Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods, Contemporary Perspectives, and Treatment Approaches, Study notes of Abnormal Psychology

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Chapter 1: Introduction and Methods of Research Chapter 2: Contemporary Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior Chapter 3: Classification and Assessment of Abnormal Behavior Chapter 4: Methods of Treatment Discussion items:

• Discuss six criteria that are used to define abnormal behavior.
• Discuss the relationships between cultural beliefs and norms and the labeling of behavior normal or abnormal.
• List three behaviors or situations that would be considered normal occurrences in a non- USA culture that would be viewed as abnormal or deviant behavior in the United States of America.
• Recount the history of the demonological approach to abnormal behavior, referring to ancient and medieval times.
• Summarize the history of beliefs about disturbed behavior and treatment people deemed "mad" or mentally ill.
• Describe the contributions of Hippocrates, Galen, Pinel, Pussin, Griesinger, and Kraepelin to the development of medical science and thinking.
• Describe the development of treatment centers for abnormal behavior from asylums through the mental hospital.
• Discuss the reform movement and the use of moral therapy, focusing on the roles of Pussin, Pinel, Rush and Dix.

• Discuss the factors associated with the current exodus from mental hospitals in the United States.
• Describe the movement toward deinstitutionalization of mental patients. Advantages? Disadvantages?
• Discuss the following contemporary perspectives on abnormal behavior: biological, psychodynamic, learning-based, humanistic, cognitive, and sociocultural.

• Describe the structures of the brain and their functions.
• Describe the structure and functions of the neuron and explain how neurons communicate with each other.
• Discuss the importance of neurotransmitters relating to mental disorders.
• Briefly describe the various parts of the nervous system, explaining what each does.
• Describe the basic tenets of Freud's psychodynamic theory.
• Describe Freud's views on the structure of personality and the functions of each of the structures he proposed.

• Discuss the various methods used to study abnormal behavior, including the naturalistic observation, the correlational method, the experimental method, and the case study method.
• Discuss the value and limitations of the naturalistic observation method.
• Discuss the value and limitations of correlational research.
• Discuss the value and limitations of longitudinal research.
• Discuss the value and limitations of the case-study method.
• Describe the purpose and features of the experimental method.
• Explain ways in which experimenters control for subjects' and researchers' expectations.
• Discuss the importance of drawing representative samples from target populations. 6
• Describe the features of the DSM system and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the DSM.

• Discuss various methods used to assess a mental disorder.
• Describe what is meant by a clinical interview, identifying the topics typically covered during an intake interview, and contrasting structured with unstructured interviews.
• Distinguish between self-report and projective personality assessment techniques. -Discuss the history, features, reliability and validity of personality tests, focusing on the MMPI and the Rorschach.
• Discuss the advantages and limitations of behavioral assessment.
• Describe the following techniques: the behavioral interview, self-monitoring, use of contrived measures, direct observation, behavioral rating scales. 7
• Discuss sociocultural and ethnic factors in the classification of abnormal behavior.
• Discuss the features of three or more culture-bound syndromes.
• Discuss sociocultural and ethnic factors in the assessment of abnormal behavior. 8
• Define psychotherapy and describe the basic features of psychotherapy.

• Describe family therapy approaches to treating the family unit.
• Discuss issues relating to the use of traditional Western psychotherapy approaches with diverse cultural and racial groups. 10
• Discuss medical approaches to treatment including drug therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and psychosurgery.
• Discuss the pros and cons of drug treatment.
• Describe electroconvulsive therapy and explain why it is controversial.
• Describe the prefrontal lobotomy and explain why it is controversial.
• Describe the roles of the community mental health center and the mental hospital and the problems of the psychiatric homeless population.
• Describe three different types of preventive interventions.