Chapters 3 & 4: Explanations and treatments of abnormal behavior

Slide 1. Models of therapy identify:

• Different problems
• Different strategies for handling these
•  Little self-acceptance -> accept, so they can self-accept
• Self-defeating thoughts -> each healthier thought patterns
• Poor coping -> remove barriers to coping

Slide 2. The “problem” and therapeutic strategy are always related...

Lost keys

Slide 3. Models approach problems differently...

But they are just different approaches to the problem

Slide 4. Behavioral model

Cause:
Problematic learning -> Problem behavior

Treatment:
Change environment

Implication:
Environment is problem

Slide 5. Kinds of learning

• Classical conditioning
• CS associated with US to produce a CR
• Pavlov: dogs salivating when they hear a bell associated with food
• Operant conditioning
• Repeat behaviors followed by reinforcers
• Avoid behaviors followed by punishers
• Environment signals reinforcers and punishers
• Observational learning
• Learn from the positive and negative consequences models receive

Slide 6. Cognitive model

Cause:
Irrational thoughts  -> Problem emotions and behavior

Treatment:
Change thoughts

Implication:
Person is irrational*

*All people are to some extent!

Slide 7. ABCs of cognitive therapy

Activating Event  ->  Emotional Consequences???
 

(Activating Event)   Beliefs  -> Emotional Consequences

Slide 8. How are these goals met in therapy?

1. Educate about this philosophy
2. Heighten awareness of the consequence of their beliefs.
3. Identify underlying beliefs
4. Dispute irrational beliefs

Slide 9. Psychoanalytic model

Cause:
Repressed conflict   -> Symptom of conflict

Treatment:
Resolve conflict

Implication:
Person is conflicted

Slide 10. Psychoanalytic viewpoint

• Rather than face problems directly, avoid them.
• Coping is often indirect, inflexible and maladaptive.
• Symptom is a way for conflict to sneak into awareness
• Rather than discuss problems directly (causing defensiveness), discussion is indirect and long-term

Slide 11. Psychoanalysis

Strengths:

• Depth oriented
• Identifies themes of  conflicts (sometimes)
• Identifies useful strategies for intervening with some problems (PTSD)

Weaknesses:

• Theoretical concepts often don’t make sense in modern light
• Other strategies are often faster, less expensive and more effective

Slide 12. Medical model

Cause:
Biological problem -> Illness

Treatment:
Fix biology

Implication:
Person is sick

Slide 13. Themes

• Genetics
• Localization of function in brain
• Neurotransmitters
• Hormones

Slide 14. Theme 1: Genotypes & phenotypes

• Genes produce proteins which influence phenotype
• But: Phenotype = Genotype + Environment
• Genetic contribution is estimated through:
• Twin studies (concordance)
• MZ = DZ ???
• MZ > DZ > siblings ???
• Adoption studies
• Child more similar to adoptive parents ???
• Child more similar to birth parents ???

Slide 15. Figure 04.01

Slide 16. Theme 2: Localization of function

• Specific parts of brain contribute more heavily to some functions
• Also evidence for mass action
• Treatment:
• Drugs may increase (or decrease) the activity of some locations in brain
• Rarely, surgery may be necessary to remove problem parts of the brain or other parts that activate or inhibit them

Slide 17. Figure 04.10

Slide 18. Figure 04.14

Slide 19. Theme 3: Neurotransmitters

• NTs are chemicals transmitted from one neuron to activate (or inhibit) the next
• Common NTs involved in behavior:
• Dopamine, Norepinephrine, GABA, Serotonin
• Treatment:
• Drugs may mimic activity of some NTs
• Drugs may increase (or decrease) activity of some NTs
• Drugs rarely have a single effect

Slide 20. Figure 04.05

Slide 21. Theme 4: Hormones

• Hormones are slow-acting and have a much broader influence than NTs
• Too much or too little may be released
• Treatment:
• Drugs may mimic (or inhibit) hormones in body

Slide 22. Figure 04.07

Page by jms
URL= http://psy1.clarion.edu/jms/Abn34models.html

Last modified September 9, 2001.