PSY 240 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Abnormal Psychology, Dorothy Dix, Biopsychosocial Model

• School: University of Miami
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 240
• Professor: Zwibelman Barry

Document Summary

Abnormal psychology: the scientific study of abnormal behavior, thoughts, and emotions in order to describe, explain, predict and change abnormal functioning. No universal definition of normal human functioning. Norms: stated and unstated rules for proper conduct. Culture: people"s common history, whatever a society values will change their perspective on abnormality. Statistical: based upon the most common or the mathematical average: a normal person is not necessarily an average person. Social/cultural: based upon what is generally accepted by a society or culture: but not every behavior is considered normal even if a society accepts it (ex: concentration camps)= dysfunctional. Deviance: different from statistical average, different, extreme, unusual. Danger: is their behavior a danger to themselves or others. 4 challenges in defining abnormality: many forms of abnormality are extremes of normal behavior and feelings (ex: mildly anxious to severely anxious, the importance of context. Person"s age, gender, education: the individual"s perspective: distress, who is making the call.