IB Psychology 2.27.17 Today’s Agenda: Turn in: Abnormal Intro Nothing HW: CRA 5.1-5.2 (144-148) Turn in: Nothing Take out: Notes, notes, notes Today’s Learning Objectives: Discuss to what extent biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence abnormal behavior. Evaluate psychological research relevant to the study of abnormal behavior.

Intro to Abnormal Behavior

Intro to Abnormal Behavior What is “Normal?” c. 1500, "typical, common;" 1640s, "standing at a right angle," from Late Latin normalis "in conformity with rule, normal," from Latin normalis "made according to a carpenter's square," from norma "rule, pattern," literally "carpenter's square," which is of unknown origin (see norm). Meaning "conforming to common standards, usual" is from 1828, but probably older than the record [Barnhart]. 

Intro to Abnormal Behavior What is “Normal?” We will look at 3 groups of “abnormal” behaviors… Anxiety disorders Affective disorders Eating disorders

Intro to Abnormal Behavior What is “Normal?” We will look at 3 groups of “abnormal” behaviors… Anxiety disorders Affective disorders Eating disorders 18.1% of Americans…40 million people…(many estimate approximately 30%)

Intro to Abnormal Behavior What is “Normal?” We will look at 3 groups of “abnormal” behaviors… Anxiety disorders Affective disorders Eating disorders 10% of Americans…10-20% also SAD

Intro to Abnormal Behavior What is “Normal?” We will look at 3 groups of “abnormal” behaviors… Anxiety disorders Affective disorders Eating disorders About 20 million women…about 10 million men

Problems with Defining What is “normal” and what is “abnormal” is very difficult to define Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose behavior as abnormal Varies individually, socially, and culturally Changes over time Behavioral measures, such as intelligence and STM, tend to be normally distributed Something rare doesn’t mean it is abnormal

Problems with Defining (cont.) Psychological disorders: deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional behavior patterns (Myers) More than just being deviant deviance must cause distress also, judged as dysfunctional

Problems in Defining (cont.) Can we define abnormality as behavior that violates social norms? Problematic because what is seen as normal in one culture may be seen as abnormal in another

7 criteria by Rosenhan and Seligman Suffering Maladaptiveness Irrationality Unpredictability Vividness and unconventionality Observer discomfort Violation of moral and ideal standards

Mental Illness Criterion Medical Model The view that abnormal behavior is of physiological origin Treatment addresses the physiological problems Concerns: Reductionist Misuse because criteria aren’t objective