With New Discoveries That Are Made Every Day, The Science

As a result to concluding the chapter “How to Think Straight about Psychology” by Keith E. Stanovich, the infinite doors into Psychology have opened. I was immediately engaged into the history and conflicts between the continuity of previous and modern day psychology. It was astounding to find the amount of distaste, backed by modern psychologists, on the workings of Sigmund Freud, who I had recently thought to be the foundation to all psychology. However, after reading on about the diversity of psychology, it became apparent that the extensive amounts of subjects within the realm of this study, make it difficult for scientist and the overall population to agree on one unified idea. Psychology has criteria that is ever changing, but limited to the time period of discovery.

In the case of Schizotypal Personality Disorder the individual has certain beliefs, superstitions, obsessive ruminations and/ or misconceptions of reality which causes them to become more susceptible to developing Schizophrenia. Unlike Schizoid PD, Schizotypal PD is characterized by an avoidance of social interactions, whereas Schizoid PD is described as an indifference to social

Throughout the many years, there have been many negative public perceptions of Schizophrenia, which is known by majority of the public as an indication of mental illness. This disorder is most of the time perceived by the public as caused by psychological factors. People with this mental illness are considered to be unpredictable and threatening (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2003, p. 526). Most patients have a behavioural dysfunction. Victims, families and society carry a substantial burden due to this illness (Wood & Freedman, 2003).

Clinical physicians can use the following six criteria to diagnose mental illness, the Context of behavior, Persistence of Behavior, Social Deviance, Subjective Distress, Psychological Handicap, and (or) Effect on functioning (Who’s Crazy Here, Anyway). If a patient could have psychosis, five out of the six criteria used would be, Social Deviance, Effect on Functioning, Context of Behaviour, Persistence of Behaviour, and Subjective Distress. Social Deviance would be used because individuals suffering from Psychosis can have hallucinations (http://toronto.cmha.ca/mental_health/early-psychosis-intervention/#.WNwzrzvys2w), hallucinations make mental illness evident (Who’s Crazy Here, Anyway). Individuals suffering from Psychosis can have increased confusion, anxiety, and (or) suspiciousness (http://toronto.cmha.ca/mental_health/early-psychosis-intervention/#.WNwzrzvys2w); this would come under the criteria of Effect on Functioning. If a person is too confused to function, to suspicious of the people around them, or is too anxious, this would hindrance in their ability to function can be diagnosed and linked to a mental illness (Hock, R.). Individuals with Psychosis have extreme mood swings (from happiness to anger), also they hate to be touched (YYYYY), these to conditions of their illness could cause them to react angrily to being touched. If a

Psychology is the scientific “study of the mind” (Gross, 2015) and behaviour, which includes the study of humans and animals. There are various approaches in modern psychology. A theoretical approach is a perspective which is someone’s view about human behaviour, there can be many different theories within an approach, however they all piece together the same assumptions. (McLeod, 2007). A theory is an attempt by theorists to try to explain behaviour. Theories are not facts but can be verified by testing. Theories can then be evaluated which I aim to achieve through this essay, where I will briefly explain the theoretical approaches in psychology and aim to focus on an analysis of each perspective which consists of the psychodynamic,

It is presented or characterised by loss of contact with reality through disruption or disturbance in perception (Mendiola, 2009). The observed changes in behaviour and deranged thinking result to impaired cognition and social well being in the varying interactions with the society during the person’s episode of illness (Mendiola, 2009). The three subtypes are categorized into negative symptoms, positive symptoms, and disorganized (Edward, Munro, Robins, 2014). Hallucinations and delusions are strongest in positive symptoms (Edward, Munro, Robins, 2014). Negative symptoms on the other hand affect the capacity of an individual to communicate effectively (Edward, Munro, Robins, 2014). Flat affect and the lack of pleasure or the capacity to experience it, are prevalent indications under the negative symptoms. Disorganised schizophrenia as the third subtype generally has a meagre prognosis portrayed by disorganised conduct and speech, as well as disruption in emotional interpretation (Edward, Munro, Robins,

Psychology is the scientific “study of the mind” (Gross, 2015) and behavior, which includes the study of humans and animals. There are various approaches in modern psychology. A theoretical approach is a perspective (view) about human behavior, there may be several different theories within an approach, but they all share these common assumptions and principles. (McLeod, 2007). A theory is an attempt by theorists to try to explain behavior. Theories are not facts but can be verified by testing. Theories can then be evaluated which I aim to do through this essay, where I will briefly explain the theoretical approaches in psychology and aim to focus on an analysis for each perspective which consist of the psychodynamic, humanist, cognitive and behavioral approaches where I will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each approach separately.

