Essays on Abnormal Psychology

Section One Discussion Questions

- What significant events contributed to the evolving nature of clinical psychology in recent times? Whom do you identify as major contributors to the discipline? What are those contributions? - The increasing costs of health and mental health care have resulted to longer periods of care and greater levels of care for individuals. Additionally, the increasing use of pharmacotherapies has resulted to an increase in the population of individuals receiving mental healthcare. Major contributors include Sigmund Freud, Abraham Maslow, and Carl Jung. Sigmund Freud identified the influence of the subconscious mind on behavior, ...

According to A History of Modern Psychology by Duane P. Schultz and Sydney Ellen Schultz, development of applied psychology was mainly as a result of a number of economic factors. One such factor was the denial of women chances to seek positions in various universities. This saw most women psychologists getting employed in the applied fields such as clinical and counseling psychology, child guidance, and school psychology (Duane & Sydney, 2012). In these areas, they made significant contributions towards development and application of psychological tests. For instance, Florence Goodenough (Ph. D Stanford University, 1924), developed the Draw-A-Man Test (now the Goodenough-Harris Drawing ...

- Abstract For many clinical psychology is a field that holds a lot of promise of wealth and power; you have control over a person’s mind in ways that brain surgeons do not have. My experience with my classmate; Janice, helped me realize my potential to help people especially persons who experience psychological conditions as a result of alcohol and substance abuse, both directly and indirectly. I hope to use my skills to help the youth who often bear the greatest psychological stress from social problems.

- Introduction As a child I have always cared about others. I would try ...

Introduction

The best description that can be accorded to clinical psychology is that it is an amalgamation of various fields and sectors. Clinical knowledge, science and theory are all integrated to bring into action a field so complex and crucial in every aspect of society. The importance of the clinical psychology is that it allows for better understanding of all psychologically-based distresses. Behavioral well-being is an important part of human health just like any other component of health. By integrating various fields, clinical psychology allows for clinical psychologists to understand better, prevent and relieve any distresses and complications associated with psychology ( ...

LETTER OF INTENT

Dean, College of Liberal Arts, P.O Box Austin. I hereby seek to apply for the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in your esteemed institution. My varied interest in psychological matters is driven by the belief that psychology holds the key to solving a wide range of societal issues. For this reason, I have managed to specialize in a number of courses related to the field of Psychology. I graduated with Associate of Applied Science in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling, an area that is very close to my heart and I am also a licensed vocational nurse. I ...

A report of mental illness

Introduction/scope/abstract Abnormal psychology is a subdivision of psychology. It deals with the study, clarification and treating of behavior that deviates from the norm. The behavior of concern here is that which is addressed in a clinical context (ICD, p. 144). It refers to a range of unusual behaviors, thinking and emotions that will require an individual to seek the aid of a mental health professional. Abnormal psychology studies mental processes and the behavior of abnormal people (Mangal, 2008, p. 1). Psychopathology is a pattern of behavior that is abnormal and is usually dysfunctional and distressing. This could result in the victim being dangerous ...

Introduction

Psychology pertains to the study of human behavior, reactions, personalities, or even as specific and complicated as how the brain works and functions. It can be considered both as a form of academic discipline and a branch of applied science that deals with the study of different brain functions that are related to mental processes and individual human behaviors. Studying psychology, unlike other academic disciplines, often involves unique processes such as the establishment of generally accepted principles and theories, and verifying the validity of such through research that more often than not involves verification using individual and or group cases. Just ...

Jones, M., Rona, R. J., Hooper, R., & Wesseley, S. (2006). The burden of psychological symptoms in UK Armed Forces. Occupational Medicine, 56(5), 322-328. Jones, Margaret, et al. "The burden of psychological symptoms in UK Armed Forces." Occupational Medicine 56.5 (2006): 322-328. The article compares to that of Foa, E. B., Steketee, G., & Rothbaum, B. O. (1989) whop try to find out the reason we have this issue among war veterans. It contrasts with the artcle by Kang, H. K., Natelson, B. H., Mahan, C. M., Lee, K. Y., & Murphy, F. M. (2003) who analyse a particular ...

