). Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
The Vulnerability Model Vulnerability (biological, psychological, and social) Processes (Biological, psychological, and social) Outcome Stressor Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Epidemiological Perspectives Prevalence--the rate of both new & existing cases Point prevalence - the proportion of people who have a disorder at a specific time Lifetime prevalence -the proportion of people in the general population who have ever had a particular disorder Incidence--the rate of new cases during a defined period of time Risk factor--a specific characteristic or condition whose presence is associated with an increased likelihood that a specific disorder is present, or will develop at a later date. Resiliency factor- a specific characteristic or condition whose presence is associated with an decreased likelihood that a specific disorder is present, or will develop at a later date. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Mental Health Professions Ø Psychologist Ø Psychiatrist Ø Social worker Ø Psychiatric nurse (also R. N. , Clinical Nurse Specialist) Ø Occupational therapist Ø Family Therapist Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
A Brief History of Abnormal Psychology 8 Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Models in Psychopathology ØDemonological ØMedical/ biological model ØEnvironmental/ social model ØPsychogenic model ØVulnerability model--biopsychosocial model To some degree, all of these models still prevail today. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Historical Highlights Stone Age; trephination, religious accounts of abnormal behavior Early Chinese, Hebrews, Greeks Hippocrates (470 - 370 BC) - "humours" or bodily fluids: excess or too little of each led to problems, as follows. 1. Blood changeability 2. Black bile melancholic 3. Yellow bile anxiety 4. Phlegm sluggish Recognized disorders: 1) mania; 2) melancholia; 3) phrenitis or swelling of the brain. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Historical Highlights- continued Dark Ages (200 A. D. to the Renaissance). European Middle Ages Throughout this period, there was increased conflict between the church & witchcraft— Dancing Manias "Malleus Maleficarum” (The Witch Hammer) Salem Witch Trials Exorcism was a common treatment Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Saint Catherine Exorcising a Possessed Woman (by Girolamo Di Benvenuto) Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Historical Highlights- continued • Establishment of Mental Hospitals or Asylums • E. g. St. Mary’s of Bethlehem- 1547 • Reform– P. Pinel (1745 - 1815) • Benjamin Rush (1745 - 1813)-- moral treatment. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Historical Highlights- continued • Middle to late 1800 s: Emergence of psychiatry (primarily medical model) • Early diagnosis: E. Kraepelin (1856 -1926) • Psychological Theories & Causes (Freud, Jung, Adler) • Behavioral models (1920 s) • The “Third Force”- humanistic models • Biological models (especially since 1950 s and 60 s) • Deinstitutionalization • Cognitive revolution in psychology (1970 s and continuing) Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Research Methods 16 Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Steps in Research 1. Specify the topic as clearly & precisely as possible. 2. Review the relevant literature. 3. Define the variables: - Independent variables are conditions or factors that are being studied or manipulated - Dependent variables are what your observe as outcomes 4. Develop a specific hypothesis or hypotheses. 5. Select a research strategy--how will the hypothesis be tested? 6. Conduct the study. 7. Analysing the result, using descriptive and/or inferential statistics. The former describe the sample (e. g. means, s. d. ) & the latter provide probabilistic judgments. 8. Report the findings. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Types of Research- I Case studies--Usually detailed clinical description of a single subject --can provide important ideas or hypotheses regarding a specific disorder, theory, etc. May be useful for rare disorders. Correlational studies--look at the relationships between variables or sets of variables--again, has limited utility, but can provide useful preliminary information. Assessment studies--use of objective, standardized assessment data on small or large groups of people. Essentially correlational in nature. Epidemiological studies of population disorders fall in this category. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Correlational Patterns Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Types of Research- II Epidemiological designs Cross-sectional studies– done at a specific point in time, with specific individuals. Longitudinal studies--assessment studies done over time, with the same group of individuals. Follow-up studies--follow-up of smaller, more specific group of individuals, usually shorter time period than longitudinal. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Types of Research- III Experimental studies--usually use inferential statistics. Two major types: 1. Hypothesis-testing experiment 2. Behavior-change experiment or N =1 designs(do the treatment methods impact the expected behavior change? ). Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Hypothesis testing Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
The results of a (hypothetical) true experiment The treatment of Panic Disorder; using self-reported anxiety as the outcome Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
A hypothetical N = 1 design The treatment of social anxiety using behavioral assignments Pre-intervention Post-intervention Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Research Design, Statistical Analysis & Inference Internal validity--are the results of the study attributable to the manipulation of the I. V. ? A well controlled study usually has good internal validity. External validity--do these results reflect any external reality? Is the manipulation in the lab related to "real life"? Descriptive & inferential statistics Confounding of results--an uncontrolled (& unknown) variable may affect the d. v. & mistakenly be attributed to the i. v. Reactivity--changes in behavior as a result of being studied or observed. E. g. the "Novelty" effect of being in an experiment. Demand characteristics--clues giving out to subjects as to how they are "supposed" to behave. Expectancy effects--similar to above, but has to do with experimenters, assessors' Abnormal Psychology, 11/e expectations of how the subjects should be responding. by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Who your participants are matters! Population Sampling: - Random sampling - Stratified sampling Representative sample Experimental group Control group Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Ethics of Research There are strict standards for human and animal research have been set by professional groups (e. g. American Psychological Association) All research at universities must be approved prior to it being conducted & must follow the guidelines set by the federal granting agencies. Most institutions have research guidelines or requirements for research conducted in them (e. g. hospitals, community programs). All of the above have complaints procedures, and legal liabilities for failure to follow required standards. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Ethics of Research Key issues include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Informed consent Competence to provide consent Lack of coercion/ voluntary consent Identification of risks Protection of vulnerable populations (e. g. children, mentally disordered) 6. Risk management and offset Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
- Slides: 28