Topic_1.1_What_Is_Abnormality

What Is Abnormality?

• Course: CLP 4143: Abnormal Psychology

• Instructor: Madeline Dougherty, PhD

Learning Objectives

• Define abnormal psychology.

• Describe the continuum model of abnormality.

• Describe the "four Ds" of abnormality.

• Apply the "four Ds" to assess whether specific behaviors are abnormal.

• Discuss how social norms influence definitions of abnormality.

Abnormal Psychology

• Definition:

  • Abnormal psychology is the study of psychopathology (mental disorders).

  • Psycho = relating to the mind.

  • Pathology = disorder.

• Related Terms:

  • Psychology

  • Psychosis/Psychotic

  • Psychopath/“Psycho”

Importance of Defining Abnormality

• Considerations:

  • What if we assume everything is normal?

  • What if we assume everything is abnormal?

Defining Abnormality: Examples

• Example 1:

  • A tennis player bounces the ball exactly 3 times before serving, restarting if it feels wrong.

  • Is this behavior normal or abnormal? Why?

• Example 2:

  • A man has received 30 speeding tickets but continues to drive 20-30 mph over the speed limit.

  • Is this behavior normal or abnormal? Why?

Continuum Model of Abnormality

• A model illustrating the range from normal to abnormal behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.

Normal End

• Characteristics:

  • Typical for the social context.

  • Not distressing to the individual.

  • Not interfering with social/occupational functioning.

  • Not dangerous.

Abnormal End

• Characteristics:

  • Highly unusual.

  • Significantly distressing.

  • Significantly interfering.

  • Very dangerous.

Middle of the Continuum

• Characteristics:

  • Somewhat unusual.

  • Somewhat distressing.

  • Somewhat interfering.

  • Somewhat dangerous.

The “Four D’s” of Abnormality

• Deviance from the norm.

• Distress to self or others.

• Dysfunctionality in social, work, or school settings.

• Dangerousness to self or others.

Deviance from the Norm

• Focus:

  • The "unusualness perspective" where deviance means being different from societal norms.

• Influenced by cultural norms.

Distressing

• Focus:

  • The "distress perspective" which involves physical or emotional pain to oneself or others.

Dysfunctional

• Focus:

  • Behaviors that interfere with daily functioning, including work, school, and relationships.

Dangerous

• Focus:

  • Behaviors posing a risk to self or others can be classified as dangerous.

The Four D’s Overview

• Characteristics:

  • It is essential to recognize that not all four factors need to be present.

  • Deviance alone cannot function as the only characteristic for abnormality.

Examples in Depth

• Example Analysis:

  • Tennis player behavior:

    • Deviance?

    • Distressing?

    • Dysfunctional?

    • Dangerous?

  • Speeding Ticket Man behavior:

    • Deviance?

    • Distressing?

    • Dysfunctional?

    • Dangerous?

• Example of Jennifer:

  • Weight loss from 125 lbs to 105 lbs over a year;

  • Social implications of compliments influencing her behavior.

  • Potentially abnormal behavior analysis: deviant, distressing, dysfunctional, or dangerous?

• Example of Mark:

  • Described as a "heavy drinker" with access to alcohol at 18 years old; engagement in risky drinking behavior.

  • Analysis of deviance, distress, dysfunctionality, and danger in his behavior.

Conclusion on Four D’s

• The characteristics of abnormality are contingent upon cultural norms and vary in severity from normal to extremely abnormal within the continuum model.