Psych 151 PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Overview of Psychological Perspectives

1. Psychoanalytic

2. Psychodynamic (Neo-analytic)

3. Humanistic

4. Family Systems

5. Behavioral

6. Cognitive

1. Psychoanalytic Theory

Historical Foundations

• Franz Mesmer – early hypnosis

• Jean-Martin Charcot – psychological causes of disorder

• Josef Breuer – catharsis and the "talking cure" (Case of Anna O.)

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Structure of Personality (Freud)

• Id – pleasure principle, instinctual drives

• Ego – reality principle, rational problem-solving

• Superego – moral conscience, guilt and shame

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Structure of the Mind

• Conscious – current awareness

• Preconscious – accessible memories

• Unconscious – repressed thoughts and conflicts

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Psychoanalytic Therapy

• Goal: uncover unconscious conflicts

• Techniques:

  • Free association

  • Dream analysis

  • Interpretation of resistance and transference

• Long-term, intensive treatment

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Evaluation of Psychoanalytic model

Limitations:

• Difficult to test empirically

• Overly deterministic

• Lengthy and impractical

2. Psychodynamic (Neo-Analytic) Theory

Psychodynamic (Neo-Analytic) Theory

• Retains unconscious focus

• Greater emphasis on:

  • Ego and self

  • Current relationships

  • Less sexual determinism

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Ego Psychology

• Anna Freud

• Ego present at birth

• Ego helps individual adapt

• Defense mechanisms protect against anxiety

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Object Relations Theory

• Focus on early relationships

• Attachment theory (Bowlby):

  • Secure attachment → healthy relationships

  • Insecure attachment → vulnerability to disorders

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Psychodynamic Therapy

• Shorter and less intensive

• Focus on present symptoms

• Emphasis on insight and relationships

3. Humanistic Theory

Humanistic Models

• Emphasize growth, meaning, and free will

• Self-actualization as primary motivation

• Carl Rogers: Client-Centered Therapy

  • Unconditional positive regard

  • Empathy

  • Authenticity

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Evaluating Humanistic Models

• Strength-based

• Difficult to test

• Best for mild distress

4. Family Systems Model

Model:

• belief individuals problems are rooted in their interpersonal/family relationships

• ex: kids stomach hurts and doesn’t want to go to school (parents are going through rough divorce)

Evaluating

• good for kids

• hard to observe in lab

5. Behavioral Models

Behavioral Models

• Focus on learned behavior

• Reject unconscious explanations

• Key learning theories:

  • Classical conditioning (Pavlov)

  • Operant conditioning (Skinner)

  • Social learning (Bandura)

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Behavioral Therapy

• Modify reinforcement patterns

• Reduce maladaptive behaviors

• Increase adaptive behaviors

• Techniques: desensitization, token economies

5. Cognitive

Cognitive Models

• Thoughts shape emotions and behavior

• Maladaptive schemas and beliefs cause distress

• Key concepts:

  • Attribution styles

  • Self-efficacy vs learned helplessness

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Cognitive Therapy

• Ellis: Rational Emotive Therapy

• Beck: Cognitive Therapy for Depression

• CBT combines cognitive + behavioral approaches

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Evaluating Cognitive Models

Strengths:

• Strong empirical support

• Time-limited and practical

Limitations:

• Risk of blaming the client

• Thoughts, feelings, and behavior influence each other

Integrative Models

Psychopathology results from interaction of:

• Biology

• Psychology

• Social environment

Diathesis–Stress / Differential Susceptibility Model

• Diathesis = vulnerability

• Stress = environmental trigger

• Disorder develops when both interact

• No single cause of mental illness