...THE BIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Approaches to psychopathology are based on different views of the CAUSE of abnormality. The models have different views about how abnormality comes about in the first place Assumptions of the biological model • Abnormality is caused by physical factors – as all behaviour is associated with changes in brain function, abnormal behaviour will be caused by changes in either the structure or function of the brain. - For example in terms of the structure of the brain (neuroanatomy) a damaged hypothalamus has been linked to anorexia - In terms of the function of the brain, neurotransmitters and hormones have been linked to psychopathology, e.g. low levels of serotonin have been lined to depression. • Abnormality is inherited – the genetic view is that there are abnormal genes that are inherited, i.e. passed down from parents to children, even though they may not be shown in every generation. Family, twin and adoption studies are used to establish concordance rates (this shows the extent to which members of the same family share a particular characteristic) to test for genetic predispositions as an explanation of abnormality. - For example Holland et al (1988) found a 56% concordance rate for identical twins (MZ) and only a 5% concordance rate for non-identical twins (DZ) in anorexia nervosa which supports the idea of a genetic basis for abnormality. Evaluation of the biological model Strengths ...
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...Discuss two or more definitions of abnormality (12 marks) One definition of abnormality is “deviation from social norms” and under this definition a person’s thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates the unwritten rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group. Behaviour may be incomprehensible to others or make others feel threatened or uncomfortable. For example, someone would be classified as being abnormal if they laughed at a funeral, as this is socially unacceptable. A weakness of this definition is that it lacks cultural relativity as social behaviour varies when different cultures are compared. For e.g. it’s common in south Europe to stand much closer to strangers than in the UK. As well as this voice pitch and volume, touching, directions of gaze and acceptable subjects for discussion have all been found to vary between cultures. This means what is considered deviant or abnormal varies considerably across cultures, thus weakening this definition. Another limitation of deviation from social norms is that it lacks time validity. This is because social norms change over time; behaviour that was once seen as abnormal may be acceptable and vice versa. For example, drink driving was once considered acceptable but is now seen as socially unacceptable whereas homosexuality has changed the other way. Until 1980 homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder but is considered acceptable today. This is a weakness...
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...Discuss two or more definitions of abnormality (12 marks) One definition of abnormality is “deviation from social norms” and under this definition a person’s thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates the unwritten rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group. Behaviour may be incomprehensible to others or make others feel threatened or uncomfortable. For example, someone would be classified as being abnormal if they laughed at a funeral, as this is socially unacceptable. A weakness of this definition is that it lacks cultural relativity as social behaviour varies when different cultures are compared. For e.g. it’s common in south Europe to stand much closer to strangers than in the UK. As well as this voice pitch and volume, touching, directions of gaze and acceptable subjects for discussion have all been found to vary between cultures. This means what is considered deviant or abnormal varies considerably across cultures, thus weakening this definition. Another limitation of deviation from social norms is that it lacks time validity. This is because social norms change over time; behaviour that was once seen as abnormal may be acceptable and vice versa. For example, drink driving was once considered acceptable but is now seen as socially unacceptable whereas homosexuality has changed the other way. Until 1980 homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder but is considered acceptable today. This is a weakness because...
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...Presented here it is a critical evaluation of biological approach for treatment of depression. Antidepressant are the most common biological treatment for this type of disorder, but treatments such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), alteration in sleep patterns following body temperature cycle are also used to relief the symptoms of depression. However antidepressant drugs provide an effective and inexpensive help, studies have found that the behavioural effects of these drugs could take over two weeks before showing any benefit and any perceived effect before this period would be a placebo effect (Kalat, 2001). Some studies proposed the existence of a two models markers for depression: Biological/endogenous & psychological/reactive depression. Based on this assumption an endogenous depression would only respond to a pharmacological treatment while a psychological depression would only respond to psychological treatment (Free & Oei, 1989). Further we will evaluate the effectiveness of a combined (cognitive-behavioural therapy and antidepressant) intervention in order to achieve a better outcome on treatment of depression. Depression is one of the most common illnesses and is characterised by symptoms such as loss of energy, sadness, difficulty in concentration and in the most serious cases the patient can contemplate or commit suicide. Research found that women are more likely to suffer from depression, with depressive episodes more probable to occur between 25 to 44 years...
