Culture and the Treatment of Abnormal Behavior - Essay Example

According to Carson, Butcher, and Coleman, 1988, p.322, the term schizophrenia describes a category of that part of psychotic disorders characterized by effective distortions of reality; emotional and mental disorganization, as well as the withdrawal of individuals from social interaction. Some theories while trying to explain schizophrenia, give primacy to biologically related factors like biomechanical imbalance. Other theories tend to emphasize the dynamism of the family, for example, the way one expresses hostility to the ill individual.

Depressive disorder entails signs of “intense sadness, feelings of futility and worthlessness, and withdrawal from others” (Sue, Sue, and Sue, 1990, p. 325). Characteristics of depression are often physically manifested in changes in appetite, sleep, and motivations like boredom and apathy.

Cross-cultural studies reveal that there are variations in the way cultures define and communicate the symptomatology of depression. Some cultures use fewer words in conveying emotions like anger and sadness.

     Somatization entails the use of bodily complaints as a means of expressing psychological distress. Certain studies have proposed that certain groups, like Hispanics and Japanese, somaticize comparatively more than Americans and Europeans. Some of the complaints include intestinal problems and low back pain. Therefore, the carried-out research suggests that even if previously regarded as a phenomenon of culture-specific could be universal embedding meanings of culture-specific as well as expression modes. Culture-bound syndromes present the strongest relevance regarding cultural relativism in comprehending and addressing abnormality.

The cultural distinction regarding abnormal behavior.

     Historically, the literature can be put into viewpoints, with the first view proposing that psychopathology and culture are intertwined and that one has to constrain him/herself within a given framework of culture. This approach is referred to as cultural relativism. The other view, which contrasts the first one hold proposes that even if culture plays a responsibility while determining the actual behavior, the concept of cross-cultural similarities, as well as universalities are considered. Some disorders are infrequent or rare, when one is out of touch with the surroundings, with mistaken beliefs (delusions); for example, talking with the dead is an abnormal behavior. A problem with this perspective is that not every infrequent (rare) behavior is disordered. Additionally, not every behavior that tends to be disordered is rare.

Another traditional perspective of defining abnormality concentrates on whether

One's behavior is acquainted with inefficiency or impairment while conducting customary roles.

     Mostly, psychological disorders involve critical reduction or impairments in someone’s overall functioning, although this is not a static case. People with magi-depression (bipolar disorder) may reflect enhanced productivity in manic episodes. Cultures that hold the belief in supernatural interventions portray a potential of distinctively distinguishing when talking with the spirits and trance states are acceptable. Behavior regarding these activities may be abnormal when conducted at the wrong time. Certain behaviors, particularly the ones indicating some association with psychosis, like hallucinations and delusions, are universally recognized as abnormal. Some investigators like Kleinman, 1988 and Marsella, 1979, 1980, have the argument that normality and abnormality are concepts that are culturally determined. These investigators hold the fact that there are cultural differences, particularly in attitudes and beliefs regarding abnormal behavior.

     Other investigators argue that abnormal behavior could be viewed via an extremely different lens, which is not related to an individual’s mental health, but rather a significant and positive part of life experiences. Some cultures have contrasting views regarding similar phenomena. For example, a cultural group may prohibit disclosure while another group with a Western notion value self-disclosure. The question of whether to accept culturally relative or universal definitions of abnormality has drawn continuous controversy in the discipline of psychology.

Personal view regarding universal and/or culturally relative.

I support cultural relativism since humanity can be defined in various facets including the biological facet and cultural facets. We have a level of liberty at which one can decide how far a given culture should impact. However, no one has control over his/her static biological attributes.

It is clear that different cultures may have different interpretations of a similar phenomenon in handling the issue of abnormal behavior.