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PSYU3337 - Psychopathology - Coggle Diagram
PSYU3337 - Psychopathology
Week 1 (Intro)
Week 2
Defining abnormality
No single behaviour defines abnormality
Indicators
Distress
Emotional suffering (e.g., anxiety/depression)
Deviance
Statistically rare or socially unacceptable behaviour.
Dangerousness
Risk to self or others.
Dysfunction
Interferes with daily life (e.g., inability to work).
Social Judgment
Definitions of abnormality change over time (e.g., homosexuality was once classified as a disorder).
Cultural Perspectives on Abnormality
Culture influences what is considered abnormal.
e.g., Taijin Kyofusho (Japan) – Fear of embarrassing others.
e.g., Depression in China – More physical symptoms, less emotional.
Historical misuse of "abnormality" to justify control:
e.g., Witch hunts, political oppression, racial discrimination, and gender inequality.
Stigma & Psychological Disorders
Types of Stigma
Public Stigma – Society’s negative attitudes.
Self-Stigma – Internalized negative beliefs.
Perceived Stigma – Fear of discrimination.
Effects of Stigma
Lower self-esteem.
Reduced likelihood of seeking help.
Social isolation.
Historical Perspectives on Mental Illness
Ancient Beliefs
Supernatural explanations (e.g., demon possession, punishment by gods).
Treatment: Exorcisms, rituals, prayer.
Hippocrates (400 BC)
Mental illness due to brain pathology and humor imbalances (blood, phlegm, bile).
Treatment: Restoring humor balance (e.g., bloodletting).
Middle Ages
Return to supernatural explanations.
Treatment: Prayer, holy water, relics.
Renaissance (16th-17th Century)
Science re-emerged, but asylums were often inhumane.
Moral Treatment (18th-19th Century)
Philippe Pinel – Advocated for humane treatment, removed chains.
William Tuke – Created York Retreat (kind environment for mentally ill).
Dorothea Dix – Expanded humane care in U.S. hospitals.
20th Century
Advances in science led to new biological and psychological models.
Contemporary Theories of Psychopathology
Psychoanalytic Perspective
Freud: Unconscious conflicts drive behavior.
Object Relations Theory: Early relationships shape personality.
Interpersonal Perspective: Social/cultural factors influence behavior.
Attachment Theory: Early bonds affect lifelong psychological health.
Behavioural Perspective
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov): Learning via associations.
Operant Conditioning (Skinner): Learning via reinforcement & punishment.
Application: Used in behavioral therapies (e.g., exposure therapy).
Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
Key Idea: Thoughts affect emotions and behaviors.
Cognitive Distortions (Ellis & Beck): Negative thinking patterns (e.g., catastrophizing).
Self-Efficacy (Bandura): Confidence in one’s ability to succeed.
Third-Wave CBT: Includes mindfulness-based approaches.
Biological Perspective
Genetics: Mental disorders are polygenic.
Diathesis-Stress Model: Interaction of genetic vulnerability + environmental stress.
Neurotransmitters
Serotonin – Mood regulation.
Dopamine – Reward processing.
GABA – Anxiety regulation.
HPA Axis Dysfunction: Linked to stress-related disorders.
Temperament: Early personality traits predict adult mental health.
Social Perspective
Environmental factors contribute to mental illness:
Childhood trauma, neglect, discrimination, poverty.
Social interventions can improve mental health outcomes.
No Single Cause of Psychopathology
Mental illness results from a combination of factors
Biological (genetics, brain function).
Behavioral (learning, reinforcement).
Cognitive (thought processes, self-efficacy).
Social & Cultural (relationships, environment).
Developmental (early life experiences, trauma).