PSYB32H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Pope Innocent Viii, Occupational Therapist, Abnormal Psychology
Document Summary
Psyb32 lecture 1 intro to abnormal psychology. Because the field is continually evolving, it is not possible to offer a simple definition of abnormality that captures it in its entirety. The characteristics presented constitute a partial definition, but they are not equally applicable to every diagnosis. davison, neale, blankstein, & flett. Statistical infrequency: defines abnormality, normal curve also known as bell-shaped curves, places the majority of people in the middle as far as any particular characteristics is concerned. Explicitly makes abnormality a relative concept: e. g. Criminal & prostitutes violates social norms but aren"t usually studied within the domain of abnormal psychology: culture diversity can affect how people view social norms. Personal suffering: behavior abnormal if it creates great distress and torment in the person experiencing it, e. g. Psychopath treats others cold-heartedly, and may violate the law without experiencing guilt, remorse or anxiety: e. g. Unexpectedness: distress and disability considered abnormal when they are unexpected responses to environmental stressors.
