Assignment 4

Myles

Instructor Name

Psychology

1 December 2019

Assignment # 4

A) Describe what a projective measure is and provide an example. B) What approach to personality would be most likely to use this type of measure? C) What is the weakness of this type of measure?

A projective measure is a kind of test that is designed to let a person respond to ambiguous stimuli, which reveal hidden emotions and internal personality conflicts that are projected by the subject into the test. They utilize the approach of psychoanalysis, which suggests that people have unconscious urges. These tests are designed to uncover unstable unconscious feelings that might cause problems in a person's life in the present or the future.

Mona has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. A) What is the diathesis-stress model? Provide one possible explanation for Mona’s diagnosis using this model. B) Explain the biopsychosocial approach and describe how it differs from the diathesis-stress model in explaining Mona’s diagnosis.

The diathesis-stress model is a psychological theory that tries to explain a disorder or its future course, as a result of an interaction between a pre-dispositional vulnerability and stress caused by life experiences. The Diathesis-stress model is used to study and predict generalized anxiety disorders as it places its findings on past experiences that cause panic attacks to its victims. The biopsychosocial approach systematically considers biological, psychological and social factors and their complex interactions in understanding health, illness, and health care delivery. In the case of using the biopsychosocial approach in Mona's case, the linkages of depression causes will be studied. Whereas, in the case of using the Diathesis-stress model in Mona’s case, the relationship between potential causes of depression and the amount that she may be sensitive or vulnerable to react to those causes will be studied.

Jacob's behavior has become increasingly odd over the past several months. He says things like "I am frustrating!" He hears voices that tell him to steal groceries and he no longer expresses love and affection to his family. A) What is a likely diagnosis? B) Discuss positive and negative symptoms and explain how Jacob's behavior is consistent (or inconsistent) with these terms. C) Provide a discussion of one potential biological factor, environmental factor, and sociocultural factor that may have led to Jacob developing this disease

Jacob is suffering from a case of schizophrenia which is a disorder of thought. Positive symptoms imply that Jacob is experiencing excess in functioning, meaning that he is experiencing the addiction of abnormal behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. In Jacob's case, the experiencing of delusions and disorganized speech are positive symptoms. Negative symptoms imply a lack of normal functioning in daily affairs. In Jacob's case, lack of emotional expression towards his family is a negative symptom. In the case of potential Biological factors, schizophrenia is clearly (partly) genetic, schizophrenics have enlarged ventricles and smaller frontal and temporal lobes (less brain volume in general), and also have problems with their dopamine system (more dopamine increases symptoms). In the case of potential Environmental factors, there can baa the role of dysfunctional home environment or viruses. In the case of Sociocultural factors, it can be attributed to living in an overcrowded urban area.

 Ken is known for lacking empathy, easily manipulating others without remorse, and being deceitful. A) Describe how personality disorders are abnormal (how do these people differ from people who do not have personality disorders?). B) If Ken has antisocial personality disorder, what other characteristics would you expect him to display?

Ken has Antisocial personality disorder, which is a chronic mental health condition. It is also known as sociopathy and is characterized by a disregard for the feelings of others. The most common characteristics of antisocial personality disorder that Ken might display over the course of time are repeatedly performing unlawful acts, lying or conning others for profit or pleasure, acting impulsively, repeatedly engaging in physical fights or assaults, disregard for the safety of oneself or others, irresponsibility at work or in financial obligations, and lack of remorse when mistreating others.

Adrienne is stubborn and highly regulating. Everything has to be just the way she likes it or she is not happy. A) How would the psychodynamic approach explain her personality? B) How would a Big Five trait theorist explain her personality? Your response should include specifics of each theory in explaining her personality (based on the information given)

In the psychodynamic view, Adrienne might have an "anankastic" personality trait or fixated in the "anal stage" of psychosexual development. In the case of the Big Five Traits approach, Adrianne is seen as highly conscientious by those who value her well-organized, dependable and self-sufficient behavior, whereas she is seen as stubborn and obsessive who does not value her conscientious behavior.

Discuss how perceptions regarding mental illness have changed over the past 60 years. Incorporate at least one specific example from the media (i.e., movies) that have depicted mental illness and discuss its influence on public perception. For example, was it a positive portrayal or did it reinforce negative stereotypes and the stigma of mental illness?

The perceptions regarding mental illness have changed a lot over the past 60 years. There has been more shift towards the scientific method and the drive to try to understand different types of mental illness regarding that supposing them the work of supranational powers. Various filmmakers have highlighted the issue in their films. Take the example of the 1999 hit movie "Fight Club". The narrator in the movie have discussed dissociative identity disorder (formerly called "multiple personality disorder") in the greater course of the film. He is deeply unhappy with his life and job, and unconsciously becomes another person entirely called Tyler Durden to compensate for his apparent lack of masculinity and power.