PSY7003 Essay: Individual Differences and Abnormal Psychology Analysis

This essay delves into the realm of abnormal psychology through two case studies. The first case examines a 21-year-old male, Marc, experiencing symptoms of anxiety and potential paranoia, exploring potential diagnoses such as social anxiety disorder and specific phobias, and investigating the aetiologies, including genetics and environmental stress. The essay discusses potential treatment options, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and its advantages and disadvantages. The second case study focuses on the Big 5 Personality test, discussing its reliability, validity, strengths, limitations, and ethical considerations, along with variations and their applicability. The essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the cases, offering insights into the complexities of mental health disorders and their management.

PSY7003
Individual differences and
Abnormal Psychology
Essay
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Contents
Case study 1.....................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Aetiologies..................................................................................................................................4
Possible treatment options...........................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
Case Study 2....................................................................................................................................9
Introduction......................................................................................................................................9
Overview of the case study.........................................................................................................9
Discuss the reliability and validity of the Big 5 Personality test..............................................10
Critically evaluate strengths, limitations, ethical considerations..............................................11
Big 5 personality test.................................................................................................................13
Variations of the big 5 test and their applicability to various settings......................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................16
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Case study 1
Introduction
This Present essay is going to deliver the information in relation with different
potential diagnosis, aetiologies and particular treatment options that are available for an
individual who is going through a through a mental health crisis and is being paranoid.
In present context, the case study has been taken into consideration of Marc a 21-year-
old male.
Potential diagnosis
Over the years, it has been found that anxiety has been top presenting concern
within students belonging to different colleges (41.6 percent) (Boysen, Wells and
Dawson, 2016).). Away with this, it has also analysed that depression is also another
concern linking with anxiety (36.4 percent) has effectively become a problem
considering relationship problems with approximately (35.8 percent). Away with this, it
has been found that on an average, approximately 24.5% of individuals have started
taking psychotropic medications (Wahed and Hassan, 2017) (Ferrari, 2016).).
Considering the information In present context, the case study has given the information
that Marc is a student who is studying at University. He has been facing difficulties, such
as being anxious, worrying about if his (colleagues or room-mates) will steal his
information about his ideas belonging to the final project that he will be submitting. Here,
it can be said that a psychiatrist or psychologist will effectively examine or ask different
range of questions about particular medical history. A physical examination, lab test and
psychological questionnaires may be included due there being a range of test that the
psychiatrist may run in order to rule out other health conditions that specifically have
caused the symptoms of the particular mental disorder. However, if it is critically
analysed then where has not being any sort of lab related test which may effectively
diagnose and writing disorders (Marsh, Vachon and Sörqvist 2017).
The information that has been given by Marc, colleagues clearly showed the
common symptoms of a person dealing with mental disorder, such as anxiety or
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depression. The particular symptom that came in front was that Marc has started
reducing the social interaction with his friends and he faced difficulties while speaking
coherent sentences. In medical terms, these symptoms that Marc has clearly show that
he is dealing with social anxiety disorder which is also called as social phobia
(Leichsenring and Leweke, 2017). However, if it is critically analysed then it can be said
that symptoms that was diagnosed in Marc may show some other types of depression
as well. Therefore, particularly it cannot be said that Marc was dealing with social
anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder can be defined as a disorder where a person
may feel overwhelmed, worrying our self-consciousness about social situations where
he or she may start obsessively worrying about other individuals like if they will judge
the person and so on (Asher, Asnaani and Aderka, 2017). Self-consciousness is
something where Marc, social distanced himself from his colleagues and friends and
feeling like the others will steal the information like his ideas about the final year project
and so on.
On the other hand, specific phobias are also considered to be the mental disorder
that Marc may have where he was already feeling intense about the specific fear of
losing the information as if his friends will hack the computer and steal all the
information from him (Ali and et. al., 2019). It has been analysed that this type of fear
may lead an individual to go beyond what is appropriate (Kring and Johnson, 2018).
This may take an individual to avoid ordinary situations that would lead the individual
towards separation anxiety. If it is critically analysed, then it can be said that both the
mental issues were leading towards one and only disorder and that is depression. In
this case, it will be the responsibility of psychiatrist or psychologist to test Marc and pull
out information through asking different sorts of questions in order to analyse the
percentage of depression in which he actually is. This would result into focusing on the
particular medication and the process that is required to be followed by the psychiatrist
or psychologist in order to improve the mental health of Marc (Hajcak, Meyer and Kotov,
2017).
