Psychopathology - Definitions of Abnormal Behaviour

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Psychopathology is the study of the nature and development of abnormal behaviour, feelings and thoughts. It can be an ambiguous subject to look at - there are no right answers, but it is still fascinating, nonetheless.

So what is abnormal behavior? Well, in typical psychological style, there is no easy answer to that either. There is no single definition that can adequately explain or define all aspects of abnormal behavior.

Definitions of Abnormal Behavior 1 - Statistical Infrequency

Abnormal behavior is thought to be infrequent. No matter what the media would have us believe, there are not that many murders and psychopaths out there. It is statistically infrequent. This model therefore states that few people fall into the extremes of behavior, so anything that is extreme, is therefore abnormal behavior. For example, only 2% of the population have a very low IQ. So this is seen as "abnormal". However, there are still value judgments attached to this. Two percent of the population have a very high IQ. This is seen as a positive thing, having a very low IQ isn't!

Also, consider, some other "abnormal" behaviors are good things. Not many of us win gold medals in the Olympics, but is that "abnormal"? Quite a lot of people suffer from depression and anxiety during their lives. Depression is not considered to be a "normal" state of affairs, but if it is statistically frequent, isn't it therefore "normal"? It's not simple is it?

Therefore, the statistical model does not actually give us much guidance in determining what is and isn't "abnormal" or "normal".

Definitions of Abnormal Behavior 2 - Violation of Norms

When determining whether behavior is abnormal or not, we can consider whether it violates social norms or if it makes people observing it feel threatened or anxious. A psychopath will often display antisocial behavior. This violates society's norms and makes us feel threatened or uncomfortable, so fits with the definition of violation of social norms. However, this is still too narrow a definition. Criminals and prostitutes may violate social norms, but are they "abnormal". Also, what we view as a cultural or social norm can vary over time. Consider homosexuality - in various cultures and during various times, this has been accepted or at other times and cultures, illegal.

A simple example. One hundred years ago, if you had seen someone walking down the street, talking to a little box, they would have been considered abnormal. How many times do you see a person doing that with a mobile phone today and think nothing of it?

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 3 - Personal Distress

Personal suffering can be used to explain if a person has some form of abnormal behavior.
Behavior can be considered abnormal if it creates a great deal of distress and torment for the person concerned. For example, a person with severe anxiety or depression may be suffering a great deal of distress.

But there are problems with this model (surprise, surprise). A psychopath displays "abnormal" behavior, but may not find that distressing. He/she may break the law without experiencing any guilt or remorse. Also, some experiences may us distressed, such as having a baby, being hungry, but these are not "abnormal" feelings.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 4 - Behavioral Dysfunction or Disability

Disability is defined as whether a person is impaired in some important aspect of their life, for example, work, relationships and so on. This can be then defined as "abnormal". A phobia, for example, can cause distress and disability. If we are scared to go out, we may be so upset, we do not leave the house - our lives are therefore impaired. This is a complicated definition as both disability and distress are required. For example, a transvestite is still classed as mental disorder, but the transvestite may not find being a transvestite distressing. Another example, we may be desperate to be a professional football player, but not be very fast or very good at it - this may cause us distress, but it is not abnormal behavior.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 5 - Unexpectedness

Not all distress or disability is abnormal behavior. Disability and distress can be considered "abnormal" when they are unexpected responses to an environmental stressor. Hunger can cause us distress - this is an expected response. If we are wealthy, but are constantly worrying about money, this is not an expected response, so can cause us psychological problems.

So, there is no key definition of abnormal behavior or psychopathology. This is why it is such a wide and diverse topic, with so many different theories and pieces of research being conducted.

Psychopathology - Definitions of Abnormal Behavior

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Psychopathology is the study of nature and the development of abnormal behavior, feelings and thoughts. Can be read as an ambivalent theme - there are no right answers, but is still fascinating, though.

So, what is abnormal behavior? Well, in typical psychological style, there is no simple answer to these two. There is no single definition to define or adequately explain all aspects of abnormal behavior can.

Definitions of Abnormal Behavior 1 - statisticsRarity

Abnormal behavior is considered rare. No matter what the media would have us believe, there are so many murders and psychopaths out there. E 'statistically rare. This model therefore states that some people fall extremes of behavior, so that is all that is extreme, so bizarre behavior. For example, only 2% of the population has an IQ low So this is considered "abnormal." However, there is still value judgments attachedthis. Two percent of the population has a very high IQ This is seen as a positive thing, with a very low IQ, it is not!

Consider also some other "anomalous" behavior of good things. Not many of us to win gold medals at the Olympics, but it is the "abnormal"? A lot of people suffer from depression and anxiety in their lives. Depression is not a "normal" condition, but if it is statistically more common, so it is not "normal"? It is not easyReally?

Therefore, the statistical model does not really give us much guidance for determining what is and what is not "abnormal" or "normal."

Definitions of Abnormal Behavior 2 - Violation of rules

To determine whether the behavior is abnormal or not, we can see if it contradicts the social norms or if it's watching people feel threatened or afraid. A psychopath who often exhibit antisocial behavior. This violates the norms of society and makes us feel threatened oruncomfortable, so fits with the definition of the violation of social norms. However, it is still too narrow a definition. Criminals and prostitutes may violate social norms, but they are "abnormal". So what can vary as a cultural norm or socially over time. Consider homosexuality - in different cultures and different times, it was accepted that, or at different times and cultures, illegal.

A simple example. A hundred years ago, he saw someone on the street,Conversation with a small box, as if they are not normal. How many times you see a person with the phone today and I think that nothing?

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 3 - Personal Distress

Personal suffering can be used to explain, if a person has some form of abnormal behavior.
Behavior can be considered abnormal if it creates a great hardship and suffering for those affected. For example, a person with severe anxiety or depressionSuffering can be a great tribulation.

But there are problems with this model (surprise!). Displays a psychopath "anomalous" behavior, can not find that scary. He / she can break the law, without any sense of guilt or remorse. In addition, we may experience some difficulties, such as the birth of a child, the hungry, but these are not "abnormal" feelings.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 4 - behavioral dysfunction or disability

Disability is defined as whether aPerson is impaired in some aspect of their lives, for example, work, relationships and so on. These can then be "abnormal" is defined. A phobia, for example, can cause pain and disability. If we are afraid to go, can we be so upset that we left the house - our lives are influenced accordingly. This is a complex definition as well as disability and discomfort are needed. For example, a transvestite is still classed as a mental disorder, but the transvestite can not find oneTransvestite embarrassing. Another example, you may need a professional football player, but not very fast or very good at it - this can make us want, but it is not abnormal behavior.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 5 - Surprise

Not all abnormal behavior disorders or disabilities. Disability and discomfort can be seen as "abnormal" when the unexpected reaction to an environmental stress. Hunger is our concern - this is an expectedAnswer. If we are rich, but are always worried about money, this is not an expected response, then you can make us psychological problems.

Then there is a fundamental definition of abnormal behavior or psychopathology. Therefore, it is a subject as broad and diverse, with so many different theories and pieces of research carried out.