Abnormal Psychology I – Test 1 Coursework Research

Dr. Borg                                    SVA
Abnormal Psychology I – Test 1                      Fall 2020
Essays:  Construct two (2) essay which address the main points for two (2) of the following questions.  Feel free to be as creative as you would like.  However, do not lose focus on what each question is asking.  I want to see that you understand the material and can think about it (and apply it) in a critically meaningful manner. (25 points each essay - 50 points total)
1 Psychodynamic theories share a number of common assumptions. While Freud and British Object Relations had differing views on specific components of their approach, they did share certain fundamental principles.
1 What are the shared assumptions? In what ways are Freud and Object Relations (and all psychodynamic theories) similar?
2 In what ways do they differ from each other?
2 Cognitive-Behavioral theory and Humanism each offer vastly different ideas on psychological development and functioning. Discuss the specific concepts of one of these approaches.
3 How does this approach account for psychological development and functioning?
4 What are the main concepts and central ideas in the theory?
Some of the most common paradigms used in the understanding and treatment of developmental-related problems are Cognitive-Behavioral Theory and the Humanistic Theory. These two provides a different approach on how to understand the individual’s patterns of thinking, which is also the reason why they offer a different approach.
On the one hand, Cognitive-behavioral theory focuses on the more scientific concept of cognition. In developmental terms, cognition is understood as the process wherein an individual perceive, process, and retains an understanding of his own environment during his upbringing. Thus, treatments that are based from CBT focuses on changing these perceptions or thought patterns through the use of a problem-solving oriented approach.
On the other hand, the Humanistic approach focuses on the individual’s needs and realizations. Most psychologist who uses this paradigm believes that an individual has emotion, personal, and social needs that help validate their existence. One example of this would be the individual’s needs for self-awareness or realization of this own existence. Thus, treatments according to this paradigm sometimes focus on addressing these external circumstances (i.e., poverty) that causes the mental health issue that the patient experience.
3 Discuss the concept of “abnormal psychology”.
5 How do we determine abnormality?
6 In what ways do mental health professionals assess abnormality?
7 What are the factors we consider when determining if an individual is suffering from a mental health disorder and how does diagnosis work (what is the process involved in diagnosing someone with a mental health disorder)?
One of the most difficult things to do in the field of psychology is the determination of abnormality within individuals. This is because of the thin line between what can be considered as normal and abnormal personalities. Nonetheless, Abnormal Psychology is one the fields of psychology that aims to understand which environmental factors, erratic or negative thought patterns and behaviors could lead to mental illnesses if left untreated or addressed.
One of the main concerns of this field of psychology is the actual determination of what is ‘abnormal’. In most cases, psychologist usually define abnormality as the deviation from what is ideal or the common state of mental health for most individuals. This includes thought patterns, behaviors, or any emotions that is not in line with the ideal mental status of a person.
Accordingly, mental health professionals try to determine abnormality using common observation or through a more in-depth diagnosis. On the one hand, they try to observe if the patient would act the same way as normal individuals do when exposed to a certain stimulus. In other words, if the patient’s actions are deviating from the norms and usual patterns of response,...