Abnormal Behavior Study Guide
1. There isn’t a set definition for the term abnormal. Abnormal can be though as anything that strays from social norms. It can also be seen as anything that causes a person to suffer, anything self-destructive or harmful to others. One of the main reasons it is difficult to find a standard definition for abnormal behavior because there is nothing concrete to compare “normal” and “abnormal” behavior. The idea of normal behavior varies from person to person because of what they believe the term or idea normal behavior means. Some psychologists today define the term abnormal under the “four D’s”; deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. Looking at your actions, using the four D’s help show indications of a mental disorder. Another viewpoint for defining “abnormal”’ behavior is looking at the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the DSM. If your symptoms are found in the book, you could be able to determine what type of mental disorder you may have.
2. Culture- bound syndromes (CBS) are disorders that are unique to particular cultures. An example of a CBS would be latah. Latah usually occurs in Malaysia and Indonesia. For a “normal” person, after being startled, we gasp and swear then we go back to doing what we were doing before. For latah, after the jolt of surprise, they have a 30 minute orgy of screaming, dancing, and hysterical laughter, with an outburst of shouting profanity. Persons with latah mimic movements similar to the behaviors of a child during a certain developmental stage. The latah syndrome can be cause by any type of traumatic experience such as the death of a child. Some people create the jolt of surprise within people suffering from latah so they could have their daily dose of entertainment, making them the center of attention (Books, 1992)
3. The DSM (Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders) is a book that contains descriptive symptoms that classifies mental illnesses into categories. This book helps
2. Culture- bound syndromes (CBS) are disorders that are unique to particular cultures. An example of a CBS would be latah. Latah usually occurs in Malaysia and Indonesia. For a “normal” person, after being startled, we gasp and swear then we go back to doing what we were doing before. For latah, after the jolt of surprise, they have a 30 minute orgy of screaming, dancing, and hysterical laughter, with an outburst of shouting profanity. Persons with latah mimic movements similar to the behaviors of a child during a certain developmental stage. The latah syndrome can be cause by any type of traumatic experience such as the death of a child. Some people create the jolt of surprise within people suffering from latah so they could have their daily dose of entertainment, making them the center of attention (Books, 1992)
3. The DSM (Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders) is a book that contains descriptive symptoms that classifies mental illnesses into categories. This book helps
Cited: Books, T.-L. (1992). Manias and Delusions. Time-Life Books. Retrieved from http://www.stayfreemagazine.org/archives/21/mental_illness.html Meloy, J. R. (1995). Antisocial Personality Disorder. Raine, A., Buchsbaum, M., & LaCasse, L. (1997). Brain Abnormalities in Murderers Indicated by Positron Emission Tomography. Staff, M. C. (n.d.). Psychotherapy. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/psychotherapy/basics/risks/prc-20013335 Wade, C., & Tavris, C. (2008). Psychology. Pearson Education.