PSY404 Handouts by VUBuddy

Abnormal Psychology (PSY404)

Table of Content

Lesson no. Title Page no. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (Topic 1-3) Historical Perspective of Abnormal Psychology (Topic 4-8) Diagnosis (Topic 9-14) Treatment (Topic 15-16) Theoretical Perspectives I (Topic 17-21) Theoretical Perspectives II (Topic 22-25) Theoretical Perspectives III (Topic 26-29) Neurodevelopmental Disorders I (Topic 30-35) Neurodevelopmental Disorders II (Topic 36-41) Neurodevelopmental Disorders III (Topic 42-45) Neurodevelopmental Disorders IV (Topic 46-50) Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders I (Topic

51-56)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders II (Topic

57-62)

Depressive Disorders (Topic 63-69) Bipolar and Related Disorders I (Topic 70-76) Bipolar and Related Disorders II (Topic 77-81) Anxiety Disorders I (Topic 82-88) Anxiety Disorders II (Topic 89-95) Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders I (Topic 96-102) Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders II (Topic 103-108) Trauma and Stress Related Disorders I (Topic 109-118) Trauma and Stress Related Disorders II (Topic 119-124) Dissociative Disorders I (Topic 125-131) Dissociative Disorders II (Topic 132-138) Feeding and Eating Disorders I (Topic 139-144) Feeding and Eating Disorders II (Topic 145-150) Sleep-Wake Disorders I (Topic 151-158) Sleep-Wake Disorders II (Topic 159-163) Disruptive, Impulse Control and Conduct Disorders I (Topic 164-

168)

Disruptive, Impulse Control and Conduct Disorders II (Topic 169-

174)

Disruptive, Impulse Control and Conduct Disorders III (Topic

175-178)

Personality Disorders I (Topic 179-184) Personality Disorders II (Topic 185-191) Personality Disorders III (Topic 192-196) Psychosexual Disorders/ Paraphilic disorders I (Topic 197-201) Psychosexual Disorders II (Topic 202-205) Neurocognitive Disorders I (Topic 206-211) Neurocognitive Disorders II (Topic 212-217) Substance Related and Addictive Disorders I (Topic 218-223) Substance Related and Addictive Disorders II (Topic 224-228) Substance Related and Addictive Disorders III (Topic 229-234) Substance Related and Addictive Disorders IV (Topic 235-240) Substance Related and Addictive Disorders V (Topic 241-245) Substance Related and Addictive Disorders VI (Topic 246-251) Substance Related and Addictive Disorders VI (Topic 252-256)

Lesson 01 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology · Topic: 1-3 · Topic 01: Abnormal Psychology: An Introduction

Abnormal psychology can be defined in a number of ways. Many definitions of Abnormal Psychology have been proposed, but yet none has won total acceptance. It can be defined as per the following: Abnormal psychology is the scientific study of abnormal behavior. An effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of human functioning.

“The Four Ds”:

Most of the definitions of abnormal psychology, although they are different, overlap in general and have certain features common in nature. Among those are the following four Ds.

Deviance

Deviance is to deviate, which is different, extreme, unusual, and perhaps even bizarre. This is a deviation from societal rules which are expected from members of society. Deviance from behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that differ markedly from a society's ideas about proper functioning and deviation from social norms i.e. stated and unstated rules for proper conduct. Judgments of abnormality vary from society to society as norms are culture-specific. One thing which is considered right in one society may be considered wrong in another. They also depend on specific circumstances as norms are different in each society. When a behavior deviates from the normal, it is labeled as abnormal.

Distress

Distress is a hallmark of psychological disorders. It is something that is unpleasant and upsetting to an individual. If a person is upset and agitated and is experiencing some distress, it may indicate the abnormality of certain behavior. Behavior, ideas, or emotions usually have to cause distress before they can be labeled abnormal. But it may not always be due to a psychological