General Psychology Notes – Abnormal Psychology Page 1
General Psychology
Notes - Abnormal Psychology
These are general notes designed to assist students who are regularly attending class and
reading assigned material: they are supplemental rather than exhaustive and reflect general
concepts.
I.
Defining Abnormal Behavior
A.
Statistical Deviation - unusual behavior for the majority of the population
1)
Lump together unique (collecting ceramic alligators), desirable (genius), & destructive.
2)
Suggests that if majority is engaging in the behavior, then it is right or healthy.
B.
Maladaptive & Harmful
1)
does not facilitate growth and well-being
2)
causes harm or misery to others
C.
Personal Discomfort
1)
Guilt, grief, frustration, anger, loneliness, fear.
2)
Feelings beyond "normal limits" of human experience.
D.
Cultural Relativism
1)
Depression and Schizophrenia are only two disorders that are universally recognized.
2)
Culture develops norms about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
II.
Causes of Abnormal Behavior
A.
Biological
1)
Chemical imbalance
2)
Heredity
3)
Head Trauma/organic brain damage
B.
Psychological
1)
Poor Coping Skills (lack stress inoculation experiences)
2)
Inappropriate learning
3)
Distorted Thinking (cognitions)
C.
Sociocultural
1)
Poverty/Social class
2)
Abuse
3)
ethnicity, gender, age, education
D.
Diathesis-Stress - Theory (Interaction)
1)
Diathesis - predisposition (biological, psychological, sociocultural)
2)
Stress (divorce, loss of significant other, college) activates the predisposition
III.
Diagnosis/DSM IV Classification
A.
Axis I - Clinical Disorders (ex: Depression)
B.
Axis II - Personality & Developmental Disorders (Borderline Personality Disorder or Autism)
C.
Axis III - Medical Conditions
D.
Axis IV - Psychosocial Stressors in past year
E.
Axis V - Highest Level of Adaptive Functioning in past year
