Questions and Answers
Abnormal Psychology is concerned with understanding the nature, causes, and treatment of mental __________.
disorders
Abnormal behavior is a psychological __________ within an individual that is associated with distress or impairment in functioning.
dysfunction
The International Classification of Diseases is produced by the World Health ______.
Organization
Intellectual Disability is statistically rare and represents a deviation from ______.
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When someone violates an implicit or unwritten social rule, those around him or her may experience a sense of ______.
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A major problem is that there is no one behavior that makes someone __________.
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Maladaptive behavior interferes with our well-being and with our ability to enjoy our work and our __________.
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The accepted standard for defining various types of mental disorders in the United States is the American Psychiatric Association’s ______.
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Abnormal behavior always involves social ______ and are based on the values and expectations of society.
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Statistical Deviancy considers behaviors that are __________ rare to be abnormal.
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Study Notes
Overview of Abnormal Psychology
- Focuses on understanding mental disorders, their causes, and treatments.
- Topics of abnormal psychology are prevalent in daily life.
Defining Abnormality
- No universal agreement on what constitutes abnormality or disorder.
- Abnormal behavior is often viewed as a psychological dysfunction that causes distress or impairment in functioning, differing from cultural expectations.
Indicators of Abnormality
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No single indicator can define abnormality; various elements suggest it.
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Subjective Distress
- Psychological pain or suffering can indicate abnormality but is not solely sufficient for classification.
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Maladaptiveness
- Behaviors that interfere with personal well-being or hinder work and relationships are considered maladaptive.
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Statistical Deviancy
- Abnormality is linked to behaviors that are statistically rare; however, not all rare behaviors are considered undesirable.
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Violation of Societal Standards
- Non-compliance with cultural norms and laws can be seen as abnormal behavior.
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Social Discomfort
- Violations of unwritten social rules may cause discomfort among others, highlighting the impact of societal expectations.
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Irrationality and Unpredictability
- Unusual or erratic behavior can be classified as abnormal when it deviates from expected norms.
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Dangerousness
- Behavior perceived as threatening to oneself or others can be viewed as abnormal, but not all individuals with mental disorders are dangerous.
Cultural Considerations in Abnormality
- Definitions of abnormal behavior are influenced by societal values and cultural norms.
Diagnostic Standards
- The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) serves as the primary classification system for mental disorders in the U.S.
- The ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) is an alternative system used globally, authored by the WHO.
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Description
Explore the essential concepts of abnormal psychology, focusing on the definitions, nature, causes, and treatment of mental disorders. This quiz will guide you through various topics surrounding abnormal behavior and psychological dysfunctions. Understand the complexities and ongoing debates in the field of psychology regarding what constitutes abnormality.
