What Is Organizational Behavior?

1)  are defined as people who oversee the activities of others and who are responsible for attaining goals in organizations.

 

2) Sally Mitchell works as a manager at an environmental organization. She is currently working on a global warming project and decide what tasks related to creating awareness about the issue need to be done. In addition, she is also deciding which members of her team will work on engaging with the public and which will work on lobbying with the government. She is also assigning people as team members to ensure that tasks are undertaken on time. Which of the following categories of functions is Mitchell undertaking?

 

 

3) Johanna Reid, a campaign manager at a child rights organization, recently started working on an illiteracy project. During the project, she needs to motivate team members to attain their project milestones and direct them through different phases of the project. Which of the following kinds of functions will these tasks be covered under?

 

 

4) Lesley Torres is a project manager for the campaign “Action against Deforestation in Indonesia”. She recently faced a glitch when the campaign could not be launched publicly according to schedule. Torres monitored the schedule to find the cause of the delay, before speeding up the implementation process by allocating more numbers for the implementation phase. By doing this, which of the following functions is she performing?

A) controlling

 

5) Which of the following functions do managers undertake as part of planning functions?

 

6) According to Henry Mintzberg, a factory supervisor giving a group of high school students a tour of the plant may be termed as a

 

7) Ellen Ortiz works as a sales manager at a telecom firm. The company has recently launched a new product in the market. Her work in the next few weeks involves sharing knowledge about the product with her team members. She will also need to inspire them to reach their sales targets, and clarify any doubts about the new product. Which of the following roles is Ortiz playing?

 

 

8) Regina George works as a campaign manager in a not-for-profit organization in Hampshire. For the upcoming campaign against genetic engineering, she is networking with managers who are working on the issue of food safety. Through her network of contacts, she strives to gain information about the stakeholders in the food industry and other lobby groups. Which of the following roles is George most likely to be playing according to Mintzber’s classification of managerial roles?

 

 

9) Annette Simpson works for a fashion house in Paris and is preparing for the company’s upcoming line of winter clothing. She is currently researching online to know what is in vogue this season. In addition, she is also networking with contacts from the press and fashion magazine editors to understand the changing tastes of consumers. Which of the following roles is Simpson playing according to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles?

 

 

10) According to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles, that roles of a(n) dis to transmit information received from outsiders or form employees to members of the organization.

 

11) The role of a(n) according to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles, is to transmit information to outsiders about an organization’s plans, policies, actions, and results and one which serves as an expert in the organization’s industry.

 

12) According to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles, a(n) searches the organization and its environment for opportunities project to bring about change.

 

13) According to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles, the role of a(n)  is to make or approve significant organization decisions and assign human, physical, and monetary assets.

 

14) According to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles, which of the following is a kind of interpersonal role?

 

 

15) According to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles, which of the following is kind of decisional role?

 

 

16) The role of a is a type of informational role according to Mintzberg’s classification of managerial roles.

 

17) Which of the following is true of technical skills?

 

 

 

 

18) The ability to understand, communicate with, motivate, and support other people, both individually and in groups, may be defined as

19) Melissa Woods was recently hired as the campaign manager at an environmental organization. She has a degree in environmental sustainability and possesses substantial knowledge about the issue of global warming. She has the knowledge to lead the public relations team of the organization. However, a few months later, the board of directors of the organization expressed dissatisfaction with Melissa’s performance and asked her to resign. Which of the following, if true, best explains this situation?

 

 

20) Joann Hayes is currently working on a project to tackle climate change. During the project, she needs to find different options to replace the use of non-renewable energy and check the feasibility of different renewable energy options before choosing the most practical one. Which of the following skills does Hayes primarily need to use for these tasks?

 

 

21) 360.org, an organization working toward curbing climate change, recently conducted an interview with Jessica for the position of a public relation officer. However, the interviewers Brenda and Laura are divided over whether Jessica should be given the job. Brenda believes that Jessica does not have in-depth knowledge about the issue of global warming and its impact. On the other hand, Laura feels that Jessica would be perfect for the job because she has strong networking and interpersonal skills. Which of the following, if true, would strengthen Laura’s argument?

