The untrained individuals would look at psychopathology as being a study of mental disorders on the mere manifestation of different behaviors. However, we in the field of psychology would determine what is by going through the basics. It is commonly referred to as abnormal psychology which is the clear understanding of nature, certain treatments, and the many different causes. There are several ways in fact to where individuals in the field of psychology may use to explain psychology. For example, one psychologist may use descriptive psychopathology to which will strive to provide answers for symptoms or mental illness.
Unfamiliar is not the same as abnormal, distinction between these two is vital to understanding psychopathology and those affected by mental illness. As abnormal psychology evolves and progresses in treatments, therapies, and research the central theme of the six core concepts continues to guide researcher. These six concepts define and provide understanding of abnormality. The concepts also illustrate the range between normal and abnormal behavior of individuals experiencing personality disorders. Another concept is studying cultural and historical relativism in defining and classifying abnormality in relation to environment.
The unconscious is storage for an individual’s instincts and drives that he or she is not aware of (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 24). Freud also believes that the unconscious holds repressed memories from childhood and where dreams originate from. All unconscious thoughts try to force through into to conscious. Unconscious thoughts can motivate people in forms of aggression producing an effect on personality (Feist & Feist, p. 25). Social interactions can also influence personality.
PSYCHODYNAMIC THEO Psychodynamic Theories Mike Smith, Christine Smith, Arvan Thompson, Marcy Rigsby PSY/405 Dr. Dave Brueshoff October 17, 2011 Psychodynamic Theories The first psychoanalytic theory was conceived by Sigmund Freud (Meyers, 2007). This was the basis for what we have today regarding psychodynamic personality theories. Sigmund Freud’s contribution to this theory includes his thoughts on the stages of psychosexual development, conscious and unconscious minds, and defense mechanisms. This made way for other great psychologists to offer contributions to psychodynamic personality theories, like Alfred Adler’s individual psychological theory, Melanie Klein’s object relations theory, Carl Jung’s analytical psychology theory, and finally, Karen Horney’s psychoanalytic social theory. In this analysis we will look at two specific parts of analyzing psychodynamic theories.
The Psychodynamic Perspective The school of psychodynamics focuses on the interplay of the mental forces. It is said that humans have can have unconscious motives that underlie their true intentions. It is also said that the foundations of what was discovered rests on the evidence that people could be aware of their subconscious motivations while processing the things that affect their conscious thoughts that are related to their feelings, behaviors and intentions. Scientific studies show that psychodynamic perspective can reveal as to why a person’s actions are brought on by thoughts and feelings that would cause a reaction or a response in different situations. This school of study ultimately depends on the methods of the case studies that are performed to provide the necessary information that will clearly show them the evidence based on motivations.
One of these was childhood traumas and the idea that a bad memory from our childhood is so traumatic that it buries itself in our subconscious. This is what is believed to cause problems later on in our adult life. The second cause was the concept
Sigmund Freud was the first to challenge the view that mental disorders were caused by physical illness and proposed that psychological factors were responsible for the illness. The psychodynamic approach highlights the importance of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences. Psychodynamic psychologist’s attempt to deal with the mental health issues of their patients by incorporating these ideas and creating therapies using these ideas. The basic concept behind psychoanalysis is that a patient that suffers from mental health problems such as depression can address any regressed feelings thus, the patient gains insight of and can learn to work through their emotional baggage. It is a generalised concept that if the cause of the symptoms were tackled it would only be logical that the symptoms would then cease.
Cognitive: Mental processes and skills are analyzed with this perspective. Problem solving, creativity and memory are some of the key elements of Cognitive. Neuroscientific/Biopsychological: The study of the biological reactions the brain makes towards being psychoanalyzed in any perspective. What makes a brain happy or sad and correcting it. Sociocultural: Studying how people act, react and are influenced by social stigmas.
(2006). The fundamental bases of cognitive therapy are dived into three thoughts automatic negative thoughts, conditional assumptions and core beliefs. Automatic negative thoughts are thoughts that are negative but unknown unless focused upon. Conditional assumptions these are rules that are learned through experience and may have been useful at some stage of human development. Although these assumptions can be seen as problematic if they do not develop with future life experenience.
It is also important to know for prevention as well. Some adult children will isolate, engage in negative activities, find themselves in unhealthy abusive relationships or become alcoholic themselves. I really believe if I could put what I learn to use in prevention, and support then it would be better to stop the cycle of dysfunction that addiction can