Microgen Images/Science Photo Library / Getty Images
What Is Abnormal Psychology?
The term “abnormal” is the subject of considerable debate.
What exactly is “normal” and who gets to decide?
Microgen Images/Science Photo Library / Getty Images
Counselors, psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this field, often in a clinical context.
This article discusses what abnormal psychology is and the different topics studied by this area of psychology.
It also covers how abnormality is defined and some of the criticisms of abnormal psychology.
In such cases, the behavior may require some pop in of mental health intervention.
What Are the Four Approaches to Abnormal Psychology?
There are a number of different perspectives used in abnormal psychology.
While these feelings are outside of awareness, they are still believed to influence conscious actions.
The behavioral approach targets only the behavior itself, not the underlying causes.
Cognitive treatments typically focus on helping the individual change their thoughts or reactions.
These conditions create distress for the person experiencing symptoms.
In particular, some feel that this areastigmatizesvulnerable and oppressed people.
Critics also suggest that the field of abnormal psychology tends to pathologize normal variations in human behavior.
Researchers cannot intentionally manipulate variables to see if doing so causes mental illness.
The study of abnormal behavior dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks.
National Institute of Mental Health.Mental illness.
Bargh JA, Morsella E.The unconscious mind.Perspect Psychol Sci.
2008;3(1):73-9. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.x
Walinga J.Behaviourist psychology.
In: Stangor C, Walinga J, eds.Introduction to Psychology: 1st Canadian edition.BCcampus Open Education.
Cheng AW, McCloskey K, Matacin ML.Teaching personality and abnormal psychology with inclusivity.
American Psychological Association; 2019:225-241. doi:10.1037/0000137-018
Miller RB.Not so Abnormal Psychology: A Pragmatic View of Mental Illness.
2012;39(1):57-61. doi:10.1177/0098628311430315