CRIM 103: Human Behavior and Victimology Midterm Review PDF

**CRIM 103: Human Behavior and Victimology Midterm** This study material covers several critical topics relevant to the assessment of human behavior and its implications in victimology. The prominent areas of focus include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, Schizophrenia, Depre...

**CRIM 103: Human Behavior and Victimology Midterm** This study material covers several critical topics relevant to the assessment of human behavior and its implications in victimology. The prominent areas of focus include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, Schizophrenia, Depression, and Personality Disorders. Below is an expanded discussion of these topics. **Substance Use Disorder** Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a multifaceted clinical condition illustrated by an uncontrollable compulsion to use certain substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, even when they lead to harmful consequences. Individuals suffering from SUD may find their daily functioning severely impaired. **Intoxication** can induce intense feelings of pleasure and calm, but with chronic use, there is potential for developing **tolerance**. This means that individuals may require larger amounts of the substance over time to experience the same pleasurable effects. Furthermore, cessation of use often leads to withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings. Many individuals with SUD exhibit distorted thinking patterns and behaviors resulting from changes in brain functioning. These changes, as shown through brain imaging, can affect areas involved in judgment, decision-making, and behavioral control, leading to significant alterations in personality and behavior. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, individuals may initiate substance use for diverse reasons: - **To feel good:** Seeking the pleasurable sensation associated with intoxication. - **To perform better:** Attempting to enhance cognitive or physical performance. - **Curiosity and social influences:** Experimentation often driven by peer pressure. - **To feel better:** Using substances to alleviate stress or numb emotional pain. The symptoms associated with SUD are categorized into four key areas: 1. **Impaired Control:** Characterized by strong urges to use substances and unsuccessful attempts to reduce consumption. 2. **Social Problems:** Ongoing substance use despite adverse social, occupational, or recreational consequences. 3. **Dangerous Use:** Engaging in risky behaviors associated with substance use. 4. **Drug Effects:** Manifesting tolerance and withdrawal symptoms unique to each substance. **Schizophrenia** Schizophrenia, first described by Emil Kraepelin in 1896, represents a cluster of disorders marked by significant disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, and behaviors, often leading to a disconnection from reality through delusions and hallucinations. The term \"schizophrenia,\" introduced by Eugene Bleuler in 1911, combines Greek words meaning \"to split\" and \"mind,\" emphasizing the fragmentation of cognitive and affective functioning experienced by individuals with this disorder. **Types of Hallucinations in Schizophrenia** Hallucinations can manifest in various forms: - **Tactile:** The sensation of insects crawling on the skin. - **Visual:** Seeing objects or people that do not exist. - **Auditory:** Hearing voices or sounds that others cannot perceive, the most common type. - **Olfactory:** Experiencing unpleasant smells that are not present. - **Command:** Interpreting audible commands to engage in certain behaviors. **Characteristics of Schizophrenia** Striking symptoms include: 1. **Disturbance of Thought and Attention:** Challenges in maintaining logical thought patterns. 2. **Disturbances of Perception:** Altered senses and realizations of body image. 3. **Disturbance of Affect:** Inappropriate emotional responses to situations. 4. **Withdrawal from Reality:** Excessive absorption in internal thoughts and fantasies. 5. **Delusions and Hallucinations:** Rigid false beliefs affecting reasoning. **Kinds of Schizophrenia** Schizophrenia can be categorized into several types: - **Paranoid Schizophrenia:** Characterized by severe suspiciousness and delusions of persecution. - **Residual Schizophrenia:** Exhibiting less severe symptoms following an initial period of psychotic episodes. - **Disorganized Schizophrenia:** Marked by incoherent speech and inappropriate emotional expression. - **Catatonic Schizophrenia:** Observed in extreme withdrawal or agitated behaviors. - **Undifferentiated Schizophrenia:** Displays symptoms characteristic of multiple schizophrenia types without a clear dominant disorder. **Development of Schizophrenia** is influenced by genetic predispositions, environmental factors (stressful life events), prenatal factors (infections during pregnancy), and substance abuse. Genetic factors may indicate a significant hereditary component, especially with immediate family history. **Depression** Depression is distinguished from common feelings of sadness by persistent symptoms that affect daily functioning. Triggering factors can range from stressful life events to certain medical conditions and medications. **Causes of Depression** Common triggers include: 1. Major life events such as birth or bereavement. 2. Chronic illnesses like arthritis or cancer. 3. Medications including steroids or narcotics. 4. Substance abuse, including alcohol and illegal drug use. **Signs of Depression** Key indicators of depression encompass: - Slowed thinking and speech processes. - Feelings of guilt or hopelessness. - Difficulties with decision-making or memory. - Thoughts pertaining to death or suicide. - Changes in eating or sleeping patterns. - Physical complaints without an identifiable cause. - Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. **Forms of Depression** Depression can manifest in various forms, including: 1. **Major Depressive Disorder:** Severe symptoms disrupting work and normal activities. 2. **Dysthymic Disorder:** Persistent but less severe depressive symptoms lasting for a minimum of two years. 3. **Psychotic Depression:** Severe depression accompanied by hallucinations or delusions. 4. **Postpartum Depression:** Major depressive episode following childbirth, potentially including psychosis. 5. **Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):** Depression correlated with seasonal changes in light. 6. **Bipolar Disorder:** Characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression. 7. **Situational Depression:** Developed in response to specific stressors, lasting a limited duration. 8. **Endogenous Depression:** Occurs without apparent cause. 9. **Agitated Depression:** Characterized by restlessness and irritability. Effective strategies for combating depression may include social engagement, volunteerism, prayer, and other supportive measures. **Personality Disorders** Personality disorders are long-standing patterns of maladaptive behavior and thinking that significantly impact an individual's relationships and ability to function effectively in society. **Types of Personality Disorders** These disorders can be classified into three clusters: - **Cluster A:** Odd or eccentric behaviors, such as Schizoid, Paranoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders. - **Cluster B:** Dramatic and erratic behaviors, including Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic, and Histrionic Personality Disorders. - **Cluster C:** Anxious and fearful behaviors, which encompass Dependent, Avoidant, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders. **Cluster A: Odd or Eccentric Behaviors** Features include: - **Schizoid Personality Disorder:** Preference for solitude and emotional detachment. - **Paranoid Personality Disorder:** Heightened suspicion and distrust towards others. - **Schizotypal Personality Disorder:** Odd beliefs and discomfort with close relationships. **Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Behaviors** This cluster encompasses: - **Antisocial Personality Disorder:** A lack of empathy and manipulative behavior often leading to criminal acts. - **Borderline Personality Disorder:** Instability in relationships and self-image, often resulting in self-destructive tendencies. - **Narcissistic Personality Disorder:** An inflated sense of self-importance and lack of empathy. - **Histrionic Personality Disorder:** Excessive emotionality and a strong desire for attention. **Cluster C: Anxious, Fearful Behaviors** Personality traits include: - **Dependent Personality Disorder:** A pervasive need for support and an inability to make decisions independently. - **Avoidant Personality Disorder:** A hypersensitivity to rejection and social avoidance. - **Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder:** Preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism. In conclusion, understanding these psychological disorders is critical for appreciating the complexities of human behavior in the context of victimology and crime.