Introduction to Psychology Chapter 15: Abnormal Psychology
sociocultural factors of schizophrenia
- affect the course of the disorder/how it progresses - individuals with schizophrenia in nonindustrialized nations tend to do better than those in industrialized nations, perhaps because of the larger amount of support
the severity of a disorder can be associated with comorbidity
- anxiety + substance abuse (alcohol is a depressant for heightened arousal) - schizophrenia + substance abuse (smoking pot increases psychotic episode rates)
psychological factors of schizophrenia
- at one time, it was explained by childhood experiences and unresponsive parents, but these theories lack evidence - stress is likely what triggers the biological vulernability
histrionic personality disorder
- attention seeking - dramatic - lively - flirtatious - inappropriately seductive in their interactions with others
psychological factors of depressive disorders
- behavioral views include learned helplessness (idea that when people are in hopeless/negative situations, they stop trying to fix the situation and accept the circumstances) - cognitive explanations include automatic negative thoughts and beliefs that are self-defeating and therefore shape experiences of depressed individuals; rumination on negative thoughts - pessimistic attributional style that attributes internal causes to negative events
examples of culture-specific disorders
- bulimia is thought of as culture specific because it depends on access to a large amount of food, which is not possible everywhere (NOT ANOREXIA NERVOSA) - koro is a Chinese/Southeast Asian illness that involves the terrifying belief that one's genitalia is retracting into the abdomen; it can be used as evidence of mass hysteria; typically happens episodically in one (usually rural/low socioeconomic) group and shows how a lack of education can lead to certain beliefs; depicts how distress can take the form of physical abnormality in the body - amok is an illness found in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Africa that involves a sudden, uncontrollable bout of ager in which someone may injure or kill another person without remembering it after it occurs; usually found in males who are socially withdrawn before the onset of the disorder
critiques of the DSM-V
- central criticism of DSM is that it treats psychological disorders as if they are medical illnesses, taking an overly biological view of conditions that could have roots in social experience - focuses strictly on problems/abnormalities rather than strengths that could destigmatize psychological disorders - relies too much on social norms and subjective judgements to make diagnoses - too many new categories of disorders have been added, some of which lack adequate research and support - loosening the standards for some existing diagnoses adds to the high rate of their diagnoses - does not consider why someone has symptoms to diagnose
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- conforming rigidly to rules - excessive attachment to moral codes - excessively orderly in daily life
dependent personality disorder
- dependent on others for emotional and physical needs - perceive others as powerful and competent - perceive themselves as childlike and helpless
how common/prevalent is abnormal behavior?
- difficult to come up with a percentage of abnormality - 26% adults and 19% children in US => 57% lifetime prevalence when considering EVERY disorder - what is considered abnormal? - different prevalence rates between different disorders - depends on sample & window of time (i.e. lifetime rates are higher than annual rates) - depends on severity & ability to test representative samples *DEPENDS ON CONTEXT!!! THE DEFINITION OF ABNORMAL IS FLUID AND RELATES TO CULTURE, TIME, GENDER, ETC.*
thinking of disorders as "culturally bound"
- disorders that show high prevalence or are only existent in one culture - overly simplistic term - labels disorders as something OTHER people have - labels our disorders as real while other people's distress is only their culture and therefore not real
schizoid personality disorder
- extreme lack of interest in interpersonal relationships - emotionally cold - apathy - detached from interpersonal life
biological factors of depressive disorders
- genes (in conjunction with experiences) - brain structure/function (lower levels of brain activity in section of prefrontal cortex) - neurotransmitters (too few serotonin/norepinephrine receptors)
sociocultural factors of depressive disorders
- low socioeconomic status/living in poverty - women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression
sociocultural factors of suicide
- lowest suicide rates occur in countries with cultural and religious norms against ending one's life - ethnic contexts and economic conditions contribute to suicide risk - suicide influenced by the culture of honor - women are three times more likely to attempt suicide, but men are four times as likely to succeed in an attempt
why is diagnosing with any/all the four D's problematic?
