ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

the application of psychological science to the study of

mental disorders.
the study of individuals with mental, emotional, and
physical pain
the study of abnormal behavior

Psychopathology

pathology of the mind

the scientific study of psychological disorders

field concerned with nature, development, and treatment

of disorders
Criteria for Abnormality
Personal distress to the
individual (as in severe
depression or panic
disorder)
Deviance from cultural
norms (as in many cases of
schizophrenia)
Statistical infrequency (as
in rarer as dissociative
personality disorder)
Impaired social functioning
(as in social phobia or
antisocial personality
disorder)

Criteria for Normality

Normality is personal
comfort (if a person feels
comfort or pleasure, then
it is normal)
Normality is social
conformity (anyone who
conforms to social norms is
normal)
Normality is average (what
is accepted by the
majority)
Normality is ideal

Normality is a process

Old-fashioned terms:

Insanity, which years

ago referred to mental
dysfunction but today, is
a legal term that refers
to judgments about
whether a person should
be held responsible for
criminal behavior if he
or she is also mentally
disturbed.

Nervous breakdown
some sort of
incapacitating but
otherwise unspecified
type of mental disorder.
This expression does not
convey any specific
information about the
nature of the persons
problems.
Acting crazy is an
informal, pejorative term
that does not convey
specific information and

Unusualness behaviors
that are deviant, or
unusual, are considered
abnormal
Distress behaviors
should be considered
abnormal only if the
individual suffers distress
and wishes to be rid of
the behaviors.
Mental Illness
behaviors are not
abnormal unless a part of

Cultural Relativism

the view that there are no universal standards or rules for labeling a behavior as abnormal

behaviors can only be abnormal relative to cultural norms

Harmful Dysfunction Theory (Jerome Wakefields)

Simply because a
behavior pattern is
valued, accepted,
encouraged, or even
statistically normative
within a particular
culture does not
necessarily mean it is
conducive to healthy
psychological

a disorder is a harmful dysfunction, wherein harmful

is a value term based on social norms, and dysfunction is
a scientific term referring to the failure of a mental
mechanism to perform a natural function for which it was
designed by evolution. Thus, the concept of disorder
combines value and scientific components (Wakefield,
1992).
A condition should be considered a mental disorder if,
and only if, it meets two criteria:

1. The condition results from the inability of some

internal mechanism (mental or physical) to
perform its natural function. In other words,
something inside the person is not working
properly. Examples of such mechanisms include
those that regulate levels of emotion and those
that distinguish between real auditory sensations and those that are imagined.
2. The condition causes some harm to the person as judged by the standards of the
persons culture. These negative consequences are measured in terms of the persons
own subjective distress or difficulty performing expected social or occupational roles.
A mental disorder, therefore, is defined in terms of harmful
dysfunction. This definition incorporates one element that is
based as much as possible on an objective evaluation of
performance. The natural function of cognitive and perceptual
processes is to allow the person to perceive the world in ways that
are shared with other people and to engage in rational thought and
problem solving. The dysfunctions in mental disorders are
assumed to be the product of disruptions of thought, feeling,
communication, perception, and motivation.
DEFINING MENTAL DISORDERS
psychopathology

medical

model

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (by

the American Psychiatric Association)

the prevailing diagnostic guide for mental health

professionalsevery day as they perform assessments,
conduct therapy, and design and execute research studies.

of

Sign

Objective;
Based from a clinicians
observation
Symptom

Subjective; Based from

the experiences of the
patient.
Syndrome a group of
symptoms that appear
together
and
are
assumed to represent a
specific
type
of
disorder;
or
a

DSM-IV: A mental disorder is a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or

pattern that occurs in an individual and that is associated with present distress or disability or
with a significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of
freedom.
The DSM-IV-TR definition places primary emphasis on the consequences of certain behavioral
syndromes. Accordingly, mental disorders are defined by clusters of persistent, maladaptive
behaviors that are associated with personal distress, such as anxiety or depression, or with
impairment in social functioning, such as job performance or personal relationships.
DSM-5: "A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in
an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the
psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental
disorders are usually associated with significant distress in social, occupational, or other
important activities. An expectable or culturally approved response to a common stressor or loss,
such as the death of a loved one, is not a mental disorder. Socially deviant behavior (e.g.,
political, religious, or sexual) and conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society
are not mental disorders unless the deviance or conflict results from a dysfunction in the
individual, as described above." In addition, the definition states that expectable reactions to
common stressors are not mental disorders (APA, 2013).

Mental disorders are defined in terms of persistent maladaptive behaviors.

Impairment in the ability to perform social and occupational roles is another consideration
in identifying the presence of a mental disorder.

