Abnormal_Ch_1_and_2

Slide 1: 

Abnormal Psychology Basics 100 years and still kicking…

Core Concepts : 

Core Concepts Context Circumstances around the behavior (Important for defining behavior) Helps explain (Identify causes of)the behavior Know the demographics (Age, Culture, gender, etc.)

Core Concepts : 

Core Concepts Continuum Continuum between normal and abnormal behavior When does “odd” turn into pathological? (Markedly Abnormal, caused by a disease or disorder)

Core Concepts : 

Core Concepts Cultural and Historical Relativism Look at the situation in which you are diagnosing

Core Concepts : 

Core Concepts The Advantages and disadvantages of diagnosis Not always concrete Self-Fulfilling prophecy Helpful for treatment Reliability The consistency of a test, measurement or category system (Does this hold, is it constant) Validity The accuracy of measuring what it claims (Does it measure what it says it does?)

Core Concepts : 

Core Concepts Principles of Multiple Causality Precipitating factors The trigger of the event Predisposing Factors These make it possible for the triggers to cause a behavior (Deeper, frequently past events that lead to a maladaptive behavior) Reductionism Explaining a disorder or other complex idea using on a single idea or perspective

Core Concepts : 

Core Concepts The connection between Mind and Body The two are strongly connected and play off one another Hiccups

Chapter 2 : 

Chapter 2 Abnormal Psychology The subfield of psychology concerned with the study of mental disorders

5 Commonly Used Criteria for defining Abnormality(HIDES) : 

5 Commonly Used Criteria for defining Abnormality(HIDES) Help Seeking Who seeks treatment for their problems Irrationality/Dangerousness Acting in an irrational or dangerous fashion (Most people with Mental Disorders do not do this however) * Remember the core concepts!!!!

5 Commonly Used Criteria for defining Abnormality(HIDES) : 

5 Commonly Used Criteria for defining Abnormality(HIDES) Deviance “Differentness” or behaviors and attitudes that are statistically unusual. Emotional Distress Excessive or over an extended period of time (depression, anxiety, etc.)

5 Commonly Used Criteria for defining Abnormality(HIDES) : 

5 Commonly Used Criteria for defining Abnormality(HIDES) Significant Impairment The impairment must be significant enough to impact your life and cause some sort of distress

REMEMBER THE CORE CONCEPTS WHEN DIAGNOSING! : 

REMEMBER THE CORE CONCEPTS WHEN DIAGNOSING!