Lesson 2: Causal Factors of Abnormal Behavior PDF

Causal Factors and Viewpoints of Abnormal Behaviour Prof. Gerald M. Llanes, RPm, LPT Causes of Abnormal Behavior Some scientists claim to have solved the mystery of abnormal behavior. Throughout much of the 20th century, many psychologists vowed allegiance to one of 4 broad theories...

Causal Factors and Viewpoints of Abnormal Behaviour Prof. Gerald M. Llanes, RPm, LPT Causes of Abnormal Behavior Some scientists claim to have solved the mystery of abnormal behavior. Throughout much of the 20th century, many psychologists vowed allegiance to one of 4 broad theories purporting to explain the cause of psychological disorders – the biological, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and humanistic paradigms.  What is a Paradigm? - a set of shared assumptions that includes both the substance of a theory and beliefs about how scientists should collect data and test the theory. BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM  BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM Biological approaches emphasize causes “within the skills”. The discovery of the cause of general paresis (general paralysis) is a remarkable and historically important example of the biological paradigm, which looks for biological abnormalities that cause abnormal behavior, eg. brain diseases, brain injuries, or genetic disorders. General paresis is caused by syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease.  BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM General Paresis is a severe manifestation of neurosyphilis. It is a chronic dementia which ultimately results in death in as little as 2-3 years. Patients generally have progressive personality changes, memory loss, and poor judgment. They can also have psychosis, depression, or mania BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM  BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM Meehl’s Stress-Diathesis Model/theory Although some people inherit or develop predispositions (diatheses) to particular disorders, they will not emerge until or unless environmental stressors are sufficient to convert the genetic predisposition into the actual disorder.  BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM Meehl’s Stress-Diathesis Model/theory  BIOLOGICAL PARADIGM Twin Studies- evidence of heritability is found when the concordance rate is higher among monozygotic twins than among dizygotic. Adoption Studies Greater rates of alcoholism have been found among adoptees whose biological parents were alcoholic. Molecular genetics- involves the search for the location of the gene/s responsible for certain disorders. Ex. The chromosome and gene for Huntington’s Chorea/disease. (HD Gene) Huntington’s Chorea PSYCHODYNAMIC PARADIGM  PSYCHODYNAMIC PARADIGM Psychodynamic theory highlights unconscious processes. The psychodynamic paradigm, an outgrowth of the work of Sigmund Freud asserts that abnormal behavior is caused by unconscious mental conflicts that have roots in early childhood experience. Hysteria is characterized by unusual physical symptoms in the absence of physical impairment. eg. “hysterical blindness”-inability to see, out the blindness is not caused by an organic dysfunction. In fact, the afflicted individual may recover sight after resolving an emotional problem.  PSYCHODYNAMIC PARADIGM Freud observed that hysterical patients did not fake their symptoms. They also did not consciously associate the symptoms with emotional distress. Freud suggested instead, that their psychological conflicts were unconsciously “converted” into physical symptoms. Psychoanalytic theory divides the mind into three parts: the id, ego and the superego.  PSYCHODYNAMIC PARADIGM 1.Id- It is concerned only with satisfying personal desires, regardless of the physical or social limitations that might prevent us from getting whatever we want. 2.Ego- The primary job of the ego is to mediate/ balanced the demands of the ID and the outer forces of reality. 3.Superego- The moral arm of the personality, corresponds to one's conscience. A. THREE PARTS OF THE MIND  A. THREE PARTS OF THE MIND 1. Conscious – those thoughts of which you are currently aware. 2. Preconscious – stores all the thoughts you could bring into consciousness fairly easily if you wanted to; these are the thoughts which can easily be recalled without special techniques. 3. Unconscious – the material that we have no immediate access to, and that we cannot bring into consciousness except under certain extreme situation. A. THREE PARTS OF THE MIND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM Cognitive-behavioral viewpoints focus on observable, learned behavior. 2 prominent early scientists who made testing substantive contributions to learning theory and research were the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov and the US psychologist B.F. Skinner. These psychological scientists articulated the principles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM ✓ Classical Conditioning - is learning through association, and it involves four key components. - There is an unconditioned stimulus (the meat powder)., the stimulus that that automatically produces the unconditioned response (salivation). - A conditioned stimulus (the bell) is a neutral stimulus that, when repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to produce a conditioned response (salivation). COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM ✓ Finally, extinction gradually occurs once a conditioned stimulus no longer is paired with an unconditioned stimulus. Eventually, the conditioned stimulus no longer elicits the conditioned response. