Part 1:
The definition of abnormal behavior has been scrutinized and redefined due to the varying perspectives and theories. The terms adaptive and maladaptive have been used to describe a continuum of behaviors from what would be functional to those that would significantly disrupt the functioning of an individual’s daily life.
Describe the major schools of thought concerning abnormal behavior. Which one do you think is the most plausible definition based on today’s world view regarding abnormal behavior? Explain your rationale for making this choice utilizing your course and text readings.
Describe the term maladaptive and how it is used in the context of abnormal psychology. Using examples, explain the difference between adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.
Part 2:
The diagnosis of a mental disorder is based on a specific set of criteria derived from case studies and research. DSM-5 provides a system of diagnosing mental disorders based on established symptoms and conditions. A diagnosis is a shorthand method to describe a set of particular symptoms for a disorder. Improper use of a diagnosis can have a negative impact when it is used to label individuals.
Review current information on the use of the DSM-5 and explain how diagnostic criteria are used to establish a mental illness.
Describe some of the issues regarding labeling individuals with a mental disorder. Explain some ways in which the mental health field and the public in general have lessened this issue.
Reading Information:
Definition of Abnormal Behavior
As a therapist, the question that you will probably hear the most often is, “Is that normal?” As social beings, it is natural for us to compare ourselves to others. When our comparisons raise questions about our behavior, we often want reassurance that the behavior in question is acceptable or normal. The answer to the question is, “Normal depends on the context.” Given the vast range of individual and cultural differences, “normal” is a fluid and subjective term: “Normal for whom?”; “Normal in what situation?”; and “Normal according to whom?”
Defining abnormal can be just as subjective. By definition, in order to have something that is “ab”normal (deviating from the norm), you must first be able to define the norm. As you have learned from your readings, the history of abnormal behavior has rarely been so clear cut.
How abnormal behavior has been defined has been influenced by religion, politics, economics, social constructs, and medicine. Throughout history, and even today, the definitions and treatments of abnormal behavior have been controversial at best. We are still learning about the mind, about behavior, and about all of the factors that can be influential. At best, what you can say is, “Here is what we currently know . . .” So, let’s begin with what the field knows at this time, bearing in mind that even as you read your textbook, the knowledge of the human psyche is changing.
Abnormal Behavior and Mental Health
The field of mental health is concerned with those behaviors that are a combination of abnormal (deviant) and maladaptive. More specifically, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has adopted a set of criteria used to determine whether or not any given behavior or pattern of behaviors should be considered clinically significant or abnormal. These criteria form the basis of how all mental disorders are defined. As you will see in the upcoming weeks, what has been considered abnormal by the APA has changed over time; however, the criteria have remained consistent. Let’s look at how the APA (2013) defines a mental disorder:
A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities. (p. 20)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) (APA, 2013) goes on to describe that you also have to consider that cultural and socially acceptable behaviors such as grieving for a loved one may not be considered mental disorders. It is also important to note a couple of key elements. First, the mental disorder has to significantly impair the individual in overall social and occupational functioning, as well as daily routine (e.g., appearance, eating, and sleep).
It is important to remember that all of these criteria must be met simultaneously, because many of the individual symptoms we see can seem familiar if taken out of context of the entire pattern of the disorder.
Now that you have an idea of what might constitute abnormal behavior, let’s turn our focus to theories of how an individual might develop abnormal behavior.
Treating Abnormal Behavior
Interpersonal therapy, or crisis intervention, has become a much more socially accepted phenomenon for treating abnormal behavior than ever before. However, it continues to be a service of which many people are suspicious or even fearful. Television and movies have done therapy and mental health a great disservice by frequently portraying fictional therapists engaging in odd or bizarre behaviors that would be considered highly unethical or even illegal in real life. For example, clients having sexual relationships with their therapists. In reality, licensed therapists have extremely strict legal and ethical guidelines within which they practice. The field of psychology values human rights and human diversity greatly. Research has long focused on investigating which theoretical approach is most effective in treating abnormal disorder. While studies have found a variety of results, no theoretical approach has been found to be most effective for all abnormal disorders.
Of all of the modes of therapy, perhaps the one modality that has had the most dramatic influence on today’s society has been psychotropic medications (drugs prescribed to stabilize or improve mood, mental status, or behavior). Newer medications with fewer side effects are developed and marketed every day. These medications are dramatically improving the lives of individuals previously incapacitated by mental illness. However, many believe that the ease of obtaining these medications has led to a population that is overmedicated and underequipped to cope with life’s stressors. There was once a stigma associated with taking psychotropic medications, but now people often visit mental health providers’ offices and ask for medication to cope with even the most natural of stressors. There is the potential for medications to be used as a quick fix in situations where strategies for coping or managing one’s emotions might be more appropriate.