 

 

22) .org, an organization working toward curbing climate change, recently conducted an interview with Jessica for the position of a public relation officer. However, the interviewers Brenda and Laura are divided over whether Jessica should be given the job. Brenda believes that Jessica does not have in-depth knowledge about the issue of global warming and its impact. On the other hand, Laura feels that Jessica would be perfect for the job because she has strong interpersonal skills. Which of the following, if true, would weaken Laura’s argument?

 

 

23) According to Fred Luthans and his associates, managers involved in traditional management activities undertook which of the following tasks?

 

 

24) According to Fred Luthans and his associates’ study of 450 managers, made the largest contribution to the success of managers in terms of speed of promotion within their organization.

 

25) According to Fred Luthans and his associates, managers which are involved in networking activities are most likely to undertake which of the following?

 

 

26) Which of the following best defines organizational behavior?

 

27) Which of the following determinants of behavior does organizational behavior study?

 

 

28) Which of the following does systematic study use to look at relationships to attribute cause and effects?

 

 

29) Which of the following is true of systematic study?

 

 

30) In order to predict human behavior, it is best to supplement intuitive opinions with information derived from

31) Analyzing relationships, determining causes and effects, and basing conclusions on scientific evidence, all constitute aspects of study.

 

32) refers to basing managerial decisions on the best available scientific proof.

 

33) refers to a gut feeling not necessarily supported by research.

 

34) seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals.

 

35) Which of the following disciplines blends concepts from both psychology and sociology to focus on people’s influence on one another?

 

 

36)  Which of the following is a difference between sociology and psychology?

 

 

37)  is the study of societies to learn about human beings and their activities.

 

38) Which of the following fields of study is most likely to involve studying organizational culture, formal organization theory and structure?

 

 

39) Austin Reed is a graduate student helping to organize a study on individual job satisfaction. The study focuses on the top five causes of satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the job. His department is surveying 200 individuals in 100 different types of organizations. Austin is most likely a graduate student in the department of

 

40) You are bringing together faculty from different behavioral disciplines tp author a new textbook in organizational behavior. Represented are professors from psychology, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, political science, and industrial engineering. Which faculty member is most likely to furnish information about personality, learning and motivation?

 

 

41) Myriam is analyzing the gender roles of men and women in management in the United States and comparing them to the gender roles in management in Japan. She is surveying fifty male and fifty female managers in each country to compare their daily behavior. Myriam’s study exemplifies how  contributes to OB.

 

42) Which of the following is true of contingency variables?

 

 

43) Raymond Mayer is conducting a study on discrimination against campaign activists based on gender. In his study, he noted that male executives who visited Indonesian villages to promote that use of renewable energy received a highly positive response. In contrast, women who visited the same villages, received an antagonistic response from them. However, Mayer started that his findings only applied to villages. In this study, the presence of a village is considered a  variable.

 

44) variables are variables that moderate the relationship between two or more variables.

 

45) Which of the following is a result of globalization?

 

 

46) Managers who oversee the movement of jobs to countries with low-cost labor are most likely to

47) Josh Wallace, a sales executive, has recently been promoted to the position of sales manager at Synergy Corporation Bank. He has in the past gained a strong track record of making the highest number of sales in his branch. During his first few months as a manager, he regularly appreciated and acknowledged the team’s efforts because he knew that it was the driving force behind high performance. However, the company has recently expressed its dissatisfaction with Josh’s team as it has consistently failed to meet the sales targets of the branch. Which of the following, if true, would best explain this situation?

 

 

48) Gould Furniture is one of the leading furniture companies in Indonesia. In the past, the company had a homogeneous workforce of Indonesian employees. The company is desperate to cut operating and manufacturing costs and hence is considering outsourcing part of the manufacturing process to low-cost Taiwan. However, local community leaders across the country are opposing this decision strongly. They believe that exporting jobs to other countries is detrimental to their country in every way possible. Which of the following, if true, is the flaw in the local community leader’s opinion?

