ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY ACTIVITY #1
BACK FROM MADNESS (DVD 00084)
This video describes the experiences of four people with serious psychological difficulties. Todd is a young
man diagnosed with manic-depression (Bipolar Disorder in DSM-IV terminology). Naomi is a young woman
diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. Glen is diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Eric with
depression. The video provides glimpses of these individuals at different points in time, describing their current
state and treatment. There is also brief mention of some historical approaches to the treatment of psychological
disorders. As you watch the video, consider the following issues and briefly summarize relevant thoughts for
each item. Write your comments briefly in an e-mail and send it to j.clark@uwinnipeg.ca with the following
subject line: psy3700-01-#######, where ####### is your student number and there are no blanks. Complete
the assignment by Monday 14 February and bring your notes to class that day.
1. Your text identifies three features of abnormal behaviour listed below. Briefly describe examples for each
category from the video. You can use T, N, G, and E to refer to the four individuals described in the video.
1a. Psychological dysfunction
1b. Distress
1c. Not typical or culturally expected
2. Describe briefly some notable features of historical and current treatments of people with psychological
difficulties. What assumptions or theories about abnormal behaviour do you think contribute to the use of
such treatments?