- not one D is enough to diagnose a disorder - the D's must be considered in their appropriate context - the D's are not universal (etic) and diagnoses tend to be relative in someone's culture (emic) deviancy: what standard are you using to define deviant? the standards change historically and socially. forms of mental illness, such as female depression, can reach beyond 50%. doesn't that mean it is no longer deviant? distressing: to whom is it distressing? is it distressing for the person or the ones surrounding the person? - diagnosis can be subjective and based on the person diagnosing and the culture; diagnostic systems are based on culture and vary from culture to culture. diagnoses depend on the correct application of criteria and can be biased depending on the perspective of the psychologist. one person can show a host of symptoms and be diagnosed with different mental illnesses depending on the psychologist.
paranoid personality disorder
- paranoia - suspiciousness - deep distrust of others - consistent look out for danger and social mistreatment - social isolation
psychological factors of suicide
- psychological disorders - traumatic experiences Thomas Joiner's Interpersonal Theory of Suicide: - suicide involves two factors, a desire to die when an individual's social needs are not met, and the acquired capability for suicide when people stop fearing death and overcoming natural motivations to live
narcissistic personality disorder
- self aggrandizing yet overly dependent on the evaluation of others - view themselves as entitled or better than others - deficits in empathy and understanding the feelings of others
schizotypal personality disorder
- social isolation - prone to odd thinking - elaborate and strange belief systems - attribute unusual meanings to life events and experiences
avoidant personality disorder
- socially inhibited and prone to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and shame - hold back in social situations - unrealistic standards for their own behavior - avoid taking risks, pursuing new activities, or setting goals
biological factors of schizophrenia
- strong evidence of genetic predisposition - structural brain abnormalities, such as enlarged ventricles and smaller prefrontal cortex - problems regulating the neurotransmitter dopamine; overactive dopamine system that can be counteracted with blockers that help keep dopamine from attaching to receptors
biological factors of suicide
- suicide may have genetic factors - suicide tends to run in families - suicide related to low levels of serotonin and serotonin-linked genes - poor physical health (especially chronic)
specific phobia
anxiety disorder in which the individual experiences an irrational, overwhelming, persistent fear of a particular object or situation possible influences/causes: - based on experiences, memories, and learned associations - fear plays important role in adaptive behavior (typically kept us alive in evolutionary terms)
panic disorder
anxiety disorder in which the individual experiences recurrent, sudden onsets of intense terror, often without warning and with no specific cause; panic attacks possible influences/causes: - genetic predisposition - lactate neurotransmitter elevation - gene influence on serotonin and norepinephrine - classically conditioned learned associations - learning concept of generalization (overgeneralization of fear) - women are twice as likely to have panic attacks
social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
anxiety disorder in which the individual has an intense fear of being humiliated or embarrassed in social situations possible influences/causes: - genes - neural circuitry involving the thalamus, amygdala, and cerebral cortex - neurotransmitters such as serotonin - overprotective or rejecting parents lay foundation of risk - learning experience in social context
generalized anxiety disorder
anxiety disorder marked by persistent anxiety for at least 6 months, and in which the individual is unable to specify the reasons for anxiety; nervousness and worry the majority of the time that takes both a physical and mental toll possible influences/causes: - genetic predisposition - deficiency of neurotransmitter GABA (brain's break pedal) - respiratory system abnormalities - harsh self standards - overly strict/critical parents - automatic negative thoughts when stressed - history of uncontrollable traumas or stressors
biological approach to psychological disorders
attributes psychological disorders to organic, internal causes; focuses on brain, genetic factors, and neurotransmitter functioning