 

 

49) refers to the heterogeneity of organizations in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and inclusion of other diverse group.

 

50) Eighty percent of the employees in the United States work today in jobs.

 

51) A common characteristic of service jobs is that they

 

52) Which of the following is an example of a position in a service job?

 

 

53) One of the key challenges for managers in today’s organization is to

 

54) Which of the following should employees undertake to deal with “temporariness” in the modern work climate?

 

55) Which of the following terms best describes organization that allow people to communicate and work together even though they may be thousands of miles apart?

56) Which of the following is the major challenge for managers in a fully networked organization?

 

 

57) Christopher Richardson works as a graphic designer in Sydney. He often coordinates with colleagues working in Germany. In additions, he interacts with clients across the globe. Which of the following is most likely to facilitate his communications with clients and colleagues?

 

 

58)  Which of the following is a cause of work-life conflicts?

 

 

59) Which of the following is true of positive organizational scholarship?

 

 

60)  is a key independent variable in positive organizational behavior research.

 

61) The concept of “reflected best-self” involves

 

62) Which of the following is an example of an ethical dilemma?

 

 

63) A (n)  is an abstraction of reality, a simplified representation of some real-world phenomenon.

 

64) Which of the following is true of models?

 

 

65) With reference to a basic OB model,  are determined in advance of the employment relationship and refer to variables like personality, group structure, and organizational culture that lead to processed.

 

66) Which of the following is an example of an input at an individual level?

 

 

67) An example of an input at an organizational level is

 

68) Which of the following is one of the three variables proposed by a basic OB model which refers to actions that individuals, groups, and organizations engage in as a result of input?

 

69) Which of the following is an example of a process at an individual level?

 

 

70) An example of a process at a group level is

 

71) Which of the following is an example of a process at the organizational level?

 

 

72)   is an example of an outcome at the organizational level.

 

73) Which of the following is an example of an outcome at an individual level?

 

 

74) The discretionary behavior that is not part of an employee’s formal job requirements, and that contributes to the psychological and social environment of the workplace, is called  behavior.

 

75) Group  is the extent to which members of a group support and validate one another at work.

Discussion 1: Ability, Disability, and Erasure

Discussion 1: Ability, Disability, and Erasure

Consider the notion that an individual with a disability may feel primarily defined by his or her ability status. Also, consider the historical treatment of people with disabilities and the number of individuals who were euthanized and sterilized in the U.S. and across the globe due to having a disability.

 

For decades, individuals with disabilities were left in institutions, hidden away from the rest of society. Parents were told if their child was born with a disability, they should have them locked away. Consider in today’s society how people with disabilities are still “hidden.” Think about how many people you see each day that have a visible disability. While there are many hidden disabilities that should not be ignored, it is significant to recognize the limited number of people you see each day with disabilities. Also, consider how others react toward a person with a disability in public. Do they stare? Do they move away? Do they invade the person’s space and ask inappropriate questions? What experiences have you seen in public with a person with a disability? Why do you think society has marginalized this group for so long? Why are those with disabilities limited or eliminated from full participation in society today? Who has the right to decide what makes a “good life” and how is that decision made?

 

To prepare: Read the case “Working With Individuals With Disabilities: Valerie.”

 

Post an explanation of why our society has marginalized those with varying abilities historically.

 

Then, explain the role of social workers in supporting clients with varying abilities (not limited to physical and mental) while recognizing and honoring those clients’ other identity characteristics. Use specific examples from the case study in your explanation.

 

References (use at least 2)

 

      Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Hackman, H. W., Peters, M. L., & Zuniga, X. (Eds.). (2013). Readings for diversity and social justice. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press.

 

Gilson, S. F., & DePoy, E. (2002). Theoretical approaches to disability content in social work education. Journal of Social Work Education, 38(1), 153–165.

 

 

 

Discussion 2: Ability and Disability in the Parker Case

 

To prepare: View this week’s media, Parker (Parker Family (Episode 30).

