Download Abnormal Behavior

Abnormal Behavior
Chapter One
What is abnormal behavior and
why do we study it?


Def. One-abnormal behavior is defined in
terms of the relative discomfort of a
person which leads them to seek help
from a professional.
Def. Two-Statistical norms-abnormal
behavior is defined as behavior that
deviates from the expected norm.
Definitions & Terms




Psychopathology-symptoms and signs of a mental
disorder
Abnormal Psychology-application of psychological
science to the study of mental disorders.
Psychosis-general term that refers to several types of
severe mental disorders in which the person is
considered to be out of contact with reality.
Syndrome-a group of symptoms that appear together
and are assumed to represent a specific type of
disorder.
Additional Terms






Epidemiology-the scientific study of the frequency
and distribution of disorders within a population.
Incidence-the number of new cases of a disorder
that appear in a population during a specific
period of time.
Prevalence-the total number of active cases, both
old and new, that are present in a population
during a specific time period.
Co-morbidity-the presence of more than one
condition with the same period of time.
Psychiatrist-branch of medicine concerned with
the study and treatment of mental disorders.
Psychologist-concerned with the application of
psychological sciences (behavioral) to the
assessment and treatment of mental disorders.
Designations and Training
Clinical Psychologist- 5+ years of graduate study, one year
internship—trained in the use of psychological assessmen
procedures and psychotherapy.
 Doctor of Philosophy- PhD major emphasis on
research methods. A doctoral dissertation is required.
 Doctor of Psychology-PsyD-greater emphasis on
practical skills of assessment and treatment. Does not
require a dissertation
 Counseling Psychology-(PhD)more applied field that
focuses on training assessment and therapy
(Dissertation usually required).
Social Worker- profession concerned with helping people
achieve an effective level of psychosocial interaction.
Requires a masters degree in social work, based less on
a body of scientific knowledge and more on a
commitment to action.
Historical Context

Greek- Hippocrates

Middle Ages

Industrial Revolution (1600-1800)

Development of the Asylum (1833)

Development of Psychiatry (1844)
Methods for studying Abnormal
Behavior

Case Study

Correlational Study

True Experiment
Recognizing the Presence of the
Disorder

Set of Characteristic Features

No definitive lab tests

Impairment of every day funtion.