Review Group Communication&
Discuss Abnormal Psychology
Review What is the focus of a process group? What is the focus of a
content group? With respect to the roles of members, please provide examples
of a) group task roles; b) group building roles; c) individual roles. In your opinion, which type of roles are needed in order to
facilitate communication in a content-focused group? Why? Describe two therapeutic factors of group discussion. Describe the symptoms of Groupthink. See handouts
“Groupthink”
Childhood Disorders
Dimensional Models of Childhood Disorders Degree of Control
Undercontrolled Overcontrolled
Undercontrolled Behavior ________________________________
Overcontrolled Behavior ________________________________
Undercontrolled Behavior Attention-deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder Conduct Disorder
Attention-deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD 3 subcategories of symptoms
Poor attention Hyperactive-impulsive behavior Have both problems
Studies on ADHD Symptoms Whalen & Henker (1985)
Hyperactive children tend to miss subtle social cues _________________________
Misattribution and misinterpretation _____________________________
Therefore, hyperactive children have trouble getting along with others
Studies on ADHD Symptoms Hoza et al, 2000
Procedures: boys with ADHD and boys with no diagnosis engaged in a get-acquainted task. Results:
Objective raters evaluated that boys with ADHD performed poorer than control participants;
boys with ADHD evaluated themselves in more positive terms
Conclusion: Boys with ADHD tend to have illusory bias concerning their social behaviors.
Studies on ADHD Symptoms Casey et al, 1996
15% to 30% of children with ADHD have a learning disability in math, reading, or spelling
Barkle et al, 1990 About 50% of children with ADHD are
placed in special education programs.
Problems associated with ADHD International Consensus Statement on ADHD (2002):
fewer than half of those with ADHD receive treatment, while ADHD is associated with:
High drop out rates No or few friends Antisocial behavior Substance abuse Contract STDs Drive at excessive speeds Have multiple car accidents
Biological Theories of ADHD Genetic factors
Children of parents who have ADHD are more likely to have the disorder.
Adoption and twin studies suggested that genetic influence is stronger than environmental influences.
Brain studies Structural: smaller frontal lobes Functional: frontal lobes under-responsive to
stimulation
Psychological Theories of ADHD Bruno Bettelheim (1973)
Diathesis-stress
A Child’s Predisposition: Overactivity & Moodiness
Environmental Stressor: Parents who are impatient
ADHD Symptoms
Conduct Disorder Symptoms
violate basic rights of others and major societal norms; lack of remorse
Comorbidity ADHD (30-90%) Substance abuse Anxiety and depression (15-30%)
Biological Theories of CD Genetic influence
Twin studies showed mixed results: A study of 3000 Vietnam war veterans suggested that family
influence is stronger than genetic. A study of 2600 twin pairs in Australia found a substantial
genetic influence. Further twin studies suggest that some aggressive
behaviors are heritable (I.e., cruelty towards animals); others (stealing, truancy) may not be.
Neuropsychological deficits poor verbal skills, planning abilities, problem-solving skills
Psychological theories of CD Lack of moral awareness
Verlaan et al 2002 Parental style: Lax parental discipline
and parental adjustment difficulties contribute to conduct disordered behavior
Psychological theories of CD Learning theories
Bandura’s social learning theory People learn through the process of imitation Bobo doll study (Bandura et al, 1961): Children who witnessed
an adult being aggressive with a plastic Bobo doll were observed imitating this aggression while playing with other children.
Children can learn aggressiveness from parents who behave aggressively. (Bandura & Walters, 1963)
Operant Conditioning - reward and punishment Aggression is an effective means to achieve a goal.
Psychological theories of CD Cognitive explanation of aggressive
behavior Dodge et al (1982)
Perceptual Bias & Cycle of Aggression: __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________
A biopsychosocial model of development of CD
Biological Predisposition
Sociocultural factors
Parenting
BiologicalPredisposition
Sociocultural Context
Mental Processes
Conduct DisorderPeers
Overcontrolled behavior Separation Anxiety Disorder School Phobia Social Phobia
Separation anxiety disorder Symptoms
Excessive worries about harm to major attachment figures along with fears of abandonment, refusal to attend school; avoidance of being alone.
The symptoms must be experienced for at least 8 weeks.
Attachment style theories of Separation Anxiety Disorder Ainsworth & Bowlby (1953)
Procedure An infant was left in a room for a brief period of time with
a stranger, the mother having left the room. Researchers observed and classified infants behavior into 3 types:
Secured attachment style Anxious attachment style Avoidant attachment style
Which style is associated with separation anxiety disorder?