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Abnormal Psychology PG3560 TTh 9:30-10:45, Haley 2116

Abnormal Psychology PG3560 TTh 9:30-10:45, Haley 2116. Laura Vernon, Ph.D. www.auburn.edu/~vernoll. CLASS ACTIVITY. Define Mental Illness . 1) Consider what a “mental illness” is as a concept. What are its essential features?

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Abnormal Psychology PG3560 TTh 9:30-10:45, Haley 2116

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  1. Abnormal PsychologyPG3560TTh 9:30-10:45, Haley 2116 Laura Vernon, Ph.D. www.auburn.edu/~vernoll

  2. CLASS ACTIVITY • Define Mental Illness. • 1) Consider what a “mental illness” is as a concept. What are its essential features? • 2) Make your definition useful for discriminating between those with and those without “mental illness.”

  3. Definitions (DFNs) • Factual statement • objectively true • e.g., Weeds are plants. • Value statement • __________________ • e.g., Weeds are pests.

  4. Defining “Mental Illness” • 1. Does not exist. (Szasz) • “problems in living” • subjective value judgement • only objective lesions • Problems: some lesions not illness • some illnesses not lesions

  5. 2. Biological Disadvantage. (Kendall) • increased mortality • ________________ • Problem cases: priesthood • military

  6. Defining “Illness” • 1. __________________ • rare or unusual behavior • deviation from standard • Problems: some illness is common • some good behavior is rare • who sets standard

  7. 2. Personal Distress • suffering • Problems: some distressed people not ill • some ill people not distressed

  8. 3. Impaired Functioning • _____________________________________ • Problems: some low functioning people not ill • some high functioning people are ill

  9. Characteristics of Illness • 1. Associated with subjective distress, increased mortality, impaired functioning • 2. Things we want treated • or things doctors treat • 3. Attributable to an internal cause • not due to unemployment, poverty, etc.

  10. 4. Useful label for society • spurs treatment (tx) and research • _______________________

  11. Government as “Parent” to Mentally Ill- Potential for Abuse • Historical examples of abuse • Soviet Union- political opposition • U.S.- drapetomania • ______________________ • painful tx.s • fostered discrimination

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