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What Do You Learn In Abnormal Psychology?

• Sabrina Sarro
• 05.05.2023
• 0
• 16

Learn Abnormal Psychology with Online Courses, Classes, & Lessons Abnormal psychology is the study of unusual or abnormal behavior, thoughts, patterns, and emotions. These behaviors may or may not indicate a mental disorder or the beginning of a mental illness.

What do you hope to learn in abnormal psychology?

Abnormal Psychological Disorders and Treatment Most courses will provide you with a foundational understanding of the symptoms, theories, and known causes of anxiety disorders, somatoform and dissociative disorders, substance abuse, cognitive disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia.

What does abnormal psychology study about?

Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought, which could possibly be understood as a mental disorder, Although many behaviors could be considered as abnormal, this branch of psychology typically deals with behavior in a clinical context.

•  1–4  There is a long history of attempts to understand and control behavior deemed to be aberrant or deviant (statistically, functionally, morally, or in some other sense), and there is often cultural variation in the approach taken.
• The field of abnormal psychology identifies multiple causes for different conditions, employing diverse theories from the general field of psychology and elsewhere, and much still hinges on what exactly is meant by “abnormal”.

There has traditionally been a divide between psychological and biological explanations, reflecting a philosophical dualism in regard to the mind-body problem, There have also been different approaches in trying to classify mental disorders, 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, Behaviors that are maladaptive suggest that some problem(s) exist, and can also imply that the individual is vulnerable and cannot cope with environmental stress, which is leading them to have problems functioning in daily life in their emotions, mental thinking, physical actions and talks.

Behaviors that are adaptive are ones that are well-suited to the nature of people, their lifestyles and surroundings, and to the people that they communicate with, allowing them to understand each other. Clinical psychology is the applied field of psychology that seeks to assess, understand, and treat psychological conditions in clinical practice.

Why is it important to learn about abnormal psychology?

Frequently Asked Questions –

• Why are correlational research designs often used in abnormal psychology? Correlational research is often used to study abnormal psychology because experimental research would be unethical or impossible. Researchers cannot intentionally manipulate variables to see if doing so causes mental illness. While correlational research does not allow researchers to determine cause and effect, it does provide valuable information on relationships between variables.
• What are the core concepts of abnormal psychology? Key concepts include that abnormality can be viewed through many different lenses and that mental disorders often have multiple causes, including genetics and experiences. Another is that culture has an influence on how we define abnormality, so what is considered abnormal in one culture is perfectly normal in another.
• How did the study of abnormal psychology originate? The study of abnormal behavior dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, thinkers such as Sigmund Freud suggested that mental health conditions could be treated with methods including talk therapy.
• 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. By understanding the factors that affect mental health, psychologists can help people overcome impairment, relieve distress, and restore functioning.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. National Institute of Mental Health. Mental illness,
2. Bargh JA, Morsella E. The unconscious mind, Perspect Psychol Sci,2008;3(1):73-9. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.x
3. Walinga J. Behaviourist psychology, In: Stangor C, Walinga J, eds. Introduction to Psychology: 1st Canadian edition. BCcampus Open Education.
4. Cheng AW, McCloskey K, Matacin ML. Teaching personality and abnormal psychology with inclusivity, In: Mena JA, Quina K, eds. Integrating Multiculturalism and Intersectionality into the Psychology Curriculum: Strategies for Instructors, American Psychological Association; 2019:225-241. doi:10.1037/0000137-018
5. Miller RB. Not so Abnormal Psychology: A Pragmatic View of Mental Illness, American Psychological Association; 2015. doi:10.1037/14693-000
6. Kendra MS, Cattaneo LB, Mohr JJ. Teaching abnormal psychology to improve attitudes toward mental illness and help-seeking, Teaching Psychol,2012;39(1):57-61. doi:10.1177/0098628311430315

By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry, MS, is the author of the “Everything Psychology Book (2nd Edition)” and has written thousands of articles on diverse psychology topics. Kendra holds a Master of Science degree in education from Boise State University with a primary research interest in educational psychology and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Idaho State University with additional coursework in substance use and case management.

