Abnormal and Clinical Psychology “What is normal about abnormality?” This essay will explain why it is difficult to define, classify and diagnose normal and abnormal behaviour. It will evaluate abnormality through cultural issues and diagnostic techniques and strive to, illustrate the possible causes of mental disorders. Abnormal and normal behaviour is not easily defined. What is abnormal? It is to deviate from the norm. What is normal? Normality is dependent on religious beliefs, developmental stage, maturity and most importantly an individual’s environment; cultural difference which will determine acceptable behaviour. As there are no diagnostic tests to determine abnormality, psychiatrists are reliant upon symptoms and subjective criteria. However, defining normality is even more difficult but the majority of psychologists agree the following points specify emotional well-being and agree with Atkinson et al.(1993), for the ideal mental health criteria is Efficient perception of reality; Accurate self-knowledge; Ability to exercise voluntary control over behaviour; Self-esteem and acceptance; Ability to form affectionate relationships; and Productivity. There are four models of Abnormality which are: Medical –Pinel (1745-1826) for Europe and Dix - (1802-1887) for America, the practice is used worldwide; Psychodynamic - psychodynamism came about in the late nineteenth century by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Freud believed that mental disorders were caused by internal factors, he looked at these as psychological rather than physical condition; Behavioural - Watson and Rayner (1920) cause could be environmental factors and the conditioning of fear or other conditions; and Cognitive – Bandura (1969) through observation. ... ... middle of paper ... ..., expectations and attitudes in abnormalities. Therapeutic therapy aims to alter thought processes and monitor effectiveness in everyday life and has a more complete approach than other therapies. Albert Ellis (1962) used rational emotive therapy (RET), which encouraged realistic expectations of themselves. To conclude the research of normal and abnormal behaviour has come a long way over the years. Treatment of abnormalities has been improved to help in may ways with the appropriate intervention of therapies. As different cultures have been implemented in the DSM IV, there has been an improvement in diagnostic techniques and controlling behaviour. There are many types and severities of mental disorders which entail different treatments; this is why extensive assessments are compiled before diagnosing. Is that abnormality in normality or is that society is more
Psychology is a science that is constantly evolving and growing, and that is especially true when the concentration of study is abnormal psychology. There are so many mysteries within abnormal psychology that there are constantly progressing theories. Two of the more familiar theories are the biochemical theory and Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. Today we will be exploring these two theories, how they compare and how each has contributed to the field of psychology.
The use of the terms abnormal and normal seems archaic when dealing with symptoms of mental illness given the mathematical origin of the terms. More appropriately, the terms adaptive and nonadaptive speak to the transient nature of the relativity in our thoughts, behavior, physical symptoms, and psychosocial interactions. Several individuals I work with have been institutionalized their entire lives, thus living for decades with no privacy and little safety from other residents and unscrupulous care givers. They display behaviors today that are described as maladaptive because the situation that they live in has changed and the old behavior has not changed.
There are wide ranges of social issues affecting mood, thinking, and behavior. What is considered normal in the United States of America, may perhaps not be normal to another. Being diagnose mentally ill requires train professionals to evaluate a person state of mind. Being normal in the United States of America is conforming to a standard, and standards can change within societal standards. Up to now the DSM-V shows the exact symptoms of mental disorders and thoroughly explains the type of illness. Yet abnormal behavior treatment is not the same, professionals who’ve master therapy skills should be aware that their knowledge has affect to client’s treatment. When clients interact amongst counselors, clients can explain their life experiences,
...of abnormal behaviors and its causes. In this paper, we have discussed a few of the culturally significant syndromes prevalent across geographies and their causes.
There are multiple criteria that come into play when determining a psychological disorder. One reason is because, it is hard to know for sure if an action is abnormal or not. Something could be abnormal in our country, but a custom in another. According to Psychology in Action, “[r]ather than being fixed categories, both “abnormal” and “normal” behaviors exist along a continuum, and no single criterion is adequate for [i]dentifying all forms of abnormal behavior” (Huffman). There are four criteria used to determine whether a behavior is abnormal.
While illnesses are cross-culturally relevant, the symptoms and duration do vary depending on cultures. This seems to show that while the source of abnormal behavior is universal, the actual abnormal behaviors that arise are culturally
Cacioppo and Freberg provided many different forms of psychological disorders. Psychological disorders are literally behavior that is not typical, usual, or regular. After reading about the psychological disorders I was able to obtain the knowledge of the different types and severity. Which can range from normal, mild, moderate, less severe, and more severe. While are have the effects of an individual emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Once the abnormal behavior is sighted it is then classified as a type of abnormal behavior, such as the characteristics. As some behaviors may include but are not to be limited to hearing voices that others cannot hear. This particular behavior reminds of the case of Phineas Gage that was discussed by Cacioppo
Barlow, H. D., Durand, V. M. (2012). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
The psychodynamics theory which was introduced by Freud to understand the human mind and psyche, reached a new level in the continuous analysis from therapists. Psychodynamics originally has been explained as a study of various psychological forces that affect human behavior which is related to early experiences. It specifically discusses the connection between the conscious and subconscious motivations. The theory was further analyzed and developed by Melanie Klein, Carl Jung and Alfred Adler. Based on the theory, the psychodynamic therapy evolved to help patients through psychoanalysis. With time other therapies like individual, group and family therapy evolved to offer treatment by understanding the present day complexities in more detail. The main aim of the therapy is self –awareness through identifying the various influences of many past events in life. The therapies are continuously evolving since it was introduced by Freud to help in solving a variety of psychological disorders within people.
Barlow, David H., Vincent Mark. Durand, and Sherry H. Stewart. Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2012. 140-45. Print.
From time to time do individuals acknowledge negative behavior patterns are thusly destructive until wellbeing, companions, and whole families have abandoned them? Their absurd and egotistical activities need to stop for the advantage and strength of everybody. Presently considering the few stages to take out unfortunate propensities from individual lives, there are just three that are so essential. These are distinguishing the propensity, making a move with help, if necessary and being diligent. The initial step is to recognize the negative behavior pattern. In the event that
IDEA definition of emotional disturbance is argued with the term emotional and behavior disorder. According to some professionals it is a biological problem and to others it is a psychological problem. Many professionals think th...
WHO. 1993. The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Diagnostic criteria for research. In: WHO (ed.). Geneva: World Health Organisation.
Barlow, D., Durand, V., & Stewart, S. (2009). Abnormal psychology an integrative apporach. (2nd ed.). United States of America: Wadsworth
To be considered normal or abnormal has been just a label society places on you to explain individuality. When we are younger, we were given a mixed message that being different and unique is acceptable, however growing up in a society that wants you to blend in and adhere to the norms and usual customs of that culture is difficult. Being dissimilar often leads you to be judged and considered deviant. What you perceive not only defines your idiosyncratic judgment, so does your culture, prejudices, upbringing and generation you belong to. In our modern day society a universal normal has not, nor ever will exist. We think, look and all act differently and the reality of it is, no one is normal.