PSYB32H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 01: Demonology, Anxiety Disorder, Psychoanalysis
Document Summary
Psychopathology: field concerned with the nature and development of abnormal behavior, thoughts and feelings. Abnormal behavior includes characteristics such as: statistical infrequency, violation of norms, personal distress, disability or dysfunction and unexpectedness. Normal curve (bell-curve shaped) places the majority of people in the middle as far as any particular characteristic. Statistical infrequency is used explicitly in diagnosing mental retardation. Consider whether the behavior violates social norms of threatens or makes anxious those observing it. Cultural diversity can affect how people view social norms. Behavior that is abnormal if it creates great distress and torment in the person. Impairment in some important area of those (i. e. work or personal relationships) because of an abnormality. Substance-use disorders are also defined in part by the social/occupational disability (i. e. poor work performance, serious arguments with one s spouse) created by substance and addiction. A phobia can produce both distress and disability. Disability applies to some, but not all disorders.
