PSY240H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Cerebral Cortex, Risk Society, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Document Summary
Standards for what is normal and abnormal: culture and relativism. No universal standards or rules for labeling a behaviour as abnormal. Behaviours can only be abnormal relative to cultural norms: ex. family sleeping together in the same room/same bed. Gender is a particularly powerful instance of culture. What types of behaviour are discouraged: unusualness of behaviour is the behaviour rare, ex. In canada it would be very rare to see loud screaming and wailing at a funeral. In the middle east it would be very rare not to see people doing this at a funeral. How did you it occurs decide? behaviour: discomfort of the person exhibiting the behaviour. Behaviour is only abnormal if the individual suffers as a result and wishes to be rid of the. Some therapists object to this criterion because people are not always aware of problems that their behaviour may create for themselves or others.
