Alternative to the Medical Model Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the behaviourist explanation of mental illness (classical conditioning) and what research can be used to support this?
Classical conditioning happens when an emotional response such as fear becomes associated with a neutral stimulus.
Pavlov (1903)
Watson and Rayner (1920)
Outline Pavlovs reserach on classical condiitoning
He taught dogs to salivate when they heard a bell that they had come to associated with the presentation of food.
Outline Watson and Rayer’s reserach on classical conditioning
Case study on Little Albert.
The experimenters presented a white rat to Little Albert and then struck a hammer against a metal bar to induce fear. This producer was repeated.
Little Albert formed a fear of rats and other similar animals.
How does classical conditioning lead to mental disorders?
People may develop hydrophobia (fear of water or drowning) as a result of falling into water (neutral stimulus) at a young age, not being able to swim and being submerged (unconditional response of fear/panic) and developing a powerful life long fear of water (conditional response).
What is the behaviourist explanation of mental illness
(operant conditioning) and what research can be used to support this?
When behaviour is reinforced, that behaviour becomes more likely to be repeated.
Skinner (1948)
Outline the difference between positive and negative reinforcement
Positive reinforcement strengthens a behaviour by providing a consequence an individual finds rewarding.
Negative reinforcement is the removal of an stimulus which is ‘rewarding’ to the animal or person. Negative reinforcement strengthens behaviour because it stops or removes an unpleasant experience.
Outline research by Skinner (1948) on operant conditioning
Skinner conducted research on rats.
Study 1: rats were not fed and grew hungry, in the cage in which they were placed there was a lever that when pressed released food. Rats though positive reinforcement learnt to press the lever when hungry. Positive reinforcement.
Study 2: rats were put in the cage, the floor of the cage generated electric shocks which caused pain for the rat. If the rat pressed the leaver the shocks would stop. Negative reinforcement.
How can operant conditioning lead to a mental illness?
. If someone tries gambling and has some success, their behaviour is reinforced.
A schedule of reinforcement is the set of rules for giving rewards.
What is the cognitive explanation of mental illness?
The cognitive explanation considers thinking, attention and perception that underlie abnormal behaviour.
It explains symptoms and causes of mental disorder though examining irrational or maladaptive beliefs.
What are examples of cognitive distortions?
Over-generalisation (one event as part of a never ending defeat or struggle)
Filtering (only focus on negative aspects)
Catastohisation (far worse than it actually is)
Dichotomous reasoning (all or nothing)
How does Beck (1967) support the cogitative explanation of mental illness
Interviews were held with 50 depressed patients to find out their thoughts and get them to start diaries.
The study uncovered how the patients have cognitive distortions which change their logical and view of realism.
The distortions appeared to be uncontrollable, as if they automatically had the thoughts without being aware
What is CBT?
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for depression
Takes place once a week for 5 to 20 sessions.
Patient identifying irrational and unhelpful thoughts and trying to change them.
It aims to:
To re-establish previous levels of activity
To re-establish a social life
To challenge patterns of negative thinking
To learn to spot the early signs of recurring depression
What is the humanistic exploitation of mental illness?
The humanistic perspective aims to understand human nature using simple principles and a minimum of theory, through emphasising the study of the whole person.
What is Maslows hierarchy of needs?
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory made up of 5 tiers of human needs.
Once that level is fulfilled you begin to focus on the next level up
The level you are on is often based on your environment
What is Carl Rogers theory about the humanistic exlanation?
He proposed that understanding healthy psychological development depends on: the actualising tendency and self concept.
What is self actualisation
You are not constrained by your environment and you seek to reach your goals, by doing this you are at the top of Maslow’s Pyramid.
Rogers believed that humans are primarily motivated by the need to actualise: seeking fulfilment and change through personal growth self-fulfilment
What is self concept?
Rogers believed that we hold an image of our self and how we wish to be. If your self and your self image is the same well will experience high self esteem.
Self-concept depends on our receiving of unconditional positive regard (in the form of love, affection and acceptance, this could be given by friends or family).
How does the humanistic explanation explain depression?
Some children lack positive regard as children resulting in low self esteem in later life meaning they are venerable to disorders.
How is humanistic theory used to treat depression?
Rejects diagnosing mental disorders.
Refers to patients as clients.
They encourage client to focus on their feelings and let the client take the lead.
The main focus is present and future and not the past.
Rogers suggested 3 core-conditions, which help clients in their personal growth:
Empathy: the ability to understand what the client is feeling.
Congruence (genuineness): allows clients to experience them as they really are.
Unconditional positive regard: important for the clients to value themselves and have good self-esteem.
What was the research method used in Szasz research?
An article which critiques changes in the beliefs and concepts surrounding mental health and changes in mental healthcare in the USA over fifty years since 1960.
What did Szasz say about 1950s mental healthcare?
Mental patients were considered incurable and confined in mental hospitals.
The physicians who cared for them were employees of the state governments.
What did Szasz say about current day mental healthcare
Mental health professionals are legally responsible for preventing her patients from being ‘dangerous to herself or others’
Psychiatry is medicalised and politicised
Define medicalisation
Categorisation or treatment of behaviour/event as a medical problem (even if unjustified).
Define politicisation
To make a phenomenon, such as mental illness, political in nature. (Politicians wield power then over the individual through policy).
