Transcript Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal Psychology
The study of psychopathology
What is Psychopathology?

The study of abnormal thoughts, behaviors,
and feelings.
 “Psycho” refers to “mind.”
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Derives from the Greek “Psyche” for “soul.”
“Pathology” refers to “disease.”
What constitutes abnormal
behavior?

What do you think?
Factors that determine whether
behavior is abnormal or not:
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1.Statistical infrequency
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2.Violation of norms
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3.Personal Distress

4.Dysfunction

5. Unexpectedness
Statistical infrequency:

Abnormal behavior is often infrequent.
mania & depression occur in 1% of the pop.
Problem:
Not all unusual behavior is considered abnormal!!
(e.g., superior athletic, musical, or intellectual
ability)
Violation of norms:

Abnormal behavior often violates the social
norms of a given culture.
(E.g., experiencing hallucinations, talking to
inanimate objects,)
Problem:

The violation of norms explicitly makes
abnormality a relative concept.
Criminals and prostitutes violate social
norms, but would not necessarily fall within
the context of abnormal psychology.
Personal Distress:

Behavior may be defined as abnormal if it
creates subjective distress.

(E.g., a hallmark of mood and anxiety
disorders is heightened subjective distress.)
Problem:

Not all distressed individuals are mentally
ill & some mentally ill individuals do not
show distress (psychopaths).
Dysfunction:

Does the behavior impair an individual’s
ability to function in life (work, personal
relationships)?
(E.g., substance-use disorders)
Problem:

Some individuals with a DSM diagnosis,
live functional lives (e.g., transvestites).
Unexpectedness:

Distress & disability are considered
abnormal when they occur as unexpected
responses to stressors.
E.g., (anxiety disproportionate with the
situation).
Problems with classifying behavior
as abnormal
Several factors need to be examined.
Societal norms may change which behaviors
are deemed abnormal.
E.g., Homosexuality was once classified as a
mental disorder in the DSM (up till 1973).
Mental Health Professions
What does it take to be a clinical psychologist?
1. Clinical Psychologist

-Ph.D. or Psy.D.

-4-7 yrs graduate study (the range is probably more
like 5-9 years).

-1-year pre-doctoral internship in APA accredited
hospital or mental health facility.

At least 1 year of supervised post-doctoral experience
for licensure (depends on state: Alabama has no such
requirement).
Difference between Ph.D. & Psy.D

-A Ph.D. is trained to:
 *conduct research, teach
 *assess & diagnose mental disorders
 *conduct therapy

A Psy.D: limited to clinical practice….
Modeled after the M.D. degree..
2. Psychiatrist

-4 yrs Medical school (M.D.)

-4-5 yr residency in hospital

***Can prescribe medication for mental disordersbecause of M.D. training.
 Recent development: Psychologists are
gaining limited prescriptive authority in some
states… e.g. Louisiana, New Mexico
3. Psychoanalyst
-M.D. or Ph.D. degree

-receives specialized postdoctoral training
in field of psychoanalysis

-up to 10 yrs graduate study required
4. M.S.W. (Masters in Social Work)
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-MSW degree
-2-3 yrs graduate study
-1-3 yr. field placement
-can practice psychotherapy and marriage counseling.
5.Counseler or Counseling Psychologist:
- (Masters or Ph.D.)
-2-5 yrs graduate work
1-3 yr field placement
Note: Most state licensing boards regulate the use of the term
“psychologist,” such that anyone using such a title has an
appropriate doctoral degree and requisite postdoctoral hours.
History of Psychopathology

Mental illness was thought to be the result of
supernatural forces (angry Gods, possession by
demons).
Scholars, theologians, and philosophers believed a
troubled mind was the result of displeased Gods or
possession.
Demonology

Abnormal behavior (hallucinations,
delusions, paranoia) resulted from
demonic possession.

Treatment: drive the evil spirits out of
the body.
 -stone-age: trephination

-exorcism rituals: prayers, vile brews,
flogging, starvation, etc.
Mental illness: a biological problem?

By 5th century B.C., mental illness--thought
to be result of physical disease (e.g.
Hippocrates and unbalanced humors).

-The idea that deviant behavior occurs
because of disease in the body is referred to
as “Somatogenesis.”

Contrasted with “Psychogenesis,” which holds
that deviant behavior occurs because of
aberrant mental processes..
Hippocrates (contd.)
Thought cognitive functioning could be
restored by balancing the four humors in
body: blood, black bile, yellow bile, &
phlegm).
The Dark Ages

With decline of Roman & Greek
civilizations/ rise of Church as dominant
power in Europe, demonology makes a
come-back!!

*Treatment- exorcisms
Mental illness: witchcraft (1300s)

Hallucinations & delusions--evidence of witchcraft.

Most accused were not mentally ill, but forced to
admit symptoms they didn’t possess.
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Treatment: beatings/death by hanging or burning.
Mentally ill housed in asylums (1500s+)
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After crusades, mentally ill were confined to asylums.

Asylums (originally leprosariums), were converted
after crusades when leprosy was on a decline.

Most famous: St. Mary’s of Bethlehem in London
(founded in 1243). Called “Bedlam.”

Deplorable conditions- little food, little patient care,
blood letting practices, & spread of diseases.
Asylums became “attraction.”

Bedlam- became hot tourist spot, where
London’s mentally ill were placed on
display for all to see.

Treatment- patients were drained of blood
& purposely “frightened.”
Moral Treatment (1790s +)

Philippe Pinel – humanitarian treatment of
mentally ill in asylums.

Patients formerly chained & shackled were
released & free to roam the buildings.
Treatment: cannabis, opium, alcohol.
Current conceptualizations in modern
psychiatry
Mental illness– may have biological,
psychological, and/or social cause.
Treatment: somatic therapy (drugs, ECT) or
psychotherapy