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Abnormal Psychology
The study of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that deviate from what is considered typical or socially acceptable
Normal Psychology
The study of typical or usual behaviors, thoughts, and emotions exhibited by individuals within a given population or society.
Statistical Infrequency (dev from the norm)
Unusual behaviours are sometimes desirable e.g. geniuses
Undesirable behaviour are sometimes normal e.g. depression
Norm differs due to culture, age. Criteria are not universally applicable.
Ethical Issues:
Social labeling
Discrimination
Violation of human rights
Social Deviation
Normality defined by the standards of social behaviour.
Variation of norms in different demographic/social groups.
Situational norms
Acceptable depending on situation
Developmental norm
Acceptable depending on development.
Norms changes according to prevailing moral values e.g. Homosexuality, Divorce
Pressure on becoming the norm.
Conforming to the norm without internalising it.
Repressed to a point where one develops a disorder.
Dysfunction and Distress
Behaviour disrupts the ability to work and/or to conduct satisfying relationship with people.
Not all mental disorders are accompanied by distress (anti-social personality disorder).
Not all distress are disorders (grief).
