1. Introductory Psychology Concepts
Abnormal Psychology
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

2. Introductory Psychology Concepts: Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology: Defining the Study of Abnormal Behavior
Actions, thoughts, and feelings that cause people to experience distress and prevent functioning in daily lives
In extreme cases, persons may become harmful to themselves or others
Photo: Smith pg528

3. Introductory Psychology Concepts: Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology: What is “abnormal”?
Three criteria—distress, dysfunction, and deviance—seem to govern decisions about abnormality.
Dysfunctional for person or society
Distressing to self or others
Judgment of abnormality
Photo: Smith pg528
Deviant: violates social norms

4. Introductory Psychology Concepts: Abnormal Psychology
Psychological Perspective: Understanding Abnormal Behavior in Terms of Psychological Events
Behavior is due to underlying issues.
Stems from childhood conflicts over opposing wishes regarding sex and aggression.
If conflicts are not resolved they can be buried in the unconscious, which can bring about abnormal behavior in adulthood.
This view was held most famously by Freud.

5. Introductory Psychology Concepts: Abnormal Psychology
Behavioral Perspective: Understanding Abnormal Behavior in Terms of the Principles of Learning
All behavior is merely a response to various stimuli, and these responses have been learned through past experience.
Abnormal behavior occurs because a person has learned abnormal behavior.

6. Introductory Psychology Concepts: Abnormal Psychology
Neuroscience Perspective: Understanding Abnormal Behavior in Terms of Biology
Behavior is due to underlying issues.
The root cause is found in a physical examination of the individual, which is why we use terms like mental “illness” and mental “hospitals”.
Examination may reveal a hormonal imbalance, a chemical deficiency, or a brain injury causing the abnormal behavior.

7. Introductory Psychology Concepts: Abnormal Psychology
Cognitive Perspective: Understanding Abnormal Behavior in Terms of Cognitive Events
Behavior is a result of factors that are within an individual’s control.
People’s cognition, their thoughts and beliefs, are a central component of abnormal behavior.

8. Introductory Psychology Concepts: Abnormal Psychology
Group Perspective: Understanding Abnormal Behavior in Terms of the Effects of Groups on Abnormal Behavior.
People’s behavior is shaped by the kind of family group, society, and culture in which they live.
One’s relationships with others can support or cause abnormal behaviors.
Daily interactions that cause stress and conflict can also promote and maintain abnormal behaviors.