Abnormal psychology deals with unusual patterns of thought and behavior that are considered as a mental disorder. Scholars and prominent academicians have attempted to explain the psychological and biological causes of mental disorders. Abnormal psychology can be classified as normal, abnormal and supernormal. Clinical psychology and psychopathology are some of the branches of medicine that deal with abnormal psychology. It is a complete departure from the traditional and archaic methods of diagnosing and treating mental disorders. A case in point for these treatment methods was the trephining method. Stone Age physicians believed that evil spirits caused mental disorders. They drilled a hole ...

Film Studies: Understanding the Difference

Introduction Human behavior is such a complex element to explain. It could not be denied that through time, the aspect of defining human behavior has been subjected to several debates especially involving considerations over the process by which humans tend to change according to matters and people that surround them. Considerably, human behavior is highly adaptable. This means that it responds to both internal and external elements that identify strongly with how a person develops as an individual. The manner by which such influences become evidently impacting to a person is shown through the way he begins to react on matters ...

Throughout history, humans have experienced a wide variety of mental health disorders, some tolerable with counseling, while others disorders requiring more intensive treatment through the use of inpatient hospitalization or medication. Mental health disorders have the ability to touch all aspects of an individual’s life; from daily interactions with family and friends, to the extreme of such disorders leading to successful suicides in an attempt to be free of one’s mental terror. However, through the course of astute studies and passionate researchers, we are closer to understanding how to effectively treat a menagerie of disorders.

Mental Health Disorders

Bipolar Disorder One ...

Arguably, psychology as a discipline attempts to predict, describe and explain on various aspects of human nature as well as trying to convince the lives of people to an optimum level. For many decades, psychology has been a field with diverse arguments. Driven with diversity, psychology has undergone various changes and modifications. In fact, natural progression in the psychological field depends on diverse research, clientele, and real life applications. Moreover, the nature of the psychological field is based on the uniqueness of people and the adaptation of human nature. The uniqueness of the discipline gives psychologists the chance and ability to ...

People commonly get confused by these two terms: clinical psychology and psychiatry. While these two fields may have something in common, it is important that people know what type of professional they should seek help from whenever they have a psychological condition to deal with. Clinical psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with the scientific and clinical practice of psychology. For those who do not yet have a clear idea what psychology is, it is simply a branch of science concerned with the study of a human’s mind, how it functions and on a larger scale, how an individual’s mind affects ...

1. Why are you applying for this Executive degree program? How will it contribute to the achievement of your professional objectives? When I approach the question of why I want to participate in this particular Executive Degree program, it is easy to produce logical, sound answers insofar as the benefits the program will give me and the opportunities that come paired with this type of experience. However, it is much more difficult to express properly the drive I feel towards this type of program: I have always been drawn toward business, and while this is the next logical ...

Psychology

Psychology In terms of content and outlooks, psychology is a very diverse discipline. Although psychology is a scientific discipline, it has philosophical roots. The fact that the American Psychological Association (APA) has 54 divisions is proof of the diverse nature of psychology. Each of these divisions addresses a different outlook of psychology (Plante, 2010). It is because of this unparalleled diversity that psychologists are able to expand in areas of assessment, diagnosis, and explanation. Due to its diverse nature, psychology encompasses various areas and subfields. Today, psychology can be applied and is valued in numerous fields. It has been successfully applied ...

Clinical psychology is a field of psychology that involves integration of science, clinical knowledge and theory with an aim of preventing, relieving, and understanding distress that is psychologically based. This area of psychology mainly involves psychological treatment and assessment although research, consultation, and teaching may practiced by clinical psychologists. There are several approaches to this area of psychology; but four are the ones mainly used. These approaches are cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, family systems and humanistic perspective. The effectiveness of treatment while using these approaches is based on understanding their goals.

The approach of cognitive-behavioral was developed from a combination of behaviorism and ...

The research titled ‘Clinical Features and Functioning of Patients with Minor Depression’ was published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics on August 21, 2008. The study sought to describe the clinical features as well as the functioning of outpatients who were diagnosed with minor depression. The researchers developed four research questions. What are the characteristics of minor depression? Is there a difference between the severity of functional impairment related to minor depression and that of MDD? Does minor depression occur independent of MDD? Does the functional impairment and depressive severity of minor depression significantly differ between patients with MDD and those ...

Professionals are faced with ethical dilemmas in their work place daily thus making it hard for them to make decisions. These dilemmas often arise due to the need to do what is right according to their opinion while at the same time abiding by the set rules and regulations. There are various situations which will make you question your ethical principles no matter what profession or field.

