Intro to Psychological disorders

Question 1

what is Erikson’s theory?

limitations or problems with this theory?

Answer 1

Epigenetic theory. Implies step by step growth, critical time periods, dependance on psychosocial crises events to drive the developmental process forward. categorized stages from infancy to old age.

Each age stage includes a developmental task and an outcome (developing consequent life strengths).

Limitations:

• very hard to test empirically
• insufficient attention to negative or maladaptive development
• implies only linear (stage to stage) development is allowed

Question 2

what was Havighhurt’s Theory regarding development?

Limitations?

Answer 2

development moves through stages, each associated with tasks. task is either performed well, leading to success in other future endeavours . failure leads to future difficulties

limitations:

• sociocultural changes have transformed expectations for what is normative development
• research shows self-esteem may be more important than task victories in leading to future happiness

Question 3

whats a turning point?

Answer 3

disruption to a trajectory that has long term impact of altering the probablility of life destinations

Question 4

whats the transactional model?

limitations?

Answer 4

development takes place through transacting factors (genetic, constitutional, biochemical, psychological, environmental). Factors operate together dynamically and bi-directionally.

Question 5

there are gene-environment interactions in development. how are these manifested?

Answer 5

expression of genes always occurs under certain environmental stressors.

ex. development of PKU (impaired metabolism of phenylalanine). removal from dietary environment and you get no mental retardation.

Question 6

what is the concept of multifinality?

Answer 6

that one risk factor can be associated with multliple different outcomes. ex disrupted early attachment leads to seperation anxiety, and various personality disorders.

Question 7

what is the concept of equifinality?

Answer 7

multiple possible pathways to the same outcome eg depression.

Question 8

describe the concept of resilience?

Answer 8

emphasis on multiple transactional processes applied across lifespan.
emphasizes capabilities and strength, as opposed to deficit model of development. (people can cope with trauma without psychological counselling).

after trauma (cancer), state of resilience is recovery from the trauma– this is better than ‘survival of trauma with lasting impairment’ but not as good as ‘thriving in the wake of trauma’.

adversity may provide opportunities to develop resilience. Resilience is a successful interaction with difficulty/adversity/trauma.

Question 9

older adults experience difficulties through which they must show resilience to be successful. they do this by : [..2..]

Answer 9

assimilation - adjusting the environment to fit with the changes

accommodation - adjusting self and attitudes