Current Paradigms in Psychopathology and Therapy Past and

Current Paradigms in Psychopathology and Therapy Past and Present Tomàs, J.

What is a paradigm? n What do you think? ? ?

A Paradigm: n is a conceptual framework to examine a given phenomenon. n has a set of basic assumptions. Determines which methods (data collection, analysis) will be used to study a given phenomenon.

Paradigms in Abnormal Psychology n Biological n Psychodynamic (Psychoanalytical) n Behavioral n Cognitive n Humanistic

A. Biological Paradigm: Disease Model n Basic assumptions: n 1. Biology plays a role in pathological behavior. n 2. Psychopathology is caused by disease.

What are the flaws with this paradigm? n What do you think? ? ?

Flaws with Biological model n 1. Factors unrelated to biology may influence the onset of psychopathology. E. g. , environmental factors (life-style, abuse) may play role in some mental disorders (depression). n 2. Multiple factors may influence onset of psychopathology.

Does biology play role in etiology of psychopathology? n What do you think? ?

Evidence that biology plays a role comes from 2 sources: n 1. Behavioral Genetics – examines how much of individual differences in behavior are due to genetic makeup. n 2. Biochemistry in the nervous system

Behavioral Genetics: Theory n Genotype – the physiological genetic constitution of a person. (fixed at birth, but not static) n Phenotype- the observable expression of our genes (changes over time & is product of interaction with genotype & environment). n E. g. , A child may be hard-wired for high intellectual achievement, but will need environmental stimulation to produce development.

We may have a biological predisposition for a mental disorder. n This is called a Diathesis. n Does having a diathesis automatically mean you will develop the mental disorder?

No!!!! n It will depend on how your biology interacts with environmental factors (parental rearing, peers)

How do we study behavior genetics? n 1. Family members n 2. Twin studies n 3. Adoption studies n 4. Linkage analysis

Family Members: n Studies the 1 st & 2 nd degree relatives of individual with a given mental disorder. n 1 st-degree relatives-parents & siblings (50%shared genes) n 2 nd-degree relatives-aunts, uncles (25%-shared genes) n Are compared with index cases (probands).

If there is a genetic predisposition: n 1 st degree relatives of the index case(s), should have the disorder at a higher rate than in the general pop. n E. g. , 10% of 1 st degree relatives of index cases with schizophrenia can be diagnosed with schizophrenia

Twin method n Monozygotic (100% shared genes) & dizygotic twins (50% shared genes) are compared. n Start with diagnosis of one twin & see if other twin develops same disorder. n When twins are similarly diagnosed, they are said to be concordant.

If disorder is heritable-- concordance rate will be higher for MZ than for DZ twins. n Problems: n 1. May reflect environmental factors.

Adoption studies n Examine children who were adopted & reared apart from their “abnormal” parents. n Reduces environmental influences, should reflect effect of genetics.

Linkage Analysis: n Uses DNA blood testing to examine the influence of genetics in mental disorders.

B. Psychodynamic Paradigm: n Argues that our behavior results from unconscious conflicts. n Conflicts are outside of our awareness (iceberg theory).

Structures of mind: n 1. Id (unconscious) “wants” to satisfy basic urges (thirst, hunger, sex). n 2. Ego (primarily conscious) tries to satisfy id impulses without breaking societal norms. n 3. Super-ego (conscious) our morality center which tells us right from wrong.

Psychosexual stages of development n 1. Oral (birth to 1 yr)- needs gratified orally (sucking). 2. Anal (2 yr)-needs met- through elimination of waste. n 3. Phallic (3 -5 yrs)-needs met through genital stimulation. n 4. Latency (6 -12 yrs)-impulses dormant. n 5. Genital (13+)-needs met through intercourse.

Defense mechanisms- unconscious & protect ego from anxiety. n Repression n Projection n Reaction formation n Displacement n Denial n rationalization

Problems: n 1. Freud had no scientific data to support his theories. n 2. Freud’s theories (unconscious, libido, etc. ) cannot be observed. n 3. Theory explains behavior (post-hoc) after the fact. n 4. Observations not representative of population.

Freud’s therapy n Premise—we have repressed information in unconscious that needs to come out. n How? ? ? n Free-association, dream analysis, hypnosis.

C. Behavior paradigm n Focuses on observable behaviors. n Premise—abnormal behavior is learned!! n Learning (classical & operant conditioning, modeling)

Classical conditioning n Pavlov’s study: n Step 1: Meat Powder (UCS)---Salivation (UCR) n Step 2: Bell (CS) ---- Salivation (UCR) n -Meat Powder (UCS)---n Step 3: Bell (CS)-----Salivation (CR)

Conditioning emotional responses: Watson & Raynor n Classically conditioned 11 -month-old infant to fear white rats (Santa beard, cotton). n Presented infant with cute white rat—child showed interest in rat, was then presented with a loud noise (startle response).

Operant conditioning: n Desired behaviors are reinforced (positive, negative), whereas undesirable behaviors are extinguished (punishment).

Modeling (Albert Bandura) n We learn how to behavior, by watching others. n Whether we will produce a given behavior is determined by whether we have seen it reinforced or punished. (Famous Bobo Doll study)

Behavioral therapies n Systematic desensitization (phobias, anxiety) n Flooding (phobias, anxiety) n Aversion conditioning (pedophiles)

Criticisms of theory: n 1. Abnormal behavior not connected to particular learning experiences (schizophrenia). n 2. Simplistic circular reasoning (Description as explanation). n 3. Useful for treatment, but not as cause for most mental disorders.

Cognitive: n Premise- how we organize and interpret information n Criticism of Cognitive Paradigm n Concepts are slippery, not well defined. n cognitive explanations do not explain much n E. g. , depressed person has negative cognition--I am worthless.

Therapy n Cognitive-Behavioral therapy n Rational Emotive therapy

E. Humanistic: n Theorists argue we are driven to self- actualize, that is, to fulfill our potential for goodness and growth.

Roger’s Humanistic therapy n We all have a basic need to receive positive regard from the important people in our lives (parents). n Those who receive unconditional positive regard early in life are likely to develop unconditional self-regard. n That is, they come to recognize their worth as persons, even while recognizing that they are not perfect. Such people are in good shape to actualize their positive potential.