Design an Experiment
Investigation of individuals abnormal behavior is an important task as it provides scientists with crucial and credible information related to the peculiarities of the psyche and the appearance of deviant behaviors. Numerous tools are used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the most important issues and obtain the needed answer. The experiment could be considered one of the most efficient ones. The given one is suggested to investigate the state of patients suffering from schizophrenia.
The given pathology could be defined as abnormal social behavior and the inability to differentiate between the real and fictional world. A patient suffering from schizophrenia will have problems with socialization and even pose a significant threat to peoples security (Giggs & Whitehead, 2015). However, there are certain remission periods when symptoms are not visible. In this regard, it is possible to provide the hypothesis which assumes that schizophrenic patients might be socialized during their remission periods and perform various functions.
To prove the given hypothesis, a certain methodology should be explored. The character of the research preconditions the adherence to the qualitative method that could help to determine the most important aspects. A patient suffering from schizophrenia should complete a survey at different periods (Rowe, 2013). Yet, the data obtained due to usual and remission periods should be compared to make a certain conclusion about the ability of an individual to perform some routine actions and accomplish tasks needed for his/her socialization.
The investigation will also rest on certain variables which are a patients behavior at various periods. The Independent variable is changed to observe what effect it might have on the dependent one (Sue, Sue, & Sue, 2013) In this regard, a patients common and habitual actions and decisions could be considered an independent variable while the alterations of his/her mood under the impact of the disease will be the dependent one. Additionally, there is also a control group that is comprised of healthy people whose behavior should be compared to the patterns used by sick people. A control group is needed to compare the final results with the data that is taken as normal and make a certain conclusion.
Altogether, it is also vital to consider the ethical side of the given investigation. Peoples feelings should not be affected in the course of the experiment. It is designed in a way that will not offend sick people and their relatives. For this reason, participation in the given experiment should be voluntary. The simplicity of the suggested experiment and the absence of the necessity to use some extra equipment precondition the possibility of its usage in various environments.
Mental Status Evaluation
- Presenting problem
- A client could not remember his actions at certain periods
- History of presenting a problem
- According to the patients words, a problem has appeared recently. He says that the first signs were discovered 1 year ago
- Any relevant family history
- There are no cases of severe physical diseases in the family. However, the patients father is an orphan and could not provide information about his relatives
- Any medical issues of client
- A client suffers from headaches and high blood pressure. There are also some problems with his stomach.
Mental Status Exam
- The patient responds to all questions clearly and logically. His speech is understandable and distinct
- Are they alert and well-orientated x3 (person, place, and situation)
- A person recognizes who he is and what his profession is. He also could provide the information about the current date
- Speech-rate and tone
His tone is friendly though nervous. A patient is excited because of threatening symptoms.
Affect
- The patient is not in the altered state
- Presence or absence of tics
- There are no visible tics. or other neurological symptoms.
- Presence or absence of auditory or visual hallucinations
- The patient has a clear mind. There are no visual hallucinations or other delusions.
- Presence or absence of Suicidal or homicidal ideation. Past attempts
- The person has never thought about suicide. He considers it to be inappropriate
- Presence or absence of obsessive thoughts
- There is a certain obsessive thought as a person is afraid of going mad or being placed in a psychiatric residential.
Physical appearance
The patient is tall. He suffers from problems with weight. There are no other visible problems with physical appearance.
Is thinking logical? Goal-directed?
Sleep problems?
His thinking is logical. He manages to describe his problem in an understandable way for an investigator to realize its nature. There are also no problems with sleeping.
Eating problems?
The person has a weak appetite, and he admits its further decrease.
Then give the person a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Score.
There are several symptoms as the patient does not remember some moments and has a weak appetite.
Having applied the GAF to a person, I could state that its removal from DSM-V was a correct decision. Several factors prove this idea. First, I am sure that the comprehensive investigation of a patients state is impossible using this only tool. It is very subjective as an investigator perceives and analyzes information resting on his approaches and attitudes. There are no specific and distinctive criteria that could help to state whether the given fact is relevant or not (global assessment of functioning, n.d.). Furthermore, a patient might also provide not credible information because of his/her inability to assess the state and make the right conclusions. For these reasons, the GAF should not be used by professionals in their work as many more informative approaches could help to investigate a patients state.
References
Giggs, R., & Whitehead, G. (2015). Coverage of recent criticisms of Milgram’s obedience experiments in introductory social psychology textbooks. Theory & Psychology, 25(5), 564-580. Web.
Global assessment of functioning. (n.d.). Web.
Rowe, M. (2013). Thinking about behaviour and conformity in groups: some social psychology resources. Teaching Public Administration, 31(2), 218-225. Web.
Sue, D., Sue, D. & Sue. S. (2013). Understanding abnormal behavior. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.