Abnormal Psychology.ppt

Abnormal Psychology Lecture 1 Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context Chapter 1 Outline Understanding Psychopathology What is Normal? What is Psychological Disorder? Different Approaches to Psychopathology The Supernatural Tradition The Biological Tradition The Psychological Tradition The Present: The Scientific Method and an Integrative Approach Understanding Psychopathology What is normal? Provide examples of what is normal and what isn’t How does the notion of what is normal differ across cultures? Is there a fixed definition of normal just like there are laws of physics? So, how do we construe the definition of what is normal and what is not? Understanding Psychopathology What is normal? The definition of ABNORMAL used in DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition) Abnormal describes behavioral, emotional, or cognitive dysfunctions that are unexpected in their cultural context and associated with personal distress or substantial impairment in functioning. Understanding Psychopathology ?Judy Psychological disorder consists of three components: Psychological dysfunction Breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning (continuum vs. dimension) Personal distress Being extremely upset (caution – sometimes it is normal to be extremely upset) Atypical or not culturally expected behavior Social norms and their possible misuse Different Approaches to Psychopathology The Supernatural Tradition ?mental Mental illness is caused by demons and witches Shock therapy (pit of snakes, ice-cold water) Exorcism (religious rituals to get rid of evil spirits) Mental illness is caused by stress Rest, sleep, a healthy and happy environment Mental illness is caused by the movements of the moon and the stars Pracelsus lunatic Different Approaches to Psychopathology The Biological Tradition Hippocrates Mental illness caused by brain pathology, head trauma, heredity Galen Humoral theory of disorders (blood, black bile, yello