Transcript What is Normal? - Peabody Psychology

WHAT IS NORMAL?
Michael Putman and Dan Ohngemach
Overview
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Survey
Overview of 3 ways to
define “normal”
The effects of abnormal
How do you define normal?
Definition
Violation of Social Norms
Statistical Definitions
Personal Distress
Behavioral Impairment
Faulty Perceptions
Biological Abnormalities
The “Natural” state of things
Votes
Have you ever…
Action
Talked to yourself
Scored in the top 98% on a standardized
test (ACT, SAT, PSAT, GMAT, MCAT, etc)
Gone skydiving, driven over 80mph
Used “retarded” derisively
Been excessively nervous or saddened for a
long period of time
Been scared of something that others aren’t
(spiders, roller coasters, flying, etc)
Knocked on wood, avoided stepping on
cracks, not opened umbrella inside
Votes
Questions for the Class
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Do you consider yourself normal?
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Thoughts on why one was chosen over another
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Did anyone come out “normal?”
Three Approaches:
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Medical Perspectives try to diagnose and correct
for biological abnormalities that result in disorder.
Psychological Perspectives attempt to determine
how thought and behavior are affected in a
disorder.
Social Perspectives put disordered behavior in the
context of societal beliefs and values.
Medical Perspectives
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Disorders result from structural or chemical brain anomalies.
Nature, not nurture.
Example: Third Interstitial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus is thought
to be of variable size, correlated to one’s sexual orientation
(larger in heterosexual men than in homosexual men, opposite
for women).
Major Problems:
no “exact
standard” that
applies to
everyone;
diagnosis relies
on psychological
methods.
Medical Perspectives
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Treatment can involve surgical
or pharmaceutical methods.
Antidepressant drugs are
common- e.g. SSRI’s (Lexapro,
Prozac, etc.).
These drugs work to correct
chemical (neurotransmitter)
imbalances in the brain.
Criticism: using
psychopharmacological drugs
creates an unhealthy
dependence.
Medical Perspectives: Phrenology
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In 1800 Franz Gall
mapped out the brain into
27 “organs”
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Each contained discrete
human faculty
Claimed that talents and
abilities could be inferred
from the shape of the skull
Defined “normal” skull
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Nazi’s claimed Jews had
abnormal shapes
1930’s: used to show
superiority of Tutsis over
Hutus
2
Psychological Perspectives
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Disorders result from painful experiences. Nurture,
not nature.
Example: Many child molesters are often thought to
be subconsciously seeking power over children as a
result of their own histories of sexual abuse.
Major Problems: biological abnormalities often exist
“behind the scenes;” normal behavior can be
relative from person to person.
Psychological Perspectives
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DSM IV- Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, version
4.
All recognized mental
disorders are described,
and guidelines for
diagnosis are outlined.
Examples: Panic Disorder,
Nicotine Dependence,
Trichotillomania,
Dependent Personality
Disorder, Pica
DSM IV and ADHD
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1) Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least
six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the developmental
level:
Inattention
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often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work,
or other activities
often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties
in the workplace (not due to oppositional behaviour or failure of comprehension)
often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
(such as schoolwork or homework)
often loses things necessary for tasks or activites at school or at home (e.g. toys, pencils,
books, assignments)
is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
if often forgetful in daily activities
ADHD and Ritalin
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Graph at left shows
increased prescription of
Ritalin
Positives
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We have identified a
treatment for a disease
Many kids benefit from this
Negatives
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Overprescribing
Growth of dependence
Research shows therapy is
just as good over long term
Questions for the Class
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How accurate do you suppose our standards are
after seeing the list here?
How effective do you think clinical psychology is for
treating disorders like these?
Do you feel that over prescription constitutes a
serious issue? What can we do about it?
Social Perspectives
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Disorders deviate from accepted social norms.
Example: in kindergarten, you don’t share your
snack/blocks/the teacher’s attention with others.
Major Problems: society doesn’t always discriminate
between “harmful” and “weird,” (e.g., the
difference between trouble sharing and picking
your nose).
Social Perspectives
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“Diagnosis” often equates “normal” with “ordinary.”
A strong emphasis is placed on conformity- different
means abnormal.
Treatment involves positive reinforcement (e.g. by
parents/teachers/friends)
“Treatment” can sometimes mean bullying,
ostracizing, or peer pressure- generally thought to
be negative influences in today’s society.
Social Perspectives: Drapetomania
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“Normal” behavior of a
slave was servitude
1851: Samuel Cartwright
describes the “disorder”
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Mental disorder
“The disease that causes
Negros to run away”
Believes that slavery is
both natural and spiritual
Combated by a mix of
kind treatment and total
subservience
Panic Disorder and PTSD
Panic Disorder and PTSD
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Medical Perspective- imbalance of serotonin levels
in brain cause abnormal thoughts of fear and
impending doom. Treated with an SSRI.
Psychological Perspective- a traumatic event led to
inappropriate response behaviors being learned.
Treated with psychotherapy and “calming down”
techniques (e.g. deep breathing).
Social Perspective- person has an irrational fear of
driving in cars. Treated with encouragement and
empathy.
Questions for the Class
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Which approach do you think was the most valid?
Would a combination/which combinations would be
more effective?
Medicalization
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Medicalization is a process by which previously
unregulated or “normal” conditions become labeled
abnormal
Positive angle
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Greater knowledge creates new disorders
Negative angle
Creation of diseases that for the purpose of profits
 Irresponsible advertising, pharma, etc.
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Quick Video Clip
Consequences of Labeling
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Positive
 Closure
 Peace
from a diagnosis
 Placebo effect of drug
therapy
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Negative
 Stigma
 Psychological
 Divisions
turmoil
Questions for the Class
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Do you think our current definitions of normal are
useful?
Could we be abnormalizing “normal” things?
Should apotemnophilia be considered a real
disorder? If so, should we amputate?