ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
An Introduction
CHAPTER 1
Prepared by: Prof. Audrey Dionida
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Understanding Psychopathology
Psychological Tradition
Supernatural Tradition
Psychopathology in the Present
Biological Tradition
“To study the abnormal is the best way to of understanding the normal.”
– William James
AB PSYCH
How do you define
abnormality?
QUESTION
AB PSYCH
THINK?
WHAT DO YOU
Evaluate this definition of
abnormal behavior:
“Behavior that violates a norm in society, is
maladaptive, is rare given the context of the culture
and environment, and is causing the
person distress in their daily life.”
AB PSYCH
UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
What is psychological disorder?
• a psychological dysfunction within an individual
associated with distress or impairment in
functioning and a response that is not typical or
culturally expected.
AB PSYCH
45Ds of abnormal behavior
Mental Disorders
Dysfunction
Breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral
functioning
Distress
Unpleasant feelings or emotions leading to
impairment
Deviation
Occurs infrequently, different from the average
Danger
Representing a threat to their own or other people
Duration
Sustained, persistent, and pervasive mental state
SCIENCE OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
• scientific study of psychological disorders
Consumer of Science
Enhancing the practice
Evaluator of science
Determining effectiveness
Creator of science
Mental Health Professional
Scientist-Practitioner
Conducting research
4 Goals of Psychology
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Description
Clear and comprehensive
description of disorders
Prediction
Anticipate course and outcome
Explanation
Etiology of the disorders
Control
Treatment of the disorders
CLINICAL DESCRIPTION
Presenting Problem
or “Presents”, indicating why the
person came to the clinic
Prevalence
Refers to how many people in the
population as whole have it
Incidence
Statistics on how many new cases
occur during a given period
Course
Individual pattern: chronic,
episodic, or time-limited
Onset
Beginning of the disorder: acute
or insidious
Prognosis
Anticipated course of the disorder
Concept Check
Identify which definition of abnormality the description pertains to:
• Miguel recently began feeling sad and lonely. Although still
able to function at work and fulfill other responsibilities, he
finds himself feeling down much of the time and he worries
about what is happening to him. Which of the definitions of
abnormality apply to Miguel’s situation?
Answer: Distress
Concept Check
Identify which definition of abnormality the description pertains to:
• Three weeks ago, Jane, a 35-year-old business executive,
stopped showering, refused to leave her apartment, and
started watching television talk shows. Threats of being
fired have failed to bring Jane back to reality, and she
continues to spend her days staring blankly at the television
screen. Which definition seems to describe Jane’s behavior?
Answer: Dysfunction
Concept Check
Identify the terms with their corresponding examples:
• Maria should recover quickly with no intervention
necessary. Without treatment, John will deteriorate rapidly.
Answer: Prognosis
• Three new cases of bulimia have been reported in this
community during the past month and only one in the
other community
Answer: Incidence
Concept Check
Identify the terms with their corresponding examples:
• Elizabeth visited the campus mental health center because
of her increasing feelings of guilt and anxiety.
Answer: Presenting problem
• Biological, psychological, and social influences all contribute
to a variety of disorders
Answer: Etiology
Concept Check
Identify the terms with their corresponding examples:
• The pattern a disorder follows can be chronic, time limited,
or episodic.
Answer: Course
• How many people in the population as a whole suffer from
obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Answer: Prevalence
HISTORICAL CONCEPTIONS OF
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR
SUPERNATURAL TRADITION
• Demons and Witches
 Abnormal behavior was seen as
the work of the devil and witches.
• Stress and Melancholy
 Abnormal behavior was caused by
stress and was curable.
• Moon and Stars
 Paracelsus: movement of
moon and stars had effects on
psychological state
BIOLOGICAL TRADITION
• Hippocrates and Galen
 Psychological disorders could be treated
like any other disease
 Humoral Theory: 4 bodily fluids
1. Blood (heart)
2. Black bile (spleen)
3. Yellow bile (brain)
4. Phlegm (liver)
• 19th Century and John P. Grey
 Mentally ill patient should be treated as
physically ill (improved hospital conditions)
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRADITION
• Moral Therapy
 Treating institutionalized patients
as normally as possible
• Mental Hygiene Movement
 Dorothea Dix
• Psychoanalytic Theory
 S. Freud
• Humanistic Theory
 A. Adler, A. Maslow, and C. Rogers
• Behaviorism
 I. Pavlov, J.Watson, and B.F. Skinner
THE PRESENT: SCIENTIFIC & INTEGRATIVE
• Scientific tools and methodology
 Cognitive science
 Behavioral science
 Neuroscience
• Multi-disciplinary approach
 No one influence – biological,
behavioral, cognitive, emotional,
or social – ever occurs in isolation.