Perception of Mental Illness
Added on 2019-12-04
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IMPLICIT COGNITIONATTITUDESFROMMENTALHEALTHSTAFFOVERTHEMENTALLYILL (NHS LONDONENGLAND)1
TABLEOF CONTENTSIntroduction..........................................................................................................................................3Neuroscience Theories.....................................................................................................................3Neuroscience new consciousness theory.........................................................................................3Gene- Culture Co-evolutionary Theory...........................................................................................5Literature Review.................................................................................................................................6Concept of Implicit Cognition Attitude...........................................................................................6Importance of family involvement in the care of mentally ill patients............................................7Attitude of mental health care professionals towards mentally ill patients.....................................8Impact of implicit cognition attitude on behaviour of mental health care professionals.................9Methods..............................................................................................................................................11Participants.....................................................................................................................................11Apparatus.......................................................................................................................................11Measures and procedures...............................................................................................................11FAST..............................................................................................................................................12Questionnaire.................................................................................................................................13Results................................................................................................................................................15T Test..............................................................................................................................................17Regression Analysis.......................................................................................................................18Discussion...........................................................................................................................................22Conclusion..........................................................................................................................................24References..........................................................................................................................................25Appendix............................................................................................................................................27Questionnaire......................................................................................................................................412
INTRODUCTIONNeuroscience TheoriesNeuroscience is regarded as the scientific study which analyses human nervous system.Traditionally, it was considered as a branch of biology; however due to changes in technology it isregarded as an interdisciplinary science that collaborates other fields also such as chemistry,cognitive science and computer science (Azarian, 2015). Thus, neuroscience is concerned about thebiological basis of consciousness, perception, memory and learning. The concept of neuroscience islinked with observations about cognitive behaviour with the actual physical processes that assists insupporting human behaviour. The study of nervous system dates back to ancient Egypt and this hasinnovated the concept of trepanation which is a surgical practice of drilling and scraping a hole intothe skull for the purpose of curing headaches and mental disorders. The scientific study of the nervous system has amended significantly in the 20th century dueto innovation and advancements in the molecular biology and computational neuroscience. Thestudy of the nervous system can be done at multiple levels ranging from the molecular and cellularlevels to the systems and cognitive levels (Theory of Neuroscience. 2006). Further, cellularneuroscience includes the mechanisms of how neurons process signals physiologically andelectrochemically. Another major area of neuroscience is directed in the research work whichidentifies the development of the nervous system. Among consciousness and behaviour, cognitionstates as a psychological power in the neuroscience issues. Implicit cognition refers to the unconscious influence such as knowledge, perception ormemory that affects a person's attitude and behaviour even when they do not have any awarenessregarding those influences. Implicit cognition includes everything a person can do and learn in thestate of unconsciousness (Victor and et.al. 2011). There are many processes in which implicitmemory works which includes learning the social cognition aspects about human nature. In thepresent study, several theories of neuroscience have been discussed so as to specify the implicitcognition attitude from mental health staff. Neuroscience new consciousness theoryIntegrated Information Theory is developed by neuroscientists Giulio Tononi and ChristofKoch with the framework to describe ways to measure the extent to which a system is conscious.The theory posits that any system that processes and integrates information experiences the worldsubjectively to some degrees (Theory of Neuroscience. 2006). Integrated Information Theory hasbecome a significant topic in neuroscience which ensures to give brief way to measure theconsciousness state and along with this, it also expresses the phenomenon in mathematical terms.Just like a computer system, the brain stores and processes information; but it is all about how3
