Chapter 8: Mental Disorders (excluding 230-235/6, 240-244, 246)

Question 1

Contemporary sociological research on mental disorders tends to lean towards the _______ end of the continuum.

Answer 1

Subjective; focusing on stigmatization, experiences of self, and social construction of mental illness.
-strong interactionist theoretical foundation

Question 2

Mental disorder

Answer 2

a psychological, biological, or behavioural dysfunction that interferes with daily life.

Question 3

“common mental disorders” (CMDs) are….. and are most common in ….

Answer 3

depression, anxiety; women

Question 4

Social causation hypothesis

Answer 4

more life stressors and fewer resources characterize the lives of the lower class, contributing to the emergence of mental disorders.

Question 5

Social selection hypothesis

Answer 5

people with mental disorders can fall into lower economic strata because of their difficulties in daily functioning.

Question 6

strain theory

Answer 6

• Mental illness can emerge in response to the gap between institutionalized goals & legitimate means for attaining those goals.
• Mode of adaptation of retreatism: people give up on pursing the goals & legitimate means, & can include alcoholism, drug use, or mental illness.

Question 7

Most mental disorders first emerge during

Answer 7

Adolescence or young adulthood

Question 8

Conservatives estimate the Canadian economic costs of mental illness to be…

Answer 8

$50 billion per year

Question 9

What is a reason to view cost-of-illness estimates with caution?

Answer 9

• fail to take into account ways that the mentally ill contribute to society
• are reflective of negative attitudes towards mental illness

Question 10

In the media, mental illness is typically associated with…

Answer 10

Violent Behaviour

Question 11

How does self-stigma function in regards to mental illness?

Answer 11

• consequences similar to those described by labeling theories
• internalize label of “mentally ill” & its evaluative components

Question 12

disease paradigm of mental illness

Answer 12

emphasizes ameliorating symptoms that distress and impair individuals functioning

Question 13

discrimination paradigm of mental illness

Answer 13

emphasizes the role that stigmatization plays.

Question 14

What are 4 techniques of stigma management/ resistance utilized by those with mental illness?

Answer 14

1. Trying to Pass
2. Divide social worlds
3. Deflecting
4. Challenging
   * last 2 more active forms

Question 15

Trying to Pass

Answer 15

Hide disorders

Question 16

Divide social worlds

Answer 16

Careful management of who is and is not permitted to know about the illness

Question 17

Deflecting

Answer 17

block the stigmatizing external force; distance themselves from the label.

- may show how they bear no resemblance to the “crazy” images in the mass media
- may reframe the label, saying they are just tired, or had a temporary breakdown.

Question 18

Challenging

Answer 18

directly confronting people who stigmatize mental illness/them, educating others.
-may also overcompensate by trying to show themselves as extra competent compared to the average person.

Question 19

Name the 4 core strategies of the WHO’s anti-stigma efforts

Answer 19

1. Information
2. Policy & Service Development
3. Advocacy
4. Research

Question 20

Sick Role

Answer 20

May be adopted when a formal label of mental illness is given.
The person is given temporary reprieve from some of life’s responsibilities.

Question 21

In what case may the label of mentally ill have a positive impact?

Answer 21

In the case of those with more severe disorders, as it may result in a larger, more functional support network.

Question 22

Opponents of the deviance dance say that a formal label of being mentally ill…

Answer 22

might improve self-concept.