Abnormal Psychology
Abstract
The following paper includes such topics of normal and abnormal psychology. Discussed with these topics are definitions of each as well as the similarities and differences between them both. Included here also is a discussion and explanation of two mental disorders and two mental illnesses all taken from the psychology perspective. As the reader will see, normal and abnormal psychology as well as the mental disorders and illnesses are common issues that could happen to any person or affect any family at any time. In addition to learning about the disorders and illnesses the reader will also learn about possible therapies for treating these mental disorders and illnesses. Mental disorders and mental illnesses objectively studied by each school of thought; the therapies suggested by each school of thought are different. Therefore, the similarities and differences between the proposed treatments from each psychological school of thought are used, to discover the most effective measures for diagnosing and treating abnormal psychology.
Compare and Contrast Normal and Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology (2010), according to Merriam-Webster, is a branch of psychology concerned with mental and emotional disorders. Abnormal psychology focuses on the four D’s that determine normal and abnormal behavior: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. Individuals that follow the norms of society and standards of behavior are normal, to those who deviate are abnormal. Someone with schizophrenia cannot think or behave normally; considered to have a dysfunction and often a danger to self or others in society. All behavior, normal or abnormal show signs of deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. Every society has their own standard of what they see as “madness,” and what a society conveys as normal and abnormal changes constantly. When societies compare normal to abnormal, they
The following paper includes such topics of normal and abnormal psychology. Discussed with these topics are definitions of each as well as the similarities and differences between them both. Included here also is a discussion and explanation of two mental disorders and two mental illnesses all taken from the psychology perspective. As the reader will see, normal and abnormal psychology as well as the mental disorders and illnesses are common issues that could happen to any person or affect any family at any time. In addition to learning about the disorders and illnesses the reader will also learn about possible therapies for treating these mental disorders and illnesses. Mental disorders and mental illnesses objectively studied by each school of thought; the therapies suggested by each school of thought are different. Therefore, the similarities and differences between the proposed treatments from each psychological school of thought are used, to discover the most effective measures for diagnosing and treating abnormal psychology.
Compare and Contrast Normal and Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology (2010), according to Merriam-Webster, is a branch of psychology concerned with mental and emotional disorders. Abnormal psychology focuses on the four D’s that determine normal and abnormal behavior: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. Individuals that follow the norms of society and standards of behavior are normal, to those who deviate are abnormal. Someone with schizophrenia cannot think or behave normally; considered to have a dysfunction and often a danger to self or others in society. All behavior, normal or abnormal show signs of deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. Every society has their own standard of what they see as “madness,” and what a society conveys as normal and abnormal changes constantly. When societies compare normal to abnormal, they
References: Abnormal psychology. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved July 12, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abnormal psychology Cherry, Kendra. "What is Psychology?” 2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/psychology101. Kowalski, R. & Western, D. (2009). Psychology. New York Times Company. (2010). Mental Disorders. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com 2009, 5th edition). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. New York Times Company. (2010). Mental Disorders. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com