Normality and Psychopathology
Nrmality is quite hard to define. The line between what is considered normal and abnormal is not always clear. There are different ways to look at normality. Normal Behaviour refers to a lack of significant deviation from the average.
Normality is thus the deviation from average. There are quite some models for looking at normality.
One model is to place behaviour on a straight line between two point. One extreme point is supernormality, and the other is abnormality. Normality is found around the middle of the line.
Another model is that normality is found between an ideal and a despised self. Normality is the balance between the two.
Throughout history, different theorists have put forwards different theories to try and define normality. I am going to focus on 3 approaches only. The psychoanalytic, learning and cognitive approaches.
The psychoanalytic perspective
When we think of psychoanalytic the one name that comes to mind is Freud. For freud, The mind is divided into the conscious and the unconscious level. The conscious level is about things that we are aware of, like for example, I hate ice cream because it`s cold. The unconscious level are what influence our behaviors, yet we are not aware it, like for example, I hate ice cream because it`s cold, and i hate cold, because the doctor used cold forceps to get me out from my mother`s womb . The reason i hate cold, may not be something i am aware of on a conscious level because this memory dates to the day i was born. On an unconscious level, it makes me hate everything cold. The personality is further divided into 3 parts: the Id, Ego and superego. The Id is that part that is based on pleasure seeking principle At three years old, if i wanted a chocolate, all that will matter is to satisfy this crave, even throwing up tantrums if i have to, so long as i get it. This is a good illustration of the Id. The superego, is the opposite, it is the awareness of shame, the set of moral values
Normality is thus the deviation from average. There are quite some models for looking at normality.
One model is to place behaviour on a straight line between two point. One extreme point is supernormality, and the other is abnormality. Normality is found around the middle of the line.
Another model is that normality is found between an ideal and a despised self. Normality is the balance between the two.
Throughout history, different theorists have put forwards different theories to try and define normality. I am going to focus on 3 approaches only. The psychoanalytic, learning and cognitive approaches.
The psychoanalytic perspective
When we think of psychoanalytic the one name that comes to mind is Freud. For freud, The mind is divided into the conscious and the unconscious level. The conscious level is about things that we are aware of, like for example, I hate ice cream because it`s cold. The unconscious level are what influence our behaviors, yet we are not aware it, like for example, I hate ice cream because it`s cold, and i hate cold, because the doctor used cold forceps to get me out from my mother`s womb . The reason i hate cold, may not be something i am aware of on a conscious level because this memory dates to the day i was born. On an unconscious level, it makes me hate everything cold. The personality is further divided into 3 parts: the Id, Ego and superego. The Id is that part that is based on pleasure seeking principle At three years old, if i wanted a chocolate, all that will matter is to satisfy this crave, even throwing up tantrums if i have to, so long as i get it. This is a good illustration of the Id. The superego, is the opposite, it is the awareness of shame, the set of moral values