PSY 280 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Guide: Hypersensitivity, Trepanning, Playboy Bunny
Document Summary
Definitions of abnormal behavior: many vague definitions. No single indicator can identify abnormal behavior multiple factors contribute to recognizing abnormal behavior. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5th edition definition: Syndrome that is present in an individual and that involves clinically significant distrurbance in behavior . Usually associated with significant distress or disability in key areas of functioning . Predictable or culturally approved responses to common stressors or losses or excluded. Psychological disorder: a harmful dysfunction in which behavior is judged to be atypical, distrurbing, maladaptive, and unjustifiable. Overall defining abnormal behavior is hard. Husband dying and very sad afterword is normal, but if this lasts for example 20 years it is abnormal. Not sufficient or necessary by itself to consider behavior is abnormal. Iterferes with well-being and ability to enjoy work/relationships. Examples: anorexia nervosa, depressions, con artist (maladaptive to society) This is more complicated, because statistically rare do not define abnormality alone.