The Science of Psychopathology

The Scientist-Practitioner the interaction of clinical work and science
Mental Health Professional

Conducted by

Consumer of Science enhancing the practice

Evaluator of Science determining the effectiveness of practice
Creator of Science conducting research that leads to new procedures
Presenting a Problem
Specific concern/problem
identified by patient or
referring party

Clinical Description
Unique combination of
behaviors, thoughts and
feelings that comprises a
disorder
E.g. According to the results of
examination and interview,
Marias presented symptoms are
leading to diagnosis of Social
Phobia.

E.g. Maria had sleepless nights,

crying spells and loss of appetite.

Prevalence
The number of people in the
population who have had the
disorder as a whole.

E.g. The average number of girls

who developed erotic delusions
for Coco Martin is 4500.

Chronic

Tend to last a long time or

a lifetime
E.g. Schizophrenia is a
disorder that lasts a lifetime.

Incidence
The number of new cases that
have occurred during a given
period which represents the
disorder
E.g. Men who have been
depressed in the Philippines when
one of the One Direction boys left
this year is 1000.

Course
Time Limited

Occurring within a short or

certain period of time only
E.g. His identity issues, the
time when he wanted to have
flings with boys only lasted
between 12-14 years of age
while studying under an allmale school.

Clinical and
counseling
psychologists (PhD,
inPsyD)
practice
Psychiatrists (MD)
Psychiatric social
workers (MSW)
Psychiatric nurses
(MN, MSN, PhD)
Marriage and family
therapists (MA, MS,
MFT)

Psychosis refers to
several types of
severe mental
disorders in which
the person is
considered to be out
of contact with
reality.
Hallucinations and
delusions are
examples of
psychotic symptoms.
Neurosis refers to

functional
psychological
disorders with no
Episodic
organic
causes that

Happening
in amanifested
certain time
can be
in recurring
anxiety, fugue,
and then
hysteria, obsession,
E.g. Georgia
had another
compulsion, or
attack of depression
this
hysteria, but
stillyear.

Last year, she also

experienced the same
condition during December.

Course
Acute

Beginning Suddenly
E.g. Jens symptoms were so immediate that it
just happened today right in front of me
without any reason.

Prognosis
Anticipated course or outcome of a disorder

E.g. Dingdong is now sleeping well. His last crying

spell was over two weeks ago. Thoughts of suicide
have also subsided. His symptoms have subsided
and he may be ready for a discharge.

Insidious

Developing gradually over an extended

period
E.g. Jens symptoms had been brewing slowly. A few
weeks ago she just mentioned that she had sleep
disturbances. Last week she was almost in blank
stares. Now she cannot work anymore.

Diagnosis
An official clinical description and label of
the syndromes of the client
E.g. Jens symptoms had been brewing slowly. A few

weeks ago she just mentioned that she had sleep

disturbances. Last week she was almost in blank
stares. Now she cannot work anymore. The doctor
thinks of this condition as Depression.

HISTORY: Looking at Abnormality from Past to Present

SUPERNATURAL
TRADITION
Demons and Witches
> Supernatural causes of
psychological disorders
> Work of the devil
> Witchcraft
* Treatment: exorcism;
shaving a cross pattern in
the hair, and; securing
sufferers to a wall near
the front of a church
Stress and Melancholy
> Insanity was a natural
phenomenon, caused by
mental and emotional
stress, and is curable
> Communal treatment
for the insane
> Nicholas Oresme
(Adviser to the King of
France, Bishop and
Philosopher) stated that
Melancholy is the source
of bizarre behavior not
demons
Possession
*Treatment Exorcism, if
not, beating and
confinement methods;
other approaches:
Hanging people over a pit
full of poisonous snakes;
Dipping on icy water
*AIDS : divine punishment
for homosexuality
Mass Hysteria (Middle
Ages)
> Large-scale outbreak of
bizarre behavior
> Lent support to the
notion of possession
> Running in the streets,
dancing, shout, rave,
jump
>Saint Vitus Dance and

BIOLOGICAL TRADITION

Hippocrates (Hippocratic Corpus (450

PSYCHOLOGICAL TRADITION

& 350BC))

> Father of modern medicine

> Psychological disorders can be
treated like other diseases, and
they can be caused by brain
trauma or genetics.
> Abnormal behavior had natural
causes, not because of
demonological accounts.
Greek Tradition, Galens
> Disease as a unitary concept: no
distinction between mental and
physical
> All problems are caused by
imbalance in the body
*Treatment is aimed at balancing
Galen
> Physician, Hippocratic-Galenic
Approach: HUMORAL THEORY
> 4 Humors
-Blood (heart),
-Black Bile (spleen)
-Yellow Bile (liver)
-Phlegm (brain)
> 4 Qualities
-Sanguine (heat)
-Melancholic (dryness)
-Phlegmatic (moisture)
-Choleric (cold)
Hysteria
> Akin to Somatoform Disorders
China
> Yin and Yang
-Cold and dark wind
-Warm, life-sustaining wind
*Treatment: Bloodletting;
Medical Treatment: bed rest,
healthy diet, exercise and etc.
Acupuncture (China)
19th Century, John P. Grey
> Champion of the BT in the US
> the cause of insanity is always
physical
> Mentally ill patients are to be
treated as though they are
physically ill
>19th century Behavioral and
Cognitive Symptoms include

