Abnormal Psychology Fundamentals

Abnormal Psychology: History and Models

• Abnormal psychology is the scientific study of abnormal behavior, aiming to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal functioning patterns.
• The study of abnormal behaviors has a history, including words like "madness," "crazy," and "nuts" that have developed over time to describe psychological dysfunction.
• Abnormal behavior is defined as actions, thoughts, or emotions that differ from societal expectations and norms. This deviation is often linked to distress and disturbance in daily functioning or could cause danger to self or others.
• DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) provides a structured way to classify disorders and includes information on symptoms, presentation, cause, developmental stage, and functional impairment.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior

• Abnormal behavior is characterized by inconsistency with a person's developmental, cultural, and societal norms.
• It often leads to emotional distress or interference with daily functioning.
• The DSM-5 is the main diagnostic system.

The Four D's

• Deviance: Behavior, thoughts, or emotions straying from social norms.
• Distress: Behavior, thoughts, or emotions causing discomfort to the individual or others.
• Dysfunction: Behavior, thoughts, or emotions disrupting daily functioning.
• Danger: Behavior, thoughts, or emotions potentially threatening the well-being of oneself or others.

How Are People with Severe Disturbances Cared For?

• Psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antianxiety drugs) were discovered in the 1950s, leading to a decline in public mental hospital populations.
• This decline marked the beginning of deinstitutionalization.
• Outpatient care shifted from private psychotherapy to more comprehensive programs, along with insurance coverage.

Multicultural Psychology

• In response to population diversity, multicultural psychology emerged as a field of study.
• It emphasizes understanding the roles of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and other factors on thoughts and behaviors across various cultural groups.

Models of Abnormality

• Models of abnormality provide various perspectives to understand psychological disorders and are often considered inadequate on their own.

Psychoanalytic Model

• Modern psychoanalytic models are rooted in Sigmund Freud's theories, but have moved beyond his emphasis on sexual motivations.
• Key concepts involve the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in shaping personality and abnormal behavior.
• Object relations theory emphasizes attachment with others.

Behavioral Model

• Key figures include J. Wolpe (systematic desensitization) and B.F. Skinner (operant conditioning).
• Operant conditioning involves reinforcement (positive or negative) and punishment (positive or negative) to modify behavior.
• Vicarious conditioning, as shown by Albert Bandura, focuses on learning through observation.

Cognitive Model

• Aaron Beck is considered a pioneer in cognitive therapy.
• Cognitive therapy focuses on the impact of distorted thinking patterns on behavior and emotions.
• Cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and disqualifying the positive, are central to understanding abnormal behaviors.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) integrates the cognitive and behavioral perspectives to modify maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, with thought, emotion, and behavior influencing each other.

Humanistic Model

• This perspective emphasizes the inherent goodness and self-actualization of individuals.
• Carl Rogers highlights unconditional positive regard and empathetic understanding as crucial components in promoting well-being.
• Individuals can self-actualize through fulfillment of self-esteem, belonging, and physiological needs.

Sociocultural Models

• These models emphasize the influence of social and cultural factors on abnormal behavior, considering the interaction with gender, socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity.
• Societal factors may influence a particular group's vulnerability to certain mental health conditions.

Biological Models

• Abnormal behavior is linked to biological processes such as brain structure and function, as well as genetics.
• Structural and functional changes in the brain can cause or be a result of some disorders.
• Research methods like fMRI and PET scans help understand these changes.
• Behavioral genetics explores the interplay between genes and environment in shaping behavioral traits.

Biopsychosocial Model

• This integrates biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives to explain abnormal behavior comprehensively.
• The diathesis-stress model explains how vulnerability (diathesis) interacts with environmental stress to lead to the development of a disorder.