I have read my reading materials and answered to the best of my understanding. If anyone could help I would appreciate it!
Comparing Systems of Abnormality
Psychologists use several different models to explain abnormal behavior. These different models have created shifts in values and beliefs as well as improvements in clinical research. These differences in ideas mean that the different models are sometimes in conflict with one another. People who follow one model often point out where another model fails in its interpretations, investigations, and treatment methods.
To complete this assignment, read this brief profile of Willard and follow the directions to complete the chart:
Willard is an angry man. He often gets his way by bullying and berating others.
The following is a list of proposed causes for Willard's behavior. Each cause was presented by a psychologist with a different theoretical perspective. Match the psychologist to the cause he or she is likely to present. Then match the treatment he or she is most likely to recommend. Explain your choice in the last column under Reason. Be sure to document your sources.
Psychologists:
Dr. Smith, Biologist
Dr. Mullen, Psychoanalyst
Dr. James, Behaviorist
Dr. Allen, Cognitivist
Dr. Bates, Humanist
Dr. Frank, Socioculturist Treatments:
Medication
Community treatment
Client-centered therapy
Challenging dysfunctional thoughts
Operant conditioning
Free association and catharsis
Proposed Cause Psychologist Treatment Reason[Fully explain]
Proposed Cause: Willard has been rewarded for his bullying behavior. Psychologist: Dr. Frank, Socioculturist Treatment: Community treatment
Reason[Fully explain]: ???
Proposed Cause: Willard is genetically predisposed to bullying others.
Psychologist: Dr. Smith, Biologist
Treatment: Medication
Reason[Fully explain]: Biologists believe that genetic inheritance may influence mood disorders. The common biological treatments are drug therapy (medication), electroconvulsive therapy, and psychosurgery (Comer, 2005).
Proposed Cause: Willard's toilet training was harsh.
Psychologist: Dr. James, Behaviorist Treatment: Operant conditioning
Reason[Fully explain]:???
Proposed Cause: Willard is influenced by the commonly held view that men must be aggressive in order to succeed. Psychologist: Dr. Bates, Humanist Treatment: Client-centered therapy
Reason[Fully explain]:???
Proposed Cause: Willard assumes that if he does not assert himself first, he will appear to be a failure to others. Psychologist: Dr. Allen, Cognitivist
Treatment: Challenging dysfunctional thoughts
Reason[Fully explain]:???
Proposed Cause: Willard has a low sense of self-worth, probably stemming from conditional love in childhood.
Psychologist: Dr. Mullen, Psychoanalyst Treatment: Free association and catharsis
Reason[Fully explain]: A psychoanalyst would determine Willard’s actions influenced by experiences and by leading a discussion on the topic of his feeling would help Willard work through this low self-worth. While leading the discussion Willard will face past feelings and work towards settling internal conflict (Comer, 2005).
(Cited source) Documentation:
Comer, R. J. (2005). Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology (4th ed.). New York, NY: Worth.
Which theoretical model does homework assigned by Dr. Smith match?
Proposed Cause: Willard has been rewarded for his bullying behavior.
Psychologist: Dr. Frank, Socioculturist
Treatment: Community treatment
Reason [Fully explain]: According to the sociocultural perspective, the environment and society play a significant role in shaping behavior. In this case, Dr. Frank, a socioculturist, would argue that Willard's behavior of bullying is influenced by the way he has been rewarded in his social environment. Willard may have learned that bullying is an effective way to get what he wants due to reinforcement from others. Community treatment, which involves therapy and support from the community, would be the most suitable treatment approach as it addresses the social factors that contribute to Willard's behavior.
Proposed Cause: Willard is genetically predisposed to bullying others.
Psychologist: Dr. Smith, Biologist
Treatment: Medication
Reason [Fully explain]: Biologists believe that genetic inheritance may influence certain behavioral traits, including aggression. Dr. Smith, a biologist, would argue that Willard's bullying behavior is influenced by his genetic predisposition. Therefore, medication might be recommended as a treatment option to help regulate any biological factors contributing to his aggressive tendencies. Medication can help manage and control underlying genetic factors that might contribute to his behavior.
Proposed Cause: Willard's toilet training was harsh.
Psychologist: Dr. James, Behaviorist
Treatment: Operant conditioning
Reason [Fully explain]: Behaviorists focus on learning and how it shapes behavior. Dr. James, a behaviorist, would attribute Willard's bullying behavior to his harsh toilet training experience. According to behavioral principles, behavior is learned through a process of conditioning, and negative experiences can shape maladaptive behaviors. In this case, operant conditioning would be the most suitable treatment approach to address Willard's behavior. Operant conditioning involves reinforcing desirable behaviors and punishing undesirable ones, with the goal of teaching him more appropriate ways of interacting with others.
Proposed Cause: Willard is influenced by the commonly held view that men must be aggressive in order to succeed.
Psychologist: Dr. Bates, Humanist
Treatment: Client-centered therapy
Reason [Fully explain]: Humanists emphasize individual self-actualization and personal growth. Dr. Bates, a humanist, would argue that Willard's aggressive behavior is influenced by societal norms and expectations. Humanists believe in the importance of self-awareness and personal choice. Client-centered therapy, a humanistic approach, would be the most suitable treatment option. It focuses on creating a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic environment where Willard can explore his own values, gain insight into the influence of cultural expectations, and work towards self-acceptance.
Proposed Cause: Willard assumes that if he does not assert himself first, he will appear to be a failure to others.
Psychologist: Dr. Allen, Cognitivist
Treatment: Challenging dysfunctional thoughts
Reason [Fully explain]: Cognitivists focus on how thoughts and beliefs contribute to behavior. Dr. Allen, a cognitivist, would argue that Willard's aggressive behavior stems from his cognitive distortions and negative self-beliefs. Cognitivists believe that by challenging and replacing dysfunctional thoughts with more realistic and adaptive thinking patterns, behavior can change. Therefore, challenging dysfunctional thoughts would be the most suitable treatment approach for Willard. Through therapy, Willard can identify his negative thought patterns and develop healthier ways of thinking about himself and his relationships.
Proposed Cause: Willard has a low sense of self-worth, probably stemming from conditional love in childhood.
Psychologist: Dr. Mullen, Psychoanalyst
Treatment: Free association and catharsis
Reason [Fully explain]: Psychoanalysts focus on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences. Dr. Mullen, a psychoanalyst, would argue that Willard's low self-worth and aggressive behavior stem from unresolved conflicts and experiences in his early childhood, specifically conditional love. Psychoanalysis aims to bring unconscious conflicts and repressed emotions into conscious awareness. Therefore, free association and catharsis would be the most suitable treatment approach for Willard. Through free association, Willard would explore his thoughts and emotions freely, uncovering repressed feelings and achieving emotional release (catharsis) in order to work through his low self-worth.
Overall, these different theoretical perspectives provide insight into the possible causes and treatment approaches for Willard's aggressive behavior. Understanding these perspectives allows psychologists to approach abnormal behavior from various angles and develop treatments that address the underlying factors contributing to it.