Social Psychology and Psychological Disorders

Social Psychology and Person Perception

  • Person Perception: The process by which we form impressions of others.

    • Example 1: If a professor enters class yelling and slamming items, we may see her as a crazy, mean person.

    • Example 2: If the same professor behaves similarly but is known to be having a bad day, we may view her behavior with more empathy.

Attribution Theory

  • Attribution Theory: Framework for understanding how we attribute the causes of behavior in others based on different dimensions:

    • Internal vs External Causes: Determining if behavior is due to personal traits (internal) or situational factors (external).

    • Stable vs Unstable Causes: Assessing if behaviors are consistent over time (stable) or fluctuating (unstable).

    • Controllable vs Uncontrollable Causes: Any acknowledgment of whether the individual had control over their actions.

Attribution Errors

  • Fundamental Attribution Error: The tendency to overemphasize personality traits while downplaying situational influences when evaluating others' behaviors.

    • Tends to lessen in situations of close relationships.

Person Perception Errors

  • Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: This occurs when our expectations about others lead them to behave in ways that confirm those expectations.

  • Self-Serving Bias: The tendency to take credit for our successes (internal attribution) while attributing failures to external factors.

  • Dunning-Kruger Effect: A cognitive bias where individuals of low ability overestimate their competence, resulting in inflated self-assessment.

Imposter Phenomenon

  • A psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud" despite evidence of their competence.

Beautiful-is-Good Stereotype

  • The belief that physically attractive individuals possess more positive qualities than their less attractive counterparts.

Persuasion

  • Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM): Explains how persuasion results in attitude change through two routes:

    • Central Processing: Involves cognitive elaboration and deep thinking regarding the message.

    • Peripheral Processing: Involves superficial cues such as the attractiveness of the source or emotional appeal.

Factors Influencing Persuasion

  • Message Source Characteristics: Credibility, attractiveness, and expertise of the source.

  • Message Characteristics: The way emotions are framed within the message, especially fear-based appeals.

  • Target Characteristics: Demographics, such as age and existing belief strength. Younger individuals and those with weaker beliefs are more likely to be persuaded.

Compliance Techniques

  • Foot-in-the-door Technique: Securing agreement to a small request increases the likelihood of compliance with a larger request subsequently.

Conformity

  • Reasons for Conformity:

    • Biological: Group membership activates brain reward systems.

    • Psychological:

      • Informational Social Influence: Desire to be correct; belief others possess more accurate information.

      • Normative Social Influence: Motivation to be liked and accepted by others.

    • Social Dynamics: Difference between individualistic versus collectivistic cultures.

Obedience

  • Milgram Experiment: Study of obedience to authority involving:

    • Participants designated as "teachers" who administered shocks (15 to 450 volts) to a "learner."

    • Findings showed significant obedience levels even under ethical dilemmas.

Cognitive Dissonance

  • Cognitive Dissonance: Psychological conflict arising from holding contradictory beliefs or attitudes.

  • Effort Justification: The tendency to increase the perceived value of something we’ve put substantial effort into obtaining.

Cult Behavior and Psychology

  • When Prophecy Fails: Analysis of a doomsday cult led by a prophet claiming salvation on a specific date but leading to failure and cognitive dissonance among followers.

Psychological Disorders

  • Definition of Abnormal: Indicators include:

    • Deviant: Behaviors considered outside standard social norms.

    • Dysfunctional: Harmful actions impeding daily functioning.

    • Personal Distress: Feelings of sadness or despair.

    • Dangerousness: Potentially harmful thoughts and behaviors.

Diagnostic Manual

  • DSM-%: Classification system used by the American Psychiatric Association for psychological disorders. Characteristics include:

    • Descriptive nature without causative discussions.

    • Inflexible categories (e.g., 5 criteria must be met for diagnosis).

    • Potential stigmatization from labels impacting different aspects such as employment and insurance.

Biopsychosocial Model

  • Understanding Case Examples: For instance, assessing Alan who feels depressed should consider:

    • Biological factors (health history, lifestyle).

    • Psychological factors (mental health history).

    • Sociocultural factors (social support networks, job security).

Diathesis-Stress Model

  • Diathesis: Refers to underlying predispositions or vulnerabilities toward a disorder.

  • Stress: External environmental stressors that may trigger or exacerbate the disorder.

  • : Development: Strong diathesis requires less stress for disorders to manifest.

Disorders Defined

Schizophrenia

  • Characteristics:

    • Positive Symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, unusual movement patterns.

    • Negative Symptoms: Social withdrawal, flat affect, inappropriate emotional responses.

  • Causes:

    • Environmental: Drug use (dopamine) and maternal stress.

    • Biological: Genetic factors and neurobiological differences (reduction in frontal lobe use, of enlarged ventricles).

Mood Disorders

  • General Definition: Emotional disturbances severely impacting daily life.

