Question

Ravi has been showing signs of extreme social withdrawal and erratic mood swings. As a psychology student, how would you apply different approaches/models/factors to understand and explain any abnormal behaviour?

Answer 1

1. The Biopsychosocial Model: This approach views Ravi’s behaviour as an interaction of three factors.
   • Biological: His erratic mood swings could be due to neurotransmitter imbalances (such as serotonin or dopamine) or genetic predispositions.
   • Psychological: He may have maladaptive cognitive habits or low self-esteem, which cause him to withdraw to prevent perceived failure.
   • Social: External stressors, such as academic pressure or a breakdown in a relationship, could be triggering his isolation.
2. The Diathesis-Stress Model: This model suggests that Ravi has a diathesis (a biological or psychological susceptibility) that went undetected until a specific stressor (an environmental event) happened. His inherent vulnerability and external stress “pushed” him into abnormal behaviours such as withdrawal and mood instability.
3. The Cognitive Model: According to this perspective, Ravi’s withdrawal is driven by irrational ideas or cognitive distortions. For example, he might believe that “nobody cares about me” or that “socialising is dangerous”. His unstable moods are the emotional result of his fluctuating, negative mental patterns.
4. The Psychodynamic Model: This focuses on unconscious conflicts. Ravi’s social withdrawal could be a defence technique (such as “regression”) to shield him from painful internal feelings or unresolved childhood issues. His unpredictable emotions represent the struggle between his inner desires and the realities of his social environment.
5. Criteria for Abnormality (The 4 Ds): To justify the “abnormal” label, apply the 4 Ds:
   • Distress: Ravi’s moods cause him significant personal suffering.
   • Dysfunction: His withdrawal prevents him from attending classes or maintaining relationships.
   • Deviance: His behaviour violates social norms for a person his age.
   • Danger: If his erratic moods lead to self-harm or aggression.