Role of Cortisol and Psychopathy in the Cycle of Violence - Research Paper Example

Research Paper Psychology-Research Paper The role of Cortisol and Psychopathy in the cycle of violence (Experimental Study) The Purpose-Aim In the theoretical perspective there are several factors like child abuse and neglect, which bring aggression, delinquency and violence in people. In psychology aggression, delinquency and violence all three form the cycle of violence (Gowin, 2013). Moreover, the cycle of violence includes behavioral factors such as psychopathy and disruption that are also counted in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. In past studies, only few of the factors such as child abuse are tested on aggression and violence, for which the aim of this study is analyze all the above mentioned factors, which have separate associations with the behavior “aggression” (Gowin, 2013). Further aims are to apply psychometric and psychopharmacologic, which are techniques of examination based on medicine and psychology. This is to examine all the mentioned factors comprehensively and in relation with aggression, which is completed behavioral factor (Gowin, 2013). The Strategy-Method Being a prospective study it applied the method of experimentation where observations were assessed on the basis of primary medication and psychopharmacologies. A sample of sixty-seven adults was picked and dozed with 20mg cortisol- a placebo controlled medicine with a counter balance design. The testing time was 5 hours and affects were checked on the basis of the history of the subject. The experimentation part was conducted via a laboratory program PSAP (Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm) in order to bring decisive experimental results. Meanwhile, for getting historical background of the subjects a questionnaire was prepared and presented. It asked questions on child abuse, psychopathy and impulsivity, in order to get precise information on the backgrounds of the subjects (Gowin, 2013). The Studied Variables In the study, variables such as psychopathy, disruption, delinquency and impulsivity were tested as independent variables. These were considered as variables causing “aggression”, which is a dependent variable in the study. Apart from deriving relationship between variables, the study also investigated the application of cortisol- a medicine made to reduce aggression. The correlation between the variables was tested using multiple regression models. This was to assess which of the factors are close to aggression and can be called as genuine causers of aggression (Gowin, 2013). Results and Conclusion The results indicate a significant relationship between child abuse and aggression. This shows that an early received maltreatment get transformed into aggression in the later period-most precisely in the adult period. Moreover, psychopathy and factors of HPA axis are also having positive relationship with aggression (Gowin, 2013). The findings project that both psychological therapies and psychopharmacological medications are essential to reduce aggression. Meanwhile, for assessing aggression it is important that experts analyze all the factors of HPA axis and the cycle of violence. This is to analyze aggression in the right true sense and in the prospective manner (Gowin, 2013). Schema therapy for bipolar disorder: A conceptual model and future directions (Case Study) The Purpose-Aim This study is about Bipolar disorder- a complex and chronic disorder that brings swift changes of mood and hyper manic on the subject. The study has brought a proposed remedy for Bipolar, which is a complex disease and really requires an integrated psychotherapy treatment. Schema Therapy has been proposed in the study with its vital features to reduce Bipolar and its complex affects. The study has brought detailed description of how Schema Therapy is effective and what its integrated psychotherapies can do to treat Bipolar as a chronic syndrome. The aim and purpose of the study is to vitalize the application of Schema therapy, which is quite sufficient for reducing Bipolar disorder (Hawke, Provencher, & Parikh, 2012). The Strategy-Method The descriptive and theoretical view has been given on the Schema Therapy. The strategy used in the case study is based on describing ST as a technique to treat complex bipolar syndrome. The study has described Schema Therapy as an integrated and merged psychotherapy treatment. Schema therapy has been projected as the best alternate of other psychotherapies just as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) SRT (Social Rhythm Therapy) or pharmacotherapy. It is also proposed for the treatment of patients with chronic diseases, especially those which are resistant to other behavioral psychotherapies (Hawke, Provencher, & Parikh, 2012). Describing comprehensive features of Schema Therapy, with specific application on Bipolar are major parts of the discussion. Similarly, the case study has provided a special guideline with the complete rational of treatment. It has been proposed as a periodic training program, which reduces bipolar symptoms, activates responsiveness and also improves the quality of life (Hawke, Provencher, & Parikh, 2012). The Studied Variables The study has brought a significant relationship between Schema Therapy and the bipolar syndrome. Both of them are the central variables of the study. There are two sections of the study in which the first section discusses ST with its complete application, while the second section assesses Bipolar as a treatable disorder. A correlation has been tried to adjust in the study in which ST is used as a technique that treats Bipolar effectively. This is to assert Schema Therapy as a successful remedy in dealing with complex mental disorders. This is how a relationship is adjusted between one variable “ST” and another expected variable “reduced-Bipolar” (Hawke, Provencher, & Parikh, 2012). Results and Conclusion There are different complex mental disorders like Bipolar, which are difficult to treat, get diagnosed, or assessed. The ongoing researches have suggested that therapy techniques are quite successful in treating such complex mental disorders. Schema Therapy is one of such therapies, a combined version of all the psychotherapies to cure out unidentifiable mental disorders (Hawke, Provencher, & Parikh, 2012). Bipolar is a very dangerous disorder. If not assessed and