Case Study of Jason and Etiological Mechanisms

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Case Study of Jason and Etiological Mechanisms

• Biogenetic Factors
• Born to a mother using drugs at the time of
  conception
• Family history suggests a genetic predisposition
  to alcoholism
• Marijuana use from an early age creates an
  addiction
• Treatment
• Medical intervention to address physiological
  problems
• Detoxification program, medication, etc.

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2. Psychodynamic Explanation Early experiences
and unconscious experiences cause abnormal
behavior Mention Freudian stages of development,
id, ego, superego Dilemmas or conflicts in
childhood leading to use of defense mechanisms
(repressed thoughts toward mom)
Treatment Psychoanalysis, psychodynamic
treatment using techniques such as free
association to uncover and resolve childhood
conflicts
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• Behavioral Explanation
• Focuses on the ways in which behavior is
  learned, including classical and operant
  conditioning, and modeling.
• Treatment
• Behavioral modification or behavioral therapy to
  rearrange contingencies in Jasons environment.
• Examples
• Aversive conditioning for smoking or drinking
• Positive reinforcement for efforts at
  successful progress in work or school

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4. Humanistic/Existential Explanation Focuses on
concepts of free will or self-actualization Could
note how basic needs in Maslows hierarchy of
needs were left unmet in Jasons early
life Treatment Client-centered therapy,
Gestalt Therapy, unconditional positive regard,
helping Jason to self-actualize, improve
self-esteem, and exercise free will
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5. Cognitive Explanation Focuses on false
beliefs, expectations, and attributions as the
cause of abnormal behavior Says its Jasons
perceptions that were off Treatment Train
him to evaluate and reassess the explanations he
gives for his behavior. Attribute successes
internally, failures externally. Acknowledge
that past failures are not due to
stable/unchanging factors. Rational Emotive
Therapy
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6. Socio-cultural factors Socio-economic
status Acculturation stress when Jason left the
commune Treated like a man from Mars in his
local community Others didnt support his
interests in education His main motivation was
having fun with few rules Culture of drugs and
alcohol was surrounding him