PSY230H5 Lecture Notes - Histrionic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Document Summary
Scientific study of unusual and/or maladaptive thoughts and behavior. How do we define abnormal : statistical infrequency and/or deviation [intelligence is normally distributed, but is higher end of spectrum abnormal?, discouraged by cultural norms, distressing to self and/or other people. Impairs important daily functions (e. g. , work, relationships, housework, etc. ) All of these have problems with them, so we need a definition that includes multiple factors. What is an abnormal personality: difficulty getting along with other people. Pattern of behaviors deviates markedly from society"s expectations (the concept of being normal shifts from society to society) Pattern is inflexible, appears across a broad range of situations, and has a long duration. For some contexts, some of these ways of behaving will be quite functional. Difference or extremity: categorical models (type based): qualitative breaks (tends to be favored in psychology) aka [taxonomic model] distinct categories or taxa. Either have the disorder or do not have it (i. e. , you are abnormal or normal )