Plato
>Causes of maladaptive behavior:
- Social and cultural influences
- Learning that took place in that
environment
>Precursor to modern psychosocial
approaches
Moral Therapy
> 19th century psychosocial approach
to mental disorders
> Moral = emotional or mental
> Treating patients as normally as
possible
> 16th century Asylums turned
habitable and therapeutic
> Decline in mid-19th century
Dorothea Dix and mental hygiene
movement
PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY
> Patients were hypnotized
> Anton Mesmer
- A problem was caused by an
undetectable fluid found in all
living organisms called animal
magnetism, which could become
blocked
Jean Charcot
> Started the practice of hypnosis as
treatment modality
Freud and Breuer: Anna O.
> Hypnosis Unconscious
> Catharsis
Freud: Psychoanalysis
Modern Ego Psychology / SelfPsychology (Anna Freud, 1895-1982)
Self-Psychology (Kohut, 1977)
Object Relations Theory
> Melanie Klein and Otto Kernberg
Freuds students de-emphasize
sexuality
Carl Jungs Analytic Psychology
Alfred Adlers Individual
Psychology
Erik Eriksons Theory of
Psychosocial Stages of Devt
HUMANISTIC THEORY
Theoretical constructs
> Intrinsic goodness
> Striving for self-actualization
> Blocked growth
Carl Rogers Person-centered

Tarantism
> Reaction
to insect bites
The
19th Century
Moon
and
Stars

Syphilis (penicillin)
>
Paracelsus

STD caused byrejected

a bacterial
possession
andentering
suggested
microorganism
thethe
brain
that
movement of the
moon and the stars had
an effect on human
behavior
> Lunatic

believing that everyone is plotting

against you or that you are God, as
well as other bizarre behaviors
1930s: Electric Shock and Brain
Surgery (by accident, including
drugs)
1950s, the 1st effective drugs for
severe psychotic disorders were
developed in a systematic way
Consequences of the Biological
Tradition
> Grey and colleagues reducing
interest in treating mental patients
> Hospitalization of patients
*Treatment (focus): diagnosis,
responsibility of patients, study of
brain pathology
> Emil Kraeplin (1913) 1 of the
founding fathers of psychiatry

therapy
Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of
Needs
BEHAVIORAL MODEL
Ivan Pavlovs Classical
Conditioning
> Ubiquitous form of learning (UCS, UCR,

CS, CR)

John B. Watsons Behaviorism

> Scientific emphasis; little albert
experiment
Mary Cover
The Jones
Mental
Hygiene
> Preexisting
phobia extinguished by
Movement
In the late 19th
exposure and modeling
Joseph century
Wolpethere had been a push
towarddesensitization;
more
humane
> Systematic
treatment
of
mentally
ill
Relaxation
individuals,
and
reformer
E.L. Thorndike
Dorothea Dix was one of the
> Law of effect: consequences shape
first primary figures to urge
behavior
hospital
reform
and
to
B.F. Skinners
promote Operant
the building of
Conditioning
special institutions for mental
>Behavior
operates
on environment
patients
where they
could be
> Reinforcements
> Punishments
> Behavior shaping

The Present: The Scientific Method and an Integrative Approach

Defining and studying psychopathology

Requires a broad approach

Multiple, interactive influences: Biological, psychological, social factors

Scientific emphasis: Neuroscience; Cognitive and Behavioral sciences

HISTORY: Psychopathology
Creation of Asylums
Europe in the Middle Ages: lunatics, idiots
Family, not community responsibility
1600s to 1700s = insane asylums
Change is societal perspective
Early asylums: human warehouses
19th Century: Moral treatment movement
Large institutions led to the development of new professions such as psychiatry
Worcester Lunatic Hospital: A Model Institution
Woodwards ideas about the causes of disorders represented a combination of physical
and moral considerations.
Lessons from the Past:
Invention of public mental hospitals: systematic observation and scientific inquiry
Psychiatry as a professional group
Expanded public concern on solving problems of mental disorders
Some misguided and nave aspects of 19th century psychiatry
o Masturbation leads to mental disorders

The Modern Perspectives

Pharmacotherapy use of drugs

in therapy
Psychotherapy
Problems:
Deinstitutionalization move
to integrate patients with their
communities: community-based
treatment facilities

Determinants of Psychopathology

Behavior is determined.

Fixation
Caused by over-gratification
Makes the individual not want to
leave the stage
Frustration
Cause of fixation
Opposite of over-gratification