Causes of Abnormal Behavior 1-2

Understanding Abnormal Behavior

  • The study of abnormal behavior aims to identify etiology—the underlying factors that cause mental illnesses.

  • Factors can be categorized into biological, psychological, and social influences, leading to the biopsychosocial model of mental health.

Core Objectives of This Module

  1. Outline Historical Origins of Psychology Paradigms

    • Explore various paradigms: Biological, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Humanistic.

  2. Relate Systems Theory to Psychopathology

    • Understand how systems theory applies to mental health and disorders.

  3. Understand the Biopsychosocial Model

    • Recognize the integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in explaining behavior.

  4. Explore Research Methods

    • Focus on correlation as a vital research method in psychology.

Historical Context of Abnormal Behavior

  • Early research emphasized on the biological perspective due to conditions like general paresis, often linked to late-stage syphilis, which resulted in severe psychological symptoms.

  • This provided momentum for further investigation into biological causes of mental disorders.

Biological Paradigm

  • Investigates the biological causes of abnormal behavior, such as genetics and infections.

  • Key Points:

    • General paresis provided a framework demonstrating that infections could significantly impact mental health.

    • Recognition of biological underpinnings for various mental illnesses.

Psychodynamic Paradigm

  • Introduced by Sigmund Freud; focuses on unconscious mental conflicts stemming from early childhood experiences.

  • Key Components of Psychoanalytic Theory:

    • Id: Instinctual part of the mind seeking pleasure (pleasure principle).

    • Ego: Rational aspect, mediating reality (reality principle).

    • Superego: Moral conscience reflecting societal values.

  • Conflicts among these components contribute to anxiety and abnormal behavior.

Defense Mechanisms

  • Unconscious strategies protecting the ego from anxiety:

    • Denial: Refusal to accept reality (e.g., substance abuse denial).

    • Displacement: Shifting feelings from one object to another (e.g., venting frustration on a family member).

    • Projection: Attributing one's own feelings to others (e.g., accusing a partner of disinterest).

    • Rationalization: Justifying poor performance or disappointment (e.g., downplaying importance of a failed soccer tryout).

    • Reaction Formation: Converting unacceptable feelings to their opposites (e.g., expressing hate for an ex while still feeling love).

    • Repression: Blocking out painful memories (e.g., forgetting a traumatic dog bite).

    • Sublimation: Channeling impulses into socially acceptable activities (e.g., using aggressive energy in kickboxing).

Conclusion

  • The exploration of these paradigms and mechanisms helps to better understand the complexity of abnormal behavior, paving the way for effective interventions and therapy in mental health.