Ethics are the standards in a society that guides individuals in knowing and doing what is considered morally right. These standards guide our actions and ensure we co-exist peacefully within a social structure whether ...

Abstract

Addiction is multicultural meaning that it could occur to anyone regardless of their race, social standings or culture. There are many addictions in the world today, but the most common are gambling addiction, alcohol and drug addiction, sex addiction, shopping addiction and video games addiction. These addictions have become troublesome in the community in that most people in the society have had a family membesr fall prey to the addiction. The addiction has caused a lot of consequences to the victims and the society. For the victims or addicts it has landed them in prison, made them homeless and ended up ...

INITIAL PATIENT REPORT

In this section of the report, the confidential data of the patient “Kate Doe” would be described in detail. 1. Identifying Information -: The patient, Kate Doe, is a Caucasian woman who is lives in a town near north of San Francisco. She was born on January 1, 1980 and is an attorney. 2. Presenting Problem and Behaviors-: Kate had been experiencing “spitting headaches” since seven days (a week), after recently breaking up with her boyfriend. Upon arriving to the office, Kate showed signs of being tired and tearful. In addition, her speech was also slow along with her face ...

The Psychodynamic Perspective

The primary focus of this approach in the treatment of patients is to reveal the subconscious and unconscious elements of the client’s or patient’s psych in an effort to treat the patient. The approach heavily relies on the interrelationship between the patient and the therapist. The approach involves several steps in a continuum where the peripheries are the interpretive pole and the supportive pole. From the onset, the therapist takes the patient through seven stages namely; Interpretation, Confrontation, Clarification, Encouragement to elaborate, Empathetic validation, Advice and Praise and finally to Affirmation that is anchored of the supportive pole. ...

Adolescents Self-Injurious Behavior

Self-Injurious behaviors (SIB) are typically behaviors that involve people intentionally harming themselves for socially unidentified reasons without suicidal intent. Studies have extensively sought to highlight the causes, nature, and possible treatments for SIBs. SIB is sometimes regarded as suicidal behavior yet it is normally done without the intention of committing suicide (Whitlock, Eckenrode, & Silverman, 2006). SIB includes a number of behaviors that comprise: scratching, intentional skin puncturing, ripping of hair or skin, self-bruising and cutting of the skin (Whitlock et al., 2006). Body piercings and tattoos may not fall under this category unless they get imposed with the aim ...

Introduction

Drug abuse, or drug addiction, is over dependence on a medication or a drug, legal or illegal. When the mild use transforms into uncontrolled craving, it begins to cause serious problems. The overuse of the drugs begins to alter the way the body and the mind behaves (SAMHSA, 2009). The physical and mental health deterioration is a given, relationships are also affected and the law of the land can pose long-term consequences. The overall costs of drug abuse, including crime-related costs and productivity costs, in United States are estimated to exceed $600 billion annually (Drug Facts, 2012). Among the population abusing ...

The following paper is a case analysis of Ernest Hemingway’s bipolar disorder. The paper uses a psychodynamic model to discuss treatment, symptoms, and diagnosis. The case study uses the concepts of abnormal psychology to trace the etiology of a mood disorder beyond just the vestiges of uncommon behavior. The paper argues that he suffered from a mood disorder. His problems were exacerbated by alcoholism and a tendency to exhibit bipolar mood swings that contributed to his suicide. He was most likely motivated to rescue himself from an overprotective mother and a cold and disciplinarian father. The task of the psychoanalyst is to help ...

Introduction

Thomas J. Harbin, a psychologist, wrote a book about anger – Beyond Anger: A Guide for Men. Harbin’s book was grounded on the idea that men express their anger differently than women, and often their expression are more aggressive and violent. Using research studies, Harbin proves that anger in men is a problem because sometimes, anger manifests in maladaptive behaviors that can lead to impulsive crimes such as assault, battery, or murder. Through the book, Harbin aims to educate men about their anger and help them acknowledge the nature of their anger and its impact on their personal and professional lives so ...

