Contemporary Psychological Perspectives/ Approaches

1. Contemporary Psychological Perspectives/Approaches

2. Perspectives • Perspective is a way of viewing phenomena • Psychology has multiple perspectives • Biological • Psychodynamic • Behavioral • Humanistic • Cognitive • Cross Cultural

3. Perspectives Timeline

5. Pica • Definition: The uncontrollable desire to eat non-food items that is usually a part of other psychological illness • Typical items eaten: • Chalk • Hair • Cigarette Butts • Paint Chips • Cleaning Products • Dirt • Baking Soda

6. What Causes Pica? • Other Psychological Illness like Schizophrenia • Malnutrition • Nutritional Deficiencies • Parental Neglect • Cultural Traditions • Developmental Problems • Pregnancy

7. “My Strange Addictions” • We will now watch three video clips from the TLC show; “My Strange Addictions”. • The clips will feature three women dealing with Pica • One has an addictions with drinking nail polish, another with ingesting chalk and laundry detergent, and the last prefers eating soil. If you prefer not to watch the clips or at any time feel queasy due to the nature of the program please let me know!

8. Outcomes of Pica • poisoning, such as lead poisoning from eating chips of old paint or soil that has old paint in it. • • obstruction of the bowel or airways from consuming or choking on indigestible materials such as hair. • • obesity from consuming too many calories-for example, eating laundry starch. • damage to teeth and gums from chewing abrasive materials such as twigs or metals.

9. Outcomes of Pica • infestations of parasites such as tapeworms resulting from consuming dirt or feces. • between 1999 and 2009, the number of hospital stays for patients with pica nearly doubled (from 964 to 1,862). Patients with pica and other eating disorders may also be hospitalized for other conditions such as depression, fluid and electrolyte disorders, schizophrenia, or alcohol-related disorders. Although 9 in 10 cases of eating disorders occur among women, those in men increased by 53 percent in the last decade. • Death

10. Using Psychology Perspectives: Norman • 3 years old-ate lettuce because he liked rabbits • Had imaginary friends; Willie. • Strange vocabulary which weren’t words but more like jabber • Changed schools often due to grades and behavior

11. Avoided hugs or touch with friends that he did make • Did eventually tolerate hugs What do Norman’s symptoms resemble? Using the Psychology approaches/perspectives, lets ask the necessary questions….

12. Looking at Norm • Biological Approach: “Was Norman unable to learn words properly due to the development of his brain and genes?” • Cognitive Approach: “How was Norm able to develop a signaling system that involved gestures instead of words?”

13. Looking at Norm • Behavioral Approach: “Why did Norm make it a rule to avoid leaving soap in the sink?” • Humanistic Approach: “How was Norm able to overcome his early language problems and write a book in four weeks?”

14. Looking at Norm • Cross-cultural Approach: “Why did Norms’ mother believe that autism was caused by evil spirits?”