Aetiologies
In medical terms, Aetiology is considered as the attribution of different range of
causes in relation with a particular aspect, which is majorly being expressed or served
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in terms of mythical explanation (Morgan and et. al., 2018). Considering the case study
of Marc, it has been analysed that anxiety or depression can be caused by different
reasons. In present context, genetics, brain chemistry, environmental stress, drug
withdrawal or misuse, medical conditions and so on are said to be some of the good
examples of different reasons behind why a person may get anxiety disorder (ul Haq,
2018). Marc has been studying at University, one of the main reasons for Marc to
potentially suffer from anxiety could be due to genetics. Rodebaugh and et. al., (2018),
has stated that through genetics, the brain’s chemistry is altered due to the anxiety
disorder. Including this, brain chemistry is also said to be another type of cores that
may result in to anxiety disorder. Basically, faulty circuits within brain may effectively
lead an individual towards fear and emotions that may cause both anxiety and
depression related situation for the person. But, if it is critically analysed then it can be
said that Marc voice not going through any sort of genetic or brain chemistry related
problems. If it is critically analysed, then it can be said that changes in genetics is not
only considered as the reason behind Marc dealing with other types of depression as
well.
However, environmental stress is something where stressful events can take place
at a time when an individual lives the life which can be linked with childhood neglect or
abuse, death of a loved one, being attacked or seeing violence and so on ( LaCaille,
2019). In the context of Marc, he was specifically studying at University, where it is may
be possible that he might have had issues in the past when completing assignments or
projects and realising someone else has a similar idea; the fear of being under
investigation for plagiarism; it is his final year so he might have the fear of not
graduating; he might not have done so well academically and is receiving pressure from
his family to do better; pressure being caused by failing (Milyavskaya, 2018). The
negative aspect that came in front was that there might be a possibility that Marc may
feel much more depressed and take negative initiatives which may risk his life. Another
type of core contribution that can be seen in today's environment it is particularly linking
with medical conditions where the person might have different conditions like
hypertension and so on. In present context, it is must to conduct a test to effectively find
out what exactly is happening with Marc. Here, it can be said that these can cause
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symptoms to similar go in the same way as anxiety disorder or even they may lead an
individual to make anxiety symptoms worse (Current Diagnosis and Treatment of
Anxiety Disorders, 2020).
Considering the case, it was particularly the responsibility of Marc's friends that
they may rightfully take professional help through delivering information to mental health
crisis institute. In present context, an individual is going through anxiety disorder where,
the person may deliver the same information to the psychiatrist or psychologist where
full physical examination can be done to pull out favourable information about overall
medical conditions.
In context with Marc, based on the case it is not that much clear that what exactly
the cause has been towards Marc started going through different range of difficulties
like when he withdraws from social interaction with friends and started feeling
suspicious about motives of his friends can be towards the final project and so on.
However, it can be said that environmental stress is something that may lead the
individual to go through anxiety or depression disorder. It is may be possible that stress
related with course that he was specifically doing impacted negatively on his mind set,
that resulted into social distancing from others coma feeling suspicious about his work,
not meeting with his friends and so on.
Possible treatment options
There are ample numbers of possible treatment options that are available to
reduce the impact of depression or anxiety disorder in an individual who is dealing with
it. One of the best suitable approaches that can be considered by the psychiatrist or
psychologist is utilisation of psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)). It is
considered to be a type of counselling that may help Marc in learning about different
emotions that may result in to improper behaviour towards others (Wahed and Hassan,
2017). The way Marc used to hit his head on wall and feeling of suspiciousness about
his own friends if they will steal his ideas about the final year project, this type of
approach main help in training the mind set through going from different thoughts and
feelings and suggestions to manage anxiety disorder in much effective and efficient
manner. If it is critically analysed, then utilising cognitive behavioural therapy in case of
Marc make carry ample number of advantages and some of these advantages are: it is
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as effective as medication while treating different types of depressions. On the other
hand, another benefit that came in front of utilising CBT is that it can be completely
finished within short period of span as compared to any other approach like talking
therapies and so on (Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), 2020).
Including this, and other benefits that came in front was that CBT can be highly
structured in nature where it may provide different types of formats including self-help
books, include different range of groups, computer programs and so on. Also, the
different range of skills like goal setting skill, problem solving skill and so on that are
learnt by considering cognitive behavioural therapy can be useful for a patient like Marc.
Basically, it may lead Marc towards developing helpful strategies like self mentoring,
setting short terms goals and so on which can be incorporated by him into his daily life
so that the same sort of situation does not takes place in near future and reduce the
future stresses and difficulties in much effective and efficient manner. If it is critically
analysed than it can be said that problem solving skills, goal setting skills and so on.
