Abnormal Psychology What does abnormal mean Strictly speaking
Abnormal Psychology
What does “abnormal” mean? • Strictly speaking, it simply means “not normal. ” – So, uh, what does “normal” mean? • Normal: Behavior displayed by most people most of the time. • Conclusion? – We’re all abnormal!
So, if we’re all abnormal, does that mean we’re all “mentally ill? ” • Psychologists are careful with their words. – Don’ts: ill, sick, deranged, crazy, insane. • “Insane: ” not criminally liable (a LEGAL definition). – These words imply that disorders are permanent and impossible to understand. – Dos: disordered, abnormal. • When does abnormal behavior require treatment? – When it… • • Negatively impacts your life. Becomes a dominant aspect of your personality. Causes harm to yourself or others. Appears in the DSM-IV.
Mental disorders: Causes? • Once upon a time, abnormal folks were thought of as having been… – – Overpowered by demons. Possessed by Satan. Bitten by vampires. Etc. • Later, abnormalities were connected to astrology. – “Lunatic. ” – PMDD • Freud thought they stemmed from our subconscious conflicts.
Mental disorders: Causes? • For most of these disorders, we don’t really know what the causes are. – “Nature” advocates claim most mental disorders are genetic. – “Nurture” folks say most disorders are triggered by major life events. – Evidence exists both ways. • It’s tough to predict who’ll develop mental disorders and who won’t. • Different types of disorders probably have different causes.
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