1. What is normal and abnormal?
Abnormal Psychology
What is normal and abnormal?

2. Objectives To define normal and abnormal
To decide between methods of deciding normality
To recognize the use of the bell-shaped curve showing normal distribution
To develop and analyze surveys to determine normal personality qualities and behaviors

3. Karl Menninger
The adjuration to be "normal" seems shockingly repellent to me; I see neither hope nor comfort in sinking to that low level. I think it is ignorance that makes people think of abnormality only with horror and allows them to remain undismayed at the proximity of "normal" to average and mediocre. For surely anyone who achieves anything is, essentially, abnormal

4. Normal v. Abnormal
Normal is what is average for the majority of society
Abnormal is the deviation from the majority ( major criteria)

5. Determining Abnormality
Psychologist use 4 major criteria
Typicality
Maladaptivity
Emotional Discomfort
Socially Unacceptable Behavior

6. Typicality Defining normal as a typical average behavior
Just because a person is not typical does not make them abnormal
Randy Moss

7. Maladaptivity
Person’s behavior prevents them from functioning adequately in life
i.e. behavior that causes misery and distress rather than happiness and fulfillment
Alcohol abuse
Behaviors that are hazardous

8. Emotional Discomfort
Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, extreme sadness
Disorders of anxiety and depression
Loose interest in everything they once enjoyed
Feel it is not worth living

9. Socially unacceptable behavior
First, society’s norms must be established before deeming a behavior socially unacceptable
Mormon marriage
Carrying baby between legs

10. Who is abnormal?
The term normal and abnormal may be different to some, based on the social norms of the subject’s environment. I want you to find me 5 examples of someone, who in your opinion, is “abnormal”. You should only use people you find on the news/internet (celebrities, politicians, performers, etc.) After you have found your 5 people, write a short entry as to why you believe they or their behavior are “abnormal” in accordance to what we discussed in class today.

11. Classifying Psychological Disorders
It is Needed

12. Warning Do not obey the urge to self diagnose you or others
Most people with disorders are harmless

13. Psychological Disorders
Behavior patterns or mental processes that cause personal suffering
Alter or prevent a person’s ability to cope with the outside world
1/3 of adults experience some type of psych. Disorder
Most never seek help or treat it

14. Currently in The United States

15. Classification of Psychological Disorders
Most agree there is a need to classify
Important so individuals may be correctly diagnosed
DSM – most widely used system
Most recent is DSM IV
Recognizes 18 categories
Prior –neuroses /psychosis

16. Anxiety
Uneasiness, worrying about, or dreading a vague or imagined danger
Characterized by nervousness, inability to relax, and concern about losing control

17. Symptoms of Anxiety
Trembling, sweating, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, flushed face, feeling like you are going to faint, light headedness
Result of over activity in sympathetic branch of ANS

18. DSM IV Anxiety disorders include Phobic disorders Panic disorders
Generalized anxiety
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Stress disorder

19. Phobic Disorder (phobia) - fear
Simple phobia – most common of all anxiety disorder
To be diagnosed the fear must lead to avoidance behavior that interferes with everyday life
Social Phobia – persistent fear of social situations

20. Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Have panic attacks – short period of intense fear or discomfort
Being in places where escape may be difficult or impossible

22. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Excessive, unrealistic worry about life circumstances that lasts for at least six months

23. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
One of the more acute anxiety disorders
Obsessions – wanted thoughts, ideas, and/or images that occur over and over
Compulsions – repetitive ritual behavior
Acting on obsessions

25. Discussion of Monk
What tell tale signs does this clip feature that may lead us to believe Monk has OCD?
How do we know that this is diruptive to his life?
What is his Doctor’s advice?

27. Stress Disorder PTSD – most common
Symptoms may occur six months or more after the event
May last for years or decades
Must inhibit everyday living
Shell shock