PSYB32H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Comorbidity, Genetic Counseling, Suicidal Ideation
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What is abnormal behaviour? abnormal behaviour patterns of emotion, thought, and action deemed pathological for one or more of the following reasons: infrequent occurrence, violation of norms, personal distress, disability or dysfunction, and unexpectedness. (cid:449)he(cid:374) a(cid:374) i(cid:374)di(cid:448)idual"s iq < (cid:1011)(cid:1004), his/he(cid:396) i(cid:374)telle(cid:272)tual fu(cid:374)(cid:272)tio(cid:374)i(cid:374)g is (cid:272)o(cid:374)side(cid:396)ed suffi(cid:272)ie(cid:374)tl(cid:455) su(cid:271)(cid:374)o(cid:396)(cid:373)al to (cid:271)e categorized as mental retardation: only certain infrequent behaviours, such as experiencing hallucinations or deep depressions, fall into the domain of abnormal psychology. We must consider whether the behaviour violates social norms or threatens or makes anxious those observing it. The anti-social behaviour of the psychopath fits the definition, as do the obsessive-(cid:272)o(cid:373)pulsi(cid:448)e pe(cid:396)so(cid:374)"s (cid:272)o(cid:373)ple(cid:454) (cid:396)ituals a(cid:374)d the ps(cid:455)(cid:272)hoti(cid:272) patie(cid:374)t"s (cid:272)o(cid:374)(cid:448)ersation with imaginary voices. Another characteristic is personal suffering; that is, behaviour is abnormal if it creates great distress and torment in the person experiencing it. Disability impairment in some important area of life (eg: work or personal relationships) because of an abnormality can also be a component of abnormal behaviour.
