Problem
Read the case study in Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology chapter 18 9th edition about Joe and review the information below: Definition Personality Disorders An enduring pattern of emotions, thoughts, behaviour, and interpersonal functioning that deviates from cultural norms and expectations, and causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning Symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder A pervasive pattern of distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent Four of seven symptoms must be present for diagnosis:
o Suspects without evidence that others are exploiting or harming them
o Unjustified doubts about others' loyalty or trustworthiness
o Reluctant to confide in others in case used against them
o Reads threatening meanings into benign remarks
o Bears grudges and is unforgiving
o Perceives attacks on their reputation not apparent to others
o Suspects unfaithfulness of spouse/sexual partner without evidence
Background Information on Personality Theories
In seminar, you will apply each of these personality theories to understand how the individual described in the case study on Paranoid Personality Disorder may have developed difficulties with paranoia. Alfred Adler: Inferiority Complex Alfred Adler is one of several neo-Freudian or psychodynamic theorists who modified Freud's psychoanalytic theory. He thought personality was influenced primarily by striving for superiority, trying to overcome feelings of inferiority by mastering shortcomings and developing competence. Failure to achieve this goal can result in an inferiority complex in which the individual has a chronic lack of self-worth and is troubled by self-doubt. Karen Horney (pronounced Horn-eye) Karen Horney is one of several neo-Freudian or psychodynamic theorists who modified Freud's psychoanalytic theory. Karen Horney suggested that personality problems can arise when a person tries to control basic anxiety by overusing certain modes of interacting with others. She theorized that problems emerge when an individual fails to strike a balance among three possible ways of interacting with others:
1) moving toward others (depending on them for love, support and friendship) 2) moving away from others (withdrawing, acting like a loner, or being "strong" and independent) 3) moving against others (attacking, competing, seeking power over them).
Carl Rogers: Self Theory Carl Rogers's Self Theory states that people develop maladjusted personalities when there is incongruence (a wide discrepancy) between a person's self-image (who they think they are) and either their true self (who they really are, or how other people see them) or their ideal self (who they would like to be). Incongruent individuals often become defensive and try to block, deny, or distort reality to reduce anxiety about their self-image being very different from their true self. Julian Rotter: Social Learning Theory Social learning theories contend that personality differences are due to learning from the situations you experience but recognize that individuals may interpret situations differently. For example, Julian Rotter proposed that to predict how a person is likely.
Answer the following question:
• Apply one of the four personality theories described above and in Section 12.1 of Chapter 12 of your textbook to explain the problems with paranoia that Joe experiences in the case study. Explain how at least three of Joe's statements, actions, or reactions fit with this theory.