Unit 13: Treatment of Abnormal Behaviors

Psychoanalytic Therapy Psychoanalysis-goal of therapy is to identify the unconscious conflicts that are causing abnormal behavior Techniques Hypnosis-altered state of consciousness; less likely to repress troubling thoughts Free association-patient says whatever comes to mind Dream analysis-patients describe their dreams, since the ego’s defense are relaxed while sleeping All 3 of these rely heavily on the interpretation of the psychologist/therapist Manifest content-what the patient reveals Latent (hidden content)-what the therapist interprets Resistance-Patients disagreement with therapist’s thoughts; seen as a sign that therapist is “on the right track” Transference-Patient begins to develop strong feelings for the therapist; used to try to identify the source of the problem(s)

Psychodynamic Therapy While many psychologists are/have been influenced by Freud; much of his original theory has been rejected. Psychologists who have based their work on modified versions of Freud’s work are known as Psychodynamic theorists/psychologists. Less emphasis on hypnosis, dream analysis, & Freud’s psychosexual theories More emphasis on bringing awareness to a person of their cognition (the way & why they think), importance of their unconscious, & the important role of childhood development on adult behaviors

Humanistic Therapies Focus on helping people understand & accept themselves AND to reach their highest potential (self-actualize) People are innately good People control their own destinies (free will) Carl Rogers (Client/person-centered therapy) Therapist provides client with blanket acceptance/support, regardless of what they say/do (unconditional positive regard) Non-directive (active listening) Conscious rather than the unconscious thoughts the present and future rather than the past Gestalt therapy-emphasizes the importance of getting in touch with the patients’ whole self; integrating all actions, feelings, & thoughts into a harmonious whole Existential therapies-Help clients to formulate a vision of their lives as worthwhile

Behavior Therapies Behavior Therapy-since all behavior is learned, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and modeling can help “un-learn” behaviors Counterconditioning-replaces unpleasant CR with a pleasant one Systematic desensitization-teaches patient to replace feelings of anxiety (unpleasant CR) with relaxation (pleasant CR) Aversive conditioning-pairing a habit the patient wants to be rid of with an unpleasant stimulus Operant conditioning-use of reinforcement/punishment to modify behavior Token economy-desired behaviors are rewarded with tokens that can be exchanged for objects/privileges Modeling-learning by observing & then imitating the behavior of others

Cognitive Therapies Cognitive therapy-locate the cause of psychological problems & try to change those unhealthy cognitive patterns Cognitive triad-Person’s belief about him/herself, the world, and their future (Aaron Beck) People suffering from depression often have irrationally negative beliefs corresponding to the triad Cognitive-Behavioral therapies (CBT) Combine ideas/techniques of cognitive & behavioral psychology

Group and Family Therapies Group therapy-Therapy sessions that are not 1 patient for 1 therapist Family therapy-group therapy involving a family unit; can be used to treat either family issues or individual issues that are related to family dynamics Group therapy can involve a group of people who have no relationship with each other, but who suffer from similar problems Self-help groups-group therapy that doesn’t involve a traditional therapist

Somatic Therapies Therapies that produce bodily changes Drug therapy/psychopharmacology The more severe a disorder, the more likely it is that drugs will be used to treat it Schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, & mood disorders are some of the disorders commonly treated with drugs Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) “Electroshock therapy” running current through 1/both hemispheres of the brain Effectiveness is uncertain and controversial Psychosurgery Purposeful destruction of part of the brain to alter a person’s behavior. “Lobotomy”

Eclectic Therapies/Kinds of Therapists Most therapists will not exclusively use just one therapy; the combination of different types of therapies is referred to as an eclectic therapy Kinds of Therapists Psychiatrists-medical doctors; permitted to prescribe medication Clinical psychologists-earn Ph.D.s & usually deal with people who are suffering from problems more severe than normal everyday difficulties Counseling therapists-graduate degree in psychology; typically deal with less severe problems than a clinical psychologist would Psychoanalysts-usually trained in Freudian methods; may not hold a medical degree (depending on geographic location)