PSYC 2500 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Abnormal Psychology, Demonology, Positive Psychology

• School: University of Denver
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2500
• Professor: Joy Jennifer

Document Summary

A behavior is something we can see someone else doing, it is observable. Not having a filter, and saying whatever. Abnormal psychology- the scientific study of abnormal behavior in an effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning. Changing what is considered abnormal to what is considered normal. Most common definitions have certain features in common: the four d"s : deviance. Behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that differ markedly from a society"s ideas about proper functioning/social norms: distress. Behaviors, ideas, or emotions usually have to cause distress before they can be labeled abnormal. Could be distress of self or distress of others around you. Common to have distress of relationships: dysfunction. Abnormal behavior tends to be dysfunctional, it interferes with daily functioning: danger. Abnormal behavior may become dangerous to one self or others. Behaviors may be consistently careless, hostile, or confused. Treatment or therapy is a procedure designed to change abnormal behavior into more normal behavior.