PSYB32H3 Chapter Notes -Dorothea Dix, Philippe Pinel, The Retreat
Document Summary
Brett is a 35 year old police officer, seeking a therapist because he is unable to produce an erection. Rough childhood, mother passed and father was an alchy; lived in rundown houses and also lived with aunt. Began experiencing moodswings in uni, and experienced self consciousness. He began drinking like his father to control his problems. Psychopathology the field concerned with the nature and development of abnormal behavior, thoughts and feelings. A big challenge in the study of abnormal psychology is the need to remain objective; the subject matter is personal so sometimes it can be hard to do so. Abnormal behavior- includes such characteristics as statistical infrequency, violation of norms, personal distress, disability or dysfunction and unexpectedness. Statistical infrequency falls apart; people above average are statistically infrequent but nor abnormal. Violation of norms falls apart; norms are subjective. Personal distress falls apart; some people take pleasure in abnormal behavior.