Abnormal Psychology

Mental disorder
The demarcation between normal and
abnormal is not easy to point out. The
definition of abnormal behavior varies across
academic discipline and culture.
Insanity is a legal term, where a person is
unable to discern or appreciate whether his
action is wrong or not.
Medical field looks into abnormality as a result
when the brain is affected that makes a person
unable to act properly or interact rationally.

 Defining abnormal behavior entails

maladaptive behavior , deviation
from the norm, and is personally
distressful for a period of time.
Maladaptive behavior is that that
causes harm to self or others, poor
reality contact, inappropriate
emotional reaction and erratic
behavior.

History of Abnormal Psychology

Historically, people viewed abnormal
behavior as a product of supernatural
forces.
It was allegedly because of the
displeasure of the gods and the
possession of demons.

 Hippocrates, the father of medicine

rejected the belief that the gods
punished people by sending mental
disorder. Instead, he believed that
such illnesses had natural causes.
Psychopathology is the science of
nature, treatment, and development
of mental disorder.

Theoretical Approaches to
Psychological Disorder

 The biological approach is attributed

to internal or organic causes.
The focus is on the brain, genetic
factors and neurotransmitters.
This approach falls into three main
categories:

 STRUCTURAL VIEWS
Which claim that the structure of the
brain causes psychological disorder

BIOCHEMICAL VIEWS
Which focus on neurotransmitters
abd hormones as cause of
psychological disorder
GENETIC VIEWS
Which suggest that genes cause
psychological disorder

1. Psychodynamic perspectives look

into conflicts in the unconscious
that produces maladaptive
behavior and anxiety.
2. Behavioral perspectives give
emphasis to reinforcements as
causes of bahavior, be it adaptive
or maladaptive.

3. Social cognitive perspectives accept

environmental experiences as
determinants of psychological disorders.
4. Trait perspectives are based on fivefactor model of neuroticism,
extraversion, openness, agreeableness
and conscentiousness.

6. Humanistic perspectives point

to personal qualities, capacity for
growth and freedom in choosing
ones own destiny. Inability to
fulfill ones own potential leads to
psychological disorder.

Classification of disorders