Other Developmental Theories and Therapies

Developmental Theories and Therapies Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the study, the following goals should be achieved:

• Explain how theories can be applied to daily mental health care.

• Discuss three psychoanalytic therapies that resulted from the work of Freud.

• Identify the differences in viewpoints between developmental, humanistic, and behavioral theories.

• Discuss the use of Maslow’s human needs theory in the care of clients with emotional problems.

• Compare and contrast the main concepts of evebres, cognitive, and sociocultural theories.

• Describe the concept of homeostasis.

• Explain how Selye’s theories of stress influence the delivery of health care.

• Analyze how the field of psychobiology contributes to mental health care.

• Examine the application of nursing theories to mental health care.

• Describe three distinct kinds of psychotherapy used in the treatment of mental disorders.

• Explain the differences between psychotherapies and somatic therapies for treating mental illness.

Essential Key Terms and Definitions

• affective (ǎ-FEC-tiv): (p. $44$)

• closed system: (p. $48$)

• cognition (kog-Ni-shun): (p. $48$)

• cognitive (kŏg-Ni-tiv): (p. $44$)

• defense mechanisms: (p. $41$)

• ego (E-gō): (p. $42$)

• equilibrium (E-kwi-LIB-rē-um): (p. $48$)

• homeostasis (HO-me-o-STFÄ-sis): (p. $50$)

• id (ID): (p. $41$)

• inferiority (in-FER-ē-OR-i-tē): (p. $43$)

• libidinal (li-BID-i-nl) energy: (p. $41$)

• life space: (p. $48$)

• model (MŎD-əl): (p. $40$)

• neuropeptides (NOOR-O-PĔP-tids): (p. $51$)

• neurotransmitters (NOOR-ō-TRANS-mĭ-tĕrs): (p. $51$)

• open system (O-pin-SIS-těm): (p. $48$)

• personifications (pĕr-SŎN-i-fi-KƒÄ-shǝns): (p. $43$)

• phototherapy (fō-tō-THĔR-ǎ-pē): (p. $54$)

• psyche (SĪ-kē): (p. $43$)

• psychoanalysis (SĪ-kō-ǎ-NA-li-sis): (p. $41$)

• psychobiology (SĪ-kō-bi-ŎL-ŏ-jē): (p. $51$)

• psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) (SI-ko-NOO-ro-ĭm-mū-NŎL-ŏ-jē): (p. $51$)

• psychotherapy (SĪ-kō-THĔR-ǎ-pē): (p. $41$)

• soma (SŌ-mə): (p. $43$)

• somatic (sō-MAT-ĭk) therapies: (p. $53$)

• stressor (STRĔS-ər): (p. $50$)

• superego (SŪ-pĕr-Ē-gō): (p. $41$)

• theory (THĒ-ə-rē): (p. $40$)

Functional Definitions of Theory and Model

• Theory: Defined as a statement that explains or describes a relationship among events, concepts, or ideas. Theories undergo a process of evolution through observations, deductions, and research.

• Model: An example or pattern designed to help explain a theory more simply. For instance, a physical model of an airplane serves as a tool to explain the complex theory of flight.

Application and Frameworks

• Models and theories are utilized to explain diverse aspects of human behavior.

• They provide descriptions for the psychodynamics of:

  • Basic needs and drives.

  • Conflicts and perceptions.

  • Values, attitudes, and belief systems.

  • Cultural influences that shape the individual.

• Helping professionals utilize these theories as frameworks to describe the interactions and relationships between people and the various aspects of their environments.

Historical Context of Mental Health

• For many centuries, symbolic and magical thinking were primary methods used to understand the world's workings.

• The specific belief that mentally ill individuals were possessed or controlled by evil spirits was a persistent view that lasted until the late $1800$s, when radical new ideas began to be introduced.

Darwin's Influential Theory of Evolution

• Charles Darwin ($1809-1882$) was a naturalist whose theory of evolution exerted a lasting impact on the field of psychiatry.

• In certain historical applications of Darwin’s theory, individuals suspected of having mental illness or behavioral issues were viewed through the lens of nature, often being categorized as lower on the evolutionary scale.

• Specific conditions such as alcoholism were once considered to be purely the product of nature or genetics.

• During this period of medical history, there were high incidences of tuberculosis and a notably low adult life expectancy.

• The concept of "survival of the fittest" influenced early psychological thought, viewing certain mental health challenges as outcomes of genetic pressure.