Introduction to Abnormal Psychology: Defining and Understanding Abnormal Behavior, Study notes of Psychology

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ISD Virtual Learning

Psychology

April 13, 2020

Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Lesson: 16 April 13, 2020

Objective/Learning Target: The student will be able to

define psychologically abnormal behavior.

Lesson Activity

One simple way to describe Abnormal Psychology is that it is the scientific study of abnormal behavior in order to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning.

But what is Abnormal Behavior?

Abnormal behavior is generally defined as “behavior that violates a norm in society, is maladaptive, is rare given the context of the culture and environment, and is causing the person distress in their daily life.” - Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5th Edition (DSM-5)

The DSM-5 is a handbook used by mental health professionals containing descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.

The current edition was published in 2013.

Lesson Activity

The 4 D’s of Mental Disorders:

1. Deviance → different, extreme, unusual
2. Distress → unpleasant & upsetting to the person with the disorder
3. Dysfunction → causes interference with the person’s daily life
4. Danger → poses risk of harm to themselves or others

What makes a behavior a mental illness? ● Many definitions have been proposed, yet none are accepted everywhere. ● Most definitions share some common features.

Practice - ANSWER KEY

Use the Answer Key on the right to check your responses.

Article: Pica (Theravive.com)

1. How is Pica deviant? a. People with Pica eat things that provide no nutritional value like hair, paper, nails, glass, etc. which is unusual or extreme.
2. How does it cause the patient distress? a. Patients know what they’re doing isn’t good for them and would like to stop but feel unable to which can lead to other issues.
3. How does Pica cause dysfunction in the patient’s life? a. Instead of eating things they should, patients are constantly drawn to eating things they shouldn’t making it difficult to go about leading a normal life.
4. Why/how is Pica dangerous? a. Eating non-nutritive objects can cause the patient to choke, damage teeth/throat/internal organs/etc., and cause blockages...all of which could lead to serious injury or death.

Practice

If you would like to see how the 4 D’s of Mental Disorders relate to other illnesses. Click on the links from Theravive.com to read about them.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Schizophrenia

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The DSM-5 details hundreds of mental disorders, so feel free to choose something not linked above!

Use the same questions from before to guide your research:

1. How is _____ deviant?
2. How does _____ cause the patient distress?
3. How does _____ cause dysfunction in the patient’s life?
4. Why/how is _____ dangerous?

Additional Resources

If you would like to learn more about Abnormal Psychology, the DSM-5, or the 4 D’s of Mental Disorders, check out some of these links!

VIDEO: Crash Course Psychology: Psychological Disorders

ARTICLE: American Psychiatric Association DSM-