PSYCH257 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Lady Gaga, Mania, Behaviorism
Document Summary
Psych 257 - chapter 1 - abnormal behaviour in historical context. A psychological dysfunction within an ind. associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected. Psychological dysfunction refers to a breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioural functioning. Ex; jody fainted at the sight of blood since it"s hard to draw line b/w normal and abnormal = these problems exist in a continuum/as a dimension rather than categories. Personal distress or impairment the disorder/behaviour must be associated with distress = important component in. But it"s normal to be distressed in negative situations. And for some disorders = suffering and distress are absent (ex; manic episode) Concept of impairment: useful, but not entirely satisfactory. Atypical or not culturally expected important criterion but also insufficient to determine abnormality. Entertainers deviate from normal when it comes to ex; fashion (lady gaga in meat dress), eccentricities society will tolerate with this.