1. Chapter 1. Definitions of “Abnormal”

2. Definitions of “abnormal”
  Difficulty in coping as perceived by the individual.
 Difficulty in coping as perceived by others.
Theoretical model.
 Statistical deviation.
Cultural & social norms.
What is included in a diagnostic system (e.g. DSM-IV)
Deviancy depends upon the context or situation.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

3. Markers of abnormality
Behavior
Feelings or affect
Thought or cognitive process
Physiological responses
External situation
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

4. A Working Definition of “Abnormal Behavior”
Abnormal behavior is maladaptive behavior--any behavior that does not facilitate the ultimate well-being of the individual and/or the group. A behavior is abnormal if it keeps the individual from coping with the normal stresses of life.
(Note that this definition begs the question of what the "normal” stresses of life are).
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

5. The Vulnerability Model
(biological, psychological,
and social)
Processes
(Biological, psychological,
and social)
Outcome
Stressor
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

6. Epidemiological Perspectives
Prevalence--the rate of both new & existing cases
Point prevalence - the proportion of people who have a disorder at a specific time
Lifetime prevalence -the proportion of people in the general population who have ever had a particular disorder
Incidence--the rate of new cases during a defined period of time
Risk factor--a specific characteristic or condition whose presence is associated with an increased likelihood that a specific disorder is present, or will develop at a later date.
Resiliency factor- a specific characteristic or condition whose presence is associated with an decreased likelihood that a specific disorder is present, or will develop at a later date.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

7. Mental Health Professions
 Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Social worker
Psychiatric nurse (also R.N., Clinical Nurse Specialist)
Occupational therapist
Family Therapist
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

8. A Brief History of Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

9. Models in Psychopathology
Demonological
Medical/ biological model
Environmental/ social model
Psychogenic model
Vulnerability model--biopsychosocial model
To some degree, all of these models still prevail today.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

10. Historical Highlights
Stone Age; trephination, religious accounts of abnormal behavior
Early Chinese, Hebrews, Greeks
Hippocrates ( BC) - "humours" or bodily fluids: excess or too little of each led to problems, as follows.
1.    Blood changeability
2.    Black bile  melancholic
3.    Yellow bile anxiety
4.    Phlegm  sluggish
Recognized disorders: 1) mania; 2) melancholia; 3) phrenitis or swelling of the brain.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

11. Historical Highlights- continued
Dark Ages (200 A.D. to the Renaissance).
European Middle Ages
 Throughout this period, there was increased conflict between the church & witchcraft—
Dancing Manias
"Malleus Maleficarum” (The Witch Hammer)
Salem Witch Trials
Exorcism was a common treatment 
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

12. Saint Catherine Exorcising a Possessed Woman (by Girolamo Di Benvenuto)
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

13. Historical Highlights- continued
Establishment of Mental Hospitals or Asylums
E.g. St. Mary’s of Bethlehem- 1547
Reform– P. Pinel ( )
Benjamin Rush ( )-- moral treatment. 
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

14. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

15. Historical Highlights- continued
Middle to late 1800s: Emergence of psychiatry (primarily medical model)
Early diagnosis: E. Kraepelin ( )
Psychological Theories & Causes (Freud, Jung, Adler)
Behavioral models (1920s)
The “Third Force”- humanistic models
Biological models (especially since 1950s and 60s)
Deinstitutionalization 
Cognitive revolution in psychology (1970s and continuing)
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

16. Research Methods
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

17. Steps in Research
Specify the topic as clearly & precisely as possible.
Review the relevant literature.
Define the variables:
- Independent variables are conditions or factors that are being studied or manipulated
- Dependent variables are what your observe as outcomes
4. Develop a specific hypothesis or hypotheses.
5. Select a research strategy--how will the hypothesis be tested?
6. Conduct the study.
7. Analysing the result, using descriptive and/or inferential statistics. The former describe the sample (e.g. means, s.d.) & the latter provide probabilistic judgments.
8. Report the findings.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

18. Types of Research- I
 Case studies--Usually detailed clinical description of a single subject--can provide important ideas or hypotheses regarding a specific disorder, theory, etc. May be useful for rare disorders.
Correlational studies--look at the relationships between variables or sets of variables--again, has limited utility, but can provide useful preliminary information. 
Assessment studies--use of objective, standardized assessment data on small or large groups of people. Essentially correlational in nature. Epidemiological studies of population disorders fall in this category.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

19. Correlational Patterns
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

20. Types of Research- II Epidemiological designs 
Cross-sectional studies– done at a specific point in time, with specific individuals.
Longitudinal studies--assessment studies done over time, with the same group of individuals.
Follow-up studies--follow-up of smaller, more specific group of individuals, usually shorter time period than longitudinal.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

21. Types of Research- III
Experimental studies--usually use inferential statistics. Two major types:
Hypothesis-testing experiment
Behavior-change experiment or N =1 designs(do the treatment methods impact the expected behavior change?).
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

22. Hypothesis testing Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

23. The results of a (hypothetical) true experiment
The treatment of Panic Disorder; using self-reported anxiety as the outcome
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

24. A hypothetical N = 1 design
The treatment of social anxiety using behavioral assignments
Pre-intervention
Post-intervention
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

25. Research Design, Statistical Analysis & Inference
Internal validity--are the results of the study attributable to the manipulation of the I.V.? A well controlled study usually has good internal validity.
External validity--do these results reflect any external reality? Is the manipulation in the lab related to "real life"?
Descriptive & inferential statistics
Confounding of results--an uncontrolled (& unknown) variable may affect the d.v. & mistakenly be attributed to the i.v.
Reactivity--changes in behavior as a result of being studied or observed. E.g. the "Novelty" effect of being in an experiment.
Demand characteristics--clues giving out to subjects as to how they are "supposed" to behave.
Expectancy effects--similar to above, but has to do with experimenters, assessors' expectations of how the subjects should be responding.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

26. Who your participants are matters!
Population
Sampling:
- Random sampling
- Stratified sampling
Representative
sample
Control
group
Experimental
group
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

27. Ethics of Research
There are strict standards for human and animal research have been set by professional groups (e.g. American Psychological Association)
All research at universities must be approved prior to it being conducted & must follow the guidelines set by the federal granting agencies.
Most institutions have research guidelines or requirements for research conducted in them (e.g. hospitals, community programs).
All of the above have complaints procedures, and legal liabilities for failure to follow required standards.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

28. Ethics of Research Key issues include: Informed consent
Competence to provide consent
Lack of coercion/ voluntary consent
Identification of risks
Protection of vulnerable populations (e.g. children, mentally disordered)
Risk management and offset
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005