Chapter 1 Flashcards
Behaviors, thoughts, or feelings can be viewed as pathological or abnormal if they are symptoms of mental illness which implies that a disease process is present.
Mental Illness
There are as number of blood tests, x-raysm and other medical procedures which are available to identify physical problem before any medical intervention is adapted.
Physical disease
There are no blood tests available for the experts to determine whether a person is psychologically normal or not.
Psychological disorders
“No biological test is available to diagnose any of the types of abnormality.”
Hyman (2010)
These are collections of problems in thinking or cognition, in emotional responding or regulation, and in social behavior.
Mental disorders
The view that there are no universal standards or rules for labeling a behavior abnormal, instead, behaviors can be labeled only to cultural norms.
Cultural relativism
Behavior, thoughts, and feelings are dysfunctional when they interfere with the person’s ability to function in daily life, to hold a job, or to form close relationships.
Dysfunction
Behaviors and feelings that cause distress to the individual or to others around him or her are also likely to be considered abnormal.
Distress
Highly deviant behavioral lead to judgement of abnormality.
Deviant
If behaviors and feelings are potential harm to the individual or to others.
Dangerous
Viewed abnormal behavior as similar to physical diseases, caused by the breakdown of systems in the body.
Biological theories
Viewed abnormal behavior as a result of divine intervention, curses, delusions, demonic possessions, and personal sin.
Supernatural theories
Viewed abnormal behavior as a result of traumas, such as bereavement, or of chronic stress.
Psychological
a person who acted oddly was suspected of being possessed by evil spirits
Driving away evil spirits
Driving the evil spirits from the body of suffering person.
Exorcism