Abnormal Psychology 11th Edition | Ronald J. Comer | Macmillan Learning (2023)

FAQs

What is abnormal psychology defined by comer? ›

The scientific study of abnormal behavior in an effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning.

This biopsychosocial approach helps you understand the holistic context in which abnormalities of behavior occur. The 18th Edition reflects the newest and most relevant research findings in this ever-changing field, presented in ways designed to be as engaging as possible.

abnormal psychology. The scientific study of abnormal behavior undertaken to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning.

And seligman. Now by their definition a person is considered to be abnormal. If they're unable to

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. Definitions of Abnormality: Statistical Infrequency, Deviation from Social Norms, Failure to Function Adequately, Deviation from Ideal Mental Health.

Psychologists often classify behavior as abnormal using 4 D's: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. Providing a straightforward definition of abnormality is tricky because abnormality is relative, but the definition has several primary characteristics.

n. 1. the causes and progress of a disease or disorder. 2. the branch of medical and psychological science concerned with the systematic study of the causes of physical and mental disorders.

Psychopathology is the scientific exploration of abnormal mental states that, for more than a century, has provided a Gestalt for psychiatric disorders and guided clinical as well as scientific progress in modern psychiatry.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Psychologists are actively involved in studying and understanding mental processes, brain functions, and behavior.

There are four general criteria that psychologists use to identify abnormal behavior: violation of social norms, statistical rarity, personal distress, and maladaptive behavior.

What is the importance of Abnormal Psychology? ›

Why is abnormal psychology important? The study of abnormal psychology has helped researchers and therapists better understand the causes of mental disorders and develop methods to effectively treat these conditions.

Six different models will be examined which include, biological, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic-existential, sociocultural, and developmental psychopathology perspective (Comer, 2014). This essay will cover the six models of abnormality as well as examples of how they are applied in/to treatment.

Abnormal behaviors are "actions that are unexpected and often evaluated negatively because they differ from typical or usual behavior". The following criteria are subjective: Maladaptive and malfunctional behaviors: behaviors, which, due to circumstance, are not fully adapted to the environment.

Abnormal Psychology Disorders include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, delusional disorders, substance use disorders, dissociative disorders, and impulse control disorders.

(1886) Sigmund Freud developed his personality theory, which has continued to impact abnormal psychology treatment methods today.

Abnormal includes three different categories; they are subnormal, supernormal and paranormal. The science of abnormal psychology studies two types of behaviors: adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.

The principle of developmental psychopathology is that research should examine multiple levels of analyses to include biological, individual, familial, social, and cultural levels.

Thus, we can consider four important personal components in psychopathology (Table 1.1). These are a loss of freedom or ability to consider alternatives; a loss of genuine personal contact; a loss of connection with one's self and the ability to live in a productive manner; and, finally, personal distress.

What are signs of abnormal behavior? ›

diagnosis (Dx)

n. ( pl. diagnoses) 1. the process of identifying and determining the nature of a disease or disorder by its signs and symptoms, through the use of assessment techniques (e.g., tests and examinations) and other available evidence.

n. 1. any deviation from normal functioning that is considered indicative of physical or mental pathology. See disease; disorder; syndrome.

Etiology, also referred to as aitiology, aetiology, and disorder etiology, is study or theory of the factors that cause diseases or disorders; what is called causation. It also involves the origin of diseases and the methods by which diseases inflict a host such as a human.

One strategy is to assess a person along four dimensions: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger, known collectively as the four Ds.

Though not part of the DSM -5 conceptualization of what abnormal behavior is, many clinicians add a fourth D – dangerousness to this list. Dangerousness refers to when behavior represents a threat to the safety of the person or the safety of others.

Psychology, as science has basically the following main aims or goals: understand, predict, describe, influence, and control behavior, and improve the quality of life.

*The Nature of Psychology- Psychology is the scientific study and practical application of observable behavior and mental processes of organisms. Psychology differs from other social sciences such as: Sociology, History, or Economics, because psychology specifically deals with the study of an individual.

