Discussion 2: Culture, Gender, Developmental and Lifespan Considerations

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Discussion 2: Culture, Gender, Developmental and Lifespan Considerations

In your future role in the field of psychology, you might consider how a client's cultural, gender, and developmental background influences his or her diagnosis. Awareness of a client's background may assist in your understanding of how the client’s symptoms, signs, and behaviors are experienced and expressed. As the DSM states, disorders are defined relative to culture, social, and familial norms and values. In addition, the causes and expression of many disorders are influenced by sex and gender differences.

Understanding this perspective may lead psychologists to develop an accurate diagnosis for a client with a similar background or inaccurately diagnosis a client with a dissimilar background. Although an understanding of the client’s background may assist with the development of an accurate diagnosis, psychologists must be careful that personal biases about that background do not shape diagnosis.

For this Discussion, review the case study of "Marvin" in the Learning Resources. Objectively, consider the client's cultural identity and how this might contribute to diagnosis. If you were working with Marvin, how might your personal biases play a role in his diagnosis? Consider ways you might mitigate, or reduce, the appearance of personal biases in diagnosis.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4an explanation of how the client's culture, gender, developmental, or lifespan background may contribute toward personal biases and diagnosis. Then explain how your personal biases might influence the client's diagnosis. Finally, explain three ways you, as a future professional in the field, might mitigate or reduce the appearance of biases in diagnosis.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and current literature.

·         American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

o    Introduction, Use of the Manual, Cautionary Statement for Forensic Use of DSM-5

o    Assessment Measures, Cultural Formulation

o    Appendix: Highlight of Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-5

   Paris, J. (2015). The intelligent clinician’s guide to the DSM-5 (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from the Walden Library.

·         Chapter 5, “Diagnostic Validity”

·         Chapter 6, “Dimensionality”

·         Chapter 7, “Clinical Utility”

   Johnson, R. (2013). Forensic and culturally responsive approach for the DSM-5: Just the FACTS. Journal of Theory Construction & Testing, 17(1), 18–22. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

   Miller, R., & Prosek, E. A. (2013). Trends and implications of proposed changes to the DSM-5 for vulnerable populations. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 91(3), 359–366. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

   Mohr, J. J., Weiner, J. L., Chopp, R. M., & Wong, S. J. (2009). Effects of client bisexuality on clinical judgment: When is bias most likely to occur? Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(1), 164–175.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

   McLaughlin, J. E. (2006). The pros and cons of viewing formal diagnosis from a social constructionist perspective. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development, 45(2), 165–172.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

   Thakker, J., & Ward, T. (1998). Culture and classification: The cross-cultural application of the DSM-IV. Clinical Psychology Review, 18(5), 501–529.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

   Document: Marvin Case Study Use this document to complete Discussion 2 this week.

Optional Resources

·         Flanagan, E. H., & Blashfield, R. K. (2007). Clinician's folk taxonomies of mental disorders. Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology, 14(3), 249–269.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

·         Hohenshil, T. H. (1996). Editorial: Role of assessment and diagnosis in counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 75(1), 64–67.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.  

·         Hays, D. G., McLeod, A. L., & Prosek, E. (2009). Diagnostic variance among counselors and counselor trainees. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 42(1), 3–14.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.  

·         MacDonald, A., & Krueger, R. F. (2013). Mapping the country within: A special section on reconceptualizing the classification of mental disorders. Journal Of Abnormal Psychology, 122(3), 891–893. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

·         Obiols, J. E. (2012). DSM 5: Precedents, present and prospects. International Journal Of Clinical Health & Psychology, 12(2), 281–290.