Theories of Abnormality

1
Theories of Abnormality

• 6 perspectives
• 1. biological- medical model
• genetic factors examine twin studies measuring
  concordance rates (co-occurrence),
• nervous system-
• a) structural integrity of brainMRI, CAT scans.
• b) activity of neurons neurotransmittersfMRI
  scans, animal studies, spinal fluid, infections,
  etc.
• 2. psychodynamic- grand theory difficult to test.
  
• internal conflictsunsolvable dilemmas and
  conflicting feelings (ambivalence) cause distress
  and can lead to psychopathology.

2
Theories of Abnormality

• psychic determinismbehaviors follow rules many
  of which are not accessible to consciousness.
  Behaviors serve unconscious motivational
  principles.
• structured mental processes
• primary process-pleasure principle, no reality,
  id secondary process-reality principle,
  compromises between pleasure seeking and real
  world constraints.
• defense mechanisms-repression-warding off of
  unacceptable anxiety provoking ideas. warded off
  material is buried but returns as symptoms,
  inconsistencies in speech, thought, behavior etc.
  most supported psychodynamic principle.
• repetition compulsion- individuals place
  themselves in distressing situations that repeats
  an old experience but believe situational
  variables are the cause.

3
Theories of Abnormality

• 3. behavioral-
• principles learning/reinforcement
• classical (pavlovs dogs) and operant
  conditioning (b.f. skinner, e.g., casino).
  learned helplessness.
• positive reinforcement- desired event (food,
  praise) given after production of desired
  behavior (bar press, work).
• negative reinforcer-desired event (stop pain,
  hitting) contingent on production of desired
  behavior (bar press, give lunch money). this
  increases behavior--NOT punishment-decrease
  undesired behavior (whining) by administering
  aversive stimulus (hitting).
• shaping, schedules of reinforcement

4
Theories of Abnormality

• social learning theory-modeling (robert bandura)
  power of environment mediated through thought
  processeslearning expanded by humans
  development of symbolic capacity, vicarious and
  implicit learning, starts sounding like
  unconscious processing quasi-Freudian.
• 4. cognitive-
• focus on ego functioning-thoughts that are/can be
  conscious, information processing model,
  schemata, mental networks, cognitive therapy, no
  ambivalence, blended clinically with behavior
  (cognitive-behavior).
• self-statements-how you talk to yourself
  important in determining behaviors and impacting
  emotions.

5
Theories of Abnormality

• 5. humanist-existential-dignity, inherent
  goodness, (carl rogers) uses introspection and
  observation, active listening, reduce anxiety,
  increase self-regard, no pejorative knowledge, no
  unconscious conflicts, searching for meaning,
  freedom of human nature, free to choose attitudes
  and behaviors.
• narcissism of the self? few scientific
  propositions.
• 6. community-cultural-maladaptive behavior
  localized within a system. values, beliefs,
  habits in a culture determine behaviors,
  illnesses, perceived options, and definitions.
  (overpopulation ? aggression)
• social roles-functions a person plays as a
  member of a group, therapists as healers,
  officers as leaders, (erving goffman), labeling
  undesirable as bad vs mad -students

6

• Integration-different levels of analysis. take
  Neuroticism
• biological, genetically determined trait,
• expression of ambivalence and unsuccessful
  compromises with a focus upon future possible
  loss,
• set of misapplied responses based on prior
  learning (people learn to be anxious),
• distorted view of self and environment--inaccurate
  beliefs,
• contrast between authentic and inauthentic
  behaviors,
• distress as expression of lack of satisfactory
  options.
• maladaptive coping (escape-avoidant coping,
  wishful thinking, self-blame) coping as
  personality in action--anxiety increases under
  stress, which taxes coping and then increases
  anxiety.
• neuroticism related to increased of distressing
  events, interpersonal conflicts, greater negative
  emotional response (anger depression) and less
  effect coping responses,...