What is an abnormal psychology class like?

This course provides an examination of the various psychological disorders, as well as theoretical, clinical, and experimental perspectives of the study of psychopathology. Emphasis is placed on terminology, classification, etiology, assessment, and treatment of the major disorders.

What is the hardest subject in psychology?

Based on 40 years of teaching college psyc courses, for most students it has to be statistics. If taught correctly, stats combines abstract concepts, probability theory and applied algebra.

Is abnormal psychology a good career?

Benefits of Studying Abnormal Psychology Courses – According to mental health charity Beyond Blue, one in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime. That’s roughly 15% of the population. And that’s just depression. Stigmas around mental health are beginning to break down and there are a lot more people coming forward with their issues.

• But to help them get the help they need, the right help needs to be available.
• By signing up to abnormal psychology courses, you can become someone who helps others work through their mental health issues.
• It can be a rewarding career that makes a difference, at a time when we all need to support each other more.

You can use your abnormal psychology studies towards a new full-time or part-time career, working around your existing job. Whether you decide to go into a volunteering position or you seek a job related to your new qualification, there are multiple paths you can take.

What are the four D’s of abnormal psychology?

Sometimes we ask ourselves,Am I normal? I usually double-check whether Ive closed and locked the door or not, which seems like I may have the so-called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Im also considered arrogant by Asian standards as I always speak my mind, thus some people consider me narcissistic.

From time to time, I wonder whether Im normal. Whats normal enough? The question is: by whose standards are you normal or abnormal ? Depending on the society we live in, a behavior can be considered either normal or abnormal. In Japanese culture, honor is taken seriously, thus any incident that hurts ones pride is worthy of self-killing or suicide.

In the United States, however, the first thought that comes to mind whenever someone kills himself is: clinical depression. Thus, culture determines whether ones behavior or suspected psychological pathology is abnormal or not. Milder and somewhat accepted bizarre behaviors, for instance, may be called eccentric instead of abnormal.

• An artist who paints with his own saliva, for instance, may be considered eccentric instead of abnormal.
• In general, the four common features of an abnormality are: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. Deviance.
• Any deviation from accepted norms in a society (or a culture) is considered abnormal.

For instance, in western countries, talking to ones self is enough to raise a red flag. However, in eastern countries where mysticism is considered an important part of life, talking to ones self or appearing to have a different personality may be considered the residence of a spirit in the body of a medium.

• In psychological term, interestingly, the person is experiencing dissociative personality disorder.
• But in certain cultures, he might be considered a successful shaman. Distress.
• Acting unusually doesnt automatically make one abnormal.
• For instance, a solo world traveler rides his bike to 100 countries worldwide.

We may think its abnormal but as long as it doesnt give distress to the individual and others around him, it is simply eccentric instead of abnormal. When interviewed, the solo bike rider may even feel proud of his achievement as the first person who travels the world on a bicycle.

Dysfunction. Another test of abnormality is whether a behavior causes a dysfunction in everyday activities. Grieving may take a while to pass, but a clinical depression doesnt seem to pass and the person is likely to withdraw from everyday activities and to stop communication with family members and friends at some point.

Danger. Whenever an individual poses a risk of danger to herself or others, then its most likely that she is abnormal. However, this variable doesnt occur in every case of abnormality, as many psychological pathologies dont result in suicide or homicide.

1. Though its an exception instead of a rule, any threat to kill or harm ones self or others is definitely a vivid red flag.
2. By understanding what constitutes an abnormal behavior, we should be able to observe ourselves and others in light of living the Good Life.
3. Reference: Comer, Ronald J.
4. Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology.

New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

What are the 3 criteria for abnormal behavior?

In the DSM-5, abnormal behavior is characterized by four general criteria: maladaptive behavior, personal distress, statistical rarity, and violation of social norms.

