Paradigms in Abnormal Psychology

Slide 1:Paradigms in Abnormal Psychology

Paradigmatic thinking Influential paradigms in abnormal psychology

Slide 2:What is a paradigm?

A pattern of thinking which induces bias A conceptual framework for analysis of observations (Kuhn) A set of assumptions that govern our observation processes and analyses A set of rules that a group of researchers follow in observation and analysis

Slide 3:The influence of paradigms

The Langer & Abelson (1974) study: Applicant

Slide 4:Five key paradigms in psychopathology

Genetic Neuroscience Psychoanalytic Cognitive-Behavioral Diathesis-Stress

Slide 5:Biological paradigms: Genetic and neuroscience

Somatogenic: Medical or disease model Behavior genetics Genotype and phenotype Family studies: Probands and relatives Twin studies: MZ and DZ But are they monochorionic? Is the environment for MZ twins really equal? Adoptees method Linkage analysis: What genes are involved? Neurochemistry MAOA deficiency, abuse, and violence

Slide 6:The psychoanalytic paradigm

1. Psychogenic 2. Focuses on development of mental structures and behavior patterns The executive model of structure The psychodevelopment model of pattern

Slide 7:More on psychoanalysis

3. Emphasizes role of intrapsychic conflict in psychodynamics of mental illness: Neurotic anxiety and defenses

Slide 8:Contributions of psychoanalysis

Childhood experiences may affect us as adults. Some of our motivations are unconscious. We sometimes use defense mechanisms. Etiology is not always obvious.

Slide 9:Cognitive-Behavioral paradigms: Learning

Focus on environmental influences and observable behavior: Behaviorism Three models: Classical/Pavlovian conditioning Operant/instrumental conditioning Modeling/observational learning Minimizes biological and cognitive factors, normalizes behavior But cognitive behavior therapy combines learning and cognitive paradigms

Slide 10:More cognitive paradigms

Psychogenic, with allowance for environmental influence Emphasize the role of schemas Are cognitions causes or effects in mental disorders? Social learning theory and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy combine cognitive and learning paradigms.

Slide 11:Coping with paradigms

Selection method: But each may be right and wrong: Frankl Integrative method: Diathesis-stress paradigm Eclectic method

Slide 12:Social Issue 1: What causes mental disorders?

What does the historical record tell us? What does each of the paradigms tell us? What does our own cultural experience tell us? What is your paradigm?

Slide 13:David Seamands� special etiology

�Many years ago I was driven to the conclusion that the two major causes of most emotional problems among evangelical Christians are these: the failure to understand, receive, and live out God�s unconditional grace and forgiveness; and the failure to give out that unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace to other people��(quoted in Yancey, 1997, p.15

Slide 14:Lewis Smedes

�...Three common sources of crippling shame: Secular culture Graceless religion Unaccepting parents� (quoted in Yancey, 1997, p.36

Slide 15:Paul Tournier, Guilt and Grace

�I cannot study this very serious problem of guilt�without raising the very obvious and tragic fact that religion--my own as well as that of all believers--can crush instead of liberate.� ancient sins unconfessable sins ungrace, or judgment

Slide 16:Frankl on paradigms