PSY 3171 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Schizophrenia, Test Anxiety, Henry Grew

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 3171
• Professor: Mark Coates

Document Summary

What is psychopathology: de ning psychological problems, statistical/normative approach: does a person"s behaviour conform to the standards, expectations, or norms of a particular society or social group. It is a social and cultural construct, determined and varied by where one is in space and time. Conceptions are always changing based on what we think we know, and our values at a certain time. Although different cultures and societies may have different standards or expectations, all cultures and societies have standards for appropriate behaviour. If a person"s behaviour falls outside of the normal curve, that person"s behaviour is considered to be abnormal, problematic, and in need of amelioration. Normal psychology is what is in the middle, abnormal falls beyond that (on the lower or higher extreme) Behaviours that are unusual, occur rarely, or otherwise are not engaged in by most people, can be considered to be abnormal.