PSYC 3140 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: General Paresis Of The Insane, Middle Ages, Hypnosis

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3140
• Professor: Vas.Valoo

Document Summary

Abnormal psychology: the scientific study of abnormal behaviour undertaken to describe, predict, explain and change abnormal patterns of functioning; done by clinical scientists. Clinical practitioners use the knowledge to detect, asses and treat abnormal patterns of functioning. Most definitions have features in common; called the four d"s. Deviance: different, extreme, unusual or bizarre from a society(cid:859)s esta(cid:271)lished norms (stated and unstated rules for proper conduct) Breaking norms of psychological functioning are called abnormal. Culture (history, values, habits etc. ) helps to determine norms. Judging abnormality also depends on specific circumstances. Distress: unpleasant and upsetting to the person. Feeli(cid:374)gs of dist(cid:396)ess do(cid:374)(cid:859)t al(cid:449)a(cid:455)s ha(cid:448)e to (cid:271)e p(cid:396)ese(cid:374)t to (cid:271)e (cid:272)o(cid:374)side(cid:396)ed a(cid:271)(cid:374)o(cid:396)(cid:373)al; some people who function abnormally maintain a positive frame of mind. Dysfunction: by upsetting, distracting or confusing people to the point that it interferes with daily functioning. D(cid:455)sfu(cid:374)(cid:272)tio(cid:374) alo(cid:374)e does(cid:374)(cid:859)t i(cid:374)di(cid:272)ate ps(cid:455)(cid:272)hologi(cid:272)al a(cid:271)(cid:374)o(cid:396)(cid:373)alit(cid:455) e. g. fasti(cid:374)g to dep(cid:396)i(cid:448)e themselves to protest social justice.