Abnormal Psychology - Behaviour That Is Not Socially Acceptable

Lecture 1
What is Abnormal Psychology?
Students’ Definitions and Examples of Abnormal Psychology
  Behaviour that is not socially acceptable
      Science of learning how biological changes affect personality   & behaviour
      Prolonged or repeated psychological state that is harmful   to the individual or others
      Person with an illness, on medication, deviates from the norm
      Study of illnesses, mental disorders that the DSM-IV does   not recognize as normal
    Myths and Misconceptions
  No single definition of psychological abnormality
      No single definition of psychological normality
      Many myths are associated with mental illness
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    What is Abnormal Psychology?
“The Four Ds”:
  Deviance – Different, extreme, unusual
      Distress – Unpleasant and upsetting
      Dysfunction – Causes interference with life
      Danger – Poses risk of harm
    Deviance: From What?
  From behaviors, thoughts & emotions considered normal in   a specific place, time and by specific people
      From social norms
      Stated and unstated rules for proper conduct in a given
      society or culture
        Distress
  According to many clinical guidelines, behavior must be personally   distressing before it can be labeled abnormal
      Breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioural functioning
        Example:
      Personality Disorders
      Eating Disorders
      Psychosis
    Dysfunction
  Abnormal behavior tends to be dysfunctional – it interferes   with daily functioning
      Difficulty performing appropriate and expected roles
      Culture has an influence on determinations of dysfunction   as well
      Dysfunction alone does not mean abnormality
    Danger
  Abnormal behavior may become dangerous to oneself or others
      Behavior may be careless, hostile, or confused... [continues]

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