11Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyChapter 14: Psychopathology (psychological disorders)Module 14.1: What is Abnormal?2Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyOverview of the Conceptual and Practical Problems• What is the proper way to conceptualize and define abnormal behavior?• How can the various psychological disorders that produce abnormal behavior be classified?• What are the underlying causes of psychological disorders?Fig. 14.13Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyWhat Makes a Person’s Behavior Abnormal?• Behavior must fit at least several of the following criteria to be labeled abnormal:• Statistical deviance: Occurs infrequently among members of a population• Cultural deviance: Violates the rules or accepted standards of society• Emotional distress: Lead to personal distress or upset• Dysfunction: Prevents a person from pursuing adaptive strategies• “Abnormal” behavior not a rigid category4Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyFig. 14.25Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyThe Concept of Insanity• Insanity: A legal term defined as inability to understand that certain actions are wrong at the time of a crime• Under this definition, people with recognized disorders may be judged legally sane• Famous cases in which the insanity defense succeeded: John Hinckley Jr., Lorena Bobbitt• Used in less than 1% of criminal felony cases, despite public perception that it is common6Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyAbnormality as a Disease--The Medical Model• View that abnormal behavior is symptomatic of underlying “disease” that can be “cured” with appropriate therapy• Draws an analogy between mental and physical illness• Like physical illness, mental illness often has biological causes, symptoms, can be treated• A widely held view, but some question it• Causes of mental illness often unclear• Social, cultural context of symptoms is important, unlike for physical illness27Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyProblems Associated with Labeling• Diagnostic labeling effects: Labels for psychological problems can become self-fulfilling prophecies• Make it difficult to recognize normal behavior when it occurs• May increase likelihood that person acts in an abnormal way• Rosenhan (1973): Participants faked disorders to enter psychiatric ward• Other patients saw through the deception, but staff did not; behavior was seen as consistent with disorder8Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyFig. 14.39Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyClassifying Psychological Disorders: DSM-IV• What is the DSM-IV?• The five axes of the DSM-IV•Anxiety disorders• Somatoform disorders• Dissociative disorders• Mood disorders•Suicide• Schizophrenia• Personality disorders10Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyWhat is the DSM-IV?• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition• Published by the American Psychiatric Association• Used for the diagnosis and classification of psychological disorders• Intended to give objective, measurable criteria for diagnosing psychological disorders• Does not suggest therapies or treatments• Does not discuss possible causes11Psyc 100 Psyc 100 –– Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to PsychologyThe Five Axes of the DSM-IV• “Axis” = Rating dimension• Involve a wide range of factors including medical history, functioning in daily life• Axis I: Common psychological disorders• Examples: Schizophrenia; substance abuse• Our main focus in this chapter is Axis I• Axis II: Personality disorders and mental retardation • Example: Paranoid personality disorder• We will touch briefly on Axis II disorders• Axis III: General medical conditions• Example: Diseases of the circulatory system• Axis IV: Psychosocial and environmental problems• Example: Homelessness• Axis V: Global assessment of functioning scale• Scale from 10 to 100 used to rate functioning in activities such as school, occupation, family