information is shared throughout the brain network that generates rich and vivid consciousexperience. Modern neuroscience states that there are a number of different and distinct regions that areactive during any event and each of which process information focuses on different features of theevent separately. There is a region in the visual cortex of the brain which is known as V2 whichprocesses the form and colour of the yellow and orange sun rays against the clouds. There areauditory areas in the temporal lobe that inserts information about the sound of the wind in the mind.That rushing winds also generates pattern of electrical signals in the somatosensory cortex whichfurther creates a sense of touch (Laland and Feldman, 1996). Apart from this, there are severalthings going on in distant places; yet most of the things human being perceive is all unifiedconscious experience. As per Integrated Information Theory, this unified experience focuses onbrain's ability to integrate sensory information as a whole. In order to measure the degree of integration, several mathematical principles have beentaken into account so as to describe data transmission. Moreover, Integrated Information Theoryalso claims that these information measures and allows the human brain to calculate exact numberthat represents the degree of integrated information which exists in a brain at any specific moment.In this regard, “Phi” serves as an index for consciousness and greater the Phi, the more consciousthe system is. The bran stores and processes information, but how it takes information is leftunexplained (Lidaka and et.al. 2010). Phi is correlated with the consciousness state; however it doesnot have any specific role in its cause. Regarding this, Christof contends that consciousness is aprimary property of the universe. Where there is integrated information, there is presence ofexperience as well. Any system that can integrate information should produce conscious state. The theory also allows for the emergence of an abstract “superorganism” that is comprisedof many individual organisms. In theory, there is no limit determined regarding the conscioussystem. This is typically bound by the rate of information and complexity growth. In the theoreticalframework, it is mentioned that that networks with greater internal connectivity reduces input/output correlations from excitatory synapses and at the same time, it also declines negativecorrelations from inhibitory synapses (Lidaka and et.al. 2010). All such changes could be measuredby normalized TE which can be applied to fundamental imagining data which determines thedirection of information flow between all the brain regions. Thus, in terms of specifying theinformation theory, it can be said that IIT is thriving in the neuroscience community. It is alsointegrated with neuroscience research because it starts to serve as a driver which opens newdirections of inquiry. 4
Gene- Culture Co-evolutionary TheoryGene- culture co-evolutionary theory is a branch of theoretical population that defines thetransmission of genes and cultural traits from one generation to the next. Along with this, it alsoexplores the methods through which human being interacts (Theory and methods in culturalneuroscience. 2010). These models have been employed to ascertain the adaptive advantages oflearning and culture. Further, it also investigates the forces of cultural change. At the same time, itaddresses specific cases in human evolution which depicts the interaction between genes andculture. Culture neuroscience is a developing research discipline that analyses cultural variation inpsychological, neural and genomic processes as a means of articulating the bidirectionalrelationship of these processes. Cultural neuroscience also shares diverse research goals which isrelated to social neuroscience (Laland and Feldman, 1996). At the same time, it also analyses howneurobiological mechanisms facilitate cultural transmission in human behaviour. Besides this, it also includes understanding about identification of primary social processesthat enable humans to learn from one another such as through imitative learning. Culturalneuroscience is also divergent from other disciplines because it emphasizes explicitly on the waysthat mental and neural events differentiate as a function of cultural traits. At the same time, culturalneuroscience also depicts how cultural traits may shape the emergence of genomic, neurobiologicaland psychological processes over time and how much effects it gives to facilitate complex socialexperience (Lazar and Dimitrov, 2011). Broadly, it ascertains behavioural processes in humanbeings such as perception and cognition. Human neuroscience includes cognitive, social andaffective neuroscience which has also revolutionized the study of the mind and brain by developingan arsenal of varied techniques. This also maps neural processes to psychological processes withdifferent degrees of the spatial and temporal resolution. Molecular genetics shows severaltransformations in the scope of data and techniques for ascertaining the functional impact of inter-individual variability in the structure of human genome (Victor and et.al. 2011). However, a numberof issues and challenges arises at the time of conducting research work on cultural neuroscience. 5
LITERATURE REVIEWLiterature review section includes critical understanding of past studies that have beenincluded in the present research work. The section is a crucial part of the study where in researcheruses diverse research materials in the form of secondary research. In the current study, numerousarticles and books have been utilized for the purpose of meeting the research aims and objectives. Concept of Implicit Cognition AttitudeAccording to Matthias (2013), Implicit Cognition is regarded as unconscious influences(knowledge, perception and understanding) which influences the behaviour of a person. In thisstate, the person do not have any conscious awareness regarding those influences. These evaluationsare generally favourable or unfavourable and this also keeps on changing according to individualexperience. Hence, implicit attitude are typically not identified and these are the traces of pastexperience that generates favourable or unfavourable feeling towards social objects (Implicit SocialCognition. 2015). However, on the other hand, it can be said that an attitude is different from theconcept of a stereotype as that functions according to the broad perspective of favourable andunfavourable attributes of a social object. Further, Hansson (2013), also contended that implicitsocial cognition is a field of social psychology which accesses and analyses the thoughts andfeelings without directly involving the participants in the process. Regarding this, Matthias (2013)also supported this by saying that implicit measures are based on the idea that states that activationof a mental concept can spread to other associated concepts in the memory.This also reflects that there exists strong association between two concepts which occursautomatically in unconscious state. Implicit measure also make use of automatic processes throughevaluating the effect of stimuli or stimulus features on performance of the integrated people. Laura(2013), argued that implicit learning starts in early childhood where people are unable to identifyright and wrong aspects. Implicit cognition also plays crucial role in social cognition whereinpeople tend to see objects and individuals for encouraging aspects. Arguing the statement, Kopera(2014), said that implicit cognition is more involved with how people view each other and how theyinteract with each other in social cognition. It has been witnessed that people often tend to considerother people identical especially in similar groups. They start relating that to past relationshipswhich used to be a part major of their social cognition. On the contrary, the views of Laura (2013), states that the terms implicit and explicitdescribes the processes through which the influence of a psychological attribute on measurementoutcomes can be identified. Nonetheless, measurement outcomes are regarded as implicit if they areto be measured responses. According to the views of Blair (2011), individuals who are primarilyraised by the care takers and family members’ shows development of more long lasting implicit6
