CASE STUDIES

1. For each example 2. Highlight the behaviour or

characteristics that make it abnormal3. Think about why it may be abnormal4. Decide which definition you would

categorise it under5. Be prepared to discuss your answers

Sue reports that she has an acute fearof snakes. She cannot bear to watch any

films or television programmes which include snakes. If she sees a picture of a

snake, she becomes very anxious or distressed. If she sees a toy snake in a toy shop, she wants to walk away. She certainly will not go anywhere near a

zoo.

Martin lives with his mother, believes that the world beyond his house is filled with radio waves which will insert evil thoughts into his head.

For this reason, he never leaves the house. Hecovers his bedroom window with aluminium foilbecause he believes that this will protect him. He claims to hear voices which tell him that he

should give up the fight against the evil waves.

Janet has an extreme fear of germs and bacteria. She will only allow visitors into her

house if she is convinced that they are clean. She goes through elaborate rituals when performing ordinary tasks. For example, when making a cup of tea, she will fill and empty the kettle fourteen times in order to make sure that the water is clean.

Joyce lived on the street in a wealthy area of New York. She used the pavement as a toilet, soiled herself, and smelt awful. Passers-by were abused, and any money they gave her was burned. In 1987 she was picked up during a government campaign aimed at helping the homeless, taken to a psychiatric hospital and diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic. She protested that her civil rights had been violated. When lawyers from the Civil Liberties union had her reassessed, she was found not to be schizophrenic.

• Darla refused to throw anything away. She hoarded rubbish to such an extent that she had to buy an ex-opera house to store it in. Among her possessions were theatrical costumes, a papier-maché mermaid, and stuffed alligators. She wore a fireman's coat

and played in a kazoo band.

• John had lived for 10 years in a cave that flooded with seawater at high tide. In the past he has walked from Land's End to John o'Groats in his bare feet, wearing only pyjamas. In order to raise money for conservation, he volunteered to spend 6 months in a cage at London Zoo as a human exhibit, but the authorities declined the offer.

• June. Was born in Jamaica, is a follower of the Pentecostal church and believes that on occasions she is possessed by spirits which make her ‘speak in tongues’.

• Davey. Is intensely afraid of heights. He has left a job because it was on the fifth floor, and refuses to visit his daughter who lives in Austria because of the mountains.

• Ben. Is a street musician who recently dropped out of school. He likes to perform using a variety of vegetables and dead fish .

• Chris. Has always lived in an isolated cottage. He has six dogs which he looks after. He never goes out of the cottage unless absolutely necessary, and has no friends or visitors.

Behavioural Characteristics

Definition

Sue

Martin

Janet

Joyce

Darla

Davey

June

Ben

Chris

John

Behavioural Characteristics

Definition

Sue

Martin

Janet

Joyce

Darla

Davey

June

Ben

Chris

John