4. Mental Illness Flashcards
how does the psychodynamic approach explain defence mechanisms
The id operates in accordance with instinct and the pleasure principle. The ego operates in accordance with the reality principle and develops defence mechanisms to control unacceptable id impulses and avoid or reduce anxiety.
Freud’s psychoanalysis
Unpleasant thoughts, impulses and wishes are repressed and fuse with other unconscious material into ‘complexes’.
However, this material can become conscious but always transformed in such a way that its original content is concealed (for example, in dreams).
however the dream is not a true representation of the repressed materials but expresses it ‘symbolically’.
Thus dreams need to be ‘interpreted’ (by the psychoanalyst
Freud’s psychoanalysis
Unpleasant thoughts, impulses and wishes are repressed and fuse with other unconscious material into ‘complexes’.
However, this material can become conscious but always transformed in such a way that its original content is concealed (for example, in dreams).
however the dream is not a true representation of the repressed materials but expresses it ‘symbolically’.
Thus dreams need to be ‘interpreted’ (by the psychoanalyst
freuds approach to mental illness and treatment
Unconscious or repressed thoughts, impulses and wishes lay at the root of psychological dysfunction.
Because patients were not aware of these unconscious materials, the job of the psychoanalyst was to uncover them and bring them into conscious awareness, thus resolving the dysfunction.
strength + weaknesses of psychodynamic model
The model has had a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of abnormal functioning. It has helped us understand that abnormal functioning may be rooted in the same processes that underlie normal functioning.
It depends largely on case studies and has little research support. Its explanations often fail to establish clear guidelines for predicting abnormality.
cognitive explanations of mental illness
Maladaptive or basic irrational assumptions are guiding thoughts that lead one to act and react in ways that lower one’s chances of happiness and success.
Specific upsetting thoughts, or automatic thoughts, can contribute to abnormal thinking.
Illogical thinking processes include selective perception, magnification, and overgeneralisation.
strength/weakness of cognitive model
Cognitive theories can be tested and much research has been carried out.
The cognitive approach may not help with all disorders, but it has been shown to be effective with depression, anxiety and sexual disorders.
The model has been criticized for the narrowness of scope.
biological explanations of mental illness
Assumes that psychopathology is caused by biological processes such as genetics and biochemistry in the nervous system. eg GABA, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are neurotransmitters which are implicated in various disorders and Psychoactive drugs (antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepenes) alter neurotransmitter activity and transmission of the neural impulse across the synapse
genetics
Genes may predispose individuals to seek out situations that increase the likelihood of developing a disorder.
Adolescent girls with genetic vulnerability for depression more likely to experience events that can trigger depression (Silberg et al., 1999)
explain the sociocultural model of mental illness
Sociologists linked forms of abnormal behaviour to social classes, and anthropologists found that patterns of abnormal behaviour varied among cultures.
Societies undergoing major change usually show a rise in mental disorders.
Some psychological disorders have limited biological bases and are better explained through environmental/nurture bases. If we are to understand a mental disorder fully, we need to understand the context in which it occurs.
Society decides which patterns of behaviour are abnormal. For example, feeling sad and showing no interest in social activities and lack of energy are not considered a problem in Sri Lanka but this pattern of symptoms could be interpreted very differently in Western countries.
stats for sociocultural model
Rates of psychological abnormality are 3x higher in the lower socioeconomic classes than in higher classes.
Prejudice and discrimination based on race, sex, or age make physical and psychological health and life satisfaction harder to achieve.
At least 2x as many women as men are diagnosed with anxiety and depression
strengths/weaknesses of the sociocultural model
The model added an important dimension to our understanding of abnormal functioning.
Studies have failed to support some of the model’s key predictions.
The model cannot predict psychopathology in specific individuals.
