Article Abstract:
Much of traditional psychology classifies various disorders on the basis of the patients' behaviors. The author argues that this approach, which does not consider cognitive processes occurring within a patient's mind, has limitations for the development of theories of psychopathology. An alternative approach to psychopathology is presented based on principles of cognitive science as well as psychoanalysis. A developmental model, organized by stage, is presented. The first stage, boundary constancy, occurs between two and three months of age when the infant first distinguishes people from background objects. In the recognition stage, reached between six to eight months, the infant begins to distinguish among individuals. This marks the beginning of intense attachment to a few people. In the evocative constancy stage, which begins at 16 to 18 months, the baby can appreciate the existence of objects not immediately visible; in particular, the child may be separated from its mother without undue anxiety since the child may maintain a sense of the mother in her absence. During the self and object constancy level, reached at 30 to 36 months, the child establishes a constancy of self, which is mirrored by the child's precise use of words such as 'I', 'me', and 'mine'. The concrete operational thought level, reached around five years, is defined by the capacity to appreciate the transformation of objects and basic principles of physical entities and operations. Formal operational thought, in which the child begins to manipulate abstract concepts, is reached at about 10 years of age. These abstract concepts include values and principles, as well as an appreciation of personal and cultural relativism. The author describes how disturbances of the normal developmental sequence can result in the various common forms of psychopathology. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
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Article Abstract:
Sex offenders frequently deny having deviant sexual fantasies or performing deviant acts. In order to investigate the extent to which alleged sexual deviants minimize or deny pathological symptoms, 53 predominantly white (94 percent) male patients between 17 and 77 in a sexual behavior clinic were studied. Four of the patients had been accused of exhibitionism and 29 of child molestation. The remainder had allegedly been involved in child pornography, rape, or incest. Patients were divided into those who denied involvement in deviant sexual behavior (22 men) and those who admitted their behavior (30 men). All patients took the 566-item Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), which assesses psychopathology and tendencies toward lying or faking, defensiveness and denial. Patients who denied involvement in deviant sexual acts tended to significantly minimize the degree of their psychopathology more than those who admitted their behavior. It is notable that the deniers showed significantly less psychopathology than non-deniers on MMPI clinical subscales of depression, paranoia, anxiety, thought disorder and introversion, and significantly less conflict with authority and interest in deviant sex roles. A comparison of MMPI clinical scales between patients who were facing legal charges and those who were not demonstrated that legal standing did not influence tendencies toward denial or minimization. Overall results suggest that sexual deviants who deny the allegations against them are prone to deny and minimize other symptoms of psychopathology as well. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
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Article Abstract:
Neuroscientist and psychiatrist Erik R. Kandel pointed out the need to provide psychoanalysis with a sound scientific foundation. Since the emergence of this field in the 19th century, its theories have relied on imaginative explanations and experiments that purport to give them credence. With the advances gained in neurobiological sciences, a real scientific basis may soon be found. Human biological processes are linked with the psyche as evidenced by the immense changes in thoughts, feelings and neurochemistry accompanying periods of bereavement or separation.
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