Taking the Patient’s History

Hillary Locke

April 11, 2016

Journal

This week we have been asked to complete two tasks, first we will have to review list of historical cases studies or a list of movies that were approved for the upcoming assignment. The list has some very interesting movies and historical cases but I find “Mommie Dearest” because I grew up with that movie and it has always freaked me out. I think I have watched it more than 10 times at least. In this movie you can see that the main character John Crawford had mental illness of some kind, I would like to think she suffered from obsessive cleaning rituals. This is a very controlling personality, sometimes she would fly with rage without being provoked, things has to go her way at all times. Her heavy drinking didn’t help her either, as it encouraged the rage and she would become violent especially towards her adopted children when they are behind doors. The violence towards her children was not normal, usually mothers are nurturing.

On Abnormal Psychology task we are asked to further our discussion. This week text explains that “the statistical perspective labels behavior as abnormal if it occurs rarely in relation to the behavior of the general population. The social norm perspective considers behavior to be abnormal if the behavior deviates greatly from accepted social standards, values, or norms. The maladaptive perspective views behavior as abnormal if it interferes with the individual’s ability to function in life or in society” (Getzfeld, Schwartz, 2013). My understanding for Abnormal has grown significantly with the help of discussion forum and the text material. My thinking on this topic was very shallow, previously I have always thought that if one demonstrate personality traits that were different from what was considered social norm at a given period of time then they are abnormal. However, one can be normal even if they have tendencies that do not match what society deems as “normal” There is no right or wrong, normal or abnormal, there is different and that is what makes us human. Our prejudice and biasness as influences by society makes us see things the way we do, our normal and abnormal has been predefined by our environment and the people around us. As humans we tend to be biased , sometimes we oppose or favor somethings without clear logic to it but rather based on feelings and our emotions because that’s how we see normal. With all being said social influence will be part of us at a given society. The society says it is wrong to walk outside in nude so when we see one doing the opposite, we see them as abnormal. “Social influence takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, and leadership, persuasion, sales and marketing.” (Getzfeld, A., & Schwartz, S. 2013). So social influence cannot always be seen and we will not always know when we are conforming based on what society says.

Reference

Day, E. (2008, May 24). The Guardian . Retrieved Sept. 30, 2015, from I'll never forgive Mommie : http://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/may/25/biography.film Getzfeld, A., & Schwartz, S. (2013). Abnormal psychology: DSM-5 update . San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education. Vanity Affair . (2008, March). Vanity Affair . Retrieved Sept. 30, 2015, from Daughter Dearest: http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/03/crawford200803