Examine the Concepts of Normality & Abnormality
Examine the concepts of normality and abnormality Ernest Leung The concepts of normality and abnormality, it can be argued, are the foundations of the entire psychiatric discipline; essential for the professional diagnosis of mental illnesses or other dysfunctional conditions, it has become increasingly important for researchers and practitioners alike that such concepts are based on standardised definitions to allow for greater reliability in analysis, diagnosis and assessing the progress of recovery. In the past, reliability has been compromised by, as suggested by some, cultural contexts in which the concepts are construed, and the element of social judgement that is present when criteria defining these concepts are applied. Efforts of the psychiatric discipline in recent decades devoted to improving the reliability of such definitions through, among other measures taken, the introduction of a greater degree of universality, have been according to critics, made at the cost of validity and has produced new forms of subjectivity. The resultant backlash, aimed at restoring social context as a consideration in diagnosis, has fostered growing superficial reliance on the 'emic' approach, which has in certain cases, as this essay will argue, hindered even proper understanding to abnormal behaviour, whilst ethnocentricity has continued to manifest itself in other ways.
existentialisme
Introduction L'existentialisme peut être expliqué par la théorie sartrienne: " l'existence précède l'essence ", c'est-à-dire qu'on surgit d'abord dans le monde, puis on existe et finalement on se définit par nos actions dont nous sommes pleinement responsables. Mais ce n'est pas le seul philosophe existentialiste, " l'existentialisme " est une étiquette qu'on avait même attribuée à Albert Camus (voir son roman L'Étranger). En fait, l'origine étymologique du mot existentialisme vient d'existence, en allemand on utilise le mot (Dasein), qui est également le terme désignant la théorie d'Heidegger, qui signifie " être-là ". Jean-Paul Sartre, ayant importé l'existentialisme et la phénoménologie allemande en France, a répandu cette philosophie très à la mode durant les années 1940 qui était devenue non seulement un mode de vie mais qui était aussi définie par un endroit précis : Saint-Germain-des-Prés à Paris. La phénoménologie comme source de l'existentialisme Sartre empruntera beaucoup à la méthode phénoménologique. C'est Raymond Aron qui, de par sa connaissance des philosophes allemands, a suggéré à Sartre de s'intéresser à la phénoménologie. C'est d'abord une méthode qui vient de Husserl. Science des phénomènes, elle décrit la façon dont les choses se donnent à la conscience. La description des choses permet de découvrir
Psychology biological level of analysis revision
Test Revision Psychology General Learning Outcomes Outline principals that define the biological level of analysis . Many behaviours have physiological origins (e.g. brain processes, neurotransmitters, hormones, and genes), so humans should be studied as biological systems 2. The relationship between physiological factors and environmental stimuli is bi-directional. This means that biology and the environment influence each other. 3. Cognitions, emotions and behaviours are products of the anatomy and physiology of our nervous and endocrine systems. 4. Behaviour can be innate and inherited because it is genetically based. Evolution therefore, plays a key role in behaviour. 5. Animal research provides insight into human behaviour. It provides a base to consider human behaviour and an avenue to investigate when it is unethical to experiment on humans. 6. There are biological correlates of behaviour, that is links between specific biological factors and specific behaviours. E.g. testosterone and aggression. 7. Biological research is often reductionist. Reductionism refers to a micro-level research approach where complex human behaviour is reduced to its smallest parts. For example, reducing the explanation of aggression to testosterone levels. Strength: provides detailed knowledge of physiological components. Limitation: oversimplified as it ignores other
Where does Schizophrenia Lie in the Spectrum of Nature vs Nurture?
Where does Schizophrenia lie in the spectrum of Nature versus Nurture? Saria Chatila American International School – Riyadh May 2013 Extended Essay Word Count: 3054 words Candidate Number: ____________________ Schizophrenia and Nature versus Nurture Abstract To begin, my research question is ‘Where does Schizophrenia lie in the spectrum of Nature versus Nurture?’ Nature versus Nurture is an ongoing debate discussing whether the environment determines one’s behavior they are surrounded by or by the genes they inherit. My research question is more focused on how Schizophrenia is developed. Does one’s genes determine it, or does the environment play a role? I went about researching by using the Internet and found articles, videos, theories, and stories. Additionally, I interviewed Marwan Chatila (my father), because his brother is being diagnosed with Schizophrenia. After doing some research, I have found that each person has 46 chromosomes, and each of their genes are located on 23 chromosomes. Each person inherits two copies of each gene, from each parent. Several genes could be associated with a risk of schizophrenia depending on whether each parent has a relative who has schizophrenia. Genetic contributions could include having first or second-degree relatives, which could increase one’s risk of developing Schizophrenia. There are several environmental
IA stroop effect
IB Psychology Standard Level Internal Assessment - The Stroop Effect - The Effect of Interfering Colour Stimuli Upon Reading Names of Colours Serially February 2010 ABSTRACT This experiment, a partial duplication of the work of Stroop (1935)1, aimed to demonstrate the cognitive interference caused by conflicting stimuli, as measured by delayed reaction times in participants asked to read a list of words and name the colour of the words (using incongruent colour-word pairs). Laboratory trials were conducted on twelve (12) voluntary, anonymous participants, with the Independent Variable being the colour stimulus, the Dependent Variable being the reaction time of the participants to read the word lists. No interaction took place between the researcher and the participants, apart from the briefing, de-briefing and reading of the word lists. The results revealed significant differences in the mean time to read the words and name the colours across the whole research population, and by participants of different ages. This confirms that interfering stimuli affect cognitive processes. Individual factors such as nationality, mother tongue and familiarity with the test language (English) were not taken into consideration. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Method 2 Design 2 Participants 2 Materials 2 Procedure 3 Results 4 Description 4 Analysis 5 Discussion 6
The Basic Mechanisms of Homeostasis Overview of homeostasis The term homeostasis was first coined by Walter Cannon in 1929 to literally mean steady state. It describes the dynamic equilibrium by which internal constancy is maintained with
Mass media and communication .0 Introduction There are many diverse and conflicting views of the role of the mass media in society. This paper will discuss the two dominant schools of thought - the pluralist and Marxist theories of mass media. In each case three sociological studies will be used to examine the validity of the definition. The most prescient case studies will be evaluated and conclusions drawn with relation to mass media and communication in general. 2.0 Mass Media and Communication The term 'mass' is a reference to the large numbers of people to which traditional broadcasts are aimed. The spread of interpersonal media systems means that, "modern communication has become less mass in character"(Haralambos et al., 2000). However, the term is still relevant for many influential media systems . Therefore, mass media can be defined as: "The methods and organisations used by specialist social groups to convey messages to large, socially mixed and widely dispersed audiences" (Haralambos et al., 2000, p935) This definition assumes that communication passes from a single point to many other points. However, from the 1980s onwards, this was increasingly irrelevant in relation to the media. Technology has enabled interpersonal media communication to become steadily more prevalent. The definition also makes no reference to the audience's role in the communication.