There are some of the disadvantages as well of utilising cognitive behavioural
therapy, where the primal negative aspect that came in front was that Marc or any other
individual who is going through anxiety or any sort of disorder to take full consideration
and commit himself or herself towards the process because then only the overall
therapy will work as a psychiatrist or therapist can only advise or help the person and
rest is the responsibility of the patient who is dealing with the problem. It is mandatory to
take full responsibility and co-operate with all the process related situations that
effectively lead individual to pull out favourable outcomes like reducing stress and so
on. Including this another negative aspect that came in front of utilising cognitive
behavioural therapy is that just because of structured nature of this particular therapy it
is may be possible that Marc may not be suitable if any serious mental health needs for
learning difficulties are already made existence in the mind-set of Marc (Jenaro, Flores
and Frías, 2017).
There are some critics has also been done by many of the investigators where
they have stated that cognitive behavioural therapy can only be suitable for the
individual who has current problems and focus on the particular issues and it do not
analyse the whole situation like causes of Mental health conditions. In context with
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Marc, it is may be possible that this type of therapy may not pull out favourable
outcomes because individual was already in the grievance which resulted into negative
behaviour towards others.
Medication is considered to be the best and suitable approach that is mostly
preferred by psychiatrists and psychologist when it comes to reduce the stress and
deliver positive outcomes towards mental health conditions of the individual. in context
with Marc, it can be said that the best suitable approach was this only that
antidepressant drugs can be prescribed to him as he was already dealing with anxiety
disorder and was not at all happy with the situation like fear of losing information and
considering every single other person who is visiting his room as suspicious (Anxiety,
2019).
If it is critically analysed then there are ample number of drugs that are available in
the Market that are specifically being prescribed by psychiatrist and these are:
bupropion, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, buspirone
and so on. These medications may originally have both pros and cons. If the
advantages are discussed in relation with medication to reduce the stress and to
improve the mental health conditions, then these medicines that has already been
discussed delivers promising results. In present context, Marc who was at the initial
stage effectively takes these medicines because this would help him in coming out of
stress in much effective and efficient manner. However, these medications may also
lead and individual to get addicted to them. There are many cases that came in front
where it became really very hard for the patience to do not use these medications
because it helped them in reducing the stress and focusing on other elements (Badri,
Crutzen and van den Borne, 2017). In the same way, it is may be possible that Marc
may also get addicted to these medications which may not impact positively on health
conditions in near future where excessive dose of these drugs may also lead him to
negative effects on both mental and physical conditions and even death as well.
Conclusion
With the help of above mentioned to report, it can easily be said that there are
ample number of anxiety disorder treatments are available in current medical science.
The best suitable treatment option that can be chosen from the different number of
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treatments is the medication where antidepressants tablets (SSRIs and SNRIs) main
effectively help Marc in reducing the anxiety level. Another beneficial approach that can
be taken into consideration is utilisation of cognitive behavioural therapy where this type
of psychotherapy may lead psychiatrist to analyse how to turn negative or panic related
causing situations and behaviour towards positive ones.
Case Study 2
Introduction
Professionalism can be defined as conduct, behaviour and attitude of an
individual in order work in business environment. It can lead to workplace success,
strong professional reputation as well as a high level of work ethics and excellence.
Basically, a professional need several important features such as neat appearance,
proper demeanour, reliable, competent, communicator, good phone etiquette, poised,
ethical, organised and accountable (Stajkovic, 2018). It is observed that some of main
characteristics must be acquired by a professional including commitment & confidence,
responsibility and dependability, honesty & ethics and appearance & professional
presence which are known as central professional features respectively. This section is
based on the case scenario based on specific individual named Jessica who is a hard
working person and prides herself on her professionalism. In context of this part of
project, it will focus on the reliability and validity of Big 5 personality test and evaluation
of strengths, limitations as well as ethical considerations. It will also include the
explanation related to Big 5 personality test and variations of the same along with their
applicability.
Overview of the case study
In context of this case study, it has been analysed that Jessica is known to be a
hard working person who always remain in pride for herself in regards to her
professionalism. She has worked alone in her previous role having duty in a market
research department which she has one well. However, it is observed that she wants to
look forward and take next step in her career as well as move into a more externally
focussed role as a brand ambassador for a particular organisation for which she is
working. It includes the difficult role and responsibility to involve talking to potential
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customers along with promoting the products or services of the company. Moreover, it
has been evaluated that Jessica has just completed the short version of the Big 5
personality test which is responsible to indicate that she scores high on introversion,
high on conscientiousness, high on openness to experience and high on
agreeableness. Additionally, the next is known be as daunting in which Jessica has
been identified to be succeed.
Discuss the reliability and validity of the Big 5 Personality test
Big 5 personality tests can be described as a framework considering several
important factors in order to evaluate the personality of an individual. It is favourable to
make decision that a person has all the quality and features or not which are required
for specific professional position in order to fulfil respective roles. Basically, it includes
number of components such as openness, conscientiousness, extroversion,
agreeableness and neuroticism (Whyte, 2019).
