- Abnormal Psychology
- What do you think are the three most beneficial accomplishments in the field of abnormal psychology that have occurred throughout its history?
- The first achievement within the field of abnormal psychology occurred when many psychological community members focused on educating physicians more about mental illness and how to treat ment
ally ill patients appropriately. Previously most of the ment
Which theorists caught your attention the most? Why?
ally in a cruel and inhumane way as if they were prisoners. An experiment performed by a French physician resulted in improved quality of care for mentally ill patients. Pinel employed moral management to treat individuals displaying abnormal behaviors based on their individual, occupational and social needs. The next achievement was by Sigmund Freud, who developed the Personality theory, which had a significant influence on the abnormal psychology treatment methods today. The next achievement was by Dorothea Dix, who initiated an investigation to uncover the challenges faced by mental health treatment centers. Her investigation led to the discovery that most of the mental health institutions were underfunded and had unregulated systems, which lead to the humane treatment of the patients.
- One of the
theorists was Sigmund Freud, who developed the personality theory that explained how abnormal behaviors originate from childhood experiences. Sigmund’s theory helped in the treatment of patients with abnormal behaviors. The second theorist was B. F. Skinner, a behavioral theorist who developed the theory of operant conditioning and behavioral analysis today in behavior modification.
Most surprising things about the field of abnormal psychology
The difference between normal and abnormal does not signify that something is either good or bad. Abnormal behavior means that an individual’s intensity of feelings or behavior is notably higher or lower than the rest of the people. This is surprising because most people associate it with something wrong or do not comply with society’s norms. The second surprising thing is that abnormal psychology has different perspectives, including the psychoanalytic approach, behavioral approach, medical approach, medical approach, and cognitive approach. The different perspective of abnormal psychology provides different perceptions about factors that contribute to psychological disorders. This is surprising because most people view abnormal psychology as a black and white affair without acknowledging the different perspectives.
Review of John’s case study.
The cause of John’s behavior is childhood experiences; this is because an alcoholic father has raised John. The behaviors of
his father, who is a significant male figure in his life, greatly influences the behavior of John because he is more likely to follow in the steps of his father. Further his father drinking himself to death when John was the age of fourteen may have had negative psychological impact on John.
Review of bills case study
The action
- of bill shooting a complete stranger on the side walk was not done out of free will this is because Bill is psychologically disturbed by voices, he cannot control. Bill should not be held responsible for his actions because he could not control his actions since he was psychologically disturbed instead, he should be taken to a mental institution where he can be offered help. Bill actions are a product of psychobiological forces outside his control because Bill had episodes of auditory hallucinations which he could not silence.
- Explain the ‘duty-to-warn’ (or Tarasoff) principle, the legal rulings related to it (Tarasoff v. Board of Regents of the
University of California), and the criticisms of this principle. What are your views on this issue?
The duty to warn principle states that it is the duty of a counselor or therapist to warn third parties or authorities in case of a situation where the client poses potential threat to themselves or to another individual. It represents one of the instances that a client can break client confidentiality. The principle was criticized based on the notion that the duty to warn imposed on counsellors and therapists may discourage violent patients from seeking treatment and counselling. In addition, psychiatric patients could be harmed if counselors warned the potential victims. I believe that the duty to warn principle is vital because it can facilitate the saving of the lives of potential clients like in the case of Tarasoff and Poddar if the therapist has warned her of the violent intentions of Poddar she would not have been killed.
The psychological disorder that fascinates me most
Bipolar disorder this psychological disorder fascinates me because it involves experiencing changes in mood and
energy levels.
The psychological disorder that frightens me most
Agoraphobia which involves fear of public places. This psychological disorder frightens me because it involves fear of an aspect that is considered to be part of everyday life and it will compromise a significant percentage of an individual’s life.
Poem about anxiety disorder
Dear Anxiety
My torturer, my tormentor
I can never bring myself to expose you
You are my capt
or
You little voice constantly in my head
Telling me I am weak, alone and worthless
I have had enough of you.
Poem about depression
Help me
I am slowly drifting away
In sorrow
In emptiness
Trying to find the strength
To find the will to live.
Visual representation of depression
Visual representation of social anxiety
How do you see yourself using the information you have learned in this course in your career, in your relationships and in your personal life?
Information from this course has really opened my mind to have a more positive outlook in my career as a psychology to view psychology as a very vital helping which has significant impact in the life of individuals. This information has also prompted me of the behaviors of my friends and family who could be struggling but are afraid of seeking help.
How has this course changed your perception of mental illness and abnormal psychology?
This course has helped me have a less critical view of mental illness and abnormal psychology because mental illness is just like any other medical conditional whereby the body deviates froms its normal function.