Week 1a

Perceptions and Causes of Psychopathology

Prepare a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you discuss the causes of psychopathology.

Address the following:

• Provide a brief overview of how culture is a factor in determining the expression of psychopathology. Discuss at least one culture-bound psychological syndrome.
• Examine the causes of psychopathology using either biopsychosocial or the diathesis-stress models. In order to receive full credit for this objective you will need to demonstrate how each element of the model causes or exacerbates psychological disorders. For example, how do the elements of biology, psychology, and sociology (biopsychosocial model) interact to create and/or make psychological disorders worse? Addressing each of these in regards to how they independently create and/or make the psychological disorder worse does not fulfill this requirement. The diathesis-stress model is, in general, easier to explain for most disorders you will encounter for this course. When using the diathesis-stress model you must include a discussion relative to resilience in order to receive full credit for this objective.
• Explain the changes in society's perception of psychopathology as a function of a historical period. Include an example of a recent psychological diagnosis that social pressure has modified/deleted.

Cite at least one separate peer-reviewed source for each of the above objectives.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.