OCR AS Psychology: Core Studies - Thigpen and Cleckley (1)

Background: Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is defined in DSM as a dissaociative disorder in which two or more distinct personalities coexist within one and the same individual. Its an example of a neurotic disorder. MPD isn't a form of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a type of psychosis where the patient loses contact with reality and insight is imapired. Other symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations and delusions. In the case of MPD none of the personalities have difficulty with reality testing. MPD is nowadays referred to as Dissasociative Identity Disorder.

Aim: The aim of this study was to provide an account of the psycho-therapeutic treatment of a 25 year old woman who was referred to Thigpen and Cleckley because of 'severe and blinding headaches'.

M&P: Case study; It consisted of interviews with the patient and her family, hypnosis, observation, EEG tests and a number of psychometric and projetive tests inc. memory tests, ink blot tests and intelligence tests.

• Psychometric Tests: 'measure the mind', by measuring psychological characteristics such as intelligence (through IQ tests) or memory
• Projective tests: They supposedly measure personality. A Rorschach inkblot test is a type of projective test which consists of asking respondents what they see in symmetrical inkblot pictures. Its argued by some psychologists that such tests reveal aspects of the unconscious mind. The test is considered 'projective' because the patient is supposed to project his or her real personality into the ink blot via the interpretation.