PSYCH 222 - Chapter 8

Theory

A well-substantiated, abstract explanation of a phenomenon arrived at via rational thought.

Can provide insight into everyday life problems or challenges.

Deal-makers

Traits that generally promote relationship wellbeing.

Traits associated with higher quantity and quality of relationships.

Likeability

Having qualities that bring about a favourable regard, associated with high communal traits.

What are two week-known traits that particularly undermine relationship success?

• untrustworthiness

• anger issues

Dispositional contempt

A tendency to see others as falling short of your standard; chronically judging, sneering, and pushing people away.

The biggest predictor of divorce, reduces relationship commitment and satisfaction.

Rejection sensitivity

The tendency to be overly reactive to any indication that their partner might be losing interest or will soon reject them, leading to an anxious or panicked response.

People can unconsciously produce the very outcomes they fear most.

Can eventually become the expectancy effect.

Attachment theory

Characteristic patterns of relating to others that tend to be consistently repeated with different partners throughout life.

The relationships we have with our caregivers early in life can influence our romantic relationships as adults.

• basis of love

• based on evolutionary theory

• desire for protection leads to attachment

Mary Ainsworth

Identified three types of childhood attachment that predict childhood behaviour and adult relationship behaviour/life outcomes.

Insecure attachment types

• anxious-ambivalent (insecure)

• avoidant (insecure)

• secure attachment

Anxious-ambivalent attachment

Caregivers are inconsistent or chaotic.

Avoidant attachment

Caregivers are indifferent/unavailable, rebuff attempts for contact and reassurance.

Secure attachment

Confident in self and caregivers. (the healthy “ideal”)

Personality disorder

Configurations of traits that are socially and/or personally undesirable and extreme. (off the normal continuum that interferes with daily functioning)

Risk factors associated with personality disorders:

• younger age (onset)

• male

• unmarried

• lower socioeconomic and education levels

5 broad causes of personality disorders:

• genetics

• childhood trauma

• verbal abuse

• high reactivity

• peers

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)

Traditionally lists 10 major personality disorders that can be organized into 3 clusters/categories (with the goal of being more objective and ensuring insurance billing):

• cluster A - odd/eccentric disorders

  • schizoid

  • paranoid

  • schizotypal

• cluster B - impulsive/erratic disorders

  • histrionic

  • antisocial

  • borderline

  • narcissistic

• cluster C - anxious/avoidant disorders

  • dependent

  • avoidant

  • obsessive-compulsive

The new section retains only 6 of the original 10 disorders:

• schizotypal

• narcissistic

• antisocial

• avoidant

• borderline

• obsessive-compulsive

5 defining factors of personality disorders:

• unusual and extreme personality attributes (realtive to cultural context, often denying or distorting reality)

• problematic (in the life of oneself or others, some degree of suffering)

• social (negatively affect social relationships and interactions by definition)

• largely stable over time (often persisting throughout life)

• can be ego-syntonic

Ego-syntonic

Symptoms are seen as normal and valued aspects of personality by the person with the disorder.

• suffering is not evident

• do not necessarily want a cure or change

• lacking insight

Ego-dystonic

The person is aware of disordered ways of thinking, feeling, and being.

• suffering is evident

• seek help and healing

• some degree of insight

Difference between OCD and OCPD

OCD

• ego-dystonic

• anxiety disorder

• characterized by obsessions and compulsions

• the person realizes these thoughts and behaviours are irrational

• individual is distressed

OCPD

• ego-syntonic

• personality disorder

• characterized by rigidity, control, perfectionism, and an over concern with work at the expense of interpersonal relationships

• symptoms consistent with worldview (believe they are rational)

• individual may not be distressed, close others frequently distressed

What is Cluster A?

Odd or eccentric. (weird)

What is Cluster B?

Dramatic, emotional, erratic. (wild)

What is Cluster C?

Anxious or fearful. (worried)

Paranoid-personality disorder

Cluster A, characterized by a pattern of irrational suspicion and mistrust of others, interpreting motivations as malevolent.

Schizoid personality disorder

Cluster A, lack of interest and detachment from social relationships, apathy, and restricted emotional expression.

Schizotypal personality disorder

Cluster A, pattern of extreme discomfort interacting socially, and distorted cognition and perceptions.

Antisocial personality disorder

Cluster B, pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, lack of empathy, bloated self-image, manipulative and impulsive behaviour.

Borderline personality disorder

Cluster B, pervasive pattern of abrupt emotional outbursts, altered empathy, instability in relationships, self-image, identity, behaviour and affect, often leading to self-harm and impulsivity. (splitting - all good or all bad with a rapid change)

Histrionic personality disorder

Cluster B, pervasive pattern of attention-seeking behaviour, excessive emotions, and egocentrism.

Narcissistic personality disorder

Cluster B, pervasive pattern of superior grandiosity, need for admiration, and a perceived or real lack of empathy. May show evidence of paranoia, aggression, psychopathy, and sadistic personality disorder.

Avoidant personality disorder

Cluster C, pervasive feelings of social inhibition and inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation. (lead someone to avoid normal and healthy social interaction, commonly ego-dystonic)

Dependent personality disorder

Cluster C, pervasive psychological need to be cared for by other people.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Cluster C, characterized by rigid conformity to rules, perfectionism, and control to the point of satisfaction and exclusion of leisurely activities and friendships.

The “Bad Five”

Extreme scores on the Big 5 which exceed the normal boundaries of healthy variation in potentially maladaptive ways.

Explores distribution of pathological traits:

• negative affectivity

• detachment

• antagonism

• disinhibition

• psychoticism

Negative affectivity

Tendency to feel negative emotions.

Detachment

Tendency to withdraw from others and avoid emotional contact.

Antagonism

Degree of deceitfulness, grandiosity, callousness, and manipulativeness.

Disinhibition

Degree of careless and impulsive behaviour.

Psychoticism

Tendency to have bizarre thoughts/experiences and exhibit eccentric behaviour.

3 DSM-5 categories:

• classic categorical approach

• hybrid approach

• trait approach (bad 5)

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder?

confused identity

Which therapy has sometimes been effective for treating borderline personality disorder?

dialectical behavioral therapy

Which of the maladaptive personality traits in the DSM-5captures many of the personality attributes associated with narcissism?

antagonism

What is one potential issue for diagnosing personality disorders?

There is no sharp defining line between normal personality and abnormal personality.

Which of the following explains why one must consider cultural context when diagnosing personality disorders?

A behavior that may seem extreme to one group may actually be culturally appropriate in another group.

People with ________ personality disorders usually seek out help, while people with ________ personality disorders usually do not see a reason or need to change themselves.

ego-dystonic; ego-syntonic

Someone who brags about her physical health and vitality in front of a friend going through chemotherapy exhibits a symptom of which personality disorder?

narcissistic

An individual who is typically irritable, aggressive, and irresponsible might have which personality disorder?

antisocial

The hallmark of borderline personality disorder is

emotional instability.

An individual who consistently fears abandonment may suffer from which personality disorder?

borderline

Susan absolutely demands to be uncritically accepted by her partner, Jade. Susan MOST likely has which personality disorder?

avoidant

____ is the tendency to frequently and intensely feel negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and suspicion.

Negative affectivity

Which of the maladaptive personality traits in the DSM-5 bears the closest resemblance to low conscientiousness in the Big Five?

disinhibition