  • Major Depression: Defined by severe and persistent symptoms lasting over two weeks.

Bipolar Disorder

  • Types:

    • Bipolar I: Involves full manic episodes lasting at least a week or requiring hospitalization.

    • Bipolar II: Characterized by a hypomanic phase, less intense than full mania.

  • Manic State Characteristics: Excessive energy, reduced need for sleep, impulsivity.

Dissociative Disorders

  • Definition: Memory loss or changes in identity due to dissociation of consciousness, usually due to trauma.

    • Dissociative Identity Disorder: Involves two or more distinct identities within one individual; may have varying behaviors, memories.

Anxiety Disorders

  • Definition: Uncontrollable anxiety that disrupts daily life.

  • Types include:

    • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Persistent worry (6+ months).

    • Panic Disorder: Episodes of extreme terror leading to panic attacks.

    • Phobias: Excessive, irrational fears regarding specific stimuli (e.g., heights, animals).

The Nature of Phobias

  • Common Phobias: Examples include fear of heights, spiders, etc.

  • Less Common Phobias: Include fears of chickens, colors, etc.

Causes of Anxiety Disorders

  • Deficiencies in neurotransmitters (serotonin, GABA).

  • Overactive autonomic nervous system responses.

  • Negative thinking and conditioned responses from childhood trauma.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD)

  • Obsessions: Recurring, unwelcome thoughts (e.g., cleanliness, violence).

  • Compulsions: Repetitive acts undertaken to relieve the anxiety linked to obsessions.

  • Related Disorders:

    • Hoarding: Compulsive collection and elemental attachment to possessions rendered unusable.

    • Excoriation: Skin picking to the point of damage or injury.

    • Trichotillomania: Hair pulling causing noticeable hair loss.

    • Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance.

Personality Disorders

  • Characteristics: Inflexible, maladaptive traits affecting functioning.

  • Antisocial Personality Disorder:

    • Lack of ethics; disregard for societal rules; prevalence in 3-5% of U.S. adult males.

    • Associated with low prefrontal cortex activity and manipulative behavior patterns.

    • Example: James Fallon's family history of violence.

  • Borderline Personality Disorder:

    • Plaguing symptoms include instability in relationships, self-image, and extreme behaviors including high rates of self-harm.

Mental Health Professionals

  • Types of Providers:

    • Psychiatrists: Medical doctors focusing on medication and medical assessment.

    • Psychologists: Ph.D. professionals providing assessments and therapy.

    • Clinical Social Workers: Masters professionals offering mental health support.

    • Therapists: Various mental health management providers.

Biological Treatments

  • Chemical Imbalance Myth: No direct evidence linking depression directly to chemical imbalances; neurotransmitters are components of the conversation.

  • Pharmacological Treatments:

    • Antipsychotics: Primarily target dopamine for psychotic symptoms.

    • Antidepressants: Improve mood; examples include SSRIs commonly prescribed for various disorders.

    • Anxiolytics: Reduce group anxiety; potential for addiction and risk when combined with alcohol.

    • Mood Stabilizers: Such as lithium for managing manic symptoms.

Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy (ECT)

  • Definition: Provides seizures through electrical currents; often a last resort for severe depression.

    • Side effects include memory loss and confusion.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

  • Function: Uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions, approved for various conditions.

    • Advantages include awake sessions with no significant side effects.

    • Disadvantages include the extensive time commitment and variable effectiveness.

Psychotherapy Treatments

  • Behavioral Approaches: Utilizes learning principles to modify behaviors, including techniques like systematic desensitization.

    • Example: Virtual reality therapy combined with emotion-reducing techniques.

  • Cognitive Approaches: Target irrational thoughts, leading to distorted self-perception.

    • Examples of cognitive distortions include over-generalization, mind reading, and emotional reasoning.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Integrates cognitive and behavioral strategies, short-term, addresses irrational beliefs.

Social Approaches

  • Address environmental factors contributing to mental health, utilizing social support systems to foster well-being.

Recovery Perspectives

  • Spontaneous Remission: Some individuals recover independently, but psychological treatment significantly aids recovery compared to untreated individuals.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Key Features:

    • Significant social, emotional, behavioral and communication challenges.

    • Display of repetitive behaviors, insistence on routines, and sensory sensitivities.

Summary of Key Disorders

  • Schizophrenia: Features both positive and negative symptoms, sources and risks.

  • Bipolar Disorder: Distinct types with their manic characteristics.

  • OCD: Involves obsessions and compulsions.

  • Major Depression: Symptoms affecting mood and functionality.

  • PTSD: Arises post-traumatic events with varied symptom clusters.

  • Dissociative Identity Disorder: Characterized by distinct identities and memory issues.

Treatment Approaches

  • Pharmacological approaches include the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.

  • Psychotherapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and behavioral therapy play a crucial role in managing these disorders effectively.