Additional, inferences about the disorder are provided by Whitcomb and Merrell (2013). The authors characterize the symptoms of schizophrenia as delusions that are “typically bizarre and implausible” and pronounced hallucinations such as hearing voices for long periods of time (p. 363). Additional, impairments noted by the authors include “severe disturbances in perception, thought and affect, a severe decline in personal and social functioning, poor personal hygiene, inability to function effectively at school or work, and a severe impairment in social relationships” (Whitcomb and Merrell, 2013 p.363).

Schizophrenia is a disease that has plagued societies around the world for centuries, although it was not given its formal name until 1911. It is characterized by the presence of positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms are so named because of the presence of altered behaviors, such as delusions, hallucinations (usually auditory), extreme emotions, excited motor activity, and incoherent thoughts and speech. (1,2) In contrast, negative symptoms are described as a lack of behaviors, such as emotion, speech, social interaction, and action. (1,2) These symptoms are by no means concrete. Not all schizophrenic patients will exhibit all or even a majority of these symptoms, and there is some

Throughout this paper I will discuss schizophrenia, what the characteristics associated with it are, how schizophrenia is diagnosed, treated, side effects, prognosis and how it impacts the person and people involved with them. I will also discuss how this disease has personally impacted my patient who has struggled with this disease for many years.

(Szasz,1982, p.4, p.29) In 1900, the term schizophrenia, now used worldwide, was used to describe the condition that one out of every hundred people had. This statistic remains the same today. Through research and years of study, the world has a better understanding of schizophrenia, its forms, characteristics, symptoms, types, possible causes, and treatments, if any. ( Pierce, 1990. p.263 )

The British Psychological Society states that ‘Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour’ (BPS). In this essay I will be discussing what is actually meant by this and whether psychology fits into both the traditional views of a science, as well as more contemporary perspectives. It is widely suggested that Psychology is a “coalition of specialities” meaning it is multi-disciplinary (Hewstone, Fincham and Foster 2005, page 4). I will therefore examine whether it could be considered wrong to think that all parts of the discipline should neatly fit into one view of a scientific approach.

The symptoms of schizophrenia involve a spectrum of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dysfunctions that ultimately disrupts the individual’s way of thinking. For example: “The first sign that one’s reality is gradually deteriorating emerges when there is a deficit of basic common sense-hygiene. “Once on my own I began to neglect the basic needs of human function. I grew inconsistent about asking myself common sense questions…are showers really necessary? Of course the answer was obviously yes, but sometimes it was hard to sort the answer out “(Saks, 35-36).

The central purpose of this essay is to critically discuss the importance of understanding human evolution and the history of psychology for the modern psychologist. For the human evolution, the essay will be addressing on how we and other species descended from our ancestors and how the different environment has helped to us to become more adaptable. Regarding the history of psychology, the essay will be discussing on how psychology branched off from the philosophy approach to become its own science. The essay will then go on discussing how the understanding of both human evolution and history of psychology would be used by modern psychologist.

Schizophrenia, unlike most disorders, is a standout amongst the most genuine of the mental disorders. It is known that one in a hundred individuals are affected by it, and starts in either youth or early adulthood. Schizophrenia brings social interruption, anguish and hardship to the individuals who experience the ill effects of it, as well as to their family. Under those circumstances, it is known to be the most devastating of all disorders. There are both negative and positive symptoms when it comes to dealing with schizophrenia. Despite the fact that there are various negative indications, the most present one is limitations or absence in thoughts and behaviours that are characteristics in normal functioning. For this