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?