PSY 303 Abnormal PsychologyWeek 1 Guidance

Dr. Erica King

Everything Influences Behavior

Welcome!This week we will discuss, o the historical background of abnormal

psychology, o how we identify and diagnose abnormal

behavior,o the different theoretical perspectives we use

to understand maladaptive behaviors

What Is Abnormal Psychology? Abnormal psychology focuses on what causes

maladaptive behavior, it’s symptoms, and treatment options

It also explores how it feels to be different, how we define being different, and how society deals with people who are different

It’s important to know how adaptive, maladaptive, and deviant behaviors are defined because that determines how it’s studied.

This ultimately effects how these behaviors are treated.

How Do Maladaptive Behaviors Start?

When people experience problems with: rational and logical thought coping with stress and life’s challenges their ability to demonstrate emotional stability

and growth

…they may begin to feel different.

If the person does not get help, their mental health can begin to deteriorate.

When mental health deteriorates the following behaviors and emotions may occur:

Depression Anxiety Low self-regard Distorted reality Anger Reduced competence (unable to work or complete

daily activities) Heightened physical reactivity

Bad Parenting & Emotional Weakness One of the biggest challenges for the field of

abnormal psychology is to shift the public’s misperceptions on what abnormal behavior is and what it isn’t.

It is not: Caused by bad parenting Not due to emotional weakness

People living with mental health challenges often need compassion, not judgment or blame.

Historical Concerns… Throughout the ages people have always been

concerned with 3 things:

1. Their physical well being2. Social relationships3. Their place in the world

Although our world is constantly changing, our need to adapt to these changes is important. Adaptation is our ability to adjust to life’s changes or even facilitate change when it is required.

Which Perspective is Best? There are six theoretical perspectives used to

examine maladaptive behaviors. These perspectives are:1) Biological 2) Psychodynamic 3) Behavioral 4) Cognitive 5) Humanistic-Existential6) Community-Cultural

When viewed as six perspectives exploring human behavior, it’s easier to see them as part of the same pie…

Biological Perspective Believes there are biological causes (genetic, physiological,

neurological, or hereditary) for physical and mental conditions

Imaging techniques like the CT Scan or MRI for example, are used to look at how the brain works without using invasive procedures or surgery

The biological perspective doesn’t view mind and body as separate; both work together: Mind refers to thoughts, feelings and attitudes. Body

refers to bones, brain, organs and muscles

Psychodynamic Perspective

Believes thoughts and emotions contribute to behavior The past influences the present; our unconscious mind

influences who we are Freud (pictured above with that cool cigar), dissatisfied with

the limitations of the biological perspective, used his clinical work with clients as the basis for his theories.

Behavioral Perspective Deterministic (every event that happens is based on

something that happened before)

Behavior is determined by a stimulus and response (classical or operant conditioning)

Behaviors can be changed by reinforcement, modeling behavior and role playing

Behavioral therapists, dissatisfied with the limitations of Freud’s work, developed this perspective to be easier to understand and easier to test

Cognitive Perspective Concerned with how we take in and process

information

Cognitive therapists believe that maladaptive thoughts cause maladaptive behaviors; they also believe that these thoughts can be changed with cognitive therapy This is how phobias and other anxiety disorders are

treated. Some phobias are often eliminated.

Cognitive Treatments Cognitive treatments are believed to do 3

things:

1. These treatments have an effect on behavior2. They can be measured, evaluated and shifted3. Change behavior by changing how we think and

what we think about

Humanistic Existential Perspective: What’s The Meaning of Life? This perspective integrates philosophy, religion,

spirituality and human nature to understand maladaptive behaviors

Humanistic therapists are thought to be more optimistic

Existential therapists are thought to be more reality based

Utilizes self actualization (being all I can be) and self-determination (the ability to find meaning in life regardless of our circumstances)

Carl Rogers split with Freud in this area. Rogers believed people were more rational and interactive. Freud viewed people as more irrational.

Rogers considered healthy people to be those who could “move away from roles created by the expectations of others” (Sarason & Sarason, 2005, p. 75).

Rogers developed client-centered therapy

Community Cultural Perspective: Prevention & Support

Considers stress to be the cause of maladaptive behaviors Sees the lack of social support systems as the blame for

maladaptive behaviors Promotes strong social support Attempts to intervene before something happens

The Interactional Approach: Bringing It All TogetherThe authors in this book take an interactional approach

to covering abnormal psychology.

This approach says that all, EVERYTHING influences behavior.

All of the factors and variables used to describe these perspectives also influence and affect each other.

By viewing them as parts of a whole we can provide better diagnosis, treatment, information, and preventative tools for society and those of us who live within it.

Brief Case Study: Winning?Charlie Sheen has made a lot of news recently. Some may

consider his actions to be maladaptive. Others may see them as a form of entertainment. For the purposes of this brief case study, let’s imagine that Mr. Sheen will be coming in for a session. Let’s look at some of his behaviors through the interactional approach…

Biological Perspective - Heredity may be a factor; father is in recovery for alcohol. Sheens has had challenges with drugs and alcohol. Explore family, genetic history

Psychodynamic perspective – what is his first memory of a similar experience happening in his life? May suggest meditation or hypnosis to help identify unconscious thoughts/emotions that may be effecting current behavior

Behavioral perspective – What are Mr. Sheen’s short-term and long-term goals (life, work, family)? Explore what triggers (memories, events, thoughts, or actions) or maladaptive behaviors (mental patterns and actions) may be keeping him from his goals. Develop treatment goals based on responses

Cognitive perspective – Give him the Perceived Stress Scale during the first session and again after the fourth session (or first 30 days of treatment, whichever comes first) What steps can Mr. Sheen begin taking now to move forward towards his goals? Consider having him keep a written record (or journal) of anytime he feels he is not “winning.”

Humanistic-Existential Perspective – Charlie seems to have found meaning in life and he’s winning. The question is, is this really true for him? Is this an adaptive or maladaptive way of coping life’s challenges? Is he an example of Carl Roger’s view that moving

away from roles placed on you by others is healthy?

Community Cultural PerspectiveCharlie may be receiving social support through social media and connecting with fans. It may be necessary for him to identify who is really in his immediate support system (friends, family, siblings, etc.).

Summary The first two chapters give an overview of the historical and

theoretical elements of abnormal psychology . How we classify and explain abnormal behavior has come a long way.

We still have much more to learn in this field. We also have more to learn as therapists, members of our community, and society as a whole when it comes to how we view the mentally ill .

Understanding human nature through the six perspectives of maladaptive behaviors and the interactional approach, gives us a strong foundation to begin our journey through abnormal psychology!

Reference Derschowitz, J. (2011, February 27). I’m on a drug. It’s called Charlie

Sheen. CBSNews Entertainmnent. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20036997-10391698.html

Sarason, I., & Sarason, B. (2005).  Abnormal psychology: The problem of maladaptive behavior.  (11th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.  ISBN: 0536306044.

Thanks for reading through this entire presentation! I really appreciate it