Abnormal Overview What Is Abnormality What Are Possible Causes 01 12 2014 Learning Objectives What is abnormal psychology and abnormality o Study of people who suffer mental emotional and often physical pain Psychopathology What is the continuum model of abnormality What are the characteristics of mental disorders How does culture play a role in the characterization of mental disorders But First Beware of Psychology Student Disorder For Help FSU Psychology Clinic 850 644 3006 o o University Counseling Center 850 644 3150 o 1 800 273 TALK 8255 What does it mean to be abnormal Rosenham Study 1973 Thud Empty Hollow pretended to hear these sounds and then admitted to mental institution o Context when determining what is normal and abnormal o o Tried to act normal in order to get out o When they were let out the people at the institution said that their symptoms were in remission o Moral Once labeled abnormal hard to go back Defining Abnormality Continuum Model normal abnormal o Works for mental disorders o No clear definition o Not just black and white Normal o Behaviors thoughts and feelings are the following Typical for the social context Not distressing to the individual Not interfering with social life or work school Not dangerous Socially established division between normal and abnormal o Behaviors thoughts and feelings are the following Somewhat unusual for the social construct Distressing to the individual Dangerous Interfering with social or occupational functions Abnormal o Behaviors thoughts and feelings are the following Highly unusual for the social construct The source of significant individual distress Significantly interfering with social or occupational functions Highly dangerous to the individual or others What is abnormal behavior Defining Abnormality Cultural relativism Unusualness Distress Mental illness Maladaptive The Four D s Cultural Relativism Behaviors can only be abnormal relative to cultural norms No universal standards or rules for labeling abnormality Different definitions of abnormality across cultures Problems with perspective Some behaviors appear abnormal to outside cultures o o Behaviors that violate social norms are often considered abnormal Gender role expectations How to distinguish abnormal from eccentric Dangers arise when cultural norms are allowed to dictate what is normal abnormal o o Example Hitler the Holocaust Culture Gender o Influence the way people express symptoms Societies have labeled individuals and groups as abnormal in order to justify controlling or silencing them o o Influence peoples willingness to admit to certain types of behaviors Influence the types of treatments deemed acceptable or helpful for maladaptive behaviors Unusualness Behaviors that are deviant or unusual are considered abnormal whereas behaviors that are typical or usual are considered normal Like cultural relativism this criteria assumes rare behaviors are abnormal Something unusual must be abnormal and problematic Normal Curve Bell Curve represents many human characteristics and or behaviors Some rare behaviors are positive Albert Einstein Michael Phelps etc and most people would object to labeling such behaviors abnormal o Eccentric other people have hobbies or activities that are rare but are a great source of joy for them and do How unusual must a behavior be in order for it to be labeled abnormal What is the cutoff percentage for no harm to others abnormality o Choosing a cutoff is subjective Distress Behaviors are abnormal only if the individual experiences distress and wishes to get rid of the behavior If a person s behaviors violate social norms but do not cause him her any distress then the behaviors should not be considered abnormal Problems o People are not always aware of problems their behaviors create for themselves or for others Ex Some people who have lost touch with reality wander the streets aimlessly not taking care of themselves and putting themselves in danger they re not fully aware that they have problems and therefore do not seek help o The behaviors of some people cause great distress to others if not themselves Ex People who engage in highly antisocial behavior like cheating lying or being violent towards others Pleasurable to them we might still want to call their behaviors abnormal although they aren t experiencing stress Mental Illness Behaviors are abnormal that result from mental illness or disease Assumption there is a clear identifiable physical process that differs from health A disease process like hypertension or diabetes is causing the behavior Problems o No biological test is available to diagnose any types of abnormality listed in the book Many theorists believe it s due to a number of complex biological and psychosocial factors Maladaptive This criteria represents the consensus of mental health professionals The Four D s Fall on their own continuum of Abnormality o Dysfunction Causes impairment interferes with the person s ability to function in daily life to hold a job or to form close relationships o Distress all encompassing Distress to the individual or to those around him her o Deviance Unusual chronic lying stealing hearing voices lead to judgments of abnormality Take into account cultural relativism unusualness Deviate from norms Not normative o Dangerousness to themselves or others Impulsivity Potential harm to the individual or others Problems o Clinicians are still very subjective o How much emotional pain or harm must a person be suffering How much should the behaviors be interfering with daily functioning Lie on their own continuum There is no sharp line between what is normal and what is abnormal Theories of the Etiology of Abnormality 01 12 2014 Learning Objectives Etiology What are the three types of contemporary theories of psychopathology What is the diathesis stress model Etiology Origins Where do you think psychopathology comes from Stress Past traumas o o o How your brain is wired o Chemical imbalance o Biological o Medication o Diet o Environment nature vs nurture Theories of why where abnormal behavior originates have implications for how to approach treatment If we know the root causes we can better treat a person Historical Perspective o o Knowing etiology Biological Theories Similar to physical disease breakdown of some systems of the body o o Appropriate cure was the restoration of bodily health Supernatural Theories o Divine intervention curses demonic possession and personal sin o To rid the
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