Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology is defined as the study of psychological characteristics that often deviate outside of the norm (Cherry, 2005). This perspective generally encompasses an array of perspectives ranging from disorders to altered mental patterns that affect the normal functioning of an individual as part of society. Typically, this type of impairment is accompanied by behavior, either disruptive or of a distorted nature. There are several approaches used in abnormal psychology in addition, it is important to examine the origin of abnormal psychology in an effort to rationalize the evolution of this scientific discipline (Cherry, 2005). To understand the basis of abnormal psychology, it is essential to recognize that the individuals who make up these categories fall very far at the other end of the normal spectrum.
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology is the study of an individual’s emotional, cognitive, and/or behavioral issues. Abnormal behavior can be defined as a behavior that is socially unacceptable, distressing, self-defeating, and often the result of distorted thoughts. Abnormal psychology has many aspects used to help in defining, understanding, and treating the mentally ill. Throughout centuries the concept and treatments have increased in accuracy and effectiveness. Several perspectives have an explanation for the causes of abnormal behavior.
Abnormal behavior and conditions vary by tradition to tradition and person to person. Nowadays, abnormal functioning is typically connected to several types of psychological illness (Frude, 1998). Abnormal psychology comprises of studying individuals who cannot adjust and act usually below situations that are believed to be typical. This could generally happen due to heredity, group connections, physical conditioning, knowledge and logic (Frude, 1998). Analyzing the start of abnormal psychology, for thousands of year’s individuals has been trying to comprehend and modify what is apparent as abnormal behavior.
Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Ann Bacon Psy/410 Abnormal Psychology October 24, 2011 Kristi Lane University of Phoenix Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology What is abnormal psychology? Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with behaviors that are not considered normal as well as psychological phenomena such as dreams and altered mental states, which have not been explained. The goal of this branch of psychology is to understand abnormal behavior as well as to determine how and if the behavior needs to be addressed and to develop a treatment plan that will help individuals. This branch of psychology also recognizes that there are many influences such as environmental influences on psychological development. The goal of many mental health professionals is not to force an individual to achieve normality but to help individuals who struggle with mental and emotional disorders to achieve fulfilling and active lives.
Culminating in the identifying the differences between each disorder. Webster’s dictionary defines personality as “The complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual.” Everyone has a personality and it is the thing that makes every unique. Sometimes in a person’s life personality can go astray and be completely unbalanced causing difficulty in how an individual relates to the environment and to others around them. (Webster’s Dictionary 2010) Psychologists have named people with such an extreme in personality as possibly having what they call a personality disorder. A person may feel lonely, unhappy, and unaccepted by the general public.
For the purposes of this paper, the term abnormal psychology can be defined as any type of behavior that causes some level of discomfort to the subject or those around him or her. The term abnormal psychology can cover a very broad range of behavioral disorders from anorexia and Alzheimer’s to obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and severe depression. References Kowalski, R. & Westen, D. (2011).
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Defining abnormal behavior requires first defining normal behavior. Additionally, one must determine the spectrum that links one to the other. After determining the extremes of the spectrum, abnormal psychology works to define where on the spectrum behavior moves from normal to abnormal. The method used to make such a determination is dependent on five specific criteria. According to Damour and Hansell (2008), these criteria are (a) seek help, (b) irrationality or dangerousness, (c) deviance, (d) emotional distress, and (e) significant impairment (p. 10).
Abstract The concept of abnormal and normal personalities is debated consistently, however this essay will examine the sense in which it is justifiable to adopt this concept. Through psychodynamic, behavioural and humanistic approaches to personality foundations it will become evident that the moulding of one’s personality begins at the very early stages of childhood. In particular, fixations during phases of psychosexual stages and their developing repercussions on the id, ego and superego are evidence within psychodynamic studies to support this claim. What constitutes an “abnormal” or a “normal” personality and to what extent each exists is an endless debate which encompasses many paradigms. However, by looking at the psychodynamic approach to personality, it is evident that not only are abnormal and normal personalities apparent, but a correlation can be seen between Freud’s psychosexual stages and an adult’s behaviour and personality as an outcome.
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology When distinguishing between normal and abnormal behavior, what appears to be abnormal behavior to some people may be normal by others. Psychopathology is also another term used to describe abnormal psychology. Feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are distinguishing factors to consider in assessing mental health behaviors. The following information provides a brief history and origin of abnormal psychology, the development of abnormal psychology into a scientific discipline, and the application of the three theoretical models of abnormal psychology. Origins of Abnormal Psychology The deinstitutionalization movement began in the 1960s where the number of psychiatric hospitals radically decreased and conditions for patients improved drastically (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
PART ON E Normality, Abnormality, and Adjustment Disorder CHAPTER 1 Defining and Classifying Psychopathology IRVING B. WEINER 3 D efining and Classifying Psychopathology 5 L earning about psychopathology through case studies begins with identifying the nature of abnormal psychological functioning and determining how it differs from normal behavior. This is not a simple matter because normality has traditionally been defined in various ways and from different perspectives. Experts have also disagreed about whether psychologically normal and abnormal conditions are continuous phenomena involving similar dimensions of personality or whether they constitute distinctive states of mind that require separate sets of concepts if they are to be described adequately. The first two sections of this chapter discuss alternative ways of defining psychological normality and some implications of considering it continuous or discontinuous with abnormal functioning. The third section of the chapter addresses the utility of a classification system in grouping and distinguishing among different types of psychological disorders, and the fourth section indicates the basis for choosing the topics of the case studies presented in Chapters 2 through 19.