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Chapter 3
Categorising Typical and Atypical Behaviour
Key Ideas
Psychological Criteria for Categorising Behaviour:
standards against which a judgement can be made about a person’s behaviour and abilities
Cultural Perspectives: the influence of society and community on one’s thoughts
Social Norms: society’s unofficial rules and expectations regarding how individuals should act
Statistical Rarity: something that lies outside the range of statistical normality and is also unusual enough to be considered significant
Personal Distress: an aversive and often self-oriented emotional reaction
Maladaptive Behaviour: an action that impairs an individual’s ability to meet the changing demands of their everyday life
Typical vs Atypical Behaviours
Typical Behaviour: an activity that is consistent with how an individual usually behaves
Atypical Behaviour: an activity that is unusual or unnatural according to how an individual usually behaves
Strengths and Limitations of Psychological Criteria for Behaviour
Criteria | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
Cultural Perspectives | Respects different cultural norms. Example: Eye contact means respect in Australia but not in Japan. | Hard to define typical behaviour in diverse cultures. |
Social Norms | Easy to spot unusual behaviour. Example: A child jumping in class stands out. | Norms change with situations. Example: Cheering is okay at a game but not at a debate. |
Statistical Rarity | Uses numbers to decide what’s typical. Example: If only 2% of people do something, it’s rare. | Not all rare behaviours are bad. Hard to apply numbers to complex actions. |
Personal Distress | Helps when other methods don’t work. Provides a visual indication Example: A confident speaker with shaky hands may be struggling. | People can hide distress, making it hard to notice. |
Maladaptive Behavior | Looks at how behaviour affects life. Example: Not studying before a test may actually help someone relax. | What’s "bad" behavior depends on opinion. Example: Avoiding people before a test may help some but not others. |
Understanding Normality and Neurotypicality
Normality
Normality: the state of having thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are considered common and acceptable
Abnormality: the state of deviating from the norm, usually in a way that is undesirable
Normality is multifaceted and subjective, not everyone agrees on what is normal and it is difficult to make definitive statements about normality.
Approaches to Understanding Normality
Approach | How It Defines Normality |
|---|---|
Socio-Cultural | Normal depends on social and cultural rules. |
Functional | Normal means being able to handle daily life. |
Historical | Normal changes over time. |
Medical | Abnormal behavior has biological causes and can be diagnosed. |
Statistical | Normal is what most people do. |
Situational | Normal depends on the situation. |
Neurotypicality
Neurotypicality: a term used to describe individuals who display neurological and cognitive functioning that is typical or expected
Neurodiversity: variations in neurological development and functioning within and between groups of people, such as those experienced by people with autism
Adaptive and maladaptive emotions, behaviours, and cognitions
Adaptive 😊 | Maladaptive 😟 | |
|---|---|---|
Emotions | Can control emotions. Example: Calming down after not getting a new iPhone. | Struggles with emotions. Example: Staying mad for a month after not getting a new iPhone. |
Behaviours | Activities that enhance an individual’s ability to match the changing demands of their everyday life. Example: Having a drink with friends after work (if of legal age). | Activities that hurt daily life. Example: Drinking too much and missing work. |
Cognitions | Adjusts to challenges. Example: Seeing a failed test as a learning experience. | Can’t adjust. Example: Believing one failed test means never getting a job. |
Adaptive: being able to adjust to the environment appropriately and function effectively
Maladaptive: being unable to adapt to the environment appropriately and function effectively
Neurodiversity
Key Ideas
Neurodiversity: variations in neurological development and functioning within and between groups of people, such as those experienced by people with autism
Neurodivergent:individuals who have a variation in neurological development and functioning
Neurotypicality: a term used to describe Individuals who display neurological and cognitive functioning in a way that is typical or expected
Neurotypical vs. Neurodivergent Individual
Neurotypical Individual | Neurodivergent Individual |
|---|---|
Good at communication | Expresses themselves creatively |
Can focus for long periods | May not focus long but is detail-oriented |
Can function in distracting environments | Easily distracted by surroundings |
Adapts well to changes in routine | Struggles with sudden changes |
Common Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by impaired social interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication difficulties, narrow interests, and repetitive behaviour
Strengths and Challenges of Individuals with ASD
Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|
Great attention to detail | Difficulty making or maintaining eye contact |
Good at remembering facts | Trouble reading facial expressions and emotions |
Highly motivated and enthusiastic about interests | Gets upset by small changes in routine |
Accurate in tasks | Obsessive interests in one thing |
Creative problem-solvers | Delayed language development |
Follows instructions precisely | Delayed motor skills |
Sees things from a unique perspective | Delayed cognitive or learning skills |
ADHD: a neurological condition characterised by persistent inattention or hyperactivity that disrupts social, academic, or occupational functioning
Additional Strengths and Challenges of Individuals with ADHD
Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|
Hyperfocus on tasks of interest | Time management difficulties |
Creative in problem-solving | Trouble staying focused |
Enthusiastic about activities | Difficulty staying on topic |
Innovative in task completion | Struggles with rational decision-making |
Hard time expressing feelings | |
Impulsive behavior |
Dyslexia: a neurologically based learning difficulty manifested as severe challenges in reading, spelling, writing words, and sometimes in arithmetic
Strengths and Challenges of Individuals with Dyslexia
Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|
Strong memory | Difficulty with reading and writing |
Good at solving puzzles | Slower learning pace |
Good spatial awareness | Trouble forming words correctly |
Can initiate conversations | Confusing similar-sounding words |
Strong problem-solving skills | Difficulty understanding jokes or expressions |
Big-picture thinker | Lack of confidence in reading/writing tasks |
Good at narrative reasoning | Worry about being ‘behind’ others |
Three-dimensional thinking |
Role of Mental Health Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Organisations
Mental Health Workers: members of a mental health treatment team who assist in providing a wide range of services and care for patients with psychological or social problems
Qualifications of Mental Health Workers
Bachelor’s degree in nursing or social work
Certification/qualification in mental health or community service
How They Support Mental Wellbeing
Ensuring medication is taken on time
Helping people manage tough situations
Developing and practicing coping strategies with patients
Keeping health records, like changes in medication
Teaching community members about mental health and supporting those affected
Conducting outreach to help clients connect with their community and manage daily tasks
Reviewing recovery plans and making adjustments, like changing sleep schedules
Mental health workers cannot diagnose illnesses or provide therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy. Their main goal is to assist patients who have already been diagnosed.
