Abnormal Psychology Oltmanns and Emery Presentations by: Mani Rafiee Abnormal Psychology Oltmanns and Emery Presentations by: Mani Rafiee

Chapter One Examples and Definitions of Abnormal Behavior

Psychopathology refers to the symptoms and signs of mental disorders.Psychopathology refers to the symptoms and signs of mental disorders. Literally translated, this term means “pathology of the mind.”Literally translated, this term means “pathology of the mind.” Overview

Abnormal psychology is the application of psychological science to the study of mental disorders.Abnormal psychology is the application of psychological science to the study of mental disorders. Overview

RecognizingthePresence of a Disorder Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder Mental disorders are typically defined by a set of characteristic features; one symptom by itself is seldom sufficient to make a diagnosis.Mental disorders are typically defined by a set of characteristic features; one symptom by itself is seldom sufficient to make a diagnosis. A group of symptoms that appear together and are assumed to represent a specific type of disorder is referred to as a syndrome.A group of symptoms that appear together and are assumed to represent a specific type of disorder is referred to as a syndrome.

RecognizingthePresence of a Disorder Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder The duration of a person’s symptoms is also important.The duration of a person’s symptoms is also important. Mental disorders are defined in terms of persistent maladaptive behaviors.Mental disorders are defined in terms of persistent maladaptive behaviors.

RecognizingthePresence of a Disorder Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder Impairment in the ability to perform social and occupational roles is another consideration in identifying the presence of a mental disorder.Impairment in the ability to perform social and occupational roles is another consideration in identifying the presence of a mental disorder.

RecognizingthePresence of a Disorder Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder Psychologists and other mental health professionals do not at present have laboratory tests that can be used to confirm definitively the presence of psychopathology because the processes that are responsible for mental disorders have not yet been discovered.Psychologists and other mental health professionals do not at present have laboratory tests that can be used to confirm definitively the presence of psychopathology because the processes that are responsible for mental disorders have not yet been discovered.

RecognizingthePresence of a Disorder Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder Clinical psychologists must still depend on their observations of the person’s behavior and descriptions of personal experience.Clinical psychologists must still depend on their observations of the person’s behavior and descriptions of personal experience. Insanity is a legal term that refers to judgments about whether a person should be held responsible for criminal behavior if he or she is also mentally disturbed.Insanity is a legal term that refers to judgments about whether a person should be held responsible for criminal behavior if he or she is also mentally disturbed.

Defining Abnormal Behavior Many attempts have been made to define abnormal behavior, but none is entirely satisfactory.Many attempts have been made to define abnormal behavior, but none is entirely satisfactory. No one has been able to provide a consistent definition that easily accounts for all situations in which the concept is invoked.No one has been able to provide a consistent definition that easily accounts for all situations in which the concept is invoked.

Defining Abnormal Behavior One approach to the definition of abnormal behavior places principal emphasis on the individual’s experience of personal distress.One approach to the definition of abnormal behavior places principal emphasis on the individual’s experience of personal distress. We might say that abnormal behavior is defined in terms of subjective discomfort that leads the person to seek help from a mental health professional.We might say that abnormal behavior is defined in terms of subjective discomfort that leads the person to seek help from a mental health professional.

Defining Abnormal Behavior However, people with abnormal behaviors are not always able to appreciate the extent of their problems or the impact their behavior has on other people.However, people with abnormal behaviors are not always able to appreciate the extent of their problems or the impact their behavior has on other people. In other words, people with mental disorders may not have insight regarding their disorders.In other words, people with mental disorders may not have insight regarding their disorders.

Defining Abnormal Behavior Another approach is to define abnormal behavior in terms of statistical norms – how common or rare it is in the general population.Another approach is to define abnormal behavior in terms of statistical norms – how common or rare it is in the general population. By this definition, people with unusually high levels of anxiety or depression would be considered abnormal because their experience deviates from the expected norm.By this definition, people with unusually high levels of anxiety or depression would be considered abnormal because their experience deviates from the expected norm.

Defining Abnormal Behavior Mental disorders are, in fact, defined in terms of experiences that most people do not have.Mental disorders are, in fact, defined in terms of experiences that most people do not have. This approach, however, does not specify how unusual the behavior must be before it is considered abnormal.This approach, however, does not specify how unusual the behavior must be before it is considered abnormal. Another weakness of the statistical approach is that it does not distinguish between deviations that are harmful and those that are not.Another weakness of the statistical approach is that it does not distinguish between deviations that are harmful and those that are not.

Defining Abnormal Behavior Harmful Dysfunction According to Jerome Wakefield, a condition should be considered a mental disorder if, and only if, it meets two criteria:According to Jerome Wakefield, a condition should be considered a mental disorder if, and only if, it meets two criteria: 1)The condition results from the inability of some internal mechanism (mental or physical) to perform its natural function. 2)The condition causes some harm to the person as judged by the standards of the person’s culture.

Defining Abnormal Behavior Harmful Dysfunction (continued) A mental disorder, therefore, is defined in terms of harmful dysfunction.A mental disorder, therefore, is defined in terms of harmful dysfunction. The dysfunctions in mental disorders are assumed to be the product of disruptions of thought, feeling, communication, perception, and motivation.The dysfunctions in mental disorders are assumed to be the product of disruptions of thought, feeling, communication, perception, and motivation.

Defining Abnormal Behavior Harmful Dysfunction (continued) The definition of abnormal behavior presented in the official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association and currently in its fourth revised edition—DSM- IV-TR—places primary emphasis on the consequences of certain behavioral syndromes.The definition of abnormal behavior presented in the official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association and currently in its fourth revised edition—DSM- IV-TR—places primary emphasis on the consequences of certain behavioral syndromes.

Defining Abnormal Behavior Cultural Considerations The process by which the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is constructed and revised is necessarily influenced by cultural considerations.The process by which the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is constructed and revised is necessarily influenced by cultural considerations. Culture is defined in terms of the values, beliefs, and practices that are shared by a specific community or group of people.Culture is defined in terms of the values, beliefs, and practices that are shared by a specific community or group of people. These values and beliefs have a profound influence on opinions regarding the difference between normal and abnormal behaviors.These values and beliefs have a profound influence on opinions regarding the difference between normal and abnormal behaviors.

Comorbidity The presence of more than one condition within the same period of time is known as comorbidity.The presence of more than one condition within the same period of time is known as comorbidity. Who Experiences Abnormal Behavior?