University campuses are currently feeling the impact of widespread mental-health treatment. Students who previously may not have made it to college have been able to succeed with the help of medications and counseling for issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depressive disorders, or anxiety disorders. As a result, a much higher percentage of college students arrive on campuses with a history of mental-health care, medication treatment, and even psychiatric hospitalization. This fact is even supported by a recent survey conducted by the American College Health Association.
Universities are now struggling to meet the demand for on-campus mental-health care, psychiatric care, and crisis intervention. The tragedies of Virginia Tech illustrate such changes.
This brings us to the end of this week’s lecture. Let’s summarize the key learning from the week.
Outside Resources
The following is a list of readings and resources that can be used as supplemental information regarding mental disorders. They will be useful throughout the course.
Interesting Web Resources: Please Use these web links or sites
DSM
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
World Health Organization—Mental Health
Changes from DSM IV-TR to DSM-V:
The following source provides an overview of the major changes to the DSM.
Summary
This week started with how abnormal behavior is defined. You learned that defining abnormal behavior is just as subjective as defining normal behavior. Throughout history, the definition of abnormal behavior has been influenced by religion, politics, economics, social constructs, and medicine. You also learned about APA’s definition of a mental disorder, the definition that we will consider for our discussion. In addition, you learned about the three types of behavior: adaptive, maladaptive, and deviant.
Next, you learned about the dominant theories of abnormality. You also learned about some of the key issues that you should keep in mind while studying research in abnormal psychology. In addition, you learned about the different approaches or ideologies used to assess and diagnose abnormal behavior within the psychology field. Finally, you learned about the popular approaches used to treat abnormal behavior and the issues surrounding them.
Next week, we will begin to take a more in-depth look at specific patterns of abnormal behavior, as defined by the current version of DSM-5.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual
of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric
Publishing.
Public Law 111-256: Rosa’s Law, 20 U.S.C. §§ 2643-2645 (2010). Retrieved
from https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ256/content-
Part 1:
The definition of abnormal behavior has been scrutinized and redefined due to the varying perspectives and theories. The terms adaptive and maladaptive have been used to describe a continuum of behaviors from what would be functional to those that would significantly disrupt the functioning of an individual’s daily life.
Describe the major schools of thought concerning abnormal behavior. Which one do you think is the most plausible definition based on today’s world view regarding abnormal behavior? Explain your rationale for making this choice utilizing your course and text readings.
Describe the term maladaptive and how it is used in the context of abnormal psychology. Using examples, explain the difference between adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.
Part 2:
The diagnosis of a mental disorder is based on a specific set of criteria derived from case studies and research. DSM-5 provides a system of diagnosing mental disorders based on established symptoms and conditions. A diagnosis is a shorthand method to describe a set of particular symptoms for a disorder. Improper use of a diagnosis can have a negative impact when it is used to label individuals.
Review current information on the use of the DSM-5 and explain how diagnostic criteria are used to establish a mental illness.
Describe some of the issues regarding labeling individuals with a mental disorder. Explain some ways in which the mental health field and the public in general have lessened this issue.
Reading Information:
Definition of Abnormal Behavior
As a therapist, the question that you will probably hear the most often is, “Is that normal?” As social beings, it is natural for us to compare ourselves to others. When our comparisons raise questions about our behavior, we often want reassurance that the behavior in question is acceptable or normal. The answer to the question is, “Normal depends on the context.” Given the vast range of individual and cultural differences, “normal” is a fluid and subjective term: “Normal for whom?”; “Normal in what situation?”; and “Normal according to whom?”
Defining abnormal can be just as subjective. By definition, in order to have something that is “ab”normal (deviating from the norm), you must first be able to define the norm. As you have learned from your readings, the history of abnormal behavior has rarely been so clear cut.
How abnormal behavior has been defined has been influenced by religion, politics, economics, social constructs, and medicine. Throughout history, and even today, the definitions and treatments of abnormal behavior have been controversial at best. We are still learning about the mind, about behavior, and about all of the factors that can be influential. At best, what you can say is, “Here is what we currently know . . .” So, let’s begin with what the field knows at this time, bearing in mind that even as you read your textbook, the knowledge of the human psyche is changing.
