PSYC2011 : Psychology 1002 summary notes
Document Summary
Scientific study of abnormal behaviour by examining its description (classification, diagnosis), causation (bio-psycho-social), maintenance (what sustains disorder), treatment (effectiveness). This differs slightly from psychopathology which studies only description and causation/maintenance. It is usually based on three interacting continuous (with normality) criteria: deviance from social norm, depends on culture, can be positive such as exceptional academic abilities, causes distress, most of the times but not always. E. g. bipolar disorder causes patient to be in a constant state of euphoria: normal distress is clearly not abnormal, maladaptive behaviour i. e. their ability to adapt has been compromised. This includes supernatural, biological/medical, psychological, social-cultural (caused by poverty, prejudice, cultural norms). Historically, mental illness was synonymous with madness and was seen through gross distortion of reality and bizarre thoughts, affect and behaviour. In 19-20th century, biological model began to take root as some mental illnesses were found to have physical causes such as germs. Causation: psychic conflict between id, ego, superego.