This experiment investigated the effect of the presence of others on the number of word associations produced by a single individual. It was a replication of an experiment carried out by Allport (1920).
Title: "An Experiment to Investigate the Effect of the Presence of Others on the Number of Word Associations Produced by a Single Individual" Abstract This experiment investigated the effect of the presence of others on the number of word associations produced by a single individual. It was a replication of an experiment carried out by Allport (1920). The research hypothesis states that the presence of others around a person will help him come up with a greater number of word associations from a set list of words than he would if he had to perform the designated task on his own. The independent variable of the experiment was whether the participants were working individually or in a group; the dependent variable was the number of associations participants would come up with for 2 lists of words, each one containing 15 words. Results showed that group work can help an individual come up with a greater number of word associations for 2 lists of stimulus words when compared to the number of associations produced by an individual working solo. The results suggest the presence of others around an individual can affect his performance in the designated task in a positive manner, meaning it can help him become more productive while attempting to produce word associations, which is in line with the original study by Allport. Table of Contents Abstract
Factors relating to Substance Abuse and Addicitve Behviours
Explain factors related to the development of substance abuse or addictive behaviour & examine prevention strategies and treatments for substance abuse and addictive behaviour (22 marks) A substance is anything that people can ingest to alter mood, cognition or behaviour: specifically to induce feelings of self-confidence, fun or relaxation. However, there is an issue with 'substances', in that they can often cause a dependence or addiction. An addiction can be described as the behavioural and other responses that include compulsion to certain substances continuously, in order to avoid psychological and physiological deficits in the absence of the substance: namely discomfort, anxiety etc. An addiction may relate to anything in one's life which may cause the process of uncontrollable usage. This essay shall seek to outline the key reasons for development of a substance abuse, whilst assessing the prevention strategies and treatment for the subsequent substance abuses and addictive behaviours - with key reference to smoking and addiction to nicotine. From a biological perspective, there are a number of factors which relate to the causation of substance abuse and addictive behaviours. Drugs often stimulate the release of hormones which are conducive with positive feelings. In the case of smoking, the drug is nicotine and hormone released is adrenaline. This increases the
Stroop Effect
The Stroop Effect Name: Moe Moe Win Candidate Number: 000040-288 Psychology Higher Level Type of Study: Experimental Instructor: Mrs. Carter Word Count: 1940 Date of Submission: May, 2010 Table of Content Page Abstract......................................................3 Introduction.................................................4 Hypotheses Method...................................................... 5 Design Participants Materials Procedure Result.......................................................6 Descriptive Statistics Inferential Statistics Discussion..................................................7 Conclusion Reference...................................................9 Appendices Appendix I (Consent Letter)...................10 Appendix ii (Standardized Instruction).......11 Appendix iii (Word List)......................12 Appendix iv (Raw Data)......................13 Appendix v (Statistical Calculation)...........14 Appendix vi (Debriefing).....................15 Abstract The researcher will base John Ridley Stroop's experiment called the Stroop Effect in this experiment. It will be a modified experiment of the stroop effect experiment. The Stroop effect is an important base study to elaborate on more studies such as selective attention, speed
SL Psychology IA - Iconic Memory
Abstract This study replicated Sperling (1960) to experimentally investigate the duration and capacity of the iconic memory store. Iconic memory is a memory store that holds rapidly decaying visual impressions of a stimulus for 2-3 seconds after it has been removed. The aim of this experiment was to support the theoretical capacity of the iconic memory, which is 4-5 items, and also the rapid decay of information held in the store. A single blind, independent measure design used an opportunity sample of 30 students from a selective entry Queensland high school aged between 13 and 17. The participants were separated into 3 groups, one of which completed the Whole Report procedure, while the other two completed the Partial Report. All participants viewed a grid of 9 alphanumeric characters for 500ms. Following this, those participating in the Whole Report were asked to immediately recall as many of these 9 letters as possible. The two groups completing the Partial Report received an auditory cue after viewing the stimulus after a delay of either 500ms or 2 seconds. The findings of this experiment show the rapid decay of information in the iconic memory with mean recall after 500ms (M = 2.3) almost four times higher than after two seconds (M = 0.6). The results corresponded to those of Sperling (1960). Contents Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Design Method