Chapter 4 - Typical and Atypical Behaviour Flashcards
Abnormality
behaviours that are unusual, bizarre, atypical or out of the ordinary
Adaptive
a term used by psychologists to describe emotions, behaviours and cognitions that enable us to adjust to our environment appropriately and cope most effectively
Adaptive cognitions
ways of thinking that are of benefit to our survival and wellbeing
Alertness
the ability to be
vigilant and to
sustain focus
Atypical behaviours
patterns of behaviour that are not expected for an individual or that deviate from the norm and can be
harmful or distressing for
the individual and those around them
Atypical development
when behaviours, skills or abilities fall outside the expected range of development or progress at a different pace compared to similar-aged peers
Central coherence
the ability to
derive overall
meaning from a
mass of details
Cognitions
cognitive processes or mental actions that involve acquiring, processing and understanding information or knowledge
Cognitive behavioural therapy
psychological treatment that targets the relationship between maladaptive thoughts, feelings and behaviours
Cultural perspectives
a criterion for determining whether a behaviour is typical or atypical, by accounting for cultural norms or societal standards
Cultural responsiveness
respect for, and relevance to, the health beliefs, health practices, culture and linguistic needs of diverse populations and communities
Emotions
feelings that arise from our circumstances, mood or relationships with others
Executive function
a cognitive
process that
helps us to set
goals, organise
and plan, focus
our attention
and ultimately
get things done
Maladaptive
a term used by psychologists to describe emotions, behaviours and cognitions that interfere with our ability to adjust to our environment appropriately and effectively
Maladaptive behaviour
behaviour that is unhelpful, dysfunctional and nonproductive, and that interferes with a person’s
ability to adjust to their environment appropriately and effectively
Maladaptive cognitions
cognitive distortions or irrational, inflated thoughts or beliefs that distort a person’s perception of reality, usually in a negative way
Maladaptive emotions
very intense or overwhelming emotions that occur frequently, persist for extended periods of time without interruption or are inappropriate for the situation
Neurodivergent
a term that is sometimes used to refer to people whose brains function differently to others’
Neurodiverse
not neurotypical; functioning
outside the typical range of neurological development
Neurodiversity
the idea that every human has a unique nervous system with a different combination of abilities and needs
Neurotypical
an individual whose neurological development or functioning is within the typical (average) range
Neurotypicality
standard or
typical brain
functioning,
processing and
behaviours
Normality
patterns of
behaviour that
are typical and
expected, or
that conform
to standards
of what is
acceptable
Personal distress
a state in
which a person
experiences
unpleasant
or upsetting
emotions, such
as sadness,
anxiety or feeling
overwhelmed
Social norms
shared standards
or social beliefs
about what
is normal,
acceptable or
typical behaviour
Statistical rarity
a criterion that
views abnormal
or atypical
behaviours
as deviating
significantly
from the
statistical
average or mean
Theory of mind
a cognitive
ability that allows
us to make
judgements
about other
people’s mental
states
Typical behaviours
patterns of
behaviour that
are expected of
an individual
or that conform
to standards
of what is
acceptable for a
given situation
Typical development
when behaviours,
skills or abilities
fall within the
expected range
of development
or progress at
a similar pace
compared to peers
of the same age
Working memory
memory that
allows us
to process
incoming sensory
information
Criteria for categorising typical and atypical behaviours
Cultural perspectives, social norms, maladaptive behaviours, personal distress, and statistical rarity
