Abnormal psychology Concepts of normality

Abnormal Psychology The scientific study of abnormal behaviour, with the objective to The scientific study of abnormal behaviour, with the objective to Describe Describe Explain Explain Predict Predict Control Control So what are abnormal behaviours? So what are abnormal behaviours?

The Movies…

Myths of Abnormal Behaviour The following are common myths about those suffering from mental illness: The following are common myths about those suffering from mental illness: Easily recognized as deviant Easily recognized as deviant Disorder due to inheritance Disorder due to inheritance Incurable Incurable Weak willed Weak willed Never contribute to society Never contribute to society Always dangerous Always dangerous

Psychology Student Syndrome Many psych students find that the various disorders apply to them Many psych students find that the various disorders apply to them Abnormal behaviour is not qualitatively different from normal behaviour Abnormal behaviour is not qualitatively different from normal behaviour Many of us will exhibit similar symptoms Many of us will exhibit similar symptoms Behaviours are only problematic when they harm or interfere with your daily functioning Behaviours are only problematic when they harm or interfere with your daily functioning Diagnosing friends and romantic partners may lead to conflict Diagnosing friends and romantic partners may lead to conflict

What is abnormal behavior? Amy hasnt been to work in two weeks. She has no physical problems but has trouble getting out of bed. She has little appetite and has lost 10 pounds in two weeks. She has no interest in things that she used to enjoy. Amy hasnt been to work in two weeks. She has no physical problems but has trouble getting out of bed. She has little appetite and has lost 10 pounds in two weeks. She has no interest in things that she used to enjoy. Mary masturbates in public on a regular basis. She does it so all can see. Mary masturbates in public on a regular basis. She does it so all can see. Terry is a successful accountant in a good marriage. He wears silk panties to work. He dresses up in female attire when having sex with his wife. Both enjoy their lovemaking. Terry is a successful accountant in a good marriage. He wears silk panties to work. He dresses up in female attire when having sex with his wife. Both enjoy their lovemaking. Lloyd appears to be in an altered state of consciousness. His eyes dont focus and he is unresponsive. He is repeating the same statement over and over. Lloyd appears to be in an altered state of consciousness. His eyes dont focus and he is unresponsive. He is repeating the same statement over and over.

What is Abnormal Behaviour? Abnormal behaviour departs from some norm and harms the affected individual or others Abnormal behaviour departs from some norm and harms the affected individual or others Conceptual Definitions Conceptual Definitions Practical Definitions Practical Definitions DSM-IV Definitions DSM-IV Definitions

Conceptual Definitions Statistical Deviation Statistical Deviation Deviations from Ideal Mental Health Deviations from Ideal Mental Health Multicultural Perspectives Multicultural Perspectives Cultural Universality Cultural Universality Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism

Practical Definitions The 4 Ds The 4 Ds Discomfort Deviance Dysfunction Danger

Diagnosing Abnormal Behaviour Multiaxial approach Multiaxial approach I.Clinical disorders II.Personality disorders III.General medical conditions IV.Psychosocial & environmental problems V.Level of current functioning

An Example of Classification Mark Mark Axis I: Clinical Disorder Axis I: Clinical Disorder Alcohol Abuse Alcohol Abuse Axis II: Personality Disorder Axis II: Personality Disorder Paranoid Paranoid Axis III: General Medical Condition Axis III: General Medical Condition Cirrhosis Cirrhosis Axis IV: Psychosocial & Environmental Problems Axis IV: Psychosocial & Environmental Problems Problems with primary support group (divorce) Problems with primary support group (divorce) Occupational problems Occupational problems Axis V: Level of Current Functioning Axis V: Level of Current Functioning 54 (moderate difficulty in social & occupation functioning) 54 (moderate difficulty in social & occupation functioning)

Approaches to defining abnormality On the basis of objective measures and the normal curve On the basis of objective measures and the normal curve On the basis of subjective experiences of feeling not normal – e.g. intense anxiety, unhappiness or distress On the basis of subjective experiences of feeling not normal – e.g. intense anxiety, unhappiness or distress On the basis of whether behavior violates social norms or makes other people anxious On the basis of whether behavior violates social norms or makes other people anxious All the approaches have a lot of drawbacks All the approaches have a lot of drawbacks

Criteria of abnormality, Rosenhan & Seligman (1984) Suffering Suffering Maladaptiveness Maladaptiveness Irrationality Irrationality Unpredictability Unpredictability Unconventionality Unconventionality Observer discomfort Observer discomfort Violation of moral or ideal standards Violation of moral or ideal standards

Criteria of mental health (Jahoda, 1958) Efficient self-perception Efficient self-perception Realistic self-esteem and acceptance Realistic self-esteem and acceptance Voluntary control of behavior Voluntary control of behavior True perception of the world True perception of the world Sustaining relationships and giving affection Sustaining relationships and giving affection Self-direction and productivity Self-direction and productivity

History of abnormal psychology

The supernatural model Abnormal behavior is the result of possession by demons, through magic, &/or the result of supernatural power. Consequently, only certain people could remove the problem.

Early Mental Institutions Early mental institutions were places of torture where the mentally disturbed were chained and abused.

The natural (medical) model Abnormal behavior is a disease just like any physical illness. The natural model began in ancient Greece.

Modern models of abnormal behavior The Psychoanalytic Model Abnormal behaviors are the result of unconscious conflicts. The Biological Model All abnormal behaviors have a biological or physiological basis. The Cognitive-Behavioral Model Abnormal behaviors are the result of learning maladaptive behaviors. The Systems Approach Model Abnormal behaviors are produced from life-style stressors & expectations combined with biological predispositions. Others

HT Crane: p Crane: p

Diagnosis Cons: - Reliability - Validity - Uniqueness of person is overlooked - Stigmatization Pros: - facilitates communication among practitioners and researchers - key to further knowledge in terms of treatment and prevention