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Question: Describe and evaluate research that highlights the factors involved in the development of dissociative experiences.
Answer: Dissociation is defined as ‘A structured separation of mental processes (eg thoughts, emotions, conation, memory and identity) that are ordinarily integrated’ (speigel & Cardena, 1991). The capacity for dissociation seems to develop as a normal psychological process for imaginative ability and fantasy, but in many cases this dissociative capacity can be employed as a psychological coping mechanism. To this end it has been recognised that dissociation cannot be described as a singular phenomenon. Rather, there may exist a continuum of dissociative experiences, ranging from common, ‘normative’ episodes (such as daydreaming) to more severe pathological manifestations (eg dissociative identity disorder) and processes (Ross, 1996)....(short extract)
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- Subject: Psychology
- Course: Health Psychology and Psychopathology
- Level: Degree
- Year: 2nd/3rd
- Mark: 73%
- Words: 2892
- Date submitted: February 05, 2009
- Date written: Not available
- References: Yes
- Document type: Essay*
- Essay ID: 3040
