Psy 410: Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Janelle Gunnels
Psy/410
November 7, 2013
Stephen Hoyer
Abnormal Psychology
Even though abnormal psychology is a highly controversial aspect of psychology, often challenges define and classify normal and abnormal behavior. Abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline and several theories have advanced our comprehension of psychology through theoretical models. Abnormal psychology is defined as a branch of psychology that correlates with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The word describes a broad range of illnesses, from depression to obsession-compulsion, to sexual deviance and several more. Certified counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often
work within this field.
The origins of Abnormal Psychology are basically the study the abnormal behavior and experience, and partially understood mind-states like hypnosis and dreams.
Abnormal Psychology Defined
Although research suggests that certain types of behavior are irregular, one cannot explain a behavior as abnormal without bearing in mind the range between that which is normal and abnormal (Hansell, J. & Damour, L. 2008, page 5). Psychologists often deal with several challenges as they attempt to classify and define normal and abnormal behaviors; because of cultural differences, sexual preferences, or gender and the particular age of a person. In psychology psychologist acknowledge that three core factors decide if an individual’s behavior is abnormal or normal. The core factors are cultural, sexual preference and gender. Psychologists determine mental disorders by using an arithmetical manual in analytical investigation to classify whether or not an individual is abnormal or not. Abnormality is best described in three ways, one who opposes from social norms and idyllic mental health. Religion also plays a role, because several people have diverse religions and upbringings and that which is considered normal for some people is also ironically abnormal for other people from diverse cultures with diverse religions. Therefore psychologists usually have to consider the individual’s religion, cultural background, age, and sexual preference of the individual before they can analyze whether the behavior is abnormal or normal. The field of abnormal psychology is a scientific discipline that has existed for a little over 100 years, the explanations used to describe abnormal behavior even evident beyond Biblical history (Damour & Hansell, 2008). The earliest reasoning for mental illness was the animistic/spiritual approach, which was constructed by the belief that the supernatural or spirit realm can affect the corporal, observation of the world.
Janelle Gunnels
Psy/410
November 7, 2013
Stephen Hoyer
Abnormal Psychology
Even though abnormal psychology is a highly controversial aspect of psychology, often challenges define and classify normal and abnormal behavior. Abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline and several theories have advanced our comprehension of psychology through theoretical models. Abnormal psychology is defined as a branch of psychology that correlates with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The word describes a broad range of illnesses, from depression to obsession-compulsion, to sexual deviance and several more. Certified counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often
work within this field.
The origins of Abnormal Psychology are basically the study the abnormal behavior and experience, and partially understood mind-states like hypnosis and dreams.
Abnormal Psychology Defined
Although research suggests that certain types of behavior are irregular, one cannot explain a behavior as abnormal without bearing in mind the range between that which is normal and abnormal (Hansell, J. & Damour, L. 2008, page 5). Psychologists often deal with several challenges as they attempt to classify and define normal and abnormal behaviors; because of cultural differences, sexual preferences, or gender and the particular age of a person. In psychology psychologist acknowledge that three core factors decide if an individual’s behavior is abnormal or normal. The core factors are cultural, sexual preference and gender. Psychologists determine mental disorders by using an arithmetical manual in analytical investigation to classify whether or not an individual is abnormal or not. Abnormality is best described in three ways, one who opposes from social norms and idyllic mental health. Religion also plays a role, because several people have diverse religions and upbringings and that which is considered normal for some people is also ironically abnormal for other people from diverse cultures with diverse religions. Therefore psychologists usually have to consider the individual’s religion, cultural background, age, and sexual preference of the individual before they can analyze whether the behavior is abnormal or normal. The field of abnormal psychology is a scientific discipline that has existed for a little over 100 years, the explanations used to describe abnormal behavior even evident beyond Biblical history (Damour & Hansell, 2008). The earliest reasoning for mental illness was the animistic/spiritual approach, which was constructed by the belief that the supernatural or spirit realm can affect the corporal, observation of the world.