Question

Explain the biological psychodynamic and sociocultural view of abnormal behaviour.

Answer 1

According to the modem psychologists, there are various perspectives which delineate the causal factors of abnormal behaviour. Some of the viewpoints are as follows :

Biological or medical perspective: This perspective tries to explain abnormal behavior in terms of some anomalies in the biological/physiological systems in the body.
It mainly takes into consideration four factors :

1. Damage/malfunctioning of brain and nervous system
2. Infection/physical illness.
3. Neurotransmitters and hormonal imbala¬nces.
4. Faulty genes.

For example, Low levels of activity of neurotransmitter GABA may lead to anxiety disorders. Certain dysfunctions in various parts of brain like frontal lobe, limbic system are linked to schizophrenia.

Psychodynamic perspective: According to this view, abnormality is an outcome of conflicts between unconscious desires and conscious motives. The unconscious includes all hurtful memories, forbidden desires, unresolved conflicts and experiences. They originate from primitive, sexual and aggressive instincts. Individuals need to keep these primitive impulses hidden from one’s consciousness. If such matters seeps into the person’s conscious mind the mind will be flooded with profound anxiety. This anxiety gets manifested in the form of various psychological disorders. Thus, according to this perspective, psychological disorders are outbursts of various primitive, forbidden conflicts in different ways that were repressed in the unconscious.

Social-cultural perspective: According to this perspective, abnormal behaviours develop due to the adverse effects of society on the person rather than the person himself. Various societal frameworks such as family dynamics, cultural expectations, societal biases cause abnormality. Different socio-cultural factors like poverty, unemployment, less stimulating or negative environment, inadequacy of scope of education and prejudice play a significant role in causing mental disorders. Profound malnutrition, lack of educational and health facilities, poor mental support and a lack of sympathy during childhood makes individuals prone to stress and other psychopathologies.