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Abnormality
Lesson 3
Approaches to Abnormality
Objectives
• Todays objectives to have an overview of the four approaches
to abnormality.
Overview
• Why we have to learn approaches?
• Definitions is the statement of what forms and kind
abnormality there is.
• Now where going to look at the why?
• All the approaches are based on a specific view of the very
nature of being human and our functioning.
The Biological approach
Our bodies are physical ill
• Our bodies are machines, in the same way illness can be said
to be our systems failure we are built like machines.
• Its seen as organic study of our flesh, blood and chemical
functioning in the body and brain.
• changes in the body are influenced by: biochemistry, viral
infection, neuroanatomy, genetics.
• Treatments are somatic ie: Drug, ECT, Psychosurgery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-orbNg-XPk
The Psychodynamic Approach
• Explains behaviour by what DRIVES it, eg; the way a person
thinks, feels, or acts.
• Freud said illness is more about psychological (emotional,
spiritual, inner) rather than the physical factors.
• Most behaviour can be expressed by the unconscious.
‘Freudian slip’. Conflicts between the ID and ego are handled
by ego defence mechanisms like repression. (which would be
the psychological disorder)
• Treatment is to make the unconscious into the conscious.
Behavioural Approach
• Learning theory…Classical vs Operant
• (we are born as a blank slate) and everything we are learning.
• We should study behaviour to learn the abnormality as it’s the
most important thing not the feelings, or biological brain
functioning. To be scientific we must study behaviour. Eg:
Pavlov, Bandura.
• If abnormal behaviours are learnt. The therapy is to retrain
Mini Task
http://www.ar.cc.mn.us/biederman/courses/p1110/conditionin
g2.htm
The Cognitive Approach
• Suggests that the key influence on behaviour is the internal
mental process (a faulty thinking process)
• (meaning) the brain is like a computer inputting information
so that process, similar the working memory model.
• Abnormality would be explained in terms of thoughts, beliefs
and attitudes.
• Therapies are based on changing the way a person thinks
about themselves. (coping strategies)
According to Beck, this is cycle which is thought to lead to depression. The components of the triad
are: negative views about the world, negative views about oneself and negative views about the
future. These is turn lead to each other.