Abnormal behavior has often been attributed to the influence of supernatural forces. Describe and differentiate between how these forces were used to explain abnormal behavior during various time periods and the treatments that resulted.
What will be an ideal response?
Early writings of the Egyptians, Chinese, Hebrews, and Greeks show that they attributed such behavior to possession by a demon or god. This was treated with exorcism. In the Middle Ages, the clergy were largely responsible for treatment, because possession was considered causal. In fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Europe, witchcraft became another, related explanation, for which torture, burning, and other such methods were used. Recent historical analyses, however, suggest that the mentally ill may not have been taken to be witches, as was once often thought. Even in contemporary culture, one can find those who believe that supernatural forces cause psychological problems. Exorcisms are still occasionally practiced. GRADING RUBRIC: 10 points total, 5 points each for a discussion of the use of supernatural explanations during two different time periods.
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The in-depth section of Chapter 11 examines the effect of stereotype threat on problem solving. Which of the following students provides the most accurate information about an important mechanism for stereotype threat?
a. Kirsten: "When people are in a threatening situation, they try to act in a counter-stereotypical fashion." b. Liam: "Stereotype threat seems to reduce the capacity of working memory." c. Treena: "Stereotype threat seems to increase the use of the hill-climbing heuristic." d. Scott: "Stereotype threat seems to change problem-solving strategies, so that people are more likely to attend to the structural similarities of problems."
Discuss the "thresholds" theory of classical psychophysics and explain how this perspective has been modified by the advances of signal detection theory
What will be an ideal response?