Running Head Journal

Running Head Journal

This week we have been asked to complete two tasks, first we will have to review a list of historical cases studies or a list of movies that were approved for the upcoming assignment. The list has some very interesting movies and historical cases but I find “Mommie Dearest” because I grew up with that movie and it has always freaked me out. I think I have watched it more than 10 times at least. In this movie, you can see that the main character, Joan Crawford, had some form of mental illness. I would like to think she suffered from obsessive cleaning rituals. This is typical of a controlling personality type; sometimes she would fly into rages without being provoked, insisting that things go her way at all times.

Her heavy drinking didn’t help her either, as it exacerbated her rage and she would become violent, especially towards her adopted children when they were behind closed doors. The violence towards her children was abnormal; typically, mothers are nurturing figures. According to Abnormal Psychology, behaviors can be considered abnormal under various perspectives. The statistical perspective labels behavior as abnormal if it occurs rarely compared to the behavior of the general population. The social norm perspective sees behavior as abnormal if it deviates significantly from accepted social standards, values, or norms. The maladaptive perspective views behavior as abnormal if it interferes with an individual’s ability to function in life or society (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2013).

My understanding of abnormality has deepened significantly through discussions and the textbook material. Previously, I thought that exhibiting personality traits different from societal norms at a given time automatically indicated abnormality. However, I now realize that a person can be considered normal even if they possess tendencies that do not conform to societal standards. There is no absolute right or wrong, normal or abnormal — only differences that make us human.

Our prejudices and biases, often shaped by society, influence how we perceive normalcy and abnormality. Society’s definitions of normal are often based on environmental influences and social conditioning. As humans, we tend to be biased, sometimes opposing or favoring certain behaviors based on feelings and emotions rather than logical reasoning. Social influence affects our perceptions and actions in subtle ways; for example, it is socially unacceptable to walk outside nude, so when someone does, we perceive them as abnormal. Social influence manifests through conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales, and marketing (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2013).

Therefore, social influence cannot always be overtly observed, and individuals may not realize when they are conforming based on societal expectations. In understanding abnormal psychology, it is essential to recognize how societal norms and influences shape our perceptions and definitions of behavior.

Paper For Above instruction

Abnormal psychology seeks to understand behaviors that deviate from societal norms and how these behaviors influence individuals' functioning and well-being. A notable example explored through media and case studies is the film “Mommie Dearest,” which vividly portrays extreme behavioral abnormalities manifesting as obsessive-compulsive traits, rage, control issues, and substance abuse, ultimately affecting familial relationships and individual welfare.

The characterization of Joan Crawford in the film exemplifies behavioral patterns that can be scrutinized through various psychological perspectives. From a statistical standpoint, her behaviors such as compulsive cleaning rituals and rage episodes are considered abnormal due to their rarity in the general population. This view emphasizes the prevalence or rarity of a behavior relative to societal norms. The social norm perspective, however, considers cultural and societal standards—Crawford's extreme control and violent episodes are deviations from typical maternal behaviors, which are generally nurturing and protective.

Furthermore, the maladaptive perspective highlights how Crawford’s behaviors interfere with her ability to function and maintain healthy relationships, exemplifying clinically significant distress and impairment. Her heavy drinking and violent tendencies exemplify how substance abuse and uncontrolled rage can impair daily functioning and social interactions, aligning with the diagnostic criteria for certain psychological disorders in DSM-5.

This case underscores the importance of contextual, societal, and individual factors when assessing abnormality. Society’s perceptions are influenced by socialization, cultural expectations, and personal biases, which shape our definitions of what constitutes normal or abnormal behavior (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2013). The process of social influence—via conformity, peer pressure, and norms—can subtly sway individual behaviors, often without conscious awareness.

In mental health practice, understanding these influences helps clinicians differentiate between behaviors that are truly maladaptive versus those that are culturally sanctioned or socially influenced. For example, obsessive-compulsive behaviors may be adaptive in some cultural contexts but maladaptive in others, underscoring the cultural relativity of mental health diagnoses. Therefore, a nuanced appreciation of societal values, individual circumstances, and behavioral patterns is essential for accurate assessments and effective interventions.

Overall, studying media representations like “Mommie Dearest” allows mental health professionals and students to explore complex psychological phenomena and reflect on how societal perceptions influence diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches. Recognizing the diverse origins of abnormal behavior enhances our ability to provide compassionate and culturally sensitive mental health care, ultimately promoting better outcomes for individuals struggling with psychological disorders.

References

• Getzfeld, A., & Schwartz, S. (2013). Abnormal psychology: DSM-5 update. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Hersen, M., & Beidel, D. C. (2014). A casebook of clinical psychology. Springer Publishing.
• Comer, R. J. (2018). Abnormal psychology (10th ed.). Worth Publishers.
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