SOCIOCULTURAL MODEL Saleema, Nina, Jenna, and Deja

Outline ◦ Explaining Abnormality ◦ The Three D’s ◦ Therapies ◦ Example Disorder ◦ Prevention Terms ◦ Family Structures ◦ Assessing the Model ◦ Questions/ Bibliography

How Does the Sociocultural Model Explain Abnormality? ◦ The Sociocultural model states that abnormal behavior is defined by social forces. ◦ To understand behavior look to person’s social surroundings Social surroundings are: ◦ Family structure ◦ Communication ◦ Cultural influences ◦ Social networks ◦ Societal conditions ◦ Societal labels and roles

Distress, Deviance, and Dysfunction Dysfunction ◦ Psychological problems can stem from a dysfunctional society ◦ There is a relationship between lower socioeconomic classes and psychological abnormality Deviance ◦ When someone strays from society, they’re labeled deviant ◦ The “mentally ill” label sticks and the person decides to accept and act to their assigned role because that is what society expects Distress ◦ A person’s friends and family can influence whether or not their behavior is considered distressful ◦ If your society/culture values drinking then developing a dependency on alcohol would not seem distressful

Therapies Culture-Sensitive Therapy ◦ Approaches that seek to address the unique issues faced by members of minority groups ◦ These approaches include topics like raising the consciousness of minority group clients about the impact of the dominant culture and of their own culture on their self views and behavior, helping clients overcome language barriers, and aid clients in achieving a bicultural balance Group Therapy/Self-Help Group ◦ A therapy format in which a group of people with similar problems meet together with a therapist to work on those problems ◦ As a group they develop social skills, strengthen feelings of self-worth, and share information or advice ◦ (REMEMBER) Family Therapy ◦ A therapist meets with all members of a family, points out problem behaviors and interactions and helps the whole family to change

Therapies Cont. Couple Therapy ◦ A therapy format in which the therapist works with two people who share a long-term relationship ◦ Couple therapy often focuses on the structure and communication patterns occurring in the relationship Community Treatment ◦ A treatment approach that emphasizes community care ◦ Allows clients, usually those with severe psychological difficulties, to receive treatment in familiar surroundings as they try to recover

Example Disorder For a patient suffering from anorexia, the Sociocultural model would: ◦ Understand that a western society, that idolizes very thin women, is likely a cause of this type of disorder ◦ Have the patient stay in a rehabilitation facility, designed like a comfortable home environment, while getting treatment ◦ Have the patient participate in group therapy in order to get support from patients of a similar disorder

Prevention (HEY! You might want to remember these 3 terms) Primary Prevention ◦ Consists of efforts to improve community attitudes and policies ◦ It’s goal is to prevent psychological disorders altogether ◦ To achieve this, community workers may protest for better community programs and/or consult with a school board to help develop a curriculum Secondary Prevention ◦ Consists of identifying and treating psychological disorders in early stages ◦ Community workers may work with influential members of the community to help them recognize the early signs of a psychological dysfunction and instruct them in how to find treatment Tertiary Prevention ◦ Goal is to provide effective treatment when needed so disorders do not become long term problems

Family Structures (HEY! Also remember these short points) ◦ Enmeshed Family Structure- Family members are overinvolved in each other’s lives ◦ Often produces abnormal children who have trouble with independency ◦ Disengaged Family Structure- Family members have rigid boundaries between them ◦ Often produces abnormal children who have trouble asking for support or functioning in a group

Assessing the Sociocultural Model The Sociocultural Model’s Positive Influence ◦ The model has added to the understanding and treatment of abnormal functioning ◦ Today, most clinicians take sociocultural factors (family, cultural, social, and societal issues) into account. These factors were overlooked just 30 years ago. ◦ Clinicians are more aware of the impact of social labels ◦ Sociocultural treatment works when other treatment approaches have failed The Sociocultural Model’s Negative Influence ◦ Sociocultural research findings are often difficult to interpret. Research may reveal a relationship between certain factors and a disorder yet fail to establish that they are its cause. ◦ Inability to predict abnormality in specific individuals ◦ Because of these limitations, most clinicians view sociocultural explanations as operating with biological or psychological explanations

Any Questions? Bibliography Comer, R. (1992). Abnormal psychology (5th ed.). New York: Freeman.