activity, you will discuss the biopsychosocial causes of abnormal behavior, as
well as challenges that clinicians face when addressing behaviors shared among
psychological disorders.
Scenario
As Jamal researched
the factors that cause atypical patterns of human thought, emotion, and
behavior, he had a revelation: Abnormal behavior is more complicated than many
of us realize. For example, Jamal discovered that abnormalities in behavior can
be caused by biological factors (e.g., genetics, neurophysiology,
biochemistry). Also, abnormal behavior can be caused by psychological factors
(e.g., severe emotional distress, grief, trauma). Finally, Jamal discovered
that abnormalities in behavior can be caused by sociocultural factors (e.g.,
social norms, familial values). Of the many valuable takeaways of his research,
Jamal found that abnormal behavior is a complex phenomenon that can have
biological, psychological, and sociocultural causes. In many cases, it is not
the result of one causal factor, but of several co-occurring, interdependent
factors.
Given the dynamic
interplay between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, the
behaviors of various disorders often overlap, making the accurate diagnosis of
psychological disorders a challenge for clinical professionals.
Disorder/Behavior List
Anxiety: A psychological response to a
stimulus that is perceived as threatening
Example: Avoiding interaction
at a party due to discomfort in social situations
Depression: A persistent feeling of
sadness and despair that can result in a loss of interest in various life
activities
Example: Excessive crying
Dissociation: A psychological detachment
and separation from self and environment
Examples: Daydreaming, highway
hypnosis
Mania: A period of intense energy
expenditure that may involve delusions and engagement in high-risk
behavior
Examples: Excessive spending,
reckless driving
Obsessive thoughts/compulsive
behaviors:
Persistent and undesirable thoughts or urges and ritualistic behaviors
often driven by preoccupation with a negative outcome
Example: Frequent hand washing
that is motivated by a fear of being contaminated by germs
Panic: An intense period of fear
combined with physiological symptoms (e.g., rapid speech, sweating,
nausea)
Example: Stomach gets upset
and hands shake while speaking in front of a group (public speaking)
Phobia: A fear of a specific, often
nonthreatening stimulus
Examples: Seeks an escape
route when in a crowded area (Agoraphobia: fear of crowded spaces)
Psychosis: A psychological state in
which one experiences hallucinations, delusions, and/or a persistent and
unchangeable belief in something that is obviously false
Example: Acting suspiciously
due to suspecting that food is being poisoned
Prompt
The following
resources support your work on this activity:
Module Three Activity Template
Word Document: You may use this template to complete the Module
Three Activity assignment.
Psychology Research Guide: This resource was
created to help you find psychology related content.
Purdue OWL: This
resource is provided to assist you with referencing resources according to
APA standards.
For this journal
activity, use your template to address the following rubric criteria with a
minimum of 3 to 5 sentences per bullet. Support your answers with a credible
source when necessary.
Part One
First, select one
option from the list in the Overview and address the following:
Describe the possible biological causes
of your selection.
Describe the possible psychological causes
of your selection.
Describe the possible social and cultural causes
of your selection.
Describe the relationship between
the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors of your
selection.
Part Two
Next, from the list in
the Overview, select two disorders that are known to share symptomatology or
behaviors.
Explain the ways in which the
behaviors associated with the disorders overlap and discuss the
potential diagnostic challenges presented by the overlap.