Abnormal Behavior and Mental Health
The field of mental health is concerned with those behaviors that are a combination of abnormal (deviant) and maladaptive. More specifically, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has adopted a set of criteria used to determine whether or not any given behavior or pattern of behaviors should be considered clinically significant or abnormal. These criteria form the basis of how all mental disorders are defined. As you will see in the upcoming weeks, what has been considered abnormal by the APA has changed over time; however, the criteria have remained consistent. Let’s look at how the APA (2013) defines a mental disorder:
A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities. (p. 20)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) (APA, 2013) goes on to describe that you also have to consider that cultural and socially acceptable behaviors such as grieving for a loved one may not be considered mental disorders. It is also important to note a couple of key elements. First, the mental disorder has to significantly impair the individual in overall social and occupational functioning, as well as daily routine (e.g., appearance, eating, and sleep).
It is important to remember that all of these criteria must be met simultaneously, because many of the individual symptoms we see can seem familiar if taken out of context of the entire pattern of the disorder.
Now that you have an idea of what might constitute abnormal behavior, let’s turn our focus to theories of how an individual might develop abnormal behavior.
Treating Abnormal Behavior
Interpersonal therapy, or crisis intervention, has become a much more socially accepted phenomenon for treating abnormal behavior than ever before. However, it continues to be a service of which many people are suspicious or even fearful. Television and movies have done therapy and mental health a great disservice by frequently portraying fictional therapists engaging in odd or bizarre behaviors that would be considered highly unethical or even illegal in real life. For example, clients having sexual relationships with their therapists. In reality, licensed therapists have extremely strict legal and ethical guidelines within which they practice. The field of psychology values human rights and human diversity greatly. Research has long focused on investigating which theoretical approach is most effective in treating abnormal disorder. While studies have found a variety of results, no theoretical approach has been found to be most effective for all abnormal disorders.
Of all of the modes of therapy, perhaps the one modality that has had the most dramatic influence on today’s society has been psychotropic medications (drugs prescribed to stabilize or improve mood, mental status, or behavior). Newer medications with fewer side effects are developed and marketed every day. These medications are dramatically improving the lives of individuals previously incapacitated by mental illness. However, many believe that the ease of obtaining these medications has led to a population that is overmedicated and underequipped to cope with life’s stressors. There was once a stigma associated with taking psychotropic medications, but now people often visit mental health providers’ offices and ask for medication to cope with even the most natural of stressors. There is the potential for medications to be used as a quick fix in situations where strategies for coping or managing one’s emotions might be more appropriate.
University campuses are currently feeling the impact of widespread mental-health treatment. Students who previously may not have made it to college have been able to succeed with the help of medications and counseling for issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depressive disorders, or anxiety disorders. As a result, a much higher percentage of college students arrive on campuses with a history of mental-health care, medication treatment, and even psychiatric hospitalization. This fact is even supported by a recent survey conducted by the American College Health Association.
Universities are now struggling to meet the demand for on-campus mental-health care, psychiatric care, and crisis intervention. The tragedies of Virginia Tech illustrate such changes.
This brings us to the end of this week’s lecture. Let’s summarize the key learning from the week.
Outside Resources
The following is a list of readings and resources that can be used as supplemental information regarding mental disorders. They will be useful throughout the course.
Interesting Web Resources: Please Use these web links or sites
DSM
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
World Health Organization—Mental Health
Changes from DSM IV-TR to DSM-V:
The following source provides an overview of the major changes to the DSM.
Summary
This week started with how abnormal behavior is defined. You learned that defining abnormal behavior is just as subjective as defining normal behavior. Throughout history, the definition of abnormal behavior has been influenced by religion, politics, economics, social constructs, and medicine. You also learned about APA’s definition of a mental disorder, the definition that we will consider for our discussion. In addition, you learned about the three types of behavior: adaptive, maladaptive, and deviant.
Next, you learned about the dominant theories of abnormality. You also learned about some of the key issues that you should keep in mind while studying research in abnormal psychology. In addition, you learned about the different approaches or ideologies used to assess and diagnose abnormal behavior within the psychology field. Finally, you learned about the popular approaches used to treat abnormal behavior and the issues surrounding them.
Next week, we will begin to take a more in-depth look at specific patterns of abnormal behavior, as defined by the current version of DSM-5.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual
of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric
Publishing.
Public Law 111-256: Rosa’s Law, 20 U.S.C. §§ 2643-2645 (2010). Retrieved
from https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ256/content-
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR PROMOTIONAL DISCOUNT DISPLAYED ON THE WEBSITE AND GET A DISCOUNT FOR YOUR PAPER NOW!