Sunday, September 28, 2014

How to Critic an Article


The first thing you want to do is discuss the main points that the article addresses. In this example, I was comparing information from two articles.
 
I found two articles on antisocial behaviors among children, and they describe the child’s behavior as any acts that violate social rules and the basic rights of others. They include conduct that would injure people or damage property, illegal behavior, and defiance of generally accepted rules and authority, such as truancy from school. These antisocial behaviors exist along a severity continuum (they are not done one time).

The diagnostic criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM–IV) is for Conduct disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The diagnoses of antisocial personality is often given as an adult. These two disorders are classified as "disruptive behavior disorders" in the DSM–IV.

Conduct Disorder (CD):

Antisocial behaviors represented in the DSM–IV diagnostic criteria for CD include aggression toward people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness, theft, and other serious social rule violations (see textbox, below). A diagnosis of CD also requires a persistent behavior pattern in which 3 or more of a total of 15 behaviors occur over a 12–month period. The DSM–IV specifies childhood–onset and adolescent–onset types of CD and different degrees of severity of the disorder. Conduct disorder is diagnosed if a persistent pattern of behavior involving three or more of the following behaviors is present over a 12–month period. Aggression toward people and animals. Often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others. Often initiates physical fights. Has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others. Has been physically cruel to people. Has been physically cruel to animals. Has stolen while confronting a victim. Has forced someone into sexual activity. Destruction of property. Has deliberately set fires with the intention of causing serious damage. Has deliberately destroyed the property of others. Deceitfulness or theft. Has broken into someone else's house, building, or car. Often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations. Has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim. Serious violations of rules. Often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13. Has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in parental or parental surrogate home. Often truant from school, beginning before age 13.”

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):

“Oppositional defiant disorder is diagnosed if a pattern of behavior involving four or more of these criteria is present for at least 6 months. Often loses temper. Often argues with adults. Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules. Often deliberately annoys people. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or behavior. Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others. Is often angry or resentful. Is often spiteful or vindictive.”

The articles stresses the importance of not ignoring antisocial behaviors because “if there is no intervention after third grade, antisocial behavior can become permanent” according to the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice. It is important for children to learn to manage their feelings and socially appropriate behavior before the age of five. If the child does not learn to adapt to social norms, then they increase their chance of dropping out of school, using drugs, breaking the law, and they often have a higher rate of hospitalization and mortality rates than other children their age.

The article gives a brief statement that there are many factors that can lead to a child having antisocial behaviors, but it doesn’t go into detail. I felt the article was not very informative. It lacked examples and didn’t provide enough information to help parents find help.

This information is important for society as a whole, because children that have these types of behaviors often effect society in a negative way as they age.  It is important to take the time to provide mental health screenings on children; just as, it is important for them to receive a physical.

Mental health issues are extremely controversial because of the stigma that surrounds the diagnosis; and as such, there are many parents that don’t want their child labeled. Of course, if the child does not receive a label, then it is likely that they will not receive any therapy. The article stressed the importance of interventions, but it didn’t describe what the interventions would be.

 

References

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (American Psychiatric Association 1994

Yanos, P. T., Stefanic, A., & Tsemberis, S. (2011). Psychological community integration among people with psychiatric disabilities and nondisabled community members. Journal Of Community Psychology, 39(4), 390-401. doi:10.1002/jcop.20441

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