Ch 11 - Jeff Standen

syndromes - psychological disorders which are only found
in particular cultures. The norms, values and beliefs of these
cultures may be a factor in producing culture-bound
disorders.
As Unit 1 indicates, ideas about what count as
psychological disorders, what causes them and how they
should be treated are partly shaped by culture. And, we
don't have to go back hundreds of years to make this point.
As noted in the previous chapter, homosexuality was
classified as a psychological disorder until 1973. As culture
changes, attitudes change, and in some cases, so do
psychological disorders.
Family relationships A number of researchers argue that
family relationships can make people more or less prone to
psychological disorders. For example, conflict between
parents may place a considerable strain on children which
may make them more vulnerable to disorders. One
explanation of eating disorders sees them as resulting from
relationships within the family (see pp 180-181).
The class system This system of social division is found in
all Western societies. In general, the lower a person's
position in the class system, the lower their income, social
status and power. And, the lower their position, the more
likely they are to suffer from certain psychological disorders
- for example, depression. One explanation of this finding
states that the pressures and stress of life at the bottom of
the class system makes people more vulnerable to a range
of disorders (Zima et al., 1996).
Gender Women in Western societies are over twice as likely
as men to be diagnosed as suffering from anxiety disorders
and depression. One explanation for this is the cultural
definition of women's roles and their position in society - in
particular, their lack of power and control over their own
lives. Compared to men, women are more likely to have
low-status, low-skill and low-paid jobs. They are more likely
to be dependent on state benefits and more likely to live in
poverty (Haralambos & Holborn, 2000). And research
suggests that marriage is no solution. Compared with
unmarried women, wives are more likely to suffer from
depression, other psychological disorders, and physical illhealth.
In the words of the American sociologist Jessie
Bernard (1976) 'In truth, being a housewife makes women
sick'.
Evaluating the sociocultural model
The models of psychological abnormality outlined in this
chapter have tended to focus on the individual. As a result,
they have largely ignored the wider social and cultural
influences on behaviour. There is growing evidence that
part of the explanation for psychological disorders lies in
culture and society.
disorders. However, this is not the point of the model. What
it does explain is why certain groups of people are more
vulnerable than others to certain psychological disorders.
The sociocultural model does not offer the kind of
treatments or therapies suggested by the other models. In
general, these models offer treatment on an individual level.
The sociocultural model implies that changes in culture,
society and social relationships are required to improve
people's chances of recovering from psychological
disorders. And just as, if not more importantly, these
changes may actually reduce the extent of disorders.
However, changing culture and society is easier said than
done. In most Western societies the gap between rich and
poor has increased over the past thirty years. The rich and
the powerful will not give up their privileges easily. Groups
such as gays, women and ethnic minorities have had to
organise, demonstrate and protest to improve their position
in society and change the stereotypes and prejudices of the
mainstream culture. The changes implied by the
sociocultural model are far more difficult to put into
practice than a course of treatment with a therapist.
The sociocultural model is an addition rather than an
alternative to biological and psychological models of
abnormality. It answers questions they cannot answer and
provides a broader explanation of psychological disorders.
Only in the last thirty years have psychologists recognised
the importance of culture and society, a recognition that is
long overdue (Comer, 1998).
Key term
Sociocultural model of abnormality A model that sees certain
groups of people as more or less vulnerable to psychological
disorders as a result of their culture, their position in society,
and their social relationships.
( Summary
2
N To some extent, people's behaviour is shaped by their
>—-— culture, their position in society and their social
relationships. These factors can make them more or
less prone to psychological disorders.
The sociocultural model implies that changes in culture
and society are required to improve people's chances of
recovering from psychological disorders, and to prevent
those disorders from occurring in the first place. ,
Critics have argued that the sociocultural model fails to
explain why particular individuals
develop psychological