INSTRUCTOR’S RESOURCE MANUAL
Prepared by:
Linda Lockwood
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Psychopathology
A Clinical Science Approach
Nineteenth Edition
Jill M. Hooley
Harvard University
Matthew K. Nock
Harvard University
, Chapter 1: Psychopathology: Overview
and Research Approaches
Learning Objectives
1.1 Explain how we define and classify mental disorders.
1.2 Describe the advantages and disadvantages of classification.
1.3 Explain how culture affects what is considered pathological or disordered, and describe two
different culture-specific disorders.
1.4 Distinguish between incidence and prevalence, and identify the most common and prevalent
mental disorders.
1.5 Discuss why psychopathology research can be conducted in almost any setting.
1.6 Describe three different approaches used to gather information about mental disorders.
1.7 Explain why a control (or comparison group) is necessary to adequately test a hypothesis.
1.8 Discuss why correlational research designs are valuable, even though they cannot be used to
make causal inferences.
1.9 Explain the key features of an experimental design.
Chapter Overview/Summary
Psychopathology is concerned with understanding the nature, causes, and treatment of mental
disorders. Mental disorders capture our interest, demand our attention, and trigger our concern.
They also compel us to ask questions. Elements that can be helpful in considering whether
something is abnormal include subjective distress, maladaptiveness, statistical deviancy,
violation of societal norms, social discomfort, irrationality and unpredictability, and
dangerousness. The DSM employs a category type of classification similar to that used in
medicine. Disorders are regarded as discrete clinical entities, though not all clinical disorders
may be best considered in this way. Even though it is not without problems, the DSM provides us
with working criteria that help clinicians and researchers identify and study specific difficulties
that affect the lives of many people. It is far from a ―finished product,‖ but familiarity with the
DSM is essential to significant study of the field.
Classifying disorders provides a common language as well as a communication shorthand. It
also allows us to structure information in an efficient manner and provides us with an
organizational framework. This facilitates research and treatment. In addition, classification
defines the domain of what is considered to be pathological. From a practical perspective, it
delineates the types of psychological difficulties that warrant insurance reimbursement and
,identifies the disorders that mental health professionals treat. When we classify, we lose detailed
personal information about the individual with the disorder. Classification can also facilitate
stigma, stereotyping, and labeling, although we should keep in mind that these problems are not
caused by the classification system itself. Fear of being viewed negatively or being discriminated
against may lead some people to avoid seeking treatment.
Culture shapes the presentation of clinical disorders in some cases. Culture also provides the
backdrop against which we must evaluate whether a particular behavior is abnormal or not.
Certain disorders appear to be highly culture specific. Taijin kyofusho is an anxiety disorder that
is quite prevalent in Japan. It involves the fear that one‘s body, body parts, or body functions
may offend, embarrass, or make others feel uncomfortable. Ataque de nervios is another
culturally rooted expression of distress. It is found in people of Latino descent, especially those
from the Caribbean. This condition does not have a clear counterpart in the DSM. Symptoms can
include crying, trembling, fainting, uncontrollable screaming, and a general feeling of loss of
control.
Epidemiology involves the study of the distribution and frequency of disorders. Incidence is
the number of new cases that occur in a given period of time. Prevalence refers to the total
number of cases in a population during any specified period of time. Just under 50 percent of
people will experience some form of mental disorder during their lifetime. Mood disorders and
anxiety disorders are particularly common.
Studying and drawing inferences from past case studies alone often leads to erroneous
thinking, as we often focus on data that confirm our ideas of how things are. Research prevents
us from being misled by natural errors in thinking and can be conducted in clinics, hospitals,
schools, prisons, and on the street. It is not the setting that determines whether a given research
project may be undertaken. The importance lies in the researcher‘s methodology.
Information about mental disorders can be collected through case studies, self-report data,
and observational approaches. Case studies can be a valuable source of new ideas and serve as a
stimulus for research. They also may provide insight into unusual clinical conditions that are too
rare to be studied in a more systematic way. Self-report data allows us to study behavior in a
more rigorous manner. This type of research often involves having research participants
complete questionnaires of various types or conducting interviews with them. When we collect
information in a way that does not involve asking people directly, we are using some form of
observational approach. Exactly how we go about this depends on what it is we seek to
understand.
Unless there is a control or comparison group, researchers cannot test their hypothesis
adequately. The control group must be comparable in all major respects (e.g., age, educational
level, proportion of males and females) to the criterion group, except for the fact that they do not
exhibit the disorder of interest. The control group could be made up of psychologically healthy
people or people with a different disorder. Only when they are using a suitable control or
comparison group can researchers compare the two groups on the variables of interest to see if
there are significant differences.
Correlational research examines factors as they currently are, allowing us to identify factors
that appear to be associated with certain disorders. Just because two variables are correlated does
not mean that there is a causal relationship between them. Correlation does not equal causation.
The direction of the relationship or the possibilities of a third variable bias are not accounted for
in correlational studies.
, Experimental research involves manipulating one variable (the independent variable) and
observing the effect this manipulation produces with regard to another variable (the dependent
variable). Because the experimenter is changing the experimental conditions, experimental
research designs permit causal inferences to be made. Although most experiments involve the
study of groups, single-case experimental designs (e.g., ABAB designs) may also be used to
make causal inferences in individual instances.
Detailed Chapter Outline
INTRODUCTION
1. Psychopathology is concerned with understanding the nature, causes, and
treatment of mental disorders.
2. Family aggregation is whether a disorder runs in families.
I. HOW ARE MENTAL DISORDERS DEFINED?
Learning Objective 1.1: Explain how we define and classify mental disorders.
A. Indicators of Abnormality
1. No one behavior or single indicator is enough to define abnormality. However,
the more that someone has difficulties in the following areas, the more likely it is
that they have some form of mental disorder:
a. Subjective distress: If people suffer or experience psychological pain, we are
inclined to consider this indicative of a psychological problem; however,
although subjective distress is an element of a mental disorder in many cases,
it is neither a sufficient condition nor even a necessary condition for us to
consider that something is psychopathological.
b. Maladaptiveness: Any behavior that is maladaptive for the individual or
toward society (e.g., anorexia) is maladaptive.
c. Statistical deviancy: The outdated term abnormal literally means ―away from
the normal.‖ Just because something is statistically common or uncommon,
though, does not reflect abnormality (e.g., having an intellectual disability,
which is statistically rare, represents a deviation from the normal).
d. Violation of the standards of society: All cultures have rules. Some of these
are formalized as laws; others form the norms and moral standards that we are
taught to follow. When people fail to follow the conventional social and moral
