Abnormal Behavior Essays

Abnormal behavior relates to the influence of psychological factors, biological factors as well as the social factors referring to inadequate relationships. In the face of diverse definition, abnormal behavior refers to the deviating from norm, which norm is the typical behavior or characteristic of the population. As such, Jim behavior is abnormal because it violates moral and conventional mores of the society (Violates societal standards), as such causing social discomfort to others. For instance, Jim fails to recognize the social cues in conversation thereby annoying other interlocutors. Jim is this case is behaving in a manner counterproductive to his own well being by

Psychology is the scientific “study of the mind” (Gross, 2015) and behaviour, which includes the study of humans and animals. There are various approaches in modern psychology. A theoretical approach is a perspective which is someone’s view about human behaviour, there can be many different theories within an approach, however they all piece together the same assumptions. (McLeod, 2007). A theory is an attempt by theorists to try to explain behaviour. Theories are not facts but can be verified by testing. Theories can then be evaluated which I aim to achieve through this essay, where I will briefly explain the theoretical approaches in psychology and aim to focus on an analysis of each perspective which consists of the psychodynamic,

Psychology is the scientific “study of the mind” (Gross, 2015) and behavior, which includes the study of humans and animals. There are various approaches in modern psychology. A theoretical approach is a perspective (view) about human behavior, there may be several different theories within an approach, but they all share these common assumptions and principles. (McLeod, 2007). A theory is an attempt by theorists to try to explain behavior. Theories are not facts but can be verified by testing. Theories can then be evaluated which I aim to do through this essay, where I will briefly explain the theoretical approaches in psychology and aim to focus on an analysis for each perspective which consist of the psychodynamic, humanist, cognitive and behavioral approaches where I will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each approach separately.

The four major perspectives of Psychology are: Biological, Learning, Cognitive, and Sociocultural. First, is the biological perspective which relates to bodily events that affect the behavior, feelings, and thoughts. During the biological perspective electrical impulses shoot along the nervous system and hormones flow through the blood stream alerting the internal organs to slow down or speed up. The biological perspective affects the nervous system, hormones, brain chemistry, heredity, and evolutionary influences. A child who has been exposed to abuse may also grow up to abusive which is an example of the biological perspective. Second, is the learning perspective which the environment and experience affect the behavior of humans or animals. The environment either rewards or punish that maintains or discourage behaviors. Behaviors are based on acts and events taking place within the environment. Environmental influences, observations and imitation, beliefs, and values affect the learning perspective. A violent role model can influence a child to behave aggressively is an example of the learning perspective. Third, is the cognitive perspective which is the psychological approach that emphasizes mental process in perception, memory, language, and problem solving. The cognitive perspective shows how thoughts and explanations affect their actions, feelings, and choices. The cognitive approach is one of the strongest forces in psychology. A violent person may be quick to

Psychology can be defined as the systematic study of mental processes, couple with behaviors, and experiences (Kalat, 2011). There are many ways in examining, mental processes and behaviors among people, and therefore psychologist uses different perspectives to understand how human beings, think, act, and behave. Some psychologist uses one perspective to analyze behaviors, and other uses a multidimensional approach. Carter & Seifert (2013) identified 7 major perspectives that are used to study people’s behavior, and mental processes. These perspectives are the biological, evolutionary, psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and the sociocultural perspective.

The field of psychology has opened different theories that are aimed to the study of the behaviour of human beings, as a result psychologists concluded with five psychological perspectives.

Psychological perspectives have certain assumptions about human behavior that relate to the nature versus nurture debate. The four main perspectives are psychoanalytic, humanistic, social cognitive, and behavioral.

When we define abnormal behavior we must keep in mind that “normal” differs from culture to culture. What it is normal for a person from India is completely strange for a person from Europe, Colombia or Japan. To determine whether a person’s behavior is abnormal psychologist use three basic criteria as follows: Deviation from statistical norms and social norms, maladaptive behavior, and personal distress. If the individual’s behavior is considered “abnormal”, mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as a methodical tool to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. This paper will focus on the exploration of personality disorder and more

The behavioral perspective is a psychological viewpoint that finds the source of our actions in environment stimuli rather than in inner mental process. This is the study of behavior where mental and cognitive mechanisms control behavior and how it can be manipulated. This perspective believes that the environment determines all behavior.

Abnormality is a term that should be used with extreme caution due to its subjective nature. What's defined as normal or abnormal is generally determined by the standard of behavior that is expected in regards to a specific community or group. Human societies tend to gravitate towards norms, correct ways to behave, standard ways to look, socially acceptable attitudes that we deem as ordinary. To be judged abnormal is to be rejected, to be regarded as faulty; in need of repair. This contrived idea is all about conformity, what the average is, about what we believe the absolute measure of reality is. In observation you shall see that in many cases society's problems arise from the mismatch between what we really are and the social myths that

Determining abnormal behavior or a mental disorder are difficult for many reasons, one being that every culture has certain morals for suitable conduct, or socially tolerable customs. Customs are anticipated ways of conducting yourself in a society according to the mainstream; however, those members of a society who do not think and act like everyone else break these standards, so they are often defined as abnormal. In addition, the way a person thinks or the way a person conducts themselves is classified as abnormal if it interrupts the unprinted rules about what is anticipated or tolerable conduct in a certain social groups. An individual’s actions may not be understood to others or could possibly make others feel threatened or uncomfortable (McLeod, 2014).

For many years scientists, including doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, have been interested in trying to understand human behaviour, in particular behaviour that is described as being ‘abnormal’. It is difficult to define ‘abnormal’ in terms of behaviour because there are many differing descriptions which have radically changed over the years. ‘Abnormal’ behaviour is widely categorised as being persistent and in a serious degree contrary to the continued wellbeing of the individual and/or the surrounding community. Cultural beliefs and expectations determine which behaviour patterns are deemed as being ‘abnormal’.

Different people have different definitions for normal and abnormal behaviors. However, whether conscious or not, these definitions have something in common. From Allan V. Horwitz’s book “What’s Normal”, he defines normal and abnormal from three aspects, which are statistical, cultural and evolutionary. By searching statistical data, we can find what the majority people do cause “statistical normality is a property of groups, not individuals” (Horwitz 2008:70). When we talk about cultural normality, we should be attention that it is a relative concept since “culture belongs to particular group rather than universal” (Horwitz 2008:71). Finally, from evolutionary perspective, “normality is defined by characteristics that result from natural selection”

How does one distinguish normal from abnormal behavior? To define one’s emotions, thoughts, or behavior as abnormal; there must be a great deviance from the norm, an interference in one’s daily functioning and a substantial personal distress. (Kearney & Trull, 2015).

HOW ARE ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR PATTERNS METHODS OF ASSESSMENT 80–99 CLASSIFIED? 70–77 The Clinical Interview The DSM and Models of Abnormal Behavior Computerized Interviews Psychological Tests STANDARDS OF ASSESSMENT 77–80 Neuropsychological Assessment Reliability Behavioral Assessment Validity Cognitive Assessment Physiological Measurement SOCIOCULTURAL AND ETHNIC FACTORS IN ASSESSMENT 99–100 SUMMING UP 100–101