 

Think of the many names and labels you may have heard to describe persons with disabilities and those that are currently socially acceptable. The changing monikers given to those with disabilities are evidence of the continual negotiation of the society who labels and those who are so labeled to define what disability is and who is disabled. What do these shifting labels suggest about the social construction of disability?

 

Society is inconsistent in its treatment and protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities, creating a situation that contributes to marginalization that can complicate other forms of marginalization and oppression. Consider that being labeled with a disability can be simultaneously something to be fought against because of the stigma it entails and fought for because of the access that it grants to social services that meet basic medical needs, aid economic survival, and improve access to education that society can otherwise deny.

 

Post an analysis of the implications of the social construction of disability.

 

Describe how disability can be defined as a social construct.

 

Explain how that relates to the perception of disability. Be specific and draw on examples from the Parker case to illustrate your thoughts.

 

Also, describe the intersection of Stephanie’s mental illness with other characteristics of her identity.

 

Explain how those intersections could serve to further marginalize Stephanie’s place and experiences in society.

 

Finally, explain how such marginalization impacts her ability to make choices, use self-determination, and be an active agent with equitable status in her interactions with other professionals.

 

 

References (use at least 2)

 

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Hackman, H. W., Peters, M. L., & Zuniga, X. (Eds.). (2013). Readings for diversity and social justice. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press.

 

Gilson, S. F., & DePoy, E. (2002). Theoretical approaches to disability content in social work education. Journal of Social Work Education, 38(1), 153–165.

 

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Parker Family (Episode 30) [Video file]. In Sessions.

 

 

 

 

Discussion 3: Myths of Sexual Violence

                                                                             

Myths and misinformation surround the topic of sexual violence. For years, these myths have hung around the discourse, further muddying an already difficult topic about which to communicate. Although all myths can be harmful, there are some that may be arguably more harmful. For this Discussion, you identify some of the myths surrounding the topic of sexual abuse and consider why they have remained so prevalent.

 

Post an explanation of which myths of sexual violence you think are the most harmful and why. Please use the Learning Resources to support your answer.

 

References (use at least 2)

 

Poteat, V., Mereish, E., DiGiovanni, C., & Koenig, B. (2011). The effects of general and homophobic victimization on adolescents psychosocial and educational concerns: The importance of intersecting identities and parent support. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(4), 597–609.

 

Ullman, S. E. (2010). Conducting interviews with survivors of sexual assault. In Talking about sexual assault: Society’s response to survivors (pp. 121–143). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

 

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2013). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

 

 

 

 

Discussion 4: Bystander Intervention

Separating fact from fiction is imperative when learning how to recognize and respond appropriately, and effectively, to victim/survivors, and bystanders/witnesses, of sexual violence. Although a large majority of sexual assaults do not happen in public settings, in some cases, they do. This is when it is important to understand the experience of the bystander. Bystander intervention can help to explain how, when, and where these kinds of assaults take place; at times, it may even prevent the assault from happening. For this week’s Discussion, watch the video case study of Talia. Locate research on bystander intervention by Victoria L. Banyard and/or Sarah McMahon.

 

Post your application of the theory of bystander intervention to the behavior of those exhibited in the video.

 

Then, describe a scenario in which a bystander could have influenced this scenario in a different way. Please use the Learning Resources to support your answer

 

References (use at least 2)

 

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Johnson family (Episode 1) [Video file]. In Sessions.

 

Poteat, V., Mereish, E., DiGiovanni, C., & Koenig, B. (2011). The effects of general and homophobic victimization on adolescents psychosocial and educational concerns: The importance of intersecting identities and parent support. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(4), 597–609.

