Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Objective 2| Contrast the medical model of psychological disorders with the biopsychosocial
approach to disordered behavior. The medical model assumes that psychological disorders are
mental illnesses that can be diagnosed on the basis of their symptoms and cured through therapy,
sometimes in a hospital. The biopsychosocial approach assumes that disordered behavior, like other
behavior, arises from genetic predispositions and physiological states; inner psychological dynamics; and
social-cultural circumstances.
Objective 3| Describe the goals and content of the DSM-V. The DSM-V defines a structured
interview technique that clinicians can use to reach a diagnosis. They answer objective questions about
the individuals observable behaviors. The reliability of the classification is sufficiently high. DSM diagnoses
are developed in coordination with International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Certain criteria must be
met before a person will be diagnosed. (p. 654)
Objective 4| Discuss the potential dangers and benefits of using diagnostic labels. What issue
does the Rosenhan study bring to the discussion of diagnostic labels? Critics of the DSM-IV argue
that diagnostic labels can stigmatize a person by biasing others interpretations and perceptions of past
and present behaviors and by affecting the ways people react to the labeled person. The benefits of
diagnostic labels are that they help mental health professionals communicate with one another about care
and therapy, and they establish a common vocabulary for the exchange of ideas among researchers
working on causes and treatments of disorders. Most health insurance policies in North America require an
ICD diagnosis before they will pay for therapy. One label, insanityused in some legal defensesraises
moral and ethical questions about how a society should treat people who have disorders and have
committed crimes. The problem with labels, according to the Rosenhan study, is accuracy-all 8 participants
were misdiagnosed due to one false statement
Objective 5| Discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders, and summarize the findings on
the link between poverty and serious psychological disorders. Research indicates that about 1 in 6
people has, or has had, a psychological disorder, usually by early adulthood. Poverty is a predictor of
mental illness. Conditions and experiences associated with poverty contribute to the development of
mental disorders, but the converse is also true. Some mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, can drive
people into poverty.
Objective 8 | Explain how a phobia differs from the fears we all experience. Phobias differ from
normal fears in their extremity and their potential effect on behavior. People with a phobia experience such
persistent and irrational fears that they may be incapacitated by their attempts to avoid a specific object,
animal, or situation.
Objective 15| Which facts must be included in forming an acceptable theory of depression? An
acceptable theory of depression must account for the many behavioral and cognitive changes that
accompany depression; its widespread occurrence; womens greater susceptibility to the disorder; the
tendency of depressive episodes to self-terminate; the link between stressful events and the onset of
depression; and the increasing rates and earlier onset of depression.
Objective 16| Summarize the contributions of the biological perspective to the study of
depression, and discuss the link between suicide and depression. The biological perspective on
depression focuses on genetic influences, in part through linkage analysis and association studies.
Researchers working from this perspective also study abnormalities in brain structure and function,
including those found in neurotransmitter systems. Their work has shown that a predisposition to
depression does run in some families, that the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin are scarce
during depression, that activity in the left frontal lobes is slowed during depression, and that stress-related
damage to the hippocampus increases the risk of depression. Despair drives some people to suicide, and
the risk is greatest when their energy returns as the depression begins to lift.
Objective 17| Summarize the contributions of the social-cognitive perspective to the study of
depression, and describe the events in the cycle of depression. The social-cognitive perspective
has drawn attention to the power of self-defeating beliefs (arising in part from learned helplessness), and
negative explanatory styles that view bad events as stable, global, and internally caused. Critics note that
these characteristics may coincide with depression but not cause it. The cycle of depression consists of (1)
negative stressful events (2) interpreted through a pessimistic explanatory style, creating a (3) hopeless
depressed state, which (4) hampers the way the person thinks and acts, fueling more negative stressful
events, such as rejection.
therapist the strong feelings harbored against a family member or other significant person). Critics note
that traditional psychoanalysis has relied on after-the fact interpretations and repressed memories, and
that it is time-consuming and very costly.
Objective 4| Contrast psychodynamic therapy and interpersonal therapy with traditional
psychoanalysis. Psychodynamic therapy was influenced by traditional psychoanalysis but is briefer and
less expensive. A psychodynamic therapist attempts to focus on and conceptualize a patients current
conflicts and defenses by searching for themes common to many past and present important relationships,
including (but not limited to) childhood experiences and interactions with the therapist. Interpersonal
therapy (a brief 12- to 16-session form of psychodynamic therapy) focuses primarily on relieving current
symptoms (such as depression) rather than on an intensive interpretation of the origins of unconscious
conflicts.
Objective 5| Identify the basic characteristics of the humanistic therapies, and describe the
specific goals and techniques of Carl Rogers client-centered therapy (active listening).
Humanistic therapists focus on clients present and future experiences, on conscious rather than
unconscious thoughts, and on taking responsibility for ones feelings and actions. One of the most famous
humanistic therapies was Carl Rogers client centered therapy. Rogers proposed that therapists most
important contributions are to function as a psychological mirror for the client through active listening, and
to provide an environment of unconditional positive regard, characterized by genuineness, acceptance,
and empathy. In this growth-fostering environment, Rogers believed, clients would increase their own self-
Depressed people also work to establish the attribution style of nondepressed people (taking credit for
good events and not taking blame for, or over generalizing from, bad events).
Objective 10| Discuss the rationale and benefits of group therapy, including family therapy. In
groups normally consisting of 6 to 9 people, therapists may be less involved with each member, but the
(on average)90-minute session can help more people and cost less per person than individual therapy
would. Clients may benefit from knowing others have similar problems and from getting feedback and
reassurance. Most forms of therapy can be adapted to a group setting. Family therapy views a family as an
interactive system and attempts to help members discover the roles they play and to learn to
communicate more openly and directly. Millions of people participate in self-help and support groups, such
Objective 17| Discuss the role of values and cultural differences in the therapeutic process.
Psychotherapists may differ from each other and from clients in personal beliefs, values, and cultural
background. Such differences can affect the formation of a bond between therapist and client. People
searching for a therapist should have preliminary consultations with two or three to gain an understanding
of the therapists values, credentials, and fees, and to find someone with whom they feel comfortable.
Objective 18| Explain the rationale of preventive mental health programs. Advocates of
preventive mental health argue that many psychological disorders could be prevented. Their aim is to
change oppressive, esteem-destroying environments into more benevolent, nurturing environments that
foster individual growth and self-confidence.
lobes of the brain. The intent was to calm uncontrollably emotional or violent patients, but instead it
usually created lethargy and an impulsive personality. This surgery disappeared in the 1950s,when its
harmful effects became known and new and effective drug treatments were introduced. Today,
neurosurgeons rarely perform brain surgery to treat psychological disorders. Even when MRI-guided
precision surgery is considered for exceptional, life-threatening conditions, it is a treatment of last resort
because its effects are irreversible.Objective25| Explain the rationale of preventive mental health
programs. Advocates of preventive mental health argue that many psychological disorders could be
prevented. Their aim is to change oppressive, esteem-destroying environments into more benevolent,
nurturing environments that foster individual growth and self-confidence.