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Social Influence and Psychopathology

            Two substantive areas of psychology are social influence and psychopathology. The more recognized area in psychological studies is social influence. Social influence is action, reaction, thoughts, feelings, attitude or behavior that result from interaction with another individual or a group and is the study of conformity and obedience. Psychopathological disorder is schizophrenia, it is a mental illness that makes it difficult for an individual to recognize what is real and what is unreal. Various theoretical causes of schizophrenia include biological explanations such as genetics and chemicals in the brain. German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin was the first person to describe features of schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia may have problems with talking, remembering and how to behave in society. Schizophrenia is a serious illness and effects 1% of the population globally. It is known that this brain illness affects normal and intelligent people. .
             Conformity is defined by David Myers (1999) as change of behavior or belief as a result of real or imagined group pressure. Jenness (1932) was the first person to study conformity then Sherif (1935), Asch (1952), Crutchfield (1956), Haney, Banks and Zibmardo (19730, Perrin & Spencer (1982) they all studied conformity. Jenness (1932) was the first psychologist to study conformity he used beans sealed in a glass jar. The method used in this study was that 26 participants were to estimate number of beans in a jar. Then they were split into groups where they discussed the amount of beans in a jar for 15 minutes. The findings were that the participants were changing their minds and participants had conformed towards a group estimate. This theory demonstrates informational social influence. Jennesse's research was criticized, as his experiment was not taken out in ecologically valid circumstances. Students were in unfamiliar place and they did want to get the answer right so they followed their peers.


Essays Related to Social Influence and Psychopathology

1. A Profile on Psychiatric Disorders and Psychopathology

Researchers have concluded that the amygdala plays a crucial role in the genetic influence of adulthood psychopaths, hence a biological trigger for young psychopaths. ... Furthermore other studies like the environmental setting and parental influence on children have, in many cases, been the leading cause for triggers in the psychopathic mind. ... By using the cognitive-behavior, psychologist and researchers are able to acknowledge themselves of the social, developmental, and behavioral factors of the etiology. ... By using molecular testing on children with the psychopathology disorder, many...

  • Word Count: 1714
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Graduate

2. The Vulnerability-Stress Model and Psychiatric Disorders

Hankins et al believes stressful life events appear to be linked to symptoms of psychopathology, such as schizophrenia or anxiety disorders. ... In his article he proposes that stress effects cortisol production, acts upon a pre-existing vulnerability which triggers and worsen the symptoms of psychopathology (p. 1) He stresses out that the pathway of vulnerability depends on neuro-endocrine through stress exposure specifically cortisol release that brings about the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis that influences dopamine transmission. ... Describing vulnerability-stress model to explain s...

  • Word Count: 851
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Classification Systems of Mental Disorders

Secondly, this paper reviews the DSM-5 changes and looks at how the changes influence are expected influence the classification of mental disorder, especially with the inclusion of cultural bound syndrome (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). ... Understanding how socio-cultural influences affect the individual is complex, historically psychology has long placed a strong emphasis on an individuals values and beliefs, whereas the social environments influence upon human functioning is also powerful (Lopez & Guarnaccia, 2000). It is impossible to disentangle the action of the social world on...

  • Word Count: 2238
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Holistic Multidimensional Paradigm

A more effective way in approaching this topic would be to ask to what extent and in what ways they influence personality. All personality traits can not be placed into the two proposed categories; genetically determined or socially/environmentally learned. ... The idea that there are thoughts in the unconscious that motivate and influence our behavior is ridiculous. ... There are personal and situational variables that may influence the consistency in one's behavior. They may also influence each other in any given situation. ...

  • Word Count: 1946
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. Psyche and soma -the relations

Sigmund Freud developed a theory of psychopathology that emphasized the inner dynamics of unconscious motives called the psychoanalytic perspective. ... Other vulnerabilities include early social deprivation, inadequate parenting, emotional trauma, and dysfunctional peer relationship. Physical aspects and its influence on psyche: Physique: Some early research sought to establish a direct link between physique and psychopathology e.g. between muscular physique and criminal behavior. ... Gross brain pathology (that in, physical malformation of or damage to the brain) neurotransmission ...

  • Word Count: 2608
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Counseling The Homosexual Population

In fact, it was not until 1973 that homosexual men and women received a large amount of acceptance socially. ... These include, but are not limited to the social cultural foundations, the growth as an individual, and career and lifestyle development. ... The social cultural foundations of a homosexual, are quite different than those of a heterosexual. The counselor must understand that heterosexism pervades the social and cultural foundations of many institutions and traditions and may foster negative attitudes toward homosexuals. ... Therefore, a counselor, especially new to this arena, sh...

  • Word Count: 2372
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Birth Rank

Beliefs about birth rank and it's contribution, personality, family role, and peer influence have been studied greatly by man psychologists and sociologists. ... The middle birth position identified with social able characteristics, thoughtfulness, responsibility, ambition, and independence. The youngest birth position was viewed as social and thoughtful. ... The seven variable were adolescent psychopathology, family pathology, family autonomy, family permeability, family closeness, responsibility, and clarity of expression. ... Beliefs about birth rank reflect what a society regards a...

  • Word Count: 1121
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Drug Use And Kids

Adolescents are influenced by these factors and by adult role models and environmental messages related to substances. ... Substance use for most teenagers is not an issue of psychopathology but of the influence on normal functioning. ... Adolescent use is more commonly related to social and peer factors, whereas abuse is more a function of psychologic and biologic factors. ... Problem drug use is a symptom, not a cause, of personal and social maladjustment. ... The following risk factors for drug abuse by adolescents were identified: biological predisposition to drug abuse...

  • Word Count: 1301
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Anerexia Nervosa

Along with other factors, anorexia is influenced by genetics, unhappiness with family, and excessive physical activity. ... The more intense the social pressure to be skinny, the more likely it seems that a troubled young woman will develop an eating disorder, especially if they believe that control over one's appetite is the way to win respect and attain social success. ... Theories about the influence of parents raise similar questions of cause and effect. ... Another speculation is that eating disorders are influenced by enkephalins and endorphins. ... Mental health interve...

  • Word Count: 1610
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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