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...prevalence of depression at about 11.1% of the American population, or nearly 35 million individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). A predictive models suggest that up to 50% of the population will experience at least one episode of depression during their lives” (Life Extension, 2014). Depression has negatively affected the lives of many individuals throughout the world. Look around you there may even be someone close to you that is demonstrating signs of its stifling affects. Depression does not discriminate with its suffocating relentless appetite. It is known to affect children as well as adults of all ethnicities. Depression has an insidious way of taking one from feeling at a level of ten to a level of zero. And if left untreated depression can lead to losing everything that means the world to you. One is debilitated by its unwavering feeling of loneliness, and sometime paralyzing affects. It’s often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, Scientist have believed for more than 30 years that mood related chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine also known as monoamines are low in the brain during major depressive episodes (Nauert, 2006). Clearly, there is an impact on the patient’s life and his/her family life. Therefore, depression is often considered as a disorder that affects the whole family. In this presentation we will attempt to describe the general behaviors associated with depression, explain how biological influences...
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...Describe and evaluate the biological method of psychopathology (12 Marks) By Amy Smith The biological model (which is also known as ‘the somatic model’) assumes that all psychological disorders are physical illnesses. This model of psychopathology labels mental disorders like this and therefore has both positive and negative outcomes. The biological model states that the causes of mental disorders are normally down to one or more of the following four; genetics, neurotransmitters, infections and brain injury. Neurotransmitters are when there is too much or too little of a particular neurotransmitter such as an increased level of dopamine can lead to schizophrenia. People can increase their dopamine levels by taking drugs such as cocaine which therefore is why schizophrenia is linked so much with cocaine. A piece of research which I have studied is the Gottesman study. This was the study of the meta-analysis twins. Gottesman studied approximately 40 twins (monozygotic and dizygotic twins) and found that the monozygotic twins had a 48% chance of developing schizophrenia if one twin had schizophrenia already, however in dizygotic twins there was only a 17% chance. This piece of research proves that genes are a reason for developing psychological illnesses. The treatments associated with the biological method are drugs such as medication to change the neurotransmitter levels in the brain which can therefore relieve symptoms of the mental illnesses. Another treatment is psychosurgery...
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...about clinical depression? What are the implications for treatment? Shvawn Christensen Psych 435 Athabasca University What does research indicate about clinical depression and what are the implications for treatment? The purpose of this paper is to logically provide a review about the biological and situational aspects of depression and the various forms of treatment. I will define what depression is, evaluate who depression affects and why, then proceed with the description of the most widely used methods of treatment, behavioral therapy and prescribed medication. I What is Depression? When it is referred to as your mood no one is exempt from some imbalance from time to time. This would be considered as normal day to day stress and living. However a diagnosis of depression is arrived at after a person has had or displayed a long struggle with feelings of sadness and hopelessness. As well if these feelings continue to affect and interfere with the person’s daily life. Unipolar and Bipolar are two types of mood disorders that can affect anyone of us. [People only troubled by depression would be diagnosed with “unipolar disorder” as this emotional disorder only affects one end of the mood continuum. However “bipolar disorder” affects both emotional ends of the mood continuum. People with this disorder will experience periods of both depression and mania] (Weiten & McCainn, 2007, p. 591) Depression has a negative effect...
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...Outline and evaluate the Biological Approach to Depression According to the biological approach all psychological illnesses have a physical cause; it focus is on the treatment not the cure this can support the reason why relapse rates are high for individuals with depression. The biological approach to abnormality states that abnormality is caused by a range of different physical factors: Genetics and chemical imbalances in the brain. It is suggested that people possess certain genetic characteristics that make them more prone to developing abnormal behaviour such as depression. It is also thought that chemical imbalances in the brain produce abnormal behaviour, for example a lack of serotonin causes depression. This approach is better at explaining endogenous depression. Family, twin and adoption studies are used to research into depression. Supporting evidence for the biological approach is that depression is universal, as they are increasing and found cross culturally. Weismann (1987) stated that family evidence suggests that a person is 10 times more likely to suffer from depression, if a parent or sibling has a similar disorder. This could be because living with a person who is depressed could be depressing. However, according to a behavioural explanation this behaviour could have being modelled as the female could identify with the eating disorder and use them as a role model. Also family studies are conducted using retrospective data (looking back) and rely on correct...