Analysis of counselling session

Analysis of counselling session

Introduction

Countertransference usually happens when someone says something to a person because they may have possibly triggered something from their past and their response to the person may triggers something back towards them (Gelso, 1995). So the person is now "counter" transferring it back to them - "basically returning" the transference feelings back to the other individual. The counselor interest in this subject derives from my own preference to use (or be used by) the transference process in the work. It likewise comes from the counselor’s personal experience of being on the receiving end of what ...

Psychology

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Abstract

Identifying and predicting psychopathic traits by analyzing childhood behaviours must be based on sound psychometrics to ensure scientifically reliable results. Statistical analysis using G-Power (computer model for calculations) aids in analyszing the results from surveys and personality assessments which are administered to teens and young adults from communities, colleges, juvenile homes and jails in order to understand how the data from self reported questionnaires can reliable be used to predict psychopathic behavior. The ability to do so would be very helpful for counseling and could possibly help avoid psychopathic behaviors in young people that are self-destructive ...

Introduction

Throughout history many battles and wars have been fought, but many people and societies never realized that there are other effects on the soldiers and other victims apart from the physical effect. To this end it has been observed that mental effect is another result of the war with several researchers dedicating their time to look at the phenomenon in detail. Though a number of soldiers have had the strife of facing these difficulties which remained in continuity for the rest of their lives, it has been found that they have only recently received their answers along with the ...

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

MMIP is mainly used in mental health to help identify the psychopathology of patients. In 1939, psychologists from the University of Minnesota developed the instrument to measure personality. The original MMPI was revised in 1980 as way to improve its effectiveness however the original MMPI is still being used in diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.

The purpose of this instrument is mainly to measure personality but it is also in the field of clinical psychology to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Outside this field of clinical psychology, the instrument is used in courts mainly for criminal defenses and ...

Identify the original theory and current theoretical model you use in counseling

The purpose of the lecture is to explore counseling psychology in terms of its development and inception from different perspectives. The discussion attempted to provide the unique characteristics of counseling psychology as being different from clinical psychology. In as much as these two fields of counseling have been known to have similar theoretical practices and knowledge, counseling psychology for a long time has been known to hide under clinical psychology. However, the most distinguishing factor between the two practices is the characteristics of client population whereby clinical psychology addresses patients who are mentally ill with psychological disorders (Goldenberg, & Goldenberg , ...

In spite our great knowledge of its causes, course and treatment, schizophrenia and psychosis continues to amaze both health professionals and the public. This is because these illnesses are poorly understood. Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders are serious illnesses that affect the mind and alter an individual’s ability to think and make judgment, communicate and understand effectively. People Psychosis and life span development, there are four developmental stages of suffering from psychosis often will lose touch with reality, behave inappropriately and are unable to meet the demands of ordinary daily life. In schizophrenia importance that occurs throughout an ...

The movie is in a town set up whereby the characters are discussing something in the living room. The group is made up of women most of them with identical eating disorder and almost the same physical characteristics except for some few women who are trying to advise them on what they did to have a better shape. The sitting room has much furniture that enabled the women to sit in a conference like manner and have a mutual talk. At the background of the living room, there are various hangings and photos as well as paintings on the wall. Since this is a ...

The Chapter 15 of Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders, Seventh Edition, DSM-5 Update provides very interesting information to me. Reading chapter 15 has enabled me to have an insight of the general principles of APA (American Psychological Association), and they are five. The ideals direct psychologists towards superior ethical standards of their profession. The first principle explains ...

Final Case Analysis

PART 1

Lona seems to be suffering from a Dysthymic Disorder. This is because the fact that her state of depression has been persistent for more than two years due to the circumstances and changes in her life. In the initial interview, there was no information that the issues Lona has been experiencing could be hereditary. In reviewing the facts, it is evident that Lona is experiencing an extreme change of routine in her life. This has prompted her illness and sense of lack of control. Lona's history is that she has been married for ten years, five into ...

The connection between alcohol consumption and domestic violence is one of vital importance in society. Modern culture has found a way to solve many of society’s ills, but the dangers that women and children face from the men in their lives are still all too real. The articles under consideration in this paper look at the correlations between intoxication and domestic violence. The methodologies and studies have similarities and differences with implications on their outcomes. However, the general purpose of both is to look for connections that social planners and public health planners can use to improve public education ...

Agha, S., Zammit, S., Thapar, A., & Langley, K. (2013). Are parental ADHD problems associated with a more severe clinical presentation and greater family adversity in children with ADHD?. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 22(6), 369-377.