treated earlier it brings relapse and even suicide of the subject. It is a complex disorder that cannot be easily identified. Quick change of mood, low quality of life, and demoralizing thoughts are some of the worsening symptoms of Bipolar. For such complicated disorder, Schema Therapy is highly proposed and suggested. For replication and better understanding of ST, it is necessary that it is brought on experimentation and observation. This will tell of how much successful the therapy is and what benefit it can bring for psychotherapists and psychologist in the future (Hawke, Provencher, & Parikh, 2012). Adaptive behavior in Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study from childhood to adulthood (Cross-Sectional Study) The Purpose-Aim Down Syndrome- a congenital disorder with features of mental retardation and impairment is brought into the study. The purpose of the study is to analyze the influence of down syndrome, which changes after time and with respect to the age factor. The central aim of the study is to describe the adaptive behavior of children at times of Down syndrome. This is to check the variation of adaptive behavior in children, their cognition and their changing mental strengths to cope Down syndrome in an effective manner. Meanwhile, the study aims to assess after affects of the syndrome just like “dementia”, which is another mental disorder caused by the Down syndrome in later childhood period (Anastasia, Valentina, Martha, & Stefania, 2010). The Strategy-Method Based on a cross sectional style of research, the study addressed 4 major regions of Italy with cases of Down syndrome. The population was distinctive and was addressed through out to bring the cross-sectional articulation of the subject. Individuals brought to testing were all from one family and instinctively with the background of Down syndrome to get checked and analyzed. Detailed medical assessment “neuropsychiatric work-up” was used. It was to compare the neurological brain functions of participants with their individual psychological responses (Anastasia, Valentina, Martha, & Stefania, 2010). Dementia, which is a leading disorder of Down syndrome, was excluded part of the study. This was to diagnose only DS’s affects and its impressions on the patients. To test adaptive behaviors of the individuals, the study utilized the comprehensive testing tool VABS (Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scales). This is an authentic tool, a standardized scale model to compare regular adaptive behaviors with abnormal functioning (Anastasia, Valentina, Martha, & Stefania, 2010). The Studied Variables There are two variables, which are brought to assessment in the study. The two of the variables are adaptive behavior, which is taken as independent variable and Down Syndrome Affect, considered as dependant variable in the study. Adaptive behavior in children tends to change, as it is higher in middle childhood age and declines at the adolescent period was brought into testing. Adaptive behavior variable was tested on the basis of hypothesis that it is high in childhood and lower in adolescent age. Using descriptive analysis approach the study tested the hypothesis based on the large Italian population with Down syndrome carriers (Anastasia, Valentina, Martha, & Stefania, 2010). Results and Conclusion The study projected that with time adaptive behaviors change. Adolescent are reported with high competency, cognitive ability and high adaptive responsiveness to cope with the Down syndrome and its influences. No decline was recorded in the adolescent age; in-fact responsiveness was higher compared to the early or middle childhood ages. Moreover, it was noticed that high responsiveness in young was due to the growing exposure of life. The more the adolescents are engaged with daily life experiences, the more active is their coping ability including “adaptive behaviors”, “response attitude” and “retreatment behaviors” respectively (Anastasia, Valentina, Martha, & Stefania, 2010). Is there an epidemic of child or adolescent depression? (Longitudinal Study) The Purpose-Aim Since the last couple of decades, there is a rising rate of depression and anxiety. The psychological experts have been into research to find out the root cause of such behavioral health disease. There is a great amount of interest that experts have shown, in order to assess that how such disorder is getting so common and what are its reasons (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). Experts in this study have shown a broad perspective of research. They have understood depression as a contingent disorder, for which the aim of the study is to find out that how depression is epidemic. The main aim of the study is to assess depression epidemically and approach the further causes of disorder, not tested or diagnosed in earlier studies (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). The Strategy-Method In context of past empirical studies, this research applies the meta-analysis approach. The approach is the strategy implemented in past researches, researches from the taxonomy of British Cohorts 1960-1990 and from the child behavior assessment 1996. Meta-analysis implies to retrospective overview where data and experiments from the past are taken to reassess and analyze. The strategy favors as it uncovers the past research made in a particular subject (depression) in order to find the next and the latest on the very subject (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). The method applied in the study is longitudinal research design, which extends the past studies in terms of future diagnostic assessment. On the first level the study has set criterion to filter out the most relevant information. Studies precisely with symptoms of depression were excluded and those with complete diagnosis were included to bring effective understanding on the subject (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). By applying longitudinal research approach, the data is taken from previous observational studies. Combined data has been picked up from published reports and publications. To bring the validated outcomes, the study has included linear regression models. This is to compare past empirical information with the contemporary information to bring judgment on how depression is epidemic (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). Applying the method, epidemiological