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM ✓ Operant Conditioning - Skinner’s operant conditioning asserts that behavior is a function of its consequences. Specifically, behavior increases if it is rewarded, and it decreases if it is punished. - In his numerous studies of rats and pigeons in his famous “Skinner box”, Skinner identified four different, crucial consequences or Four Procedures of Operant Conditioning. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM Positive reinforcement is when the onset of a favorable stimulus increases the frequency of behavior (eg. You get paid for your work). Negative reinforcement is when the cessation of a aversive/ unfavorable stimulus increases the frequency of behavior. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM Examples of Negative reinforcement You decide to clean up your mess in the kitchen (the behavior) to avoid getting into a fight with your roommate (removal of the aversive stimulus) On Monday morning, you leave the house early (the behavior) to avoid getting stuck in traffic and being late for work (removal of an aversive stimulus). COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM Punishment is when the onset of an aversive stimulus decreases the frequency of behavior (eg. You spend less money after your parents scold you); and Response cost is when the cessation of a stimulus decreases the frequency of behavior (eg. You come home on time after getting grounded). Extinction results from ending the association between a behavior and its consequences as in classical conditioning. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM How does Cognitive Paradigm explain the development of Mental Disorders? The cognitive model assumes that maladaptive cognitive processes are the primary mediators between the triggers and the psychological distress and are, therefore, the optimal treatment target COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PARADIGM How does Behavioral Paradigm explain the development of Mental Disorders? Symptoms or symptomatic behavior found in persons with various disorders (particularly phobias and other anxiety disorders) can be regarded as learned behaviors that have been built up into conditioned responses. Behavioral theory posits that changes in the environment or absence of the environmental reward and reinforcement may result to the development of psychological disorders HUMANISTIC PARADIGM  HUMANISTIC PARADIGM The humanistic paradigm argues that behavior is a product of free will, the view that we control, choose and are responsible for our actions in many respects. The humanistic paradigm is also distinguished by its explicitly positive view of human nature. Humanistic psychologist blame abnormal behavior on society, not on the individual, whom they see as inherently good. BioPsychoSocial Model  BioPsychoSocial Model Abnormal behavior is best understood in terms of the biopsychosocial model, the combination of different biological, psychological and social factors. Systems theory – a way of integrating different contributions to abnormal behavior its central principle is holism, the idea that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Biological Factors  Biological Factors Biological factors in abnormal behavior began with the neuron, or nerve cell. Communication between neurons occurs when the axon terminals release chemical substances called neurotransmitters into synapse between nerve cells. Disrupted communication among neurons, particularly disruptions in the functioning of various neuro- transmitters is involved in several types of abnormal behavior. Biological Factors  Biological Factors The brain is divided into three subdivisions: the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain. Because of the rudimentary state of our knowledge about the brain, only the most severe mental disorders have been Cleary linked with abnormalities in neuroanatomy. Psychophysiology involves changes in functioning of the body that result from psychological experiences.  Biological Factors Psychological arousal – caused by the endocrine system and the nervous system. Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream that regulate some aspects of normal development as well as to responses to stress. Psychological Factors  Psychological Factors Psychological factors affecting mental health human nature. ✓ Temperament ✓ Emotion ✓ Learning Cognition ✓ Our sense of self ✓ Human Development Social Factors  Social Factors Social perspectives emphasize that abnormal behavior can be influenced by social roles, behavior that, like a role in a play, is shaped by social “scripts”. In fact, labeling theory asserts that emotional disorders themselves are enactments of prescribes social roles (Rosenhan, 1973). Labeling theory suggests that people’s actions conform to the expectations created by the label, a process termed the self-fulfilling prophecy (Rosenthal, 1966). Eg. when an elementary school boy is labeled “a troublemaker, he may act in ways that make the label come true. Treatment of Psychological Disorders  BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Goal After with biology to relieve psychological distress Primary Method Diagnosis, medication Length of treatment Brief, with occasional follow-up visits  BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – involves deliberately including a seizure by passing electricity through the brain.  BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – involves deliberately including a seizure by passing electricity through the brain. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat: Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat.  BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Psychosurgery – the surgical destruction of specific regions of the brain.  BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT - The objective is to destroy tissue that produces abnormal chemical or electrical impulses. - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of the brain. - Psychosurgery that involves the placement of tiny lesions in specific areas of the brain and that has virtually no effect on intellectual functions or the so-called quality of life has also been developed. - These techniques are used in cases of severe psychosis  BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Psychopharmacology – the most promising biological treatment is the use of medications to treat psychological disturbances.  PSYCHODYNAMIC TREATMENT Goal Gain insight into defenses/unconscious motivations Primary Method Interpretation of defenses Length of treatment Usually long term; some new short-term treatments  PSYCHODYNAMIC TREATMENT Freud saw the psychoanalyst’s first task as discovering unconscious conflicts that lie behind psychological difficulties. In order to overcome their problems, however, patients must come to share the psychoanalyst’s understanding of these conflicts. They must achieve what Freud called Insight bringing formerly unconscious material into conscious awareness. Freud asserts that insight is sufficient for curing psychological disorders  PSYCHODYNAMIC TREATMENT Hypnotherapy works by inducing a hypnotic state that allows people to experience detached external attention and to focus on inner experiences. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT Goal Learn more adaptive behavior/cognitions Primary Method Instruction, guided learning, homework Length of treatment Short term, with later “booster” sessions COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT The approach contrasts sharply with psychodynamic therapy. CBT encourages collaborative therapist-client relationships, a focus on the present direct efforts to change problems, and the use of different, empirically supported treatments. The beginnings of CBT can be traced to John B Watsons’s behaviorism, the view that the appropriate focus of psychological study is observable behavior. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT Unlike psychoanalysis, CBT is not based on an elaborate theory about human personality. Rather, CBT is a practical approach oriented to changing behavior rather than trying to understand the dynamics of personality. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT CBT is based on several core principles, including: 1. Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking. 2. Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior. 3. People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives. HUMANISTIC TREATMENT  HUMANISTIC TREATMENT Goal Increase emotional awareness Primary Method Empathy, support, exploring emotions Length of treatment Varies; length not typically structured  HUMANISTIC TREATMENT To be human is to be responsible for your own life and for finding meaning in it. From this perspective, therapy cannot solve problems for you. Therapy can only help you to solve your own problems to make better choices in your life (Rogers, 1951). The key to making better choices is increased emotional awareness. Humanistic therapists encourage people to recognize and experience their true feelings. Humanists view the therapist-client relationship as the method for encouraging change. Classification of Mental Disorders  Classification of Mental Disorders Formal classification systems for mental disorders have been developed in order to facilitate communication research, and treatment planning. Clinicians assign a diagnosis if the person’s behavior meets the specific criteria for a particular type of disorder, such as schizophrenia or major depressive disorder.  Classification of Mental Disorders Currently, 2 diagnosis systems for mental disorders are widely recognized: ✓ Diagnostic and Statistical Method (DSM) - is published by the American Psychiatric Association. ✓ International Classification of Disease (ICD) – published by the World Health Organization.  Classification of Mental Disorders DSM-5 is strictly intended for mental disorders. While ICD-11 includes those same conditions, it contains conditions and diseases related to the entire human physiology, and does not cover mental disorders in the same depth as the DSM-5 does. DSM requires psychiatrist to evaluate the person whereas the ICD is more symptom based. Classification of Mental Disorders