Models of Psychopathology
• There are a variety of perspectives from
which to view abnormal behavior
• Each perspective considers several elements
– The ETIOLOGY (causes) of the abnormal
behavior
– The GOALS of treatment
– The METHODS of treatment
Models of Psychopathology
• Can be divided into three main groups
– The MEDICAL (or biological) models
– The PSYCHOLOGICAL models
– The SOCIOLOGICAL models
Medical Models of Psychopathology
• Look for BIOLOGICAL causes
–
–
–
–
Diseases
Neuro-chemical abnormalities
Genetic factors
Brain defects
• Emphasizes Organic treatments
– Drugs
– Surgery
– ECT
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Psychological Models
of Psychopathology
• Look for Psychological causes
–
–
–
–
Early experiences
Traumatic events
Maladaptive learning experiences
Illogical thinking
• Emphasizes Psychological Treatment
– Psychotherapy
– Behavior therapy
Sociocultural Models
• Look for Social and Cultural Influences on
Behavior
– Societal norms and expectations
– Sub-group influences
– Family dynamics
• Emphasizes Systems Approaches to
Treatment
–
–
–
–
Family Therapy
Couples Therapy
Group Therapy
Community Interventions
Biological Model of Abnormal
Behavior
• Assumes Faulty Biochemistry as Cause
– Whole or in part
– analogous to other medical problems
• Assumes It Was Probably Present at Birth
– Maybe the result of genetics
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A Variant of This Model is the
Diathesis-Stress Model
• People are born with a somatic vulnerability
• Interacts with stress from the environment
• May or may not be evidenced depending on
this interaction
• Has been used to explain Schizophrenia and
Bi-polar
Diathesis-Stress Model
•
S
T
R
E
S
S
DIATHESIS
LOW
MED
HIGH
LOW
NO
NO
???
MED
NO
???
YES
HI
NO
YES
YES
Evidence for the Biological
Model
• Biological Markers
– DST, CAT, PET
• Response to Medication
– Antidepressants, Antipsychotics
• Relationship to Other Known
Diseases/Treatments
– Dopamine/Schizophrenia/Parkinsons
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• Schiz + Thorazine ( Dopamine) = a
in schizophrenic symptoms
• Parkinson’s + L-Dopa (Dopamine) =
schizophrenic symptoms
in
Kinship Studies
• Does it Run in Families?
• Does degree of kinship relate to likelihood
of the disorder?
– 1st degree relatives of a schizophrenic 4X more
likely than general pop. to have the disorder
– 1st degree relatives of someone with major
depression 3X more likely
• Does this control completely for
environment?
Twin Studies
• Concordance rate for schizophrenia about
50% for MZ twins and 14% for DZ twins
• For major depression its about 40% vs. 15%
• For bi-polar disorder its 72% vs. 14%
• Does this control completely for
environment?
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Adoption Studies
– Hard to do, especially with MZ twins
– Strong evidence for genetics in schiz. and bipolar
Psychological Models of
Psychopathology
Psychoanalysis (Freud)
• The First Formal Approach To
Psychotherapy
• Influenced Almost All Approaches Since
• Influenced How Most People Think About
Personality
• Both A Personality Theory and An
Approach To Treatment
• Some of His Ideas Were Not New, But...
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Psychoanalysis As A Personality
Theory
• Abnormal Behavior As Symptom
• The Importance of Unconscious Conflicts
• The Importance of Early Childhood
Experiences
• Stages of Psychosexual Development
– Oral
– Anal
– Phallic
Psychoanalysis as Psychotherapy
• Importance of Making Unconscious
Conflicts Conscious
• Expose Early Childhood Roots of the
Conflicts
• Involves a Variety of Techniques
– Free Association
– Interpretation of Resistance
– Interpretation of Tranference
Behavior Therapy
• Symptom As The Problem
• Based on Learning (Conditioning)
Principles
• Many Fewer Assumptions Than
Psychoanalysis
• Treatment is Direct
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Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
FOOD
SALIVATION
(US)
(UR)
BELL
FOOD
(NS)
(US)
SALIVATION
(UR)
BELL
SALIVATION
(CS)
(CR)
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
FALLING
FEAR
(US)
FLYING
(NS)
(UR)
FALLING
(US)
FEAR
(UR)
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
FALLING
FEAR
(US)
FLYING
(NS)
(UR)
FALLING
(US)
FEAR
(UR)
FLYING
FEAR
(CS)
(CR)
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Cognitive Therapy
u Focuses on COGNITIONS (thinking)
u Views abnormal behavior & feelings as a
consequence of faulty thoughts
to change behavior & feelings
through changing beliefs
u Attempts
Rational-Emotive Therapy
• Developed by Dr. Albert Ellis
Usual View of The Relationship
Between Events & Emotions/Behaviors
A
Activating Event
(girlfriend leaves)
C
Consequences
(depression)
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Cognitive Therapy (RET) View
of This Relationship
A
B
Activating Event
Belief System
(girlfriend leaves)
(e.g., “it’s awful!”)
C
Consequences
(depression)
Cognitive Therapy (RET) View
of This Relationship
A
B
Activating Event
Belief System
(girlfriend leaves)
(e.g., “it’s bad!”)
C
Consequences
(sadness)
Irrational Beliefs (Ibs)
• Demands we make:
– On ourselves
– On others
– On the world
• SHOULDs
• MUSTs
• OUGHT TOs
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• I MUST be Thoroughly
Accomplishing and Achieving
at Everything I want to
Accomplish and Achieve!
• I MUST Be Liked, Loved or
Admired by All Those I Want
to Like, Love or Admire Me!
Or else:
• It PROVES I’m no good
• It’s AWFUL
• I CAN’T STAND it!
Sociocultural Model of
Psychopathology
• Views Biological and Psychological
Models as Incomplete
• Views Abnormal Behavior as Significantly
Influenced by Social and Cultural Forces
• Argues That These Larger Group Forces
Exert Important Influences
– The stresses and supports to which
individuals are exposed
– If and how individuals behavior
"abnormally"
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Social and Cultural Forces
• The Family of Origin
– May have dynamics that can not be full
understood at the individual level
– Can be a source of stress or support
– Can impact different members differently
– Can "encourage" a member to be the "sick"
one
– Can discourage change in a member
Social and Cultural Forces
• The Family of Origin
– May need to be seen interacting to be fully
understood
– This family "system" may need to be the
target of intervention.
• Not just the "symptomatic" family
member
– Can become the critically important source of
positive change and support
Social and Cultural Forces
• Adult Couples
– Can also have systemic features that may not
be well understood at individual level
– Are a system that can be a significant source
of stress or support
– May need to be treated as a system to
maximize the impact of therapy on the
individuals as well as on the relationship
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Social and Cultural Forces
• Sub-Cultures Can Impact Adjustment
– Creating stress through holding values that
may conflict with those of the larger society
– By expecting & rewarding behaviors that
outsiders might view as abnormal
Social and Cultural Forces
• Society Can Impact Adjustment
– By the expectations it holds
• money = happiness
• young = good
– By limiting opportunities for success for
many
– By pitting some groups against others
– By limiting access to mental health resources
– May Require Intervention at a Societal Level
Social and Cultural Forces
• Rates of Schizophrenia Go Down as
Income Goes Up. Why?
– Stresses associated with poverty
– Poorer access to health and mental
health care
– Stresses associated with inner city life
– Schizophrenics have difficulty keeping
good jobs, so "drift down" the
socioeconomic ladder
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