Abnormal Psychology Lisa Mac Donald-Clark PSY/410 December 19, 2011 Mark Hurd Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology, also known as psychopathology, is the branch of psychology that deals with abnormal behaviors and mental illness (Hansell & Damour, (2008). Although psychopathology is a fascinating field of study it can be equally challenging, covering a broad range of disorders, illnesses, and symptoms. Defining abnormal psychology also poses a challenge. The fundamental concept of abnormal would seem simple in that it would include anything that falls outside of what societies considers normal. Narrowing the group association is essential in defining the behavior as normal or abnormal.
Several perspectives have an explanation for the causes of abnormal behavior. These perspectives include medical perspectives, psychodynamic perspectives, behavioral perspectives, cognitive perspectives, and social-cultural perspectives. The medical perspectives focus on the biological and physiological factors. The psychodynamic perspective focuses on the idea that the causes of abnormal behaviors are a consequence of unresolved anxiety and unconscious conflicts. The behavioral perspective indicates that the reasoning for abnormal behavior is because there is inadequate learning and conditioning.
Perception and Causes of Psychopathology By: Josiah Wilkerson PSYCH/650 October 30, 2014 Mary MC Greevy Perception and Causes of Psychopathology Psychopathology, what is it really? This paper will go into what psychopathology is and what causes it. There will be a brief overview of how culture is determining factor toward the expression of psychopathology. Following the brief overview will be an examination of the causes of psychopathology by using bio-psychosocial or the diathesis stress models. Concluding this paper will be an explanation of the changes in society’s perception of psychopathology as a function of historical time period.
RUNNING HEAD ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY Abnormal Psychology Heather Bowman 11-29-2010 PSY 410 University of Phoenix Mr. Eric Niler, PhD Abnormal Psychology 1 Often times, there is inadequacy in classifying key terms by simply more than such logical antecedents- yet, the greater the culturally predicated terms require an explanation that includes acccurate, and observable terminologies that simply illuminate such states of the opposing deficiency. In an aim to end this, such scientific characterizations regarding one’s abnormalities can rest on the five following criterias: help seeking, irrationality/dangerousness, deviance, emotional distress and, significant impairment (Damour & Hansell, 2008). While the first three criteria
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. Composed of troubling variables, abnormal psychology consists of behaviors that instigate problems in a person’s life or is considered disruptive to others who inevitably require some form of mental health intervention (Cherry, 2005). According to theorists, treating mental health issues can become difficult because elements of multiple disorders may also be involved. Factors related to the identification and decoding of certain behaviors must become a part of the equation to assess it properly. The best and most effective means of treatment should be assigned whether singularly or in combination with medication, in addition to therapy to gain control of the problem (Cherry, 2005).
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).
Abnormal Psychology Historical Perspective 1 Running Head: Abnormal Psychology Historical Perspectives Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Nickole Caprio University of Phoenix September 13, 2010 Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology 2 Introduction Abnormal psychology is a field in psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The phrase comprises a wide array of illnesses, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and numerous more (Frude, 1998). Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists frequently operate in this field. Origins of abnormal psychology Abnormal psychology is part of psychology that is essential in studying abnormal behavior, knowledge and partially comprehends condition like hypnosis and dreams (Frude, 1998). Abnormal behavior and conditions vary by tradition to tradition and person to person.
History of Psychological Assessment Mandana Smith PSY/525 November 6, 2011 Christa Washington History of Psychological Assessment Assessments used in psychology have quite an extensive history within the discipline and mental health field. Roles of assessments continue to vary according to prevention and treatment methods used for mental illnesses. Assessments within the psychology field are described by separate spectrums that include the differential treatment, therapeutic, and information-gathering models (McIntire & Miller, 2007). Gathering information to determine a diagnosis and facilitation of communication are important. This model contains standard testing providing comparison of individuals with similar traits allowing prediction of behavior outside an environment of testing.
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.
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).