traditional abnormal behavior definition
behavior that is deviant, maladaptive, or personally distressful over a relatively long period of time; only one is required for behavior to be labeled as abnormal deviant: behavior does not conform to accepted social standards (possibly) maladaptive: harmful; interferes with someone's ability to function personal distress: person engaging in behavior finds it troubling
personality disorders
chronic, maladaptive cognitive-behavioral patterns that are thoroughly integrated into an individual's personality; relatively common (15% of the population); inflexible and notoriously difficult to treat
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
common psychological disorder in which the individual exhibits one or more of the following: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
four D's of abnormal behavior
deviancy, distressing, dangerous, dysfunctional
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
disorder that develops through exposure to a traumatic event that has overwhelmed the person's abilities to cope; symptoms include flashbacks, avoidance of emotional experiences/emotional numbness, feelings of anxiety/nervousness/excessive arousal, inability to sleep, difficulties with memory and concentration, impulsive behavior possible influences/causes: - traumatic event - predisposition to the disorder/vulnerability (abuse, other disorders, cultural background)
dissociative identity disorder
dissociative disorder in which the individual has two or more distinct personalities or selves, each with its own memories, behaviors, and relationships possible influences/causes: - high rate of extraordinarily severe sexual or physical abuse during early childhood (children cope with intense trauma by dissociating from the experience and developing alternate selves as protectors) - theories of its growing popularity suggest it is a product of social contagion, but cross-cultural research suggests otherwise
positive symptoms of schizophrenia
distortion or an excess of normal function (positive because they reflect something being added above and beyond normal behavior) - hallucinations: sensory experiences that occur in the absence of real stimuli - delusions: false, unusual, and sometimes magical beliefs that are not part of an individual's culture - thought disorder: unusual, sometimes bizarre thought processes - referential thinking: ascribing personal meaning to completely random events - movement disorder: unusual mannerisms, body movements, and facial expressions - catatonia: state of immobility and unresponsiveness lasting for long periods of time
psychological approach to psychological disorders
emphasizes the contributions of experiences, thoughts, emotions, and personality characteristics in explaining psychological disorders i.e. influence of childhood experiences or personality traits
sociocultural approach
emphasizes the social contexts in which a person lives i.e. an individual's culture; categorizes based on deviance from culturally established norms
DSM-V
fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; *major classification of psychological disorders in the United States*; generally provides a common language for mental illnesses - gets bigger over time - contains at least 400 disorders - categorical system based on specific requirements that must be met - changes can or cannot be based in science (contentious changes/revisions) - sorted by degree of overlap/comorbidity - how should one interpret symptoms? - can't really be used to predict an individual's behavior - naming a disorder can make people feel worse because of the stigma
anxiety disorders
involve fears that are uncontrollable, disproportionate to the actual danger the person might be in, and disruptive to ordinary life; feature motor tension (jumping, shaking, trembling), hyperactivity (dizziness, racing heart), and apprehensive expectations and thoughts
major depressive disorder
involves significant depressive episode and depressed characteristics like lethargy or hopelessness for at least two weeks; impairs daily functioning symptoms: - depressed mood - reduced interest/pleasure in once enjoyable activities - significant weight loss or gain - fatigue/loss of energy - trouble sleeping - feelings of worthlessness or guilt - problems in cognition - recurrent thoughts of death/suicide - no history of manic episodes
is mental illness merely an individual's problem?
no! mental illness is a PUBLIC HEALTH problem that results in economic costs and social costs! without proper mental health facilities and outreach, the entire society will fall apart.