Why is it difficult to define abnormal psychology?

Defining abnormality is difficult because one has to establish that a behavior and/or phenomena is statistically rare, causes problems in living for most people, and is not due to the influence of a particular culture or trend.

Is it normal to be abnormal psychology?

Limitations – However, this definition fails to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behavior. For example, obesity is statistically normal but not associated with healthy or desirable. Conversely, a high IQ is statistically abnormal but may well be regarded as highly desirable.

1. Many rare behaviors or characteristics (e.g., left-handedness) have no bearing on normality or abnormality.
2. Some characteristics are regarded as abnormal even though they are quite frequent.
3. Depression may affect 27% of elderly people (NIMH, 2001).
4. This would make it common, but that does not mean it isn’t a problem.

The decision of where to start the “abnormal” classification is arbitrary. Who decides what is statistically rare, and how do they decide? For example, if an IQ of 70 is the cut-off point, how can we justify saying someone with 69 is abnormal, and someone with 70 is normal? This definition also implies that the presence of abnormal behavior in people should be rare or statistically unusual, which is not the case.

What are the benefits of studying psychopathology?

Posted on: July 19, 2020 Last Updated: November 19, 2021 Time to read: 4 minutes This article is based on the talk by Prof Femi Oyebode at RCPsych 2019. Prof Femi Oyebode is an expert in descriptive and clinical psychopathology. He is an authority on the cognitive neuropsychiatry of delusional misidentification syndromes and on other rare and unusual psychiatric syndromes.

As psychiatry is a heterogeneous discipline which allows practitioners to conceptualise conditions within multiple perspectives e.g neuroscience, dynamic psychology, and sociology, psychiatrists, therefore, need a common language.

Psychopathology aspires to respect the phenomenon rather than to market a specific, inflexible theory. Psychopathology can be understood as a shared language that allows clinicians with different theoretical backgrounds to understand each other when dealing with mental disorders.

Psychopathology helps in diagnosis in psychiatry where many conditions are syndromes underpinned by abnormal subjective experiences of the patient. Psychopathology functions as a bridge between the human and clinical sciences, providing the basic tools to make sense of mental suffering. It, therefore, allows psychiatrists to not only understand the phenomenon relevant to diagnosis but also to understand the varied patient experiences opening the possibility to the discovery of new psychopathological knowledge. Psychopathology attempts to separate the normal experience from the abnormal in the context of illness. Psychopathology bridges the gap between understanding of the illness and caring attempting to establish a methodological as well as an ethical framework for this. Psychopathology attempts to bridge understanding (meaningfulness) and explanation (causality) in research and clinical settings.

Delusions: Delusions are considered to be false beliefs that have no bearing on a person’s level of intelligence, cultural, or religious background. Most clinicians refer to these as primary or secondary delusions. If we consider the term ‘delusion’ as a general statement similar to ‘amnesia’ or ‘dementia,’ then the distinctions of primary and secondary delusions become unhelpful.

They are of interest to psychiatrists as they mimic the neurological condition known as prosopagnosia, where discrete structural abnormalities occur in the lingual and fusiform gyri of the brain, and both occipital lobes are likely affected by stroke. Given the similarity between the psychotic condition and the neurological condition, and that we are dealing with face recognition, we might ask if a relationship exists. Individuals with delusional misidentification syndrome have impaired facial recognition, but intact recognition of facial emotions. Neuroimaging evidence suggests a link between Capgras syndrome and right hemisphere abnormalities, particularly in the frontal and temporal regions. The origin of delusional misidentification syndrome is different from that of delusional/ morbid jealousy, which comes from an understanding of the evolutionary biology of mating. The energetics of the investment in parenting for males and females is different, much greater energy investment is associated with the production of finite eggs, and carefully signalling fertility in order to select the most suitable mate. This knowledge provides us with a clue that the beliefs and behaviours associated with jealousy are entwined in biological systems.