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...Diagnosis and Treatment BEH/225 August 5, 2012 Ashleigh Louis Mood disorders are very common; they have a broad range of emotions that play a role in the behavior depending on the situation. Depression is the most common mood disorder; a state of mind where a person is overwhelmed with what is occurring in life and feels worthless. A person can have normal depression, clinical depression, which is a more severe form that lasts longer and involves loss of pleasure in nearly everything they do, or dysthymia, depression that lingers for long periods of time but is not major. Mood disorders can be caused by biological, psychological, and social factors because each plays a role in a person’s daily life. Treatment of the disorder has remained quite similar to how it was done years ago with some slight changes being implemented throughout the years to keep current with the times (Morris & Maisto, 2010). Depression is a common and normal reaction to the many life struggles one will face; it just varies in how bad a person gets it. It is very normal for someone to get upset and be sad over something that has occurred in life, but when it starts to affect how a person behaves for a long period of time, then, there may very well be a problem. There is major depression and chronic depression, dysthymia, a DSM-IV-RT is used to distinguish between the two (Morris & Maisto, 2010). A person who just feels blue, cannot think straight, sleep, and does not want to participate in...
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...Outline and evaluate one psychological explanation and one biological explanation of an eating disorder. [24 marks] Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by recurrent binge-eating followed by self-induced vomiting or another compensatory behaviour (purging). One psychological explanation of bulimia nervosa is the functional model which was created by Polivy et al. in 1994. This model suggests that individuals engage in the binge-eating associated with BN as a way of coping with identity problems, particularly those associated with self-image. By overeating the person can attribute any resulting distress to the overeating rather than to the more serious underlying issues associated with threats to their emotional well-being. This led to the view that bulimic binge behaviour was purposeful for individuals dealing with life stressors. The functional model assumes that individuals with BN engage in binge-eating as a way of avoiding identity issues. Wheeler et al. (2001) proposed that negative self-image and a desire to escape from difficult life issues predicted the onset of bulimic behaviour, the consequence of which was a diffuse-avoidant identity style. Individuals in this state feel externally controlled, use emotion-focused rather than problem-focused coping strategies, and avoid the exploration of identity issues. Consequently they maintain a negative self-image and feel socially isolated. Polivy et al. provided evidence for the claim that BN is a functional...
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...life that is very stressful or psychologically disturbing. People with this disorder may have flashbacks and relive the event through their nightmares, and they could also have trouble sleeping at night. PTSD happens most often in soldiers and those who have been in the war due to the extreme situations that arise from it. Symptoms, Biological, Mental. The symptoms of PTSD are …. The biological symptoms of PTSD are. One of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is the constant feeling of danger. The symptoms are increased anxiety, experiencing the event again through flashbacks or nightmares. Another symptom is avoidance of things that remind you of the event, being unable to remember some parts of the event, and also loss of interest and feeling detached from others. Memories of the event will be intrusive. The physical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are dizziness, shortness of breath also possibly chronic pain and tightness in the chest. A common symptom is a feeling of intense fear. Other symptoms are persistent depressive feelings and dissociation. This disorder often coexists with anxiety or eating disorders, or depression. In the case study Andy’s initial symptoms after the event were distress and feeling upset. Then 17 years later when faced with...