What are the causal and risk factors of abnormal psychology? ›

Normality is a behavior that can be normal for an individual (intrapersonal normality) when it is consistent with the most common behavior for that person. Normal is also used to describe individual behavior that conforms to the most common behavior in society (known as conformity).

To know the nature and the cause of abnormality it leads us to understand the mechanism of abnormal mind, diagnose the disease and predict the progress of the disease. Hence abnormality no longer stands as a mystery or a curse. 2. A correct understanding of abnormality can check, prevents and cure the disease.

Essentially, psychology helps people in large part because it can explain why people act the way they do. With this kind of professional insight, a psychologist can help people improve their decision making, stress management and behavior based on understanding past behavior to better predict future behavior.

There are several mental health theories, but they all come from one of five schools of thought. They are behaviorism, biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, and humanistic.

The behavioral model is generally viewed as including three major areas: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning/social learning.

In Module 2, we will discuss three models of abnormal behavior to include the biological, psychological, and sociocultural models.

The four main models to explain psychological abnormality are the biological, behavioural, cognitive, and psychodynamic models. They all attempt to explain the causes and treatments for all psychological illnesses, and all from a different approach.

The two most common types of treatment are psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment. Psychotherapies come in a variety of theoretical orientations and formats. The most common treatment orientations are psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive, biomedical, and integrated.

Abnormality is the significant deviation from commonly accepted patterns of behavior, emotion or thought, while normality is the absence of illness and the presence of state of well being otherwise called normalcy. It can be difficult to draw the line between normal and abnormal behaviors, especially in leadership.

What are examples of abnormal thoughts? ›

Other types of thought disorder

Paraphasic error: constant word mispronunciation or slips of the tongue. Stilted speech: using unusual language that's overly formal or outdated. Perseveration: leads to a repetition of ideas and words. Loss of goal: trouble maintaining a topic and an inability to come to a point.

Statistical Infrequency is a definition of abnormality. According to this definition, a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon, or not seen very often in society.

behavior that is atypical or statistically uncommon within a particular culture or that is maladaptive or detrimental to an individual or to those around that individual.

Abnormal behaviour, thoughts and emotions are those that differ markedly from a society's ideas of proper functioning. Each society has norms, which are stated or unstated rules for proper conduct. Behaviours, thoughts and emotions that break societal norms are called abnormal.

Measuring a patient's overall level of abnormality is typically done by comparing a patient's gait data to a reference population data-set of able-bodied controls. When this comparison is done in a single measurement dimension, simple distance measures (e.g. Euclidean, Manhattan, etc.) provide unbiased results.

Suggested Answer: Two definitions of abnormality include statistical infrequency and and failure to function adequately (FFA). According to the statistical infrequency definition, a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon or not seen very often in society.

What are the main causes of abnormal behavior? ›

Unusual behaviour that is different from the norm. Behaviour that does not conform to social expectations or demands. Statistical infrequency. Failure to function adequately.

The four main models to explain psychological abnormality are the biological, behavioural, cognitive, and psychodynamic models. They all attempt to explain the causes and treatments for all psychological illnesses, and all from a different approach.

(1886) Sigmund Freud developed his personality theory, which has continued to impact abnormal psychology treatment methods today.

A psychological disorder is an ongoing dysfunctional pattern of thought, emotion, and behaviour that causes significant distress and that is considered deviant in that person's culture or society. According to the bio-psycho-social model, psychological disorders have biological, psychological, and social causes.

Biological or Organic Approach —According to this approach, body and brain processes are related and cause many types of maladaptive behaviour. 3. Psychological Approach—According to this approach, psychological problems are caused by inadequacies related to thinking, feeling or perceiving the world. 4.

Maladaptive behavior is defined as behavior that interferes with an individual's activities of daily living or ability to adjust to and participate in particular settings.