PSYB32H3 Study Guide - Frontotemporal Dementia, Abnormal Psychology, Multiple Sclerosis

• School: UTSC
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYB32H3
• Professor: Konstantine Zakzanis

Document Summary

Throughout history, whether a person"s behavior is labeled abnormal often has depended on the cultural norms for appropriate behavior and the gender and ethnicity of the person. Current definitions of abnormality focus on the person"s ability to function in daily life and his or her level of distress and grasp of reality. Many biological and psychological tests are used to assess people"s functioning and well-being. The information gathered in these tests is compared to criteria for diagnosing psychological disorders provided in guidebooks such as the dsm. Several modern biological and psychological theories provide different ways of understanding and treating people with psychological disorders. Most disorders appear to be influenced both by biological and psychosocial factors, and theories integrating these factors have proven most useful in understanding and treating abnormality. The disorders that we will look at in detail involve maladaptive and distressing emotions, thoughts, cognitive deficits and behaviors, that are often chronic and pervade every aspect of people"s lives.