Class Notes for 3-29-11 (Chapters 12, 13, 14)
Definition of Abnormal- No single agreed upon definition.
Psychologist emphasizes the Characteristics of Abnormality:
Statistical Rarity:
Abnormal is rare, infrequent.
Not all rare behavior is abnormal
Violations of Norms:
Norms are rules of social conduct, norm violations make observers nervous.
Norm violators may simply be odd but not abnormal.
Norms change over time.
Maladaptive behavior:
Behavior that interferes with providing the basic necessities of life.
Not all maladaptive behavior would be considered abnormal ( e.g.,
struggling actors)
Personal Distress:
Behaviors that lead to distress or unpleasant emotions.
Distress is subjective
1. Different levels of stress effect people differently
2. Different people react to stress differently.
Not all psychological disorders have a stress component. (e.g., antisocial
personality disorder)
