Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology is one of the most scientific and interesting area in psychology. Lets unwind it step by step.

Included in:
1. Civil Services Mains Paper II, Chapter 2- Psychological Well being and Mental Disorders
2. Kerala University SEM V, Abnormal Psychology paper

Whats abnormality??

No definition has won universal acceptance. Still, most definitions have certain common features,often called the ‘four Ds’: deviance,distress, dysfunction and danger. That is,psychological disorders are deviant (different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre),distressing (unpleasant and upsetting tothe person and to others), dysfunctional(interfering with the person’s ability tocarry out daily activities in a constructive way), and possibly dangerous (to theperson or to others). No set standard for normal.

Various approaches have been used in distinguishing between normal and abnormal behaviours. From these approaches, there emerge two basic and conflicting views :

1.Social-Norm-The first approach views abnormal behaviour as a deviation from social norms. Abnormal behaviour, thoughts and emotions are those that differ

markedly from a society’s ideas of proper functioning. Each society has norms,

which are stated or unstated rules for proper conduct. Behaviours, thoughts and

emotions that break societal norms are called abnormal. A society’s norms grow

from its particular culture — its history, values, institutions, habits, skills,

technology, and arts.

-ve: A society’s values may change over time, causing its views of what is psychologically abnormal to change as well.

2. maladaptive- whether it fosters the well-being of the individual and eventually of the group to which s/he belongs. Well-being is not simply maintenance and survival but also includes growth and fulfilment.

Factors causing mental disorders-

1.Biological,

2. Genertical

3. Psychological-

These models maintain that psychological and interpersonal factors have a significant role to play in abnormal behaviour. These factors include maternal deprivation

(separation from the mother, or lack of warmth and stimulation during early years of life), faulty parent-child relationships (rejection, overprotection, overpermissiveness,

faulty discipline, etc.), maladaptive family structures (inadequate or disturbed family), and severe stress.

(a)   Psychodynamic theorists believe that behaviour, whether normal or abnormal, is determined by psychological forces within the person of which s/he is not consciously aware. These internal forces are considered dynamic, i.e. they interact with one another and their interaction gives shape to behaviour, thoughts and emotions. Abnormal symptoms are viewed as the result of conflicts between these forces.

(b)  Behavioural model. This model states that both normal and abnormal behaviours are learned and psychological disorders are the result of learning maladaptive ways of behaving. The model concentrates on behaviours that are learned through conditioning and proposes that what has been learned can be unlearned. Learning can take place by classical conditioning (temporal association in which two events repeatedly occur close together in time), operant conditioning (behaviour is followed by a reward), and social learning (learning by imitating

(c)  Cognitive model- This model states that abnormal functioning can result from cognitive problems. People may hold assumptions and attitudes about themselves that are irrational and inaccurate. People may also repeatedly think in illogical ways and make overgeneralisations, that is, they may draw broad, negative conclusions on the basis of a single insignificant event.

(d)  humanistic-existential model - focuses on broader aspects of human existence. Humanists believe that human beings are born with a natural tendency to be friendly, cooperative and constructive, and are driven to self actualise, i.e. to fulfil this potential for goodness and growth. Existentialists believe that from birth we have total freedom to give meaning to our existence or to avoid that responsibility. Those who shirk from this responsibility would live empty, inauthentic, and dysfunctional lives.

(e)   Sociocultural model- abnormal behaviour is best understood in light of the social and cultural forces that influence an individual. As behaviour is shaped by societal forces, factors such as family structure and communication, social networks, societal conditions, and societal labels and roles become more important.

(f)   Diathesis-stress model- This model states that psychological disorders develop when a diathesis (biological predisposition to the disorder) is set off by a stressful situation. This model has three components. The first is the diathesis or the presence of some biological aberration which may be inherited. The second component is that the diathesis may carry a vulnerability to develop a psychological disorder. This means that the person is ‘at risk’ or ‘predisposed’ to develop the disorder. The third component is the presence of pathogenic stressors, i.e. factors/stressors that may lead to psychopathology. If such “at risk” persons are exposed to these stressors, their predisposition may actually evolve into a disorder.