PSYB32H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Nova Scotia Hospital, Dorothea Dix, Philippe Pinel
Document Summary
Challenges in study: understanding behaviour outside the normal range, the need to remain objective. Psychopathology: field concerned with the nature and development of abnormal behaviour, thoughts and feelings. Of the several characteristics listed, no single one is adequate, but each is able to capture some part of what might be the full definition. Abnormality is usually seen with the presence of several characteristics at one time. Statistical infrequency: abnormal behaviour is infrequent in the general population, used in diagnosing mental retardation with an iq under 70, intellectual functioning is considered sufficiently subnormal. Personal distress: behaviour is abnormal if it creates distress and torment in the person experiencing it, not all forms of distress are studied i. e. hunger. Impairment in some area of life because of an abnormality: a phobia can produce distress and disability. Unexpectedness: distress and disability are considered abnormal when they are unexpected responses to environmental stressors. The opening would allow the evil spirits within to escape.
