1. Abnormality Lesson 3 Approaches to Abnormality

2. Objectives Todays objectives to have an overview of the four approaches to abnormality.

3. Overview Why we have to learn approaches? Definitions is the statement of what forms and kind abnormality there is. Now where going to look at the why? All the approaches are based on a specific view of the very nature of being human and our functioning.

4. The Biological approach Our bodies are physical ill Our bodies are machines, in the same way illness can be said to be our systems failure we are built like machines. http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=398156&sec tion=2.4 Its seen as organic study of our flesh, blood and chemical functioning in the body and brain. changes in the body are influenced by: biochemistry, viral infection, neuroanatomy, genetics. Treatments are somatic ie: Drug, ECT, Psychosurgery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-orbNg-XPk

5. The Psychodynamic Approach Explains behaviour by what DRIVES it, eg; the way a person thinks, feels, or acts. Freud said illness is more about psychological (emotional, spiritual, inner) rather than the physical factors. Most behaviour can be expressed by the unconscious. ‘Freudian slip’. Conflicts between the ID and ego are handled by ego defence mechanisms like repression. (which would be the psychological disorder) Treatment is to make the unconscious into the conscious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KovpyKWu ueg&feature=related

7. Behavioural Approach Learning theory…Classical vs Operant (we are born as a blank slate) and everything we are learning. We should study behaviour to learn the abnormality as it’s the most important thing not the feelings, or biological brain functioning. To be scientific we must study behaviour. Eg: Pavlov, Bandura. If abnormal behaviours are learnt. The therapy is to retrain http://www.ar.cc.mn.us/biederman/courses/p1110/conditioning2.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6trIGgk4mIg&feature=related

8. The Cognitive Approach Suggests that the key influence on behaviour is the internal mental process (a faulty thinking process) (meaning) the brain is like a computer inputting information so that process, similar the working memory model. Abnormality would be explained in terms of thoughts, beliefs and attitudes. Therapies are based on changing the way a person thinks about themselves. (coping strategies)

9. According to Beck, this is cycle which is thought to lead to depression. The components of the triad are: negative views about the world, negative views about oneself and negative views about the future. These is turn lead to each other.