What is abnormal behavior? By what criteria should it be defined?

What is abnormal behavior? By what criteria should it be defined?

Causes and Treatments of Abnormal Behavior: Different

Approaches

Causes and Treatments of Abnormal Behavior: Different

Approaches

2000 approximate figures2000 approximate figures

Represented as a percentage of all reported disorders in the US adult populationRepresented as a percentage of all reported disorders in the US adult population

1. Describe the differences between Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder.

1. Describe the differences between Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder.

•For GAD there is excessive or unrealistic worry about almost everything, most of the time•Also known as “free-floating anxiety”•In panic disorder, there are recurrent and unexpected panic attacks•The fear of these attacks affects the person’s overall well-being

•For GAD there is excessive or unrealistic worry about almost everything, most of the time•Also known as “free-floating anxiety”•In panic disorder, there are recurrent and unexpected panic attacks•The fear of these attacks affects the person’s overall well-being

2. What is the difference between being afraid of something and having a phobia?

2. What is the difference between being afraid of something and having a phobia?

•The fear is more intense and is out of all proportion to the possible danger of the object or situation

•The fear is more intense and is out of all proportion to the possible danger of the object or situation

3. Summarize the differences between social phobias, specific phobias, and agoraphobia.3. Summarize the differences between social phobias, specific phobias, and agoraphobia.

•Social phobias are characterized by continuous fear of performing in social situations•Specific phobias are related to specific objects or situations (bugs, flying, etc.)•Agoraphobia is characterized by anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing

•Social phobias are characterized by continuous fear of performing in social situations•Specific phobias are related to specific objects or situations (bugs, flying, etc.)•Agoraphobia is characterized by anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing

4. How might panic attacks lead to agoraphobia?

4. How might panic attacks lead to agoraphobia?

•The person is afraid of having an attack in public, so they don’t leave home•Through negative reinforcement (take away the anxiety, to increase the behavior of staying inside) they become operantly conditioned to fear leaving home

•The person is afraid of having an attack in public, so they don’t leave home•Through negative reinforcement (take away the anxiety, to increase the behavior of staying inside) they become operantly conditioned to fear leaving home

5. What is the difference between an obsession and a compulsion (in the disease OCD)?

5. What is the difference between an obsession and a compulsion (in the disease OCD)?

•Obsession = recurrent thoughts, impulses, or images•Compulsions = irresistible impulses to perform behaviors or rituals over and over

•Obsession = recurrent thoughts, impulses, or images•Compulsions = irresistible impulses to perform behaviors or rituals over and over

6. How does exposure therapy work?6. How does exposure therapy work?

•Consists of gradually exposing the person to the real anxiety-producing situations or objects that he or she is attempting to avoid and continuing exposure treatments until the anxiety decreases

•Consists of gradually exposing the person to the real anxiety-producing situations or objects that he or she is attempting to avoid and continuing exposure treatments until the anxiety decreases

7. What is the cause of the physical symptoms in somatoform disorders?7. What is the cause of the physical symptoms in somatoform disorders?

•They are believed to be caused by psychological factors•But the symptoms are real !!!!

•They are believed to be caused by psychological factors•But the symptoms are real !!!!

8. What are some examples of conversion disorders?

8. What are some examples of conversion disorders?

•Blindness•Dizziness•Nausea•Paralysis•Loss of sensation

•Blindness•Dizziness•Nausea•Paralysis•Loss of sensation

9. How does mass hysteria occur?9. How does mass hysteria occur?•Through suggestion, observation, or other psychological processes, a group may develop similar fears, delusions, abnormal behavior, or physical symptoms (real!)

•Through suggestion, observation, or other psychological processes, a group may develop similar fears, delusions, abnormal behavior, or physical symptoms (real!)

Somatoform DisordersSomatoform Disorders

• Hypchondriasis – excessive preoccupation with health concerns and incessant worry about developing physical illnesses

• Hypchondriasis – excessive preoccupation with health concerns and incessant worry about developing physical illnesses

Somatoform DisordersSomatoform Disorders

• Somatization Disorder – a history of diverse complaints that appear to be psychological in origin

• Typically involves numerous body systems

• Somatization Disorder – a history of diverse complaints that appear to be psychological in origin

• Typically involves numerous body systems