Module 49: Dissociative & Personality Disorders Abnormal Psychology Unit 13.

Module 49:Dissociative & Personality

Disorders

Abnormal PsychologyUnit 13

Dissociative Disorders

• Dissociative Disorders: a person experience a sudden loss of memory or change in identity.

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): A person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities.

• Also known as multiple personality disorder.


• Ken Bianchi and his cousin Angelo Buono, together are known as the Hillside Stranglers.

• Bianchi was the son of a prostitute who gave him up for adoption.

• Had mental disorders early in childhood.


• Along with his cousin, worked as pimps before escalating to murder.

• Raped and murdered 10 women before being arrested.

• They posed as undercover cops and forced women into the back of their car.


• Pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

• Claimed another of his personalities “Steve Walker” committed the crimes.

• It was all a lie!• Police found psychology books at his

home and he later admitted that he faked the disorder.


• Some with DID experience completely different personalities and even switch handedness.

• Memories of one personality doesn’t always transfer to the other.

• Critics say people may be playing a role like an actor.

• 20,000 cases reported in the 1980s, only 8 in the previous 40 years.

Personality Disorders

• Personality Disorders: inflexible and lasting patterns of behavior that impair social functioning.

• Personality disorders occur without anxiety, depression, or delusions.


• Three clusters of personality disorders:–Expresses anxiety (avoidant personality disorder)–Expresses eccentric behaviors (schizoid personality disorder)–Exhibits dramatic or impulsive behaviors (histrionic personality disorder)


• Other personality disorders:• Narcissistic personality disorder

overvalues their own self worth. Can’t take criticism.

• Borderline personality disorder marked by unstable identity, unstable relationships, and impulsive emotions. (Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall!)


• Antisocial Personality Disorder: the person exhibits a lack of conscience for wrongdoing, even towards friends and family members.

• Many serial killers fit into this category.

• Formerly called sociopath or psychopath.


• Usually a male and shows signs before age 15.

• Lies, steals, fights, or sexually aggressive.

• Shows little remorse, feelings, or fear.

• Most criminals do not fit this category because most care about family and friends.


• Can show signs as early as 3 to 6 years old.

• If channeled in positive direction, antisocial personalities can lead to heroism, adventurism, or high-level athletics.

• Genetics combined with environmental influences produce antisocial personality disorder.


Who has it?• Henry Lee Lucas strangled a

woman who refused him sex at age 13.

• Elwood Toole killed about 50 people and teamed with Lucas.

• “I think of killing like smoking a cigarette, like another habit.” - Toole

Module 49: Dissociative & Personality Disorders Abnormal Psychology Unit 13.

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