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Abnormal Psychology: Lecture 1 – Introduction to Models of Abnormality: What is Abnormal Psychology? Scientific study of ‘abnormal behaviour’ + psychological disorders. What is Abnormal Psychology? Empirical Method to Study Description (what differentiates normal and abnormal) + Causation (possible reasons for disorders) + Treatment. What is Abnormal Psychology? The group of behaviours that contribute to mental disorders. What is Abnormal? Deviant Unusual/unexpected Only small section of population express the behaviour + relative social judgement is important when determining. What is Abnormal? Distressing To self or others (but normal distress) Often an integral part of definition of mental disorder but can have psychological disorder which doesn’t involve e.g. bipolar. What is Abnormal? Dysfunctional Interferes with life goals Distraction to achievement important activities but not entirely necessary e.g. people with psychopathic tendencies. What is Abnormal? Psychological abnormality exists on a continuum with normality No two independent qualitative categories but rather overlapping until two extremities. What is Abnormal? Definition reflects cultural values and social norms. Models of Mental Illness Supernatural Causes = spirits + treatment = exorcism. Models of Mental Illness Biological Causes = internal physical problem + treatments = bleeding. Models of Mental Illness Biological Dysfunction expression in behaviour + emotion + thought processes which are abnormal. Models of Mental Illness Psychological Causes = beliefs/motivations + treatment = psychotherapy. Models of Mental Illness Sociocultural Causes = poverty + treatment = fix social ills. Models of Mental Illness The proposed causation of psychological disorders has direct relationship to model used to determine it as well as subsequent treatment. Biological Model Oldest and currently most dominant model Assumes psychological disorder can be; diagnosed similarly to physical illness + explained in terms of biological disease process + best treated with medication/surgery. Biological Model Historically mental illness = madness with gross distortions in perceptions of reality Unable to relate ‘normally’ to the environment. Biological Model Criticism/Limitations Need to avoid extreme reductionism Certain complex psychological phenomena may be impossible to explain at the molecular level. Biological Model Criticism/Limitations Need to avoid over-extrapolation from animal research. Biological Model Criticism/Limitations Medical model may not be applicable to conceptualising and diagnosing mental illness Lecture 2: Psychological Models: Psychoanalytic Model Most dominant model during first half 20th century Freud’s ideas of the id, ego and superego revolutionised way understood mental health + personality. Psychoanalytic Model Superego understands can’t operate entirely on pleasure principle. Psychoanalytic Model Maladjustment Unresolved conflict leads to anxiety + defence mechanisms. Psychoanalytic Model Critiques Lack empirical evidence + falsifiability. Humanistic Model Fully functioning + self-actualised persons Living in the here and now + independent and aware of their own feelings. Humanistic Model Maladjustment Results from environment imposing conditions of worth + own experience/emotions/needs are blocked. Humanistic Model Treatment = empathy + critique = difficult to research. Humanistic Model But showing empathy is often not sufficient to overcome severe mental disorders. Behavioural Model Classical Condition = Pavlov + Operant Condition = Skinner Learn to associate variables with each other. Behavioural Model Maladjustment results from learning history. Behavioural Model Used to a large extent in anxiety disorders + phobias through gradual exposure. Behavioural Model Operationalise mental disorders in terms of behaviours observed + measured. Cognitive-Behavioural Model Currently dominant model what we think influences what we feel/do. Cognitive-Behavioural Model Interpretations of events are causes of reactions not actual events. Cognitive-Behavioural Model Maladaptive behaviour results from latent core negative beliefs + interpretation of experiences + cognitive bases (overgeneralisation + selective attention). Cognitive-Behavioural Model Feeling bad makes negative thoughts/emotions more easily accessible so downward spiral core beliefs just understandings of world held within long-term memory. Classification and Causation Why classify/diagnose? Improve communication between researches + health professionals + help reduce social stigma. Classification and Causation Sometimes classifying mental health disorder can be a relief. Classification Systems Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Published by American Psychiatric Association currently in 5th edition. Development of DSM 1 + 2 strongly influenced by psychoanalytic theory Problems with reliability and validity (depression e.g. based on unproven theories about etiology). Development of DSM DSM III and Beyond Reflects the medical/biological model and no theoretical assumptions about causation. Development of DSM DSM III and Beyond If causation is not known then description of symptoms (no assumptions about unconscious processes + clear, explicit criteria and decision rules). Development of DSM DSM 5 Encourages assessment of severity not only presence of symptoms. Lecture 3: Anxiety and Related Disorders: What is Anxiety? Activated in response to perceived threat Three interrelated systems; physical + cognitive + behavioural. What is Anxiety? Anxiety mentally ill patients experience same as everyday person but much more frequently and unjustified. What is Anxiety? Has a survival bases as present within most organisms.