 

Ullman, S. E. (2010). Conducting interviews with survivors of sexual assault. In Talking about sexual assault: Society’s response to survivors (pp. 121–143). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

 

 

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2013). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

The Ethics Of Intervention For Food Refusal

In the article by Vaz, Volkert, and Piazza (2011) from this unit’s studies, an intervention was applied to address the negative reinforcement function of food refusal by a young boy. ( article is uploaded)

For this assignment:

  1. Describe your initial reaction to the intervention, especially regarding the use of escape avoidance strategies.
  2. Take the position that you oppose the intervention and explain why. Your rationale should specifically address any possible undesired side effects, as well as whether the intervention appeared to violate any ethical codes (www.BACB.com)  ( Effective Treatment) (code of ethics is uploaded below)
  3. Take the position that you support the intervention and explain why. Your rationale should specifically address any possible benefits and the boy’s right to effective treatment.
  4. Revisit your initial reaction to the intervention. Do you still feel the same way, or has your examination of both sides influenced your reaction? Do you believe the intervention is in line with professional conduct standards? Explain.

Use your unit readings, professional codes of conduct, and other resources to support your positions.

Outline is uploaded

Other Assignment Requirements

  • Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • Format: Use current APA 6th edition style and formatting guidelines.
  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 point.
  • Length: 2–3 pages minimum, double-spaced.
  • References: A sufficient number of scholarly sources.

Refer to The Ethics of Intervention for Food Refusal Scoring Guide to ensure you understand the grading criteria for this assignment.

Capella University

Heather Lacharite

December 4, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Reaction to Intervention

My first reaction to the intervention was the question, “what did they do when/if the child spits out the food?” I understood where the author was coming from with the intervention and I understood the procedure, however, the intervention comes across as a little more aversive and intrusive than I would imagine how interventions are done

ADD MORE HERE

Possible Undesired Side Effects

-Address undesired side effects

Examples: Food becomes aversive, poor relationship with therapists or anyone that implements procedure, other new behaviors emerge such as aggression, additional food selectivity.

Ethical Codes

-Violation to ethical codes (Clients right to effective treatment)

Potential Benefits and Right to Effective Treatment

-Benefits and the rights to effective treatment (informed reaction)

Evaluation of your personal reaction

Laura Case Study

nit 3 Case Studies  Laura Laura is a 55-year-old Latina who is a former nurse. She has been married for 35 years to Raymond, who is 63. Raymond, who is also Latino, is a practicing physician who is nearing retirement. Laura met Raymond at a hospital when both were in training for their medical careers. They dated for less than a year and married when Laura was 20 years old. She continued to work as a nurse after graduation until their first child, a daughter, was born and Laura and Raymond agreed she should stay home to care for their child. Their son was born two years later. Laura did not return to her career as a nurse, and remained a homemaker and stay-at-home mother. Throughout the years, Laura and Raymond frequently socialized with other couples, although Laura did not form individual friendships with other women, stating she “just isn’t comfortable” with most women. Laura was an avid reader and an artist, and tended to enjoy quiet, solitary pursuits rather than joining group activities, so she resisted Raymond’s suggestions that she join women’s philanthropic groups or participate in volunteer activities. Laura and Raymond spent weekends with their children when Raymond was not working, and they always took family summer vacations and spent time on family activities. Laura’s parents  live nearby and were very involved in the family activities as well. Laura is an only child. The family always considered themselves to be closely knit. Laura is in generally good health. Although she smoked cigarettes for 30 years, she quit seven years ago. She consumes alcohol daily and does not take any regular medications. She is sedentary and has gained 30 pounds over the past 15 years. Raymond does not smoke but he joins Laura in a nightly cocktail after work. He does not formally exercise but is on his feet most of the day at work. His weight is the same as it was when he was 25 years old. Raymond had prostate cancer five years ago; surgery and radiation treatments seem to have cured his cancer.  Laura’s children are now adults. Both completed college, found successful careers, and married. Laura’s daughter has recently given birth to her first child, a son.   In the past year, Laura has started to worry about her loved ones’ safety and well-being. She frequently becomes preoccupied with thoughts of injury or illness that could harm Raymond, her daughter or son, and now her infant grandson. Laura is unable to calm these fears or put them out of her mind. She often has trouble falling asleep because she “can’t shut down” her mind, and she wakes up in the middle of the night fearing something has happened to one of her loved ones. She is often fatigued during the day and is notably irritable. Lately, Laura has been calling her husband, daughter, and son several times a day, including when they are at work and cannot take her calls. She implores them to “be safe.” She has asked them not to drive or participate in social activities because they might have an accident or be infected with a disease by someone with whom they socialize. She is especially concerned that her infant grandson might contract a disease and die. She insists that her daughter not take the baby out or allow visitors. She has been known to drive to her daughter’s house at night to check whether the family is home, and if they have guests. Laura’s family members are beginning to be annoyed with her “meddling” behaviors and no amount of logical discussion seems to convince her that her fears are ungrounded. For this reason, her family is becoming upset with her and starting to avoid her.

