Abnormal Psychology: Overview and Research Approaches 3

sees a new client or patient, he or she

asks many questions to try and
understand the issues or problems
related to that person. The clinician
will also rely on current research to
choose the most effective treatment.
The best treatments of 20, 10, or even
5 years ago are not invariably the
best treatments of today. Krnowledge
accumulates and advances are
made-and research is the engine
that drives all of these develop-
ments.

In this chapter, we outline the

field of abnormal psychology and
the varied training and activities of
the people who work within its

Deepika Padukone, well-known demands. First we describe the

a
Indian actor and
struggles with
depression. She has raised personality, has SpOKen de t
ways in which abnormal behavior
about mental health. the importance about spreading awa ness
is defined and classified so that
researchers and mental health pro-
fessionals can comnmunicate with each other about the
These cases, which describe
real
people, give somne people they see. Some of the issues here are probably
indication of just how
profoundly lives can be derailed
because of mental disorders. It is
more complex and controversial than you might
hard to read about dif- expect. We also outline basic information about the
ficulties such as these without
the
feeling torcompassion extent of behavioral abnormalities in the population at
people who are struggling. Still, in addition to com-
large.
passion, clinicians and researchers who want to help The second part of this chapter is devoted to
people like Anita and Ashok must have other attributes research. We make every eftort to convey to you how
and skills. If we are to understand mental disorders, we abnormal behavior is studied. Research is at the heart
must learn to ask the kinds of questions that will enable of progress and knowledge in abnormal psychology.
us to help the patients and families who have mental The more you know and understand about how
disorders. These questions are at the very heart of a research is conducted, the more educated and aware
research-based approach that looks to use scientific you will be about what research findings do and do not
inquiry and caretul observation to understand abnor mean.

mal psychology.
Asking questions is an important aspect of being a
psychologist. Psychology is a fascinating field, and What Do We Mean
abnormal psychology is one of the most interesting
areas of psychology (although we are undoubtedly

biased). Psychologists are trