Unit 12 : Abnormal Behavior

Module 65

Psychological Disorder

a
syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an

individual 's cognition ,

emotion regulation ,
or behavior

•
Attention -
Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

A
psychological disorder by the appearance by
marked age 7
of one or more of 3 Key symptoms :
1) extreme inattention 2) hyperactivity 3) impulsivity
, ,

the
controversy centers on whether the
growing # of ADHD cases

reflects over diagnosis or increased awareness of the disorder .

long -
term effects of stimulant -

drug treatment for ADHD

are not yet known .

•
Medical Model

the concept that diseases (

psychological disorders) have physical causes
that can be diagnosed, treated and cured often through treatment in a hospital
,

•
Bio psychosocial Approach

studies how biological , psychological ,

and social -
Cultural factors
interact to produce specific
psychological disorders

biological : evolution
genetics brain structure & chemistry
-

, , ,

psychological : stress, trauma , learned helplessness, mood -

related perceptions & memories
-
social -
cultural : roles expectations, definitions of normality & disorder
,

•
DSM-5

= the American Psychiatric Association 's

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition
,
> a
widely used system for classifying psychological disorders

contains diagnostic labels and descriptions that provide a common

language and shared concepts for communication and research

some critics believe the DSM editions have become too detailed & expensive .
•

Why Some Criticize the Use of Diagnostic Labels ?

>
Other critics view DSM diagnose as arbitrary labels that create preconceptions
which bias perceptions of that labeled person 's past & present behavior .

" "
the label
legal insanity raises moral and ethical questions
about whether society should hold people with disorders responsible
for their violent actions

most
people with disorders are nonviolent & are more
likely to be
victims than attackers .

How Many People Suffer from Psychological Disorder ? Poverty Risk Factor ?
•
=
a

"
Psychological disorder rates vary
depending on the time & place of the survey .

>
in one multinational Survey , rates for any disorder ranged from less than 5% (Shanghai)
to more than 25% ( the U.S ) . .

Poverty is a risk factor .

=
.
Conditions and experiences associated with poverty contribute to the
development of disorders
psychological .

But some disorders (e. g. , schizophrenia) can drive people into poverty .

Module 66

feelings and "

•
Anxious behaviors are classified as an
anxiety disorder
"

only when they form a pattern of distressing , persistent anxiety or

maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety
" "
•

People with
generalized anxiety disorder feel persistently & Uncontrollably
tense and apprehensive for no apparent reason .

"
•
In the more extreme panic disorder "
>
anxiety escalates into periodic episodes of intense dread .

"
•
Those with a phobia
"
be irrationally afraid of specific
may a

object, activity ,
or situate n .

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder COCD) & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

involve anxiety

< >
though they are classified separately from the anxiety disorders .
•
Obsessive -

Compulsive Disorder

Characterized persistent by and repetitive thoughts ( obsessions

and actions ( compulsions ) .

•
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

symptoms 4
include or more weeks of
haunting memories, ni ht mares
,

social withdrawal , jumpy anxiety and sleep problems

,

following some traumatic experience .

•
How Do Learning & Biological Perspectives Explain Anxiety Disorders, OCD and PTSD ?
,

Learning Perspective
→ view anxiety disorders OCD & PTSD as products , , of
fear conditioning , fearful behavior reinforcement -

and observational learning

'
fear
of others and
cognitions
( interpretations irrational beliefs , and hypervigilance)
,

Biological Perspective
> considers . . .

1) the role that fears of life -

threatening animals, objects ,

or situations
played in natural selection and evolution

2) genetic predispositions for high levels of emotional reactivity

& neurotransmitter production
3) abnormal responses in the brain 's fear circuits

Module 67
•
Mood Disorders = characterized by mood extremes

Major Depressive Disorder

•

Symptoms :
1) 2 or more weeks of seriously depressed moods
and feelings of worthlessness
2) have little interest in & derives little pleasure
from most activities

Bipolar Disorder

experiences depression

experience mania ( = episodes of hyperactive and wildly optimistic impulsive

,
behavior)
 Bio perspective on depression
•

focuses on genetic predispositions

& on abnormalities in brain structures and function
( including those found in neurotransmitter systems )

•
Social -

Cognitive perspective views depression

of stressful experiences ( interpreted through neg beliefs
as an
on-going cycle .

attributions, and memories)

leading to neg .
moods and actions and
stressful
fueling new experiences .

•
Suicide

suicide rates differ by nation , race, gender, age group, income ,

-

religious involvement, marital status , and

social support structure ( for gay & Lesbian youth )

those with depression 7

higher risk of suicide

+ other contributing factors : social suggestion health status

, ,

economic and social frustration

environmental barriers (e. g. jump barriers]

,
→ effective in
preventing suicide

fore of suicide include verbal hints giving away

warnings may possessions
-

,
,
with drawl , preoccupation with death , and discussing one 's own suicide

non suicidal self -

injury CNSSI ) doesn't usually lead tosuicide

but may and acts if untreated
escalate to suicide thoughts .

people who NSSI do not tolerate stress

engage in well
and tend to be self critical , with communication & skills
poor problem-solving
-

Module 78
•

Schizophrenia a disorder that typically strikes during late adolescence,

affect men slightly more than women ,
and seems to occur in all cultures

symptoms delusional
: 1)
disorganized and
thinking
2) disturbed perceptions
3) diminished / inappropriate emotions

Delusions -_
false beliefs

Hallucinations =
sensory experiences without sensory stimulation
 schizophrenia symptoms may be positive ( inappropriate behaviors )
o

( ✗ inappropriate behaviors )
or
negative
-

Chronic / process schizophrenia =

disorder develops gradually
& recovery is doubtful

Acute / reactive schizophrenia =

onset is sudden , in reaction to
-

stress;

prospects for
recovery are brighter

Brain abnormalities and Schizophrenia

ppl with schiz .
have 4. dopamine receptors ( which may intensify brain signals)
→ create positive symptoms like hallucinations and paranoia
-

brain abnormalities associated to schiz .

include enlarged fluid-filled

,
cerebral cavities
&
corresponding decreases in the cortex

brain scans reveal abnormal activity in the frontal lobes

,
thalamus and amygdala
,
.

interacting malfunctions in multiple brain regions & their connections

may produce schiz 's .

symptoms .

Possible contributing factors include viral infections or

famine conditions during mother 's pregnancy and low weight

or
oxygen deprivation at birth .

•
Genetic Influence on Schizophrenia

twin & adoption studies tells that the predisposition to schiz.is inherited
& environmental factors influence gene expression to enable this disorder .

no environmental invariably produce schizophrenia

-

causes .

Possible early warning signs of later development of schiz . include BOTH

1)
biological factors
-

mother with schiz .

oxygen deprivation & low birth

-

weight at
-
short attention span
-

poor muscle coordination

2)
Psychological factors
-

disruptive / withdrawn behavior

-
emotional unpredictability
-

poor peer relations & solo

play