In context of given case of Jessica, it has been analysed that Big 5 personality
test is appropriate method to be used for evaluating the personality match of her in
respect of allocating the designation of brand ambassador of that company for which
she has working. It is observed that her personality is hard working and she has
criterion of making her performance up to the mark which facilitate to gaining growth as
well as development in career (Borghuis, 2017). Thus, it simply mean that one of major
personality test is hard working because she ways try to accomplish desired things in
effective manner by working hard on it. But in some situation hard working is always
not solution as it is important for her to work wisely because hard working sometimes
not pay attention towards you.
It is observed that given personality test plays an important role for
understanding personality of an individual to make accurate decisions to promote or hire
employees as per requirements of specific designation. Meanwhile, it is observed that
personality is valid to be used in order to evaluate the personality traits of Jessica which
is favourable to make sure the accuracy of decision to make her brand ambassador of
the company for whom she is working. It is valid for high authorities to understand the
capabilities of Jessica in order to fulfil her all the responsibilities in future. She was a
hard-working employee with an effective reputation in organisation due to her excellent
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quality of work. It is observed that given personality test can be considered as much
reliable in order to evaluate the personality traits of an individual and match them with
desired traits to assign particular important designation to an appropriate person (Halim,
2017). However, it has been identified that Jessica is known to be an appropriate
candidate on the basis of her effective image of professionalism, work experience of
research department and excellent delivery of work which is sufficient to make her
brand ambassador for promoting the products of the company. But in some situation her
hard-working practices may result in creating issues for company because she
generally not able to find out shortcut of things. As Jessica follow proper procedure for
accomplishing desired goals and objectives because of her hard-working nature. This is
the main reason that her hard-working personality trait may result in creating issues for
company sometimes. She is very much capable to fulfil the roles as well as
responsibilities of a brand ambassador of specific brand which impact positively to
improve the profitability of an individual. Moreover, it has been evaluated that the
method of personality test selected for Jessica is much valid and reliable to be used to
ensure the appropriate personality of traits to assign important positions in an
organisation.
Critically evaluate strengths, limitations, ethical considerations
In order to become efficient brand ambassador, it has been analysed a person is
required to have effective skills and abilities to use the same as strengths which are
favourable to fulfil the responsibilities in appropriate manner. It is required for Jessica to
work on several factors to become excellent brand ambassador to fulfil the relevant
roles and duties effectively. Meanwhile, it includes number if aspects to which a person
should be focussed before handling the designation of a brand ambassador as it is a
higher designation of an organisation (Ercan, 2017). Initially, it consists the to become
more knowledgeable and innovative in marketing in order to manage the potential
customers as well as promoting the products which helps to increase the sales
respectively. Secondly, it involves the consider the ability to become a professional
speaker to always focus on important aspects to be communicated and speak to the
point so that audience can understand the fact easily. Thirdly, it consists to acquire
effective leadership quality in order to embody the values, the feature as well as overall
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image inherent to the brand. It is required for a brand ambassador in respect of stirring
up thoughts linked with owning the products. This leads the customer not only to buying
the goods but also to their self-fulfilment associated with possessing it. However, it
includes the strength of credibility to carefully manage customers but it necessary to not
get someone with bad records, malicious life style and despicable personality. It is
required to deal with appropriate person by evaluating their necessary details to secure
company from any kind of fraud. Moreover, the strength includes relationship builder
which is required to formulate effective relation with potential customers which impact
positively to make sure long term profitability of an organisation.
In addition to this, it has been identified that there are number of limitations for
Jessica which are required to improve to become efficient brand ambassador for an
organisation. It includes the limitation of aggressive behaviour which is not appropriate
handle the different types of customers and it may impact negatively on brand image in
market. It is very important for a brand ambassador to control their aggressive
behaviour because they have to deal with different kinds of consumers and they have to
manage them with proper communication that is favourable to remain associated with
company (Stankov, 2018). However, it will provide support to increase the profitability of
an organisation. Meanwhile, it consists the limitation of developing normal marketing
strategies because it is required to offer something new as well as innovative customers
for improving the customer count of the company which is beneficial to gain better
profits. It is necessary for a brand ambassador to attract potential customers via their
innovative ideas and strategies to enhance the profit share of organisation in market.
Moreover, it involves the limitation of mismanagement which is required to be focussed
by Jessica because she requires to give required time to every customer properly that is
necessary for maintaining reputation of brand in market.
On the other hand, it has been evaluated that ethical principles can be defined
values and factors that are favourable to facilitate right practices. It is also beneficial to
differentiate between right and wrong aspects and helps to avoid the wrong attempts
while fulfilling the responsibilities of a brand ambassador (Borghuis, 2017). However, it
has been analysed that number of ethical values must be followed by a brand
ambassador while dealing with customer such as informed consent, trustworthiness,
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