PSYB32H3 Lecture 1: PSYB32 - Chapter 1
Document Summary
Psychopathology- concerned w/ nature and development of abnormal behaviour, thoughts, and feelings. Abnormal behaviour: includes such characteristics as statistical infrequency, violation of norms, personal distress, disability or dysfunction and unexpectedness. Majority of people fall between the normal curve. An assertion that a person is normal implies that he/she does nto deviate much from the average in a particular trait or behaviour pattern. The behaviour violates social norms or threatens or makes anxious those observing it. Criminals and prostitutes violate social norms but are not usually studied within the domain of abnormal psych. Cultural diversity can also affect how people view social norms. Behaviour that is abnormal if it creates create distress and torment in the person experiencing it. Although, psychopaths may be cold-hearted and violate the law without experiencing any guilt, remorse, or anxiety. Impairment in some important area of life (work/personal relationships) because of an abnormality. Transvestism is a mental disorder only if it distresses the person.
