PSYB32H3 Chapter 1-5: Chapters 1-5
Document Summary
Psychopathology- the field concerned with the nature and development of abnormal behaviour, thoughts, and feelings. Challenges we face in studying abnormal psych: the subject offers hard and fast answers. All of use bring to our study preconceived notions about what the subject matter is! Abnormality is usually determined by the presence of several characteristics at one time. Our best def"n of abnormal behaviour includes statistical infrequency, violation of norms, personal distress, disability or dysfunction and unexpectedness. One aspect of abnormal behaviour is that it is infrequent. The normal curve, or bell shaped curve places the majority of people in the middle as far as any particular characteristic is concerned. But vosn is still too broad and too narrow, just because you violate social norms does not indicate that you"re a psychopath, example prostitutes. Also, differ norms in diff cultures: personal distress; behaviour is abnormal if it creates distress or torment to the person experiencing it.