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...Tonia Meyers Liberty University Case Study 1 Donald is a fifty-four-year-old male with a wife, children, and several grandchildren. Donald’s symptoms started approximately thirty years ago and have been increasing in severity. Documenting the critical issues, diagnostic impressions, and treatment recommendations are imperative to successfully helping the client deal with the issues and possibly minimize the risk of future relapse in recovery. Addressing the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects will help to guide the therapist through developing the most accurate treatment model for the patient. Key Issues Listing the key issues through priority, rationale, and documenting possible treatment options will help limit misdiagnosis. Prioritizing the issues will help a counselor to focus on the most accurate diagnosis while presenting the most probable treatment outcomes. Prioritizing Key Issues: * Uncontrollable and excessive worry that interferes with decisions and performance, * Tense, restless, muscle ache, always on guard, * Fatigued through most days, * Long term sleeping issues, * Dependent on sleeping pills, * Worry leads to depression for weeks after losing all pleasure in life and activities, * Twice in past anxiety led to feelings of a heart attack with symptoms of sweating palms, dizziness, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath, and * Family recognize Donald’s symptoms of always being on the go. Rationale ...
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...Q(a): Explain in your own words what is meant by a 'model of abnormality'?[2] A: Models of abnormality each offers a different explanation for the origins of mental disorders. They are basically the conceptual models, each research and treatment adopted according to it. (b): Describe models of abnormality. [8] A: There are four type of models: Medical model (or Biological method), Psychodynamic model, Behavioral model and the Cognitive model. Medical model (or Biological model) is a view of abnormality that sees mental disorders as being caused by abnormal physiological processes such as genetics, brain damage and chemical imbalance. Abnormality according to this model is seen as an illness or disease. They treat mental disorders with the help of chemotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and psycho surgery. According to Psychodynamic model, abnormal behavior is caused by underlying psychological forces of which the individuals is probably unaware. It focuses on unconscious mind primarily and according to Sigmund Freud, if a child does not successfully complete any of the psychosexual stages, it will cause abnormality. It is treated by talk therapies and test like the rorshack and free-word association. The Behavioral model has a view that abnormal behavior are maladaptive, learned responses in the environment which can be replaced by more adapted behaviors. These disorders emerge due to classical conditioning, operant conditioning or social learning. It can be...
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...Outline and evaluate the Biological approach to abnormality The biological approach suggests that psychological disorders should be treated medically, as this model puts forward the idea that any psychological abnormality is causes by genetic factors and body malfunctions. The model as 4 different elements that may be the cause of psychological abnormalities; viral infections, biochemistry, brain damage, genetic factors. Several studies have been carried out by different researchers to investigate the theories of the model. Biochemical elements, is one of the highly researched parts of this model, where Weinberger in 2002 carried out research that suggested the 22nd chromosome doubled the risk of developing schizophrenia, another study carried out by Zubieta in 2000, where PET scans helped figured out that 30% higher levels of dopamine, serotin and norepinephrine were i9n people with bipolar disorder. On the other hand Janowsky carried out a study to show how biochemical imbalances lead to manic depression. While souse carried out a study in 2010 where genomes of 1000 autistics and 1200 non autistic participants, results showed that autistic participants carry 20% more copy number variation which suggests that this may be caused due to genetics. The viral infections elements were also researched by brown in 2000 where findings suggested that there’s a link between respiratory infections and the second trimester of pregnancy, which may results in the foetus developing schizophrenia...
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...Outline and evaluate psychological therapies of depression (24) A01 This method of treatment is based on the idea that how we think (cognition), how we feel (emotion) and how we act (behaviour) all interact together, with our thoughts determining our feelings and behaviour. Negative thought then cause us distress and result in problems. The aim of CBT is to help people become aware of when they make negative interpretations and of behavioural patterns which reinforce the distorted thinking. Thought catching is the stage in CBT in which fault cognitions are identified and influence is made to correct them. Behavioural activation involved completing physical activities, something which depressed people do not involve themselves in but can be used as an antidote. Psychodynamic interpersonal therapy emphasises the importance of therapeutic conversation in which past problems are talked about and relived, ensuring a stable relationship between therapist and client. There are many components to PIT. Exploratory rationale identifies difficult relationships and a rationale is developed linking this to current symptoms. Shared understanding involves the therapist truly understanding the client’s experiences. A third part of the therapy is recreating the different feelings within a therapeutic environment. Through this the therapist tries to modify the disturbances which ultimately causes depression A02 There is empirical support for the use of CBT in the treatment of depression. Robinson...
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