Chapter 14 lecture 1 recording

Summary

The lecture explores the concept of psychological disorders, examining how behaviors are classified as normal or abnormal. Using examples like Howie Mandel's OCD and hypothetical vignettes, it introduces the medical model of mental illness, while addressing critiques such as stigma and cultural relativism. Key criteria for abnormal behavior—deviance, dysfunction, and personal distress—are explained, highlighting that only one criterion may be sufficient for diagnosis. The discussion emphasizes the continuum of disorders like depression and anxiety, showing the difficulty in drawing clear lines between normal and abnormal behavior. Practical examples illustrate how extreme behaviors and distress warrant clinical attention.

Takeaways

• 😀 Psychological disorders are examined using the medical model, viewing mental illness as a disease, but historical and cultural perspectives also exist.
• 😀 Real-life examples, such as Ho Mandal's OCD, illustrate how compulsive behaviors can be analyzed in terms of deviance, dysfunction, and distress.
• 😀 Abnormal behavior is assessed based on three main criteria: deviance from societal norms, dysfunction in daily life, and personal distress.
• 😀 Only one of the three criteria (deviance, dysfunction, personal distress) is sufficient for considering a behavior abnormal, though often multiple criteria are present.
• 😀 Cultural context matters: behaviors considered deviant in one society may be normal in another, highlighting the importance of cultural awareness in psychology.
• 😀 Diagnosis involves distinguishing between different disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder vs. generalized anxiety disorder), understanding etiology, and evaluating prognosis.
• 😀 The medical model has limitations, including potential social stigma and prejudice from labeling individuals with mental illnesses.
• 😀 Abnormality often exists on a continuum, making it difficult to draw clear lines between normal and abnormal behavior (e.g., depression and anxiety vary in severity).
• 😀 Case studies like Elvin's alcohol use and Nathan's delusional beliefs show practical examples of maladaptive, deviant, and potentially distressing behavior.
• 😀 Extreme deviance, dysfunction, and/or distress are typically necessary for a formal psychological disorder diagnosis, distinguishing normal variation from clinical conditions.
• 😀 Historical examples, such as the Salem Witch Trials, demonstrate how abnormal behavior was once interpreted through religious and societal lenses rather than medical understanding.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the lecture?

The lecture focuses on psychological disorders, including definitions, criteria for abnormal behavior, and the medical and cultural perspectives on mental illness.

How does the medical model define mental illness?

The medical model defines mental illness as a disease, suggesting that abnormal behavior can be understood as a manifestation of a pathological condition.

What critique is made against the medical model?

The critique is that labeling people with diagnoses like OCD, depression, or schizophrenia can create social stigma, prejudice, and rejection, influencing how others perceive and treat them.

How did societies historically explain abnormal behavior?

Historically, abnormal behavior was often explained through religious models, such as demonic possession, with events like the Salem Witch Trials illustrating extreme consequences of perceived abnormality.

What are the three criteria for determining abnormal behavior?

The three criteria are deviance (violating social norms), dysfunction (impairing everyday behavior), and personal distress (causing the individual significant discomfort). Only one criterion is necessary for a diagnosis.

Can you provide an example of behavior that is deviant but not necessarily dysfunctional or distressing?

Transvestic fetishism, where a man achieves sexual arousal by wearing women's clothing, can be deviant in certain Western contexts but may not cause dysfunction or personal distress if practiced privately.

How does cultural context influence the perception of abnormal behavior?

Cultural context shapes what is considered normal or abnormal. A behavior viewed as deviant in one culture might be acceptable in another, highlighting the importance of a cultural perspective in psychological assessment.

What is the difference between diagnosis, etiology, and prognosis in psychology?

Diagnosis identifies and distinguishes a disorder, etiology refers to the cause and development of the disorder, and prognosis predicts the likely outcome or course of the disorder.

Why is it difficult to draw the line between normal and abnormal behavior?

Many psychological conditions operate on a continuum. For example, mild depression or anxiety may not appear deviant or dysfunctional, but severe cases cause significant impairment, making the threshold for abnormality subjective.

How were the vignettes of Elvin and Nathan used to illustrate abnormal behavior?

Elvin's excessive alcohol use shows maladaptive and deviant behavior without personal distress, while Nathan's belief that he is Napoleon reincarnated illustrates deviant and maladaptive behavior potentially aligned with schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of context and severity in diagnosis.

Does personal distress always need to be present for a psychological disorder diagnosis?

No, personal distress is not always required. Only one of the criteria—deviance, dysfunction, or distress—needs to be present for a disorder to be diagnosed, although multiple criteria often overlap.

What is the relevance of understanding the continuum in disorders like depression and anxiety?

Understanding the continuum helps differentiate between normal emotional fluctuations and clinically significant disorders, allowing for more precise assessment and treatment planning.