ABNORMAL PSYCH Day 1: Normal vs. Abnormal, Research Methods, Classification of Sources, Diagnostic Systems

Outcome(s):  Discuss the extent to which biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors influence abnormal behavior  Evaluate psychological research relevant to the study of abnormal behavior  Examine the concepts of normality and abnormality

Agenda 1. Thinking Map 2. Intro to Abnormal Psych: Normality vs. Abnormality 3. Abnormal Psych Classification System 4. Overview of Diagnostic Systems 5. Are you too shy? & Current Event 6. Closure: Discussion

Abnormal Psychology  Thinking map  What do you know about abnormal psychology?  What do you think we will learn about this unit?

Normality vs. abnormality  What makes something normal? Abnormal?  How do psychologists differentiate normal vs. abnormal?

Concepts of Normality/Abnormality  Abnormal behavior – difficult to define, therefore, difficult to diagnose  Based on symptoms people exhibit or report  No clear definition of normality and abnormality, and definitions change over time  Abnormality is sometimes defined as the subjective experience of feeling “not normal” (ex: anxiety, unhappiness, distress)  Another definition – consider when behavior violates social norms or makes others anxious  What problems do you see with this definition?

Rosenhan and Seligman (1984)  There are 7 criteria that could be used to decide whether a person or a behavior is normal or not 1. Suffering: does the person experience distress and discomfort? 2. Maladaptiveness: does the person engage in behaviors that make life difficult for him/her rather than being helpful? 3. Irrationality: is the person incomprehensible or unable to communicate in a reasonable manner? 4. Unpredictability: does the person act in ways that are unexpected by himself/herself or by other people? 5. Vividness and unconventionality: does the person experience things that are different from most people? 6. Observer discomfort: is the person acting in a way that is difficult to watch or that makes other people embarrassed? 7. Violation of moral or ideal standards: does the person habitually break down the accepted ethical and moral standards of the culture

Jahoda (1958) Mental Health Criteria  Six characteristics of mental health of people who are normal:  Efficient self-perception  Realistic self-esteem and acceptance  Voluntary control of behavior  True perception of the world  Sustaining relationships and giving affection  Self-direction and productivity

Be a Thinker!  Discuss whether you would consider each of the following an example of “abnormal behavior”  Nail biting  Test taking anxiety  Talking to oneself  Joining an extreme religious group  Consider Rosenhan and Seligman’s (1984) and Jahoda’s (1958) criteria in your decision

An Example of Changing Views on Abnormal Behavior: Homosexuality  Orthodox view that homosexuality was abnormal  DSM III (1980) – declared that homosexuality is only abnormal if the individual has negative feelings about his/her sexual orientation  DSM IV (1994)  In the UK, homosexuality between consenting adults illegal until 1960s  People’s attitudes changing; and homosexuality itself no longer consider abnormal, and is no longer classified as such

Be a Thinker!  The DSM has classified transsexualism as a disorder. It is called “gender identity disorder” when people feel deep within themselves that they are the opposite sex.  Many recent films, such as Boys Don’t Cry, have portrayed the lives of people who are transsexual.  Should this be classified as a disorder, as homosexuality once was?  What are the arguments for and against classification?

Classification of Mental Illness  Medical model: the mental illness criterion is rooted in a view from the medical world that abnormal behavior is of psychological origin  Psychopathology: psychological illness is based on the observed symptoms of a patient  DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, APA) – “mental disorder”  Ethical concerns using the medical model  argues it is better to regard someone suffering from a mental disorder as sick rather than morally defective – removes responsibility from the patient  Misuse of medical model – criteria used for diagnosis are subjective

Classification cont.  Classification system: psychiatrists use a system that is supposed to be objective  Biopsychosocial approach to diagnosis and treatment  Critics of “mental illness” – Tomasz Szasz and the Myth of Mental Illness (1962)  While some neuropsyiological disorders were diseases of the brain, most “mental disorders” should be considered as problems in the living  Goes against the idea of organic pathology  Even though people behave strangely and is classified as a mental illness, it may not be a symptom of underlying brain disease  Brain scans have yet to provide an ultimate answer to the questions raised by Szasz

Diagnosing Psychological Disorders  Psychiatrists will often primarily rely on the patient’s subjective description of the problem  Formal standardized clinical review: checklist of questions to ask each patient  The clinician (often a psychiatrist) uses a standardized diagnostic system

Kleinmutz (1967)  Limitations to standardized diagnostic system interview process  Information exchange may be blocked if either the patient or the clinician fails to respect the other, or if the other is not feeling well  Intense anxiety or preoccupation on the part of the patient may affect the process  A clinician’s unique style, degree of experience, and the theoretical orientation will definitely affect the interview

Diagnosis cont.  Other methods can be used to assist with diagnosis  Direct observation of the individual’s behavior  Brain-scanning techniques (CAT, PET), especially in cases such as schizophrenia or Alzheimer’s disease  Psychological testing, including personality tests and IQ Tests

ABCs  Psychologists refer to the ABCs when describing symptoms of disorder  Affective symptoms:  Behavioral symptoms:  Cognitive symptoms:  Somatic symptoms:

Major Classification Symptoms  DSM  ICD  Based largely on abnormal experiences and beliefs reported by patients, as well as agreement among the number of professionals as to what criteria should be used  Some argue the difficulties in identifying “abnormal” characteristics reflect the fact that abnormal psychology is a social construction that has evolved over time  Is the DSM-IV Gender and culturally biased? – topic for next class

Are you too shy?  With your partner, read the excerpt and Friends Wanted article.  Respond to the questions.

Closure  To what extent do biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors influence abnormal behavior?

Anchor Activity: TED Talk 

Topics for next class:  Review classification and diagnosing criterion  Validity and reliability of diagnosis  Cultural impact on mental health