attitude. However, contradicting the above views, it can be summoned that implicit attitude are aresult of repeated pairing which includes positive and negative stimuli with an object. From severalstudies, it has also been identified that culture has a very noticeable effect on implicit attitudemerely in the ways it differs with other individuals. Relating it to medical studies, it can be said thatwhile dealing with the patients, health care professionals need to focus more on their implicitattitude. Importance of family involvement in the care of mentally ill patientsAccording to the views of Goguen (2016), mental illness contributes more global burden ofdisease on the nation. The presence of a serious mental health problem poses significantconsequences for all family members; hence they need to add more support in the wellbeing ofmentally ill patients. As pointed by Werntz (2016), families are often regarded as a principle supportavailable with mental illness patients. The important roles that family support can play in recoveryfrom mental health is well analysed and documented (Family interventions for mental disorders:efficacy and effectiveness. 2003). The level of family involvement needs to be increased so thatmentally ill people can manage their ongoing activities in proper manner. However, at the sametime Kopera (2014), argued that family members act as informal case managers that encouragessupports and treats people through providing them secured house and care services. Involvement offamily members is essential as they can maintain the records of previous treatments, medicationsand hospitalizations. Thus, in terms of impact of involvement of family member, it can be said that it decreasesthe rate of hospitalization and relapse and at the same time, it enhances adherence to treatmentchoices. However Goguen (2016), contended that most of the family members often face problemin treating such patients because they are not well trained with the trauma. It is an apparent fact thatfamily involvement is a key element of a child’s success especially when the children are inresidential treatment (Family Involvement. 2008). Parents and family members fulfil the roles ofstaff members at many mental health service agencies. Outcomes of research done by author depictsthat in case of serious mental health problem, the involvement of families in treatment could reducethe relapse rates and it greatly enhances the possibilities of recovery. Family members becomessignificant resource for mentally ill patients in terms of getting motivation in all health aspects.Thus, it can be stated that family involvement plays very important or crucial role inproviding adequate treatment to care patients. In the present scenario, the trend of involving familymembers in such type of care is increasing along with the passage of time. There are various areasthat are affected by adapting such type of approach to treat patients. For example, it helps incarrying out better communication because family of mentally ill patients understand the need and7
demand of patients in more effective manner as compared to other care provider. Apart from this,involving parents also supports in lowering down the level of stress among the patients. However, itcan be argued that involving family members is not an easy task and care workers are required totake several kinds of measures. For example- adequate information to family members regardingmental condition of patients. Involvement of family member in care of mentally ill patient isimportant because it can result in delivering more effective care and attain desired outcomes(Family Involvement. 2008). Therefore, clinicians and care workers are required to involve familymembers at the time of providing treatment or care to patients who are mentally ill.Family involvement is essential for the purpose of giving specific care to mentally illpatients and through this patients can also be protected from abusive and violent actions. This is theappropriate way of treating mentally ill people. However, on the other hand, author argued thatexcessive family involvement sometimes leads the patients to become dependent on emotional carewhich is not appropriate for their wellbeing. Attitude of mental health care professionals towards mentally ill patientsAlong with general public, health care professionals also have several negative beliefstowards mental illness. Most often they are regarded as violent and dangerous; hence severalpractitioners find it difficult to deal with such patients. Nolan (2016), contended that people withmental illness tend not to recover soon as they are unable to comprehend social values, attitudes andbeliefs. Further, Hansson (2013), also supported the views by saying that mentally ill people areseparated from social groups as well (Hansson and et.al. 2013). However, there should beappropriate support from the staff members to mentally ill patients so that they can comprehenddifferent aspects that have a great influence over the mind. This also assist them to analyze thefactors that changes their behaviour and attitude. Arguing this, Goguen (2016), pointed thatfamiliarity and regular contact with mental illness is perhaps the strongest predictor for morepositive attitude. Along with this, several factors have been explored (such as less professionalexperience, lower educational level, lack of knowledge and unavailability of social groups) whichdevelops more negative and unfavourable attitudes among health care professionals who treatmentally ill patients. Hansson (2013), pointed out that most of the staff members do not treat mentally ill patientsin appropriate manner because they are unable to live a normal life. Hence, mental health careprofessionals are also unable to give emotional support to the mentally ill patients which further notonly affects patient’s health but also demoralizes them on higher extent. However, arguing this, itcan be contended that negative attitude is more common among all the hospital staff and alsoamong resident, physicians and nurses (Matthias and et.al. 2013). There are several reasons8
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