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    Culture and Abnormality

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    LEE YI TING -
    This document discusses how abnormal behaviors are viewed through a cultural lens. It notes that psychology traditionally defines abnormality based on statistical infrequency, impairment, deviance from social norms, and subjective distress, but these definitions have limitations. Cross-cultural research shows differences in rates and presentations of disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and somatization across cultures. The document also describes several culture-bound syndromes seen within specific societies but not universally. It concludes that cultural factors must be considered in assessing and treating abnormal behaviors.

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    Culture and Abnormality

    Uploaded by

    LEE YI TING -
    20 views18 pages
    This document discusses how abnormal behaviors are viewed through a cultural lens. It notes that psychology traditionally defines abnormality based on statistical infrequency, impairment, deviance from social norms, and subjective distress, but these definitions have limitations. Cross-cultural research shows differences in rates and presentations of disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and somatization across cultures. The document also describes several culture-bound syndromes seen within specific societies but not universally. It concludes that cultural factors must be considered in assessing and treating abnormal behaviors.

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    This document discusses how abnormal behaviors are viewed through a cultural lens. It notes that psychology traditionally defines abnormality based on statistical infrequency, impairment, deviance from social norms, and subjective distress, but these definitions have limitations. Cross-cultural research shows differences in rates and presentations of disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and somatization across cultures. The document also describes several culture-bound syndromes seen within specific societies but not universally. It concludes that cultural factors must be considered in assessing and treating abnormal behaviors.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    20 views18 pages

    Culture and Abnormality

    Uploaded by

    LEE YI TING -
    This document discusses how abnormal behaviors are viewed through a cultural lens. It notes that psychology traditionally defines abnormality based on statistical infrequency, impairment, deviance from social norms, and subjective distress, but these definitions have limitations. Cross-cultural research shows differences in rates and presentations of disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and somatization across cultures. The document also describes several culture-bound syndromes seen within specific societies but not universally. It concludes that cultural factors must be considered in assessing and treating abnormal behaviors.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    of 18

    Culture and Mental Health

    (Abnormality)
    Defining abnormality
    • Psychopatalogy is believed to be related to
    culture and can be understood within the
    culture framework  this is called CULTURE
    RELATIVISM
    Introduction
    • This lecture highlights on a few things:
     what constitutes of being normal vs abnormal
    in traditional (mainstream) belief of
    psychology.
     Differences in abnormal behaviour across
    cultures.
     Treatment in abnormal behaviours across
    cultures.
    Limitations in defining abnormality in
    traditional approach
    a. Statistical approach to due to rare occurances/infrequent
    b. Impairment/ inefficiency when carrying out customary roles
    - hallucinations might prevent people from performing
    normal roles  e.g. thought that being followed by somebody, always being
    scared of something, thus prevent from perform activities/duties.
    c. Deviance – behaviours that are against social norms  e.g.
    homosexuality is deviant in Malaysia, but not in most states in the USA.
    d. Subjective distress – depends on a person’s
    perception on how distress is viewed.
    Cross-cultural research on abnormal
    behaviours
    • Schizophrenia
    • Depression
    • Somatisation
    • Cultural-bound syndrome
    Culture and schizophrenia
    • SCHIZOPHRENIA = a group of psychotic disorders
    featured by:

     gross distortions of reality,


     withdrawal from social interaction, and
     disorganisation of thought, perception, and emotion

    (Carlson , Butcher, & Coleman, 1988).


    Culture and schizophrenia
    • The etiology (penyebab) of schizo is due to
    biological (excess of dopamine or biochemical
    imbalances) and environmental factors (e.g.
    hostility in family).

    • Diathesis-stress model  those who are


    biologically predisposed to schizo, and living in
    hostile environment, have more chances to
    become one (schizoic).
    Culture and schizophrenia
    • The WHO research (1973, 1979, 1981) was conducted
    in comparing the prevalence and course of
    schizophrenia in several continents.
    - found that research assessment in diagnosing
    schizophrenia was reliable.
    - also, similar (universal) symptoms found for
    schizophrenia, i.e. lack of insight, auditory and verbal
    hallucinations, and ideas of reference ( that becoming
    the centre of attention).
    HOWEVER……
    Culture and schizophrenia
    • People of developing countries (i.e. Colombia,
    India and Nigeria) recovered at faster rates
    than those of highly industrialised countries
    (e.g. USA, UK)
    • These differences were attributed to cultural
    factors, such as the presence of kin networks
    (a lot of relatives to turn to for support) and the
    tendency to hurry back to work (no work, no
    money, no food on the table)
    Culture and schizophrenia
    • Murphy (1982) – Irish admitted for
    schizophrenia 4 times higher than the English
    and Welsh
    • Sue & Morishima (1982) – Schizoic Japanese
    were more withdrawn and passive than their
    European counterparts  reflecting the
    Japanese culture.
    Culture and schizophrenia
    • Expressed emotion as a mechanism in
    identifying relapse cases in schizophrenia
    patients may raise a question as whether or
    not it is appropriate to be used amongst
    cultures that do not encourage verbal
    communication (Kleinman, 1988).
    • Racial bias in diagnosis of schizophrenia may
    account for some cultural differences in the
    expression of symptomatology.
    Depression
    • Depression = “intense sadness, feelings of futility and
    worthlessness, and withdrawal from others” (Sue, Sue
    & Sue, 1990).
    • Depression = characterised by physical changes,
    emotional and behavioral changes.
    • Some cultures (e.g. Nigerians) are less likely to report
    extreme feelings of worthlessness.
    • Others (e.g. Chinese) are more likely to rpeort somatic
    complaints.
    • Rates of depression also vary from culture to culture.
    Somatization
    • Somatization – bodily complaints due to
    psychological distress.
    • Japanese, and Chinese > somaticize more than
    Europeans/ Americans
    Culture-bound syndrome
    • Culture-bound syndrome – forms of abnormal
    behaviour observed only in certain
    sociocultural milieus.
    Types of culture-bound syndrome

    1. Amok – sudden rage and homicidal aggression;


    probably due to stress, less sleep, & alcohol
    consumption.
    2. Witiko – (windigo) –amongst Alongquin Indians in
    Canada – man-eating monster suicide to avoid
    cannibalistic urges.
    3. Anorexia Nervosa – distorted body image, fear of
    becoming fat, serious loss of weight by food
    restraining or purging. Found in urbanised part of
    the world.
    Types of culture-bound syndrome

    4. Zar – an altered state of consciousness amongst


    Ethiopian immigrants to Israel. Believe to be
    possessed bu Zar spirit, expressed by involuntary
    movement, mutism, and incomprehensible
    language.
    5. Sinking heart – condition of distress in the Punjabi
    culture, affecting heart or chest; probably due to
    excessive heat, exhaustion, worry, or social failure
    Types of culture-bound syndrome
    • Others:
     whakama (in New Zealand)
     Avanga – In Tonga
     Latah – amongst Malay women in
     South EastAsia, esp. in Malaysia.
     Koro – retracting of penis, in Southeast Asian man.
     Susto
    Culture, assessment and treatment of
    abnormal behaviour
    • In assessing abnormal behaviour, psychologist seek to
    classify abnormal behaviours into categories.
    • There is limitation on DSM and ICD-10 (International
    Classification of Diseases 1oth ed.) in assessing
    abnormal behaviour.
    • Cultural sensitive therapist should be knowledgeable
    in diverse cultures and lifestyles, skillful and
    comfortable in using innovative treatment method,
    and experienced in working with culturally diversified
    clients.

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