Several perspectives have an explanation for the causes of abnormal behavior. These perspectives include medical perspectives, psychodynamic perspectives, behavioral perspectives, cognitive perspectives, and social-cultural perspectives. The medical perspectives focus on the biological and physiological factors. The psychodynamic perspective focuses on the idea that the causes of abnormal behaviors are a consequence of unresolved anxiety and unconscious conflicts. The behavioral perspective indicates that the reasoning for abnormal behavior is because there is inadequate learning and conditioning.
Abnormal Psychology Historical Perspective 1 Running Head: Abnormal Psychology Historical Perspectives Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Nickole Caprio University of Phoenix September 13, 2010 Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology 2 Introduction Abnormal psychology is a field in psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The phrase comprises a wide array of illnesses, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and numerous more (Frude, 1998). Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists frequently operate in this field. Origins of abnormal psychology Abnormal psychology is part of psychology that is essential in studying abnormal behavior, knowledge and partially comprehends condition like hypnosis and dreams (Frude, 1998). Abnormal behavior and conditions vary by tradition to tradition and person to person.
Outline and evaluate the key features of the biological model of Psychopathology. In the Biological Model, it is stated that mental disorders have a physical or organic cause and can be seen as ‘diseases of the mind’. This is reflected in the use of the language, for example, ‘mental health’, ‘patient’, ‘diagnosis’ and ‘cure’. As in general medicine, it uses a classification system to identify mental illness on the basis of ‘symptoms’ that cluster together and which enable psychiatrists to make a diagnosis, eg. of depression or schizophrenia.
* Substance-related disorders: when an individual consumes a substance (drugs, alcohol) in amounts which are harmful to themselves or others. * Eating disorders: abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health * Cognitive disorders: primarily affects learning, memory, perception, and problem solving, for example, amnesia and dementia. 2.2 - explain the key strengths and limitations of the psychiatric classification system * Strengths: · It allows for consistent diagnoses and treatments · Disorders are arranged, organised and described in a particular manner and order. It provides a common language for therapists, doctors, and health care workers worldwide. This aids diagnosis, selection
Medicalization of deviance takes the actions that are considered socially deviant and classifies them as a sickness. This uses pharmaceutical drugs to alter deviant behaviors. Behaviors once considered "badness" are viewed, through
Hysteria sympytoms include confusion, paralysis, ailments, various pains and, loss of several sensations. Not until 1896 did Sigmund Freud propose a systematic theory that contained psychodynamics components for hysteria and those who struggled (Damour & Hansell, 2008; History of psychology, 2010). Based mainly on case studies, Freud stated an idea that variances amid one’s conscious and subconscious processes- thus, aiding in the explanation of one’s odd physical symptoms that are usually in relation to hysteria. Though several of these assertions are made by psychodynamic perspectives and show a lacking in scientifically impartial evidence, Freud still proposed that the field of abnormal psychology as a comprehensive theory in the aspects of
Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Ann Bacon Psy/410 Abnormal Psychology October 24, 2011 Kristi Lane University of Phoenix Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology What is abnormal psychology? Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with behaviors that are not considered normal as well as psychological phenomena such as dreams and altered mental states, which have not been explained. The goal of this branch of psychology is to understand abnormal behavior as well as to determine how and if the behavior needs to be addressed and to develop a treatment plan that will help individuals. This branch of psychology also recognizes that there are many influences such as environmental influences on psychological development. The goal of many mental health professionals is not to force an individual to achieve normality but to help individuals who struggle with mental and emotional disorders to achieve fulfilling and active lives.
Unit 12 – Understand Mental Health 1.1 Describe the main types of mental ill health according to the psychiatric (DSM/ICD) classification system: mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, substance-related disorders, eating disorders, cognitive disorders 1.2 Explain the key strengths and limitations of the psychiatric classification system 1.3 Explain two alternative frameworks for understanding mental distress 1.4 Explain how mental ill health may be indicated through an individual’s emotions, thinking and behaviour 2.1 Explain how individuals experience discrimination due to misinformation, assumptions and stereotypes about mental ill health 2.2 Explain how mental ill health may have an
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology is defined as the study of psychological characteristics that often deviate outside of the norm (Cherry, 2005). This perspective generally encompasses an array of perspectives ranging from disorders to altered mental patterns that affect the normal functioning of an individual as part of society. Typically, this type of impairment is accompanied by behavior, either disruptive or of a distorted nature. There are several approaches used in abnormal psychology in addition, it is important to examine the origin of abnormal psychology in an effort to rationalize the evolution of this scientific discipline (Cherry, 2005). To understand the basis of abnormal psychology, it is essential to recognize that the individuals who make up these categories fall very far at the other end of the normal spectrum.
According to Damour and Hansell (2008), these criteria are (a) seek help, (b) irrationality or dangerousness, (c) deviance, (d) emotional distress, and (e) significant impairment (p. 10). The first three are useful from a biological point of view, whereas the last two have a more scientific basis. For example, a person may seek help if physical changes occur as a result of depression such as weight loss. However, the emotional distress of depression or the impairment to the individual’s personality is measurable; therefore making the factors helpful in defining the scientific side of abnormal behavior. The history of abnormal behavior dates back to Before Christ (BC).