Abnormal Ch 1

Abnormal BehaviorAbnormal PsychologyThe scientific study of abnormal behavior in order to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning.

Goal of course:Learn theories of abnormal behavior.Learn scientific based knowledge aboutabnormal behavior.Decrease judgment of others.

What is Psychologically Abnormal?The Four DsDevianceDistressDysfunction Danger

Four Ds in More Detail I.Deviance Deviance from or violation of a societys ideas about proper function.Norms- a societys explicit and implicit rules for proper conduct.Culture- a societys shared rules that govern the behavior of its members, common history, values, beliefs, habits, skills, technology, and arts.Includes a valuational aspect which varies from culture to culture.

Four Ds in More Detail II.DistressPain or discomfort Dysfunctional or Maladaptive BehaviorIt interferes with daily functioning.DangerBehavior that becomes dangerous to self or others.

Note: Abnormal behavior is to some degree arbitrary and culturally determinedMedical Model vs. Bio-psychosocial Model

DSM DEFINITION: MENTAL DISORDER[A mental disorder] is conceptualized as a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual and that is associated with present distress (a painful symptom) or disability (impairment in one or more areas of functioning) or with a significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom. In addition, this syndrome or pattern must not be merely an expectable and culturally sanctioned response to a particular event, for example, the death of a loved one. Whatever its original cause, it must currently be considered a manifestation of a behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunction in the individual. Neither deviant behavior (e.g. political, religious, or sexual) nor conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society are mental disorders unless the deviance or conflict is a symptom of a dysfunction in the individual as described above.Syndrome- a group of clinical observations or symptoms that tend to co-occur.

Other DefinitionsPsychological Disorder a harmful dysfunction in which behavior is judged to be atypical, disturbing, maladaptive, and unjustifiable. Abnormal Behavior- we define behavior as abnormal, a manifestation of mental disorder, if it is both persistent and in serious degree contrary to the continued well-being of the individual and/or that of the human community of which the individual is a member. (Carson, Butcher, & Mineka)

Classification of Abnormal Behavior A useful classification system must be reliable and valid.

Three models of classification1. Categorical2. Dimensional 3. Prototypal

Three Models of ClassiciationCategorical ApproachHuman behavior can be divided into two categories (health or unhealthy).The unhealthy category consists of discrete, nonoverlapping, classes or types.Dimensional ApproachBx= product of different dimensions (eg. anxiousness, extroversion)People differ in profile or configuration of these dimensional traits.Normal or abnormal is determined by looking at any particular dimension and making a determination usually based on a normative percentage.Prototypal ApproachAssumes the existence of conceptual entities (prototypes) depicting idealized combinations of characteristics, ones that more or less regularly occur together.

DSM Classification of Mental DisordersDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)Introduced in 1952 Moving from a subjective to operational definition.Diagnosis is based on signs and symptomsSigns- objective observations of a patients physical or mental disorder by a diagnostician.Symptoms- patients subjective description of a physical or mental disorder.

The Five Axes of DSM-IV-TRAxis I - Particular clinical syndromesAxis II - Personality disordersAxis III - General medical conditionsAxis IV - Psychosocial/environmental problemsAxis V - Global assessment of functioning

The DSM is organized into major etiological groupings (see next slide)

DSM Main Categories Axis I & Axis II DisordersDisorders secondary to gross destruction or malfunctioning of brain tissueSubstance-use disordersDisorders of psychological or sociological origin having no known brain pathologyDisorders usually arising during childhood or adolescence

Mental Disorders Qualifying TermsComorbidity-existence of two or more disordersAcute- describes a disorder of sudden onset, usually with intense symptomsChronic- describes a long-standing or frequently recurring disorder, often of progressing seriousnessMild/Moderate/Severe- describes a disorder of a low order of severity, intermediate order of severity, and a high degree of seriousness.Episodic Disorder- describes a disorder that tends to abate and to recurRecurrent- describes a disorder pattern that tends to come and go.

Labeling: Positive and NegativeCommunicationSocial LabelMay limit Inquiry Once AppliedSelf-fulfilling ProphecyHave Pejorative and Stigmatizing ImplicationsSecond-Class CitizensDevastate Self-Esteem and Morale

The Extent of Abnormal BehaviorEpidemiology- study of the distribution of diseases, disorders, or health-related behaviors in a given population.Prevalence- the proportion of active cases of a disorder that can be identified in a population at a given point in, or during a given period, of time.Incidence- occurrence (onset) rate of a given disorder in a given population.Lifetime Prevalence- the proportion of living persons in a population who have ever had a disorder up to the time of the epidemiological assessment.

The Extent of Abnormal BehaviorAny mood disorder(male) Lifetime % = 14.7; 12-month % = 8.5(female) Lifetime % = 23.9; 12-month % = 14.1(total) Lifetime % = 19.3; 12-month % = 11.3Any anxiety disorderLifetime % = 19.2; 12-month % = 11.8Lifetime % = 30.5; 12-month % = 22.6Lifetime % = 24.9; 12-month % = 17.2Any substance abuse d/oLifetime % = 35.4; 12-month % = 16.1Lifetime % = 17.9; 12-month % = 6.6Lifetime % = 26.6; 12-month % = 11.3

Historical Views of Abnormal BehaviorDemonology, Gods, and MagicCause- possession of evil spiritsTx- exorcism Early Greek and Roman ThoughtHippocrates (460-370 B.C)CauseMental Disorders have natural causes Brain Central Organ of Intellectual ActivityHeredityFour Bodily Humors (blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm)TxTranquil lifestyle, abstinence from excesses, bleeding, exercisePleasant surroundings, massage, hydrotherapy, education,Bleeding, purging, mechanical restraints

Historical Views of Abnormal Behavior IIEarly Greek and Roman Thought (cont)Galen (130-200 A.D.)Anatomy of Nervous SystemCausesPhysical and Mental CategoriesHead injuries, alcoholic excess, shock, fear, menstruationDisappointment of loveTxContrariis contrarius (opposite by opposite)Middle Ages (500-1500)Return to Demonology & Superstition and away from Physical CausesMass Madness (lycanthropy and tarantism)

Historical Views of Abnormal Behavior IIIMiddle Ages (1500-1700s)Establishment of Asylums and ShrinesMeans of removing mentally ill from societyHorrid condition of filth and deprivation including: darkness, starvation, restraints, cold baths, tortures.Beginning of the Modern EraBiological Link between Brain and Mental DisorderGeneral Paresis & SyphilisClassification System (Kraeplin) & Medical Model

Historical Views of Abnormal Behavior IVEstablishing the Psychological BasisMesmerismNancy SchoolPsychoanalysis (Freud)Hypnosis and CatharsisUnconscious and Free AssociationEstablishing An Experimental ResearchLaboratoriesBehavioral PerspectiveClassical ConditioningOperant Conditioning

Research in Abnormal PsychologyObservation of behaviorForming hypotheses about behaviorSamplingGeneralization

Research in Abnormal PsychologyControl groupCriterion group

Correlation versus CausationPotential relationships between two variables:Variable A causes variable BVariable A and variable B are both caused by variable CVariables A and B are both involved in a complex pattern of variables influencing A and B in similar ways

Research in Abnormal PsychologyIndependent VariableThe manipulated factorDependent VariableChanges as the manipulated factor is changed

Research in Abnormal PsychologyAnimal researchAnalogue studiesClinical case studies

Research in Abnormal PsychologyRetrospective strategiesLooking backward in order to reconstruct the clients developmental history

Prospective strategiesFocus on individuals who have a higher-than-average likelihood of becoming psychologically disordered before abnormal behavior shows up