๐Ÿฅธintro to psychology review

key term - Malingering

Definition

Malingering refers to the intentional fabrication or exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms for the purpose of obtaining some external benefit, such as avoiding work, obtaining compensation, or evading criminal prosecution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Malingering is not considered a mental disorder, but rather a willful deception for the purpose of obtaining some external benefit.
  2. Differentiating malingering from genuine physical or psychological disorders can be challenging, as both may involve similar symptom presentations.
  3. Factors that may suggest malingering include inconsistent symptom reporting, lack of cooperation with treatment, and the presence of clear external incentives.
  4. Malingering is more common in situations where there are clear financial or legal incentives, such as in the context of disability claims or criminal proceedings.
  5. Proper assessment of malingering often requires a comprehensive evaluation, including collateral information, psychological testing, and, in some cases, medical examinations.

Review Questions

  • Explain how malingering differs from factitious disorder in the context of dissociative disorders.
    • Malingering and factitious disorder both involve the intentional production or exaggeration of symptoms, but the key distinction lies in the motivation. Malingering is driven by external incentives, such as avoiding work or obtaining compensation, while factitious disorder is characterized by an internal need to assume the sick role, often without any obvious external benefits. In the context of dissociative disorders, a person may malinger by feigning or exaggerating dissociative symptoms, such as amnesia or identity disturbances, in order to avoid legal consequences or gain attention, whereas in factitious disorder, the person may genuinely experience and report these symptoms without a clear external motivation.
  • Analyze the role of compensation neurosis in the assessment of malingering in dissociative disorders.
    • Compensation neurosis, a condition in which a person exaggerates or feigns symptoms in order to obtain financial or other benefits, is an important consideration in the assessment of malingering in dissociative disorders. In cases where there are clear external incentives, such as disability claims or legal proceedings, the possibility of compensation neurosis must be carefully evaluated. This may involve examining the consistency of symptom reporting, the person's engagement in treatment, and the presence of any secondary gains. Additionally, the use of psychological testing and collateral information from family, friends, or employers can help distinguish genuine dissociative symptoms from those that are being intentionally fabricated or exaggerated for the purpose of obtaining compensation or other external benefits.
  • Evaluate the ethical and legal implications of accurately identifying malingering in the context of dissociative disorders, particularly in relation to the clinician's duty to protect the patient's rights and well-being.
    • Accurately identifying malingering in the context of dissociative disorders can have significant ethical and legal implications. On one hand, the clinician has a duty to protect the patient's rights and well-being, and falsely accusing a patient of malingering could violate this ethical obligation. Additionally, the patient's right to confidentiality and informed consent must be respected throughout the assessment process. On the other hand, if malingering is present, the clinician may have a responsibility to report this to the appropriate authorities, such as in cases where the patient is seeking disability benefits or attempting to avoid criminal prosecution. This delicate balance requires the clinician to carefully weigh the potential consequences of their actions, while also ensuring that the patient's rights and well-being are protected to the greatest extent possible. Ultimately, the clinician must strive to maintain the trust of the patient while also upholding their ethical and legal responsibilities.

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