1. Approaches to Explaining Atypical Behaviour

2. 1. Medical Model  Assumes that atypical behaviour is the result of a physical issue.  Behaviour can be treated medically.

3. Explanations for Behaviour  Genes (hereditary)  Biomechanical Imbalance (e.g hormones)  Neuroanatomy Problems. (Chua et al, 1995)

4. Evaluation AdvantagesDisadvantages Lacks discrimination and takes away from the taboo surrounding atypical behaviour. Treats symptoms, not the underlying issue. Patients can accept illness more easily as they are not to blame – underlying problem. Reductionist – mental health is much more complex than this model suggests. (Zsasz, 2000) Some disorders definitely are caused by physical issues. Takes responsibility for treatment away from individual. Led to a more humane approach (previously exorcism) Inconclusive evidence Diathesis- stress model Brown and Harris, 1978

5. Medical Therapies  Drugs : anti-depressants, eg Prozac. They can be used for both depression and eating disorders. Its effectiveness supports the medical model.  The drugs don’t work : Electroconvulsive therapy, weight restoration.  ECT: Comer (2002) found a 60-70% improvement rate, but Sackheim et al (2001) argued that many patients later relapsed.

6. Cognitive Approach  Cognitive -1. The mental process of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgement.  Atypical behaviour is a result of irrational and negative thinking.  Can treat atypical behaviour by teaching the individual to challenge these thoughts and change the way they perceive situations

7. Beck, 1976. Cognitive Triad

8. Treatments  Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts:  Eating disorders:  “I am fat no-one will love me if I am fat”  “I am not perfect but people will love me the way I am”

9. Evaluation AdvantagesDisadvantages Sees quick resultsNegative thoughts the result or cause of conditions? (Schachter and Singer, 1962) Can be successful, specifically with depression and anorexia. Doesn’t investigate the root of the problem. Gives the individual the tools to treat themselves. Blames the patient not their situations. Smith et al, 1980

10. Behaviourist Approach  Actions a result of experiences in life.  Behaviour is learned – Classical/Operant conditioning.  Focuses on behaviour only not on the mind.  Classical Conditioning – Pavlov’s dogs. Behaviour learned through association.  Operant Conditioning – Skinner’s Box. Behaviour learned through consequences.  Observational learning. Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. We learn behaviour by observing others.

11. Evaluation AdvantagesDisadvantages Scientific and testableDisregards thoughts and feelings Definitely accounts for some behaviour/ Works for phobias and OCD Can’t account for all behaviour Treats symptoms not cause. Eg, medical issues/childhood trauma

12. Therapies  Aversion Therapy  Systematic Desensitisation  Modelling Therapy

13. Psychoanalytic Approach  Freud  Atypical behaviour is psychological not physical.  Caused by:  unresolved psychological conflicts. (id, ego superego)  Repressed childhood experiences  Unconscious motivations

14. Defence Mechanisms  Behaviour-channelling defences Behaviour-channelling defences  Identification  Displacement  Sublimation  Primary reality - distorting defences Primary reality - distorting defences  Repression  Denial  Secondary reality -distorting defences Secondary reality  Projection  Reaction formation  Rationalisation

15. Therapies  Clinical Interviews  Analysis of symbolism  Task: what do you think the following dreams would say about a person’s personality?  Being attacked  Attacking others  Falling from the sky.  Climbing to the sky/flying.  A train going into a tunnel.

16. Evaluation AdvantagesDisadvantages Patient centredSample theories are based on Childhood is keyReductionist Influential and widely usedToo much sex!!!