How They Support Psychological Development
Helping children with neurological disorders at school
Connecting families of children with disabilities to helpful programs and services
Who They Work With
Children with autism
Young adults with ADHD
Elderly people with dementia
Mothers with postpartum depression
Where They Work
Mental health workers may work in:
Clients' homes
Community or mental health support centers
Aged-care homes
Rehabilitation centers
Clinics
Community-based organizations
Workplaces
Psychologists: an individual who is professionally trained in one or more branches or subfields of psychology
Characteristics of a Psychologist
Characteristic | Explanation |
|---|---|
Qualifications | - Accredited three-year undergraduate study in psychology - Fourth-year honors study - Additional master’s degree in a specialization (e.g., developmental or forensic psychology) - Potentially a PhD (if interested) - Work experience in the chosen field - Formal registration with the Australian Psychological Society |
How They Support Mental Wellbeing | Psychologists support mental wellbeing by: - Diagnosing based on a patient's context and symptoms - Offering therapies like psychoanalysis, psychodynamic approaches, client-centered therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy |
How They Support Psychological Development | Psychologists support psychological development by: - Diagnosing and assessing autism - Providing counseling during tough times after a diagnosis - Developing strategies for managing ADHD and other conditions like depression or anxiety - Assessing learning difficulties and planning for school and beyond - Referring individuals to medical specialists like neurologists or psychiatrists |
Who They Work With | Psychologists work with people experiencing: - Relationship problems - Trauma - Parenting issues - Loss or grief - Substance abuse - Diagnosed mental health disorders - Chronic illness - Learning difficulties |
Where they work |
|
Psychiatrists: a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and study of mental, behavioural, and personality disorders
Characteristics of a Psychiatrist
Characteristic | Explanation |
|---|---|
Qualifications | - Study medicine and complete a medical degree |
How They Support Mental Wellbeing | - Diagnosing and treating mental health issues - Prescribing medication for mental health conditions - Offering therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy - Conducting research to drive breakthroughs in psychiatry and mental health |
How They Support Psychological Development | Diagnosing and developing management plans for developmental conditions like ADHD - Treating related mental health issues like depression or substance abuse - Prescribing medication - Monitoring medication side effects and physical health - Providing counseling resources and mentoring - Referring individuals to other health professionals |
Who They Work With | - Patients with mental health issues, their families, and carers - General practitioners and other health professionals |
Where They Work | - Private, public, or academic practices - Hospitals - Clinics - Community settings |
Mental Health Organisations: a company or group that works to
address or advocate for mental health, such as through providing support or specialised services
Characteristics of a Mental Health Organization
Characteristic | Explanation |
|---|---|
How They Support Mental and Psychological Wellbeing | Raising Awareness - School-based Early Intervention Programs - Over-the-phone Counselling - Workshops |
Who They Work With | - Children - Families - Adults with acquired brain injuries or neurodegenerative conditions - People with intellectual disabilities - People with mental illnesses - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - War veterans |
Culturally Responsive Practices
acting in ways that respond to the needs of diverse communities and demonstrating an openness to new ideas that may align with different cultural ideas, beliefs, and values
having an understanding of different cultures
being able to accept differences without judgements
being able to identify risk factors among specific groups without stereotyping people
having an awareness of their own culture
understanding inherent biases towards their own cultural values and behaviours
being able to respond appropriately to attitudes, feelings, and circumstances of different people
understanding the necessary structures and services to deliver cultural support and bring about systemic change.
NoteStudied by 10 peopleNoteStudied by 189 peopleNoteStudied by 14 peopleNoteStudied by 26 peopleNoteStudied by 9 peopleNoteStudied by 55 people