Folie à deux:

Another completely different form of delusion is folie à deux disorder, where symptoms of a delusional belief are shared with another individual to the same tenacity as the person who is ill. The origins of this delusion come from the nature of persuasive communication and show us a different route into delusional thinking. Folie à deux shows us that the affected people have to be living in close proximity to each other and that the delusional belief of one of them needs to be believable.

The message must be that delusions deemed as primary or secondary delusions should be considered more like abnormal movements, i.e. the nature of the abnormal movement tells something about the origins of the problem, and this may be a safer and more thoughtful method of approaching delusional patients.

• Hallucinations: In hallucinations, the emphasis here is very much on the experience of the patient.
• Hallucinations are perceptions in the absence of an external stimulus and, importantly, third-person hallucinations are distinct from common hallucinations, and we must consider the origins of each.
• Therefore, hallucinations cannot be grouped as one entity if we are to obtain meaningful results from neuroimaging studies.

Dimensional models propose auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) as a continuum of normal experience. Cognitive neurobiological models of AVHs include misattribution of inner speech, aberrant memory, semantic processing errors, and abnormal connectivity.

What is the difference between psychopathology and abnormal psychology?

In abnormal psychology, the psychologists pay attention to behavior that are considered as abnormal. These patterns of behavior are maladaptive and disrupt the life of the individual. Psychopathology, on the other hand, refers to the study of mental illnesses. This is the main differences between the two words.

What are the 7 perspectives of abnormal psychology?

In general, there are seven approaches to the study of abnormal psychology: biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, sociocultural and diathesis-stress.

Is schizophrenia under abnormal psychology?

Overview – Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.

What is an example of abnormal psychology?

Examples of abnormal behavior include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anorexia nervosa, borderline personality disorder, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, etc.

What is the most easiest psychology degree?

Psychology, the field of study that focuses on thinking and behavior, blends aspects of social and natural sciences as well as clinical mental health practice. Colleges and universities offer many different types of psychology degrees at various levels of study and in different areas of specialization.

Undergraduate psychology degrees are easier to get than graduate-level degrees, of course. Factors such as whether the program is more heavily based in science or liberal arts affect the level of difficulty. At the graduate level, the master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology is probably the easiest to attain.

As doctorates go, the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree may be easier than the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

How many years does it take to study abnormal psychology?

Master’s in Abnormal Psychology – After learning some basics of abnormal psychology and earning your bachelor’s, you’ll move on to your master’s degree. In a master’s program, you’ll dig deeper into the topics and begin to apply concepts. Many programs run eighteen months to three years, but time can vary depending on the individual program.

DSM/Psychopathology: In this class, students will be introduced to and learn to apply the mental health diagnostic system from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM. The DSM contains all official mental health disorders and is used by therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists to diagnose their patients. Students in this course study diagnostic interviewing skills, appropriate interventions for each disorder (including information on psychopharmacology), and more. They will also review the effects of socio-environmental factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Psychopathology: In this class, students study the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric illnesses (anxiety disorders, affective disorders, addiction, psychosis, etc.). Through lectures, readings and assignments, students should gain a deeper understanding of these various conditions and how they’re treated. By the end of the course, they should have also developed knowledge that will serve as a foundation for more advanced and specialized skills in careers such as social work, psychiatric nursing, psychiatry, and more.

What is the difference between clinical psychology and abnormal psychology?

Answer. Answer: To response to your question in the simplest way: Abnormal psychology is the study of deviant behaviors and causes and consequences of such behaviors. Clinical psychology examines normal and abnormal psychological patterns over the life span as well as the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behaviors.

What is the difference between psychopathology and abnormal psychology?

In abnormal psychology, the psychologists pay attention to behavior that are considered as abnormal. These patterns of behavior are maladaptive and disrupt the life of the individual. Psychopathology, on the other hand, refers to the study of mental illnesses. This is the main differences between the two words.