PSYC 3390 Chapter 1: Chapter One Notes
8 Apr 2018
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Chapter one abnormal behaviour in historical context. Psychological disorder: psychological dysfunction associated with distress or impairment in functioning that is not a typical or culturally expected response. Phobia: any psychological disorder characterized by marked and persistent fear of an object or situation. Refers to a breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioural functioning. It is often quite normal to be distressed: example: when someone close to you dies. The human condition is such that suffering and distress are very much part of life and that is not likely to change. For some disorders, by definition, suffering and distress are absent. Defining psychological disorder by distress alone doesn"t work, although the concept of distress contributes to a good definition. This difference illustrates the important point that most psychological disorders are simply extreme expressions of otherwise normal emotions, behaviours, and cognitive processes. Distress and suffering are a natural part of life and do not in themselves constitute psychological disorder.