• Conceptualization and Diagnosis of Laura.

You reviewed the cases of Laura in the study activities for this unit. You will respond to each of the questions below. Your initial post must be at least 250 words in length and include at least two references to a current article in the professional literature to support your ideas. Start by considering the broad category of the client’s presenting issues. What words would you use to describe the client’s presenting concerns and the types of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors the client is experiencing? What broad categories in the DSM-5 do these words relate to (i.e., depression, anxiety, trauma, et cetera).

Next, look at the case study and review the specific symptoms the client is reporting. Compare these symptoms to those listed in the broad categories you have considered. In what area of the DSM do the client’s symptoms seem to fit best? Select the DSM-5 diagnosis that you believe is the best match for the symptoms that the client is presenting and be sure to include the numeric ICD 10 code along with the name of the disorder. Support your choice of diagnosis by listing the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5 and noting for each one how the client has expressed this. Does the client meet all criteria for this diagnosis or are there some areas that you are not fully sure about? If you do not have enough information about some symptoms that are required criteria for the diagnosis you have selected, what additional questions would you need to ask the client, or what other information would you need to obtain from other sources so that you could support an accurate diagnosis?

Response Guidelines Read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two. Try to choose those that have had the fewest responses thus far. For each response, discuss the DSM-5 diagnosis your peer applied to the case and the symptom criteria she or he noted as either present or absent. Were there additional criteria needed in order to make an accurate diagnosis?

Peer 1 Post

James is a 43 year old Caucasian male that has reported that he feels awful and has no energy. He also reports that he’s married and his relationship is satisfactory but their sexual relationship has declined over the past two years. James is satisfied with his job but has a feeling that he is not able to move up in his profession at this time. James reports that he is in good health and takes no medications but has recently stopped going to the gym due to a strong loss of interest in it. James reports that his appetite has significantly increased and this explains his weight gain. James also admits that he has an issue with drinking and increased number of alcohol as often as four after work or before dinner. James is not suicidal at this time although he says that it would be nice not to wake up tomorrow but does not have a plan at this time to take his life. The client’s overall sense of discontentment can be categorized as depression if we were to consider the broad sense of the DSM-5. The client is reporting symptoms of feeling awful and having no energy. The client also is stating that there is a decline  in his sexual relationship with his wife. The client also reports that he’s lost interest in exercising and taking care of his self physically. The client enjoys drinking alcoholic beverages several times a day. The client admits that the alcohol helps him to fall asleep. The client symptoms continue to fall in the Realms of depression although there is not enough information to make this conclusion due to his issue with drinking alcohol which is a depressant..  The client is exhibiting  several symptoms that need further investigation. Measures for symptom severity, diagnosis, and problem behaviors may provide insight into client limitations, but typically neglect client strengths. (WILKINSON, 2015) Although the diagnosis could very well be duel with that of alcoholism and depression more investigation needs to be done because we do not know how long each was present. I would defer diagnosis until further evaluation. A physical examination would be beneficial in this case being that he has several physical issues that have not been examined by a physical doctor. The client continues to say that he is healthy while he has had a loss of interest in several activities including work and exercising and even in sexual activities with his wife. This could be several different physical diagnosis including thyroid ,diabetes, erectile dysfunction and so on. There are studies that indicate high false-positive rates of depression, with significant levels of diabetes-specific distress due to living with diabetes. This refers to the emotional distress associated with managing a long-term condition over time and is an area of greater concern, which requires more targeted interventions directed at the emotional side of diabetes. (Fosbury & Shaban, 2016) It would be best for the counselor to hold off on making a diagnosis by eliminating these external factors first.   WILKINSON, B. D. (2015).