bipolar disorder
psychological disorder characterized by extreme mood swings that include one or more episodes of mania (an overexcited, unrealistically optimistic state) that can lead to impulsivity and irritation; mania usually separated by 6 months to a year bipolar I: extreme manic episodes that may include psychosis bipolar II: milder version in which individual may experience less extreme levels of euphoria possible influences/causes: - genetic influences are extreme predictor of disorder - differences in brain metabolic activity - high levels of norepinephrine/low levels of serotonin/high levels of glutamate
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
psychological disorder in which the individual has anxiety-provoking thoughts that will not go away and/or urges to perform repetitive, ritualistic behaviors to prevent or produce some future situation obsessions: recurrent thoughts compulsions: recurrent behaviors possible influences/causes: - genetic component - low levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine - high levels of glutamate - overactive/hyperaware brain - learning processes (avoidance learning i.e. repeating behavior to avoid something bad) related disorders: - hoarding disorder - excoriation (skin picking) - trichotillomania (hair pulling) - body dysmorphic disorder (imagining flaws in one part of the body that involves hyperfixation)
depressive disorders
psychological disorders in which the individual suffers from depression, an unrelenting lack of pleasure in life
dissociative disorders
psychological disorders that involve a sudden loss of memory or change in identity due to the dissociation (separation) of the individual's conscious awareness from previous memories and thoughts - possibly used by an individual as a way of dealing with extreme stress/a way of protecting their conscious self from traumatic event; often occur in individuals with PTSD - associated with trauma, which can cause a low volume in amygdala and hippocampus
borderline personality disorder (BPD)
psychological personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions as well as marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts - engagement in maladaptive behaviors like self harm, alcohol, illicit substances - hypervigilance - sensitivity to how others treat them; black and white thinking; splitting possible influences/causes: - mixture of biological factors and childhood experiences - childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect
antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
psychological personality disorder characterized by guiltlessness/lack of empathy, law-breaking, exploitation of others, irresponsibility, and deceit; aggressiveness and potential violence; more common in men than women; related to criminal behavior possible influences/causes: - low levels of activation in the prefrontal cortex - genetic factors - childhood abuse - lower levels of autonomic nervous system arousal related concepts: - treating other people as objects - distress comes from not being able to manipulate others - not considered "insane" which is a legal term; they know the difference between right & wrong, unlike those who are considered "insane" in court - psychopaths (lack of empathy, callousness, risk-taking, shamelessness, poor self-control, fearless dominance)
psychosis
psychological state in which a person's perceptions and thoughts are fundamentally removed from reality
schizophrenia
severe psychological disorder characterized by highly disordered thought processes; individuals suffering from schizophrenia may be referred to as psychotic because they are so far removed from reality - not just one type of schizophrenia (5 types with varying symptoms) - multiple causes/multiple ways people develop/different timespans of development - positive symptoms are in excess while negative symptoms are losses - mood disturbance not necessary for diagnosis of schizophrenia, which is a common misconception that causes schizophrenia to be misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder
working abnormal behavior definition
something that is maladaptive, causes personal distress, and POSSIBLY contradicts social norms - abnormality is difficult to diagnose, depends on the context, and diagnoses differ on a continuum depending on the person and situation
negative symptoms of schizophrenia
symptoms that reflect social withdrawal, behavior deficits, and loss or decrease of normal functions - flat effect: display of little or no emotion
Robert/Sherry video message
the "My Strange Addiction" video shows ~60 year old Robert who spends a large amount of time dressing up in a mask & bodysuit that makes him look like a ~25 year old woman he has named Sherry. - is deviance from social norms sufficient in diagnosing a behavior as abnormal? - where do we locate distress? abnormality could be a case of coping, which lessens distress. is it still abnormal? - what is the criteria to diagnose something as abnormal?
biopsychosocial model
the idea that biology, psychology, and sociocultural factors operate in one combination that influences abnormal behavior; no factor is considered more important - they all work together at different levels depending on the person and the disorder *interaction*
medical method (biological approach to psychological disorders)
the view that psychological disorders are medical diseases with a biological origin
vulnerability-stress hypothesis (diathesis-stress model)
theory suggesting that preexisting conditions (such as genetic characteristics, personality dispositions, or experiences) may put a person at risk of developing a psychological disorder; *psychological disorder produced by vulnerability in combination with environmental stress*
dissociative amnesia
type of amnesia characterized by extreme memory loss that stems from extensive psychological stress