Mulligan, A. A., Anney, R. R., Butler, L. L., O'Regan, M. M., Richardson, T. T., Tulewicz, E. M., & Gill, M. M. (2013). Home environment: association with hyperactivity/impulsivity in children with ADHD and their non-ADHD siblings. Child: Care, Health & Development, 39(2), 202-212.

The article discussed the significant association of the home environment with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms found among children with ADHD-CT and non-ADHD siblings. For this study, the authors 96 children with ADHD combined type (ADHD-CT) and their siblings to participate. They also used the parent and teacher Conners’ rating scales to assess the children who with ADHD-CT and the non-ADHD siblings. After the test were completed, home environment was taking into account the middle childhood and early adolescent Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME).

The results revealed that there is an association between HOME and diagnosis of oppositional defiant ...

There are occasions when people tend to forget some of the events in their past. Most of these events are those that occurred during their early childhood. This research seeks to identify some of the factors which lead to forgetting these past memories.

Anon. (2011). An Ever-expanding Quest of Life and Knowledge. Motilal Banarsidass Publishe.

This book analyzes the human development and how the memory develops. It helps in indicating that there are psychological processes which can lead to forgetting of some events in life. This mainly happens with young children.

Bowman, R. (2009). Battle-Ready Moms Raising Battle-Ready Kids. Reba Bowman.

This is a book indicating the tough situations that mothers at times have to go through when trying to mold their ...

There are occasions when people tend to forget some of the events in their past. Most of these events are those that occurred during their early childhood. This research seeks to identify some of the factors which lead to forgetting these past memories.

Anon. (2011). An Ever-expanding Quest of Life and Knowledge. Motilal Banarsidass Publishe.

This book analyzes the human development and how the memory develops. It helps in indicating that there are psychological processes which can lead to forgetting of some events in life. This mainly happens with young children.

Bowman, R. (2009). Battle-Ready Moms Raising Battle-Ready Kids. Reba Bowman.

This is a book indicating the tough situations that mothers at times have to go through when trying to mold their ...

Autism spectrum disorder is not only one disorder, but a combination of disorders, that affect an individual. There are three main features of a person who suffers from autism: a lack of social engagement, difficulty with language, and a lack of imagination. There may be numerous other factors that the person struggles to overcome as well. There is an increase in the number annually of people who are being diagnosed with autism. There is no known cure for this lifelong disease (Comer, 2011).

When describing a lack of social engagement, there are several factors that occur. A person with autism has little or no ...

Criminal behavior

Psychopathy or sociopathy as it is called at times, is a type of personality disorder, clinically regarded as ‘Antisocial Personality Disorder’ (APD). Although a big percentage of incarcerated convicts may be described as suffering from APD, only about one-fourth of them could be diagnosed for psychopathy. Also only a small percentage of these psychopaths are violent offenders. Exhibition of superficial charm and persistent lying are the two common traits of psychopaths. The emotional deficit of psychopaths limits them to experience only a narrow range of emotions. Psychopaths are very skilled in projecting themselves in good light and can beat psychological tests. Adult ...

According to this article, psychology is the science of human behaviors and the ability to think scientifically. However, it is believed there are three characteristics separates and distinguish psychologists from other health care service providers in the illness in the mind or mental health field. In this case, the scientific technique has been considered the most of psychology’s uniqueness and a great reason for important achievement in academic and applied in the health fields Bray, (2010). In this regard, Psychologists are organized and trained to react and think scientifically, act rationally with the high capacity that is unique in ...

Abstract

Applied Behavior Analysis has proven to be an excellent method of changing and shaping maladaptive behaviors and developing more appropriate behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Asperger’s Syndrome is considered part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder as described in the DSM V. However, children with Asperger’s Syndrome exhibit higher cognitive levels of functioning and awareness of social situations than many other children with more severe Autism. Is Applied Behavior Analysis and appropriate intervention in introducing social and other behavior skills appropriate for children with Asperger’s Syndrome?

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder that affects approximately ...

You will not get wrinkles if you regularly do yoga exercises. This statement or useful advice you may have heard from many yogis or your yoga instructor. In fact, this statement is true as yoga increases the stretching ability of your muscles and your body becomes more elastic and beautiful, as well. Yoga is the only exercise that not only shapes up your body, but also cures many diseases. In yoga, you will find many “asana or yoga poses” that stimulate our internal organs,and they perform their function in much better way. Like “tritone asana” that stimulate ...