The Orientation Model: A Dual-Process Approach to Case Conceptualization. Journal Of Humanistic Counseling, 54(1), 23-40. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1939.2015.00062.x

Fosbury, J., & Shaban, C. (2016). Are we over-diagnosing depression in people with type 1 diabetes?. Journal Of Diabetes Nursing, 20(3), 108-109.

Peer 2 Post

The Case of Laura Presenting Issues: Preoccupied with negative thoughts; Ungrounded fears; Inability to remove thoughts from her mind; Anxiety; Trouble falling asleep; Fatigue; Irritability; Persistent behaviors aimed at preventing the ungrounded fears. Symptoms lasting for a year.

Broad DSM-5 Categories: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days then not for at least 6 months; Difficult to control the worry; Anxiety and worry are associated with fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbance; Worry causes clinically significant distress or impairment in normal life functioning; The intensity of the anxiety and worry is out of proportion to the actual likelihood of the event; Difficult to control the worry, often worrying about the health of family members or misfortune of children (DSM-5). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD):  Recurrent and persistent intrusive and unwanted thoughts that cause anxiety or distress; The individual attempts to neutralize intrusive and unwanted thoughts with some other thought or action; Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession; Behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing some dreaded event or situation, however, these behaviors are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to prevent and are clearly excessive; The obsessions or compulsions cause impairment in social functioning (DSM-5).

Diagnosis: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 300.3 (F42) with absent insight/delusional beliefs. At first look a Generalized Anxiety Disorder diagnosis appeared to be the accurate diagnosis for Laura. However, as I begun to read the differential diagnosis in the DSM-5, OCD was listed. Ellis, Hutman, and Diehl (2013) emphasize the importance of integrative case conceptualization and a key aspect of this is differentiating a diagnosis, or discriminating the most significant issues. The difference between Generalized Anxiety and OCD is that in Generalized Anxiety “the focus of the worry is about forthcoming problems, and it’s the excessiveness of the worry about the future event that is abnormal” (DSM-5). Whereas with OCD, “the obsessions are inappropriate ideas that take the form of intrusive and unwanted thoughts” (DSM-5).  Laura’s symptoms are better matched with OCD criteria. Laura has become preoccupied with thoughts that her loved ones are going to become injured or ill; So much so that she has been calling her family members several times a day even when they cannot take calls, begging them to be safe and asking them not to drive or participate in social events because they could be in an accident or contract a deadly disease. She also drives to her daughter’s house at night to check whether the family is home safe or if they have guests that could pass on a disease.  These actions fall within the OCD criteria of “excessive behaviors aimed at preventing some dreaded event or situation” that stem from” inappropriate ideas that take the form of intrusive thoughts”. The added diagnosis of absent insight/delusional beliefs is supported by the fact that logical discussions have not convinced Laura that her fears are ungrounded. Additional Information: More information is needed to pinpoint the underlying cause of Laura’s fear of loss. Information on her childhood and any traumatic situations in her life will help. Focusing on her developmental life stage is also important. In addition, Scott and Cervone (2016) emphasize the importance of one’s personality and self-schemata when conceptualizing a case; An assessment of self-schemata can highlight where Laura fits with valance, competence, rejection sensitivity, self-beliefs, competence, and self-efficacy (Scott & Cervone, 2016).

American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Ellis, M. V., Hutman, H., & Deihl, L. M. (2013).

Chalkboard case conceptualization: A method for integrating clinical data. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 7(4) 246–256.

Scott, W. D., & Cervone, D. (2016). Social cognitive personality assessment: A case conceptualization procedure and illustration. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 23(1), 79–98.