PSY240H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Body Language, World Health Organization, Thomas Szasz

• School: UTSG
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY240H1
• Professor: Hywel Morgan

Document Summary

Abnormal means not normal": it is easier to recognize than it is to define abnormal, at what point do you say, this needs intervention, statistical criteria, cultural norms, developmental norms, frequency, intensity, duration. Statistical norms: discount high end of the norms, also discount behaviors that are abnormal but are common (most people participate in) Caffeine abuse is common withdrawal symptoms: headaches, grumpy mood. Cultural norms: different cultures have different norms, different ways they are expected to behave. Number 1 disorder almost all cultures recognize is schizophrenia: a psychotic disorder with delusions and hallucinations. Substance abuse is nonexistent in some cultures: ex. Suicide is almost absent in islamic culture as well. The content of abnormal behavior may differ between cultures: content of disorders may differ between cultures, frequency of occurrence of symptoms may differ between cultures, what is consider normal in one may be consider abnormal in another. Cultural norms are often situationally defined what environment you are in: ex.