studies of children born between 1965 to 1996 period were reviewed. The age for participated children population was set up to 18 years old, and this was a criterion to filter out specified information-information specific to children and adolescents. Studies having structured diagnosis were included to have a complete overview of “depression”. After filtration, a sample of twenty-six studies was taken containing information of 60,000 children born between 1965 to 1996 period (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). Results and Conclusion The variables included taxonomy, time-frame, measuring instrument, and birth which are considered as causes of depression and taken as independent variables in the study. The dependant variable is depression which is tested on each of independent variable’s perspective and also in consideration of the past empirical observations, which also included such correlated variables. On further “prevalence of depression” is tested as a dependant variable in the study (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). In findings, there is low prevalence of depression among both children and adolescents over the 30 years of time. Birth has shown less significance which means that it is not the root cause, while taxonomy, time-frame and measuring instrument are close to depression and its influences (Costello, Erkanli, & Angold, 2006). A Comparative Study of Psychological Hardiness in Athlete and Non-Athlete Students The Purpose-Aim There are many life situations that put human beings into stress which further affect their physical health and mental behaviors respectively. If the person has the right mental guide and practice, he or she can cope up with stress and even utilize it as an agent of self-motivation and determination. Athletes, who often face competition and reach their maximum level of fitness use their mental skill to accept, control and balance such physical stressors (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). Psychological hardiness is one of such mental guides that assist people on coping life worsening situations. Tough people have recognized it as a tool of commitment, control and challenge. The purpose and aim of this study is to apply psychological hardiness as a tool, a guide that can handle life’s hardest situations with comfort, ease and acceptability (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). The Strategy-Method The study has adopted comparative analysis approach. This approach has tested and evaluated psychological hardiness as a multiple application tool. Two groups of people are taken to get the observation, where one group is athlete and other is non-athlete respectively. A sample of 150 volunteers was selected including 30 female swimmers, 30 mountaineers and 90 non-athlete volunteers (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). For collecting data, Bartone’s hardiness scale was used. It is a questionnaire devised on the basis of three PH psychological hardiness features-commitment, control and challenge. Chi-square test model was used to compare observed values with expected PH values. Both athlete and non-athlete groups were brought to examination. This is to find differences and commonalities in groups’ information and compare it with standard PH information (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). The Studied Variables After applying psychological hardiness to the sample population of 150 volunteers, there were different variables that got identified (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). Variables such as control, commitment, challenge and stress all were tested on the application of psychological hardiness (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). On further behavioral factors such motivation, self-determination and coping were also tested and analyzed in the study. This was to examine the mental strength of the volunteers at times of stress and life difficult situations (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). Results At first the findings project that psychological hardiness depends on the nature of activity which individuals perform. The harder the activity one performs, the greater is the level of psychological hardiness. This was noticed because of the significant relationship found between physical activity and PH (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). In terms of adopting psychological hardiness, there was a significant difference found between athlete and non-athlete groups (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). The main difference was between swimmers and non-athletes as non-athletes were close to mountaineers in having mental strength and psychological hardiness. Meanwhile, swimmers were entirely different from mountaineers and non-athletes, which indicate that they have a separate level of psychological hardiness than other individuals (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). Conclusion Female swimmers were having the highest level of mental strength and psychological hardiness. It is because they had reached the maximum level of physical stress which gives them the open option to apply PH as a guide. Mountaineers and non-athletes were close in applying psychological hardiness as a tool (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). This shows that all individuals applied PH, but their changing physical activity and stress changed their level of mental adaptation and psychological hardiness (Mehrparvar & Mazaheri, 2012). Reference List Anastasia, D., Valentina, P., Martha, F., & Stefania, B. (2010). Adaptive behaviour in Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study from childhood to adulthood. The Middle European Journal of Medicine, 122, 673-680. Costello, E., Erkanli, A., & Angold, A. (2006). Is there an epidemic of child or adolescent depression? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1263-1271. Gowin, J. (2013). The role of cortisol and psychopathy in the cycle of violence. Psychopharmacology Journal, 1-4. Hawke, L., Provencher, M., & Parikh, S. (2012). Schema therapy for bipolar disorder: A conceptual model and future directions. Journal of Affective Disorders, 145, 277-412. Mehrparvar, A., & Mazaheri, M. (2012). A Comparative Study of Psychological Hardiness in Athlete and Non-Athlete Students. European Journal of Experimental Biology, 5, 1514-1516. Read More