Article Summary

Kuo, J. R., & Linehan, M. M. (2009). Disentangling emotion processes in borderline personality disorder: physiological and self-reported assessment of biological vulnerability, baseline intensity, and reactivity to emotionally evocative stimuli. Journal of abnormal psychology, 118(3), 531. Borderline Personality Disorder is defined as “A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.” The essential features of a personality disorder are “impairments in personality (self and interpersonal) functioning and the presence of pathological personality traits” (APA, 2013). In 1993, Marsha Linehan proposed a theory of Borderline ...

Behavioral therapy refers to a therapy which is deeply rooted in behaviorism principles. Behaviorism focuses on the idea that people learn from their environment and the ultimate in behavioral therapy is to eliminate maladaptive behaviors and at the same time reinforce desirable behaviors. The techniques used in behavioral therapy have a strong basis on operant conditioning and classical conditioning theories. Unlike other kinds of therapy which have strong roots in insight, behavioral therapies are action based. It focuses on using similar learning strategies which results in the formation of unwanted or maladaptive behaviors and other new behaviors. As a result of this, behavioral therapy ...

In today’s fast-paced world, therapy and counseling sessions are becoming a commonly sought after thing by the everyday individuals. From high school adolescents to retired businessmen and everybody in-between, more and more people are finding that they can benefit from what therapy and counseling can offer. However, the world is only become busier and more fast-paced and the population is faced with the problem of time. Where do they find the time to seek these services? It can take weeks just to find a counselor, let alone carving out the weekly hours driving to an office, sitting for a session, and ...

Introduction to the Review

Clinical Psychology is the diagnoses, assessment, prevention and treatments of psychological diseases. Individuals who specialize in this field are called psychotherapists and are involved in a number of jobs like psychotherapy of clients, functioning of public administration programs and carrying out research projects. Lots of clinical psychologists have done extensive research on the diagnoses and treatments of hundreds of mental illnesses. Amongst them, the most prominent psychological disorder is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) on which a huge amount of research is done to find the most convenient and successful strategies to solve it. It is one of the anxiety disorders ...

Introduction

The phenomenon of alien abduction has insisted on the emergence of research procedures that would define the concept by which these assumptions could be proven wrong or not. Relatively, it could be realized that in the field of psychology, unlike in the field of mystified science, alien abduction is seen to have been rooted on the distinct course by which experts intend to see why the sensation happens, and why the assumption itself is developed. The exploration of the issue on alien abduction is completely identified with what is assumed as a consistent experience that a person needs to contend with ...

General Education Capstone

Introduction Suicide is an issue that affects our country in a big way, especially with the increase of bullying incidents in schools around the United States. What can we do as a society to help this problem and recognize the signs? It is possible to notice the signs of someone thinking about committing suicide and there are different tips on how to help the person or even tell an adult about the situation. Suicide can be preventable if given the right knowledge There Are so many reasons why any individual would choose this topic to write about such as: ...

1. Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory MMPI is an intensively researched, taught, and often used personality assessment tool. Most authors agree that that it is a meta-analytical review to demonstrate substantial reliability and good convergent validity. A researcher can use the tool to conduct sound theoretical and empirical rational concepts. Researchers that have used both MMPI and Rorschach variables observe disparate views of personality that becomes a momentous conundrum for the field of assessment. Butcher (2014) state that when clinicians face conflicts in the use of Rorschach and MMPI they should make a decision that emphasize on certain aspects of test findings ...

In psychology, there are different psychological theories that have been proposed, researched and augmented by solid research. They provide the theoretical foundation of psychological phenomena. Psychology is anchored on five paradigms namely biogenic, psychoanalytic, behaviorist, humanist and cognitive. In this paper, the psychoanalytic paradigm is the center of focus. In essence, the paper highlights the life of the offender, Dennis Rader through the lenses of psychoanalytic paradigm. Dennis’s criminal behavior is accounted for by psychoanalytic paradigm. Psychology’s principal goal is to have a clear comprehension of individuals and groups, and the explanation of different phenomena. Psychological principles ...

Most psychologists attest to the potential of computers as powerful tools to test methods during psychological assessments. The introduction of computers in the 1950s was found to be very significant in facilitating scores, data management and analysis of results. In this review article, Butcher and colleagues (2004) aim to discuss the history and state of personality and neuropsychological tests that are processed through computers and how such method may be both helpful and problematic in the interpretation of the assessments of psychological data. Further, some issues regarding test interpretations through the computer were also emphasized along with the problems ...

Attention Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder has no definite diagnosis as there are many disorders that may exhibit the same symptoms. However, any symptoms that may show lack of attention or quick loss of it such as simple distraction combined with those implying hyperactivity may lead to a medical practitioner suspecting the presence of the disease (Oltmanns, 2012). However, the symptoms must be proven to negatively interfere with the functioning of the patient, and they must have been noticed at a relatively early age, preferably before 12. The symptoms must also be specific and not easily allude to another disorder. Daily life is ...

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II:

Issues Related to Result Interpretation and Test Validity Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II: Issues Related to Result Interpretation and Test Validity The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (Vineland-II; Sparrow, Cicchetti & Balla, 2004) is a psychometric test used to measure adaptive behavior. Adaptive behavior is defined as the ability to achieve a level of personal independence and social responsibility consistent with expected levels from individuals cultural and age group (Perry & Factor, 1989). The Vineland-II test is comprised of four domains of adaptive behavior: (1) Communication, (2) Daily Living, (3) Socialization, and (4) Motor Skills. The Maladaptive Behavior Index measures maladaptive behaviors, ...

In this paper, the study "A Longitudinal Examination of Stress Generation in Depressive and Anxiety Disorders” published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology will be discussed. First, an overview of the study will be presented. Second, key strengths and weakness of the study’s methods and procedures, as well as its results, will be argued. Third, a recommendation for how the study could be improved will be stated, and finally a conclusion will sum up the results of this review. The study’s goal is to expand on existing research on stress. The study examines both interpersonal and non interpersonal ...

Abstract

Both chronic stress and an exposure to a traumatic experience can cause a myriad of issues, both mentally and physically. If the physical and emotional symptoms that accompany prolonged stress or posttraumatic stress disorder is not addressed, the effects can be lethal. Fortunately, research has helped us to understand the impact stress has on one’s mental and physical well-being, leading to developments within the field of psychology known as positive psychology. Through monitoring the mind-body connection, the effects of stress can be reduced greatly. The following paper will address the diagnostic criteria and background of PTSD, the biological changes that ...

The U.S has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. However, it is puzzled with issues ranging from inefficiencies, inflated prices, excessive administrative expenses, inappropriate care, fraud, and waste. These issues are caused by a considerable lack of quality. However, of these issues I presume that major ones require immediate attention, while the minor ones require long-term solutions. Arguably, the country’s largest economic sector is healthcare which accounts for approximately $2.1 trillion in annual expenses. Yet, thousands of Americans cannot afford good healthcare services, and needs. Despite spending that entire amount in healthcare, serious issues regarding quality of ...

Whenever people start talking about raising a child, there are always two points of view. One is that the boys are easier to be raised; the second one is that the girls are much easier to deal with. But it’s not the question of which path is easier, they are both kind of difficult, the point is that they are challenging in different ways. According to Greer “Masculinity is to maleness as femininity is to femaleness” and that says that maleness is a natural condition (sex), and masculinity is the cultural contrast, something that can be influenced and changed. The ...

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a type of group therapy that has the potential to assist those suffering from the adverse effects of disordered thinking, including eating disorders. This paper discusses a study conducted to examine whether DBT can possibly be used to treat Binge Eating Disorder in women. The study found that by the end of the treatment, 89% of the experimental group were abstinent in binge-eating behavior at the end of the treatment, while 57% were still abstinent at the 6-month follow-up. This indicates that, although the sample size was small, more research should be done on the ...

The fact that Tina hears voices that command her to perform hygienic activities is a first sign of abnormal psychology. Auditory hallucinations are usually referred to as symptoms of schizophrenia, but before setting a diagnosis, Tina’s case must be carefully evaluated by taking into consideration all the information that she provided, included her own believe that her symptoms are a result of a witchcraft performed by her boyfriend for controlling her and the current research in the field of psychopathology. As Tina confessed that she has used methamphetamines heavily in the past several months, this can be an indication that her ...