The textbook focuses on how culture can affect many aspects of human behavior. This includes what is considered as “normal” or “abnormal” behavior by a society (Shiraev & Levy, 2017). This writing assignment is targeted at exploring how “psychopathology” or psychological dysfunction can vary in its expression and treatment depending upon the culture.
- For this paper you must include a response to all of the following:
- Approaches to Psychological Dysfunction (Criterion 1): Begin by defining mental disorder. Define, discuss, and explain the relativist vs. universalist perspectives on psychopathology as discussed in Shiraev & Levy (2017). Which perspective do you personally subscribe to (i.e. agree with)? Why?
- Culture & Psychopathology (Criterion 2): Define culture-bound syndrome.
- Choose two of the Specific Cultural Syndromes listed in the text chapter in Table 9.1
- Clearly define and explain how each syndrome might be related to one (or more) of the broader, Western clinical syndromes of anxiety, depression or schizophrenia.
- Here students must compare and contrast the features or characteristics of the culture-bound syndrome to the symptoms of the broader Western syndrome they believe most closely fits.
- Only one Western syndrome needs to be matched per cultural syndrome. However, if more than one of the broader categories fits, students should discuss and explain the connection between the culture-bound syndrome and the each of the Western clinical syndromes if more than one is selected.
- Therapy & Cultural Match (Criterion 3): Discuss the impact of cultural settings on diagnostic practices and treatment in psychothearpy. What is the possible impact of culture on a therapists clinical impressions, perceptions, and judgments? What could this mean for the effectiveness of therapy?
- Textbook/Research Connection (Criterion 4):(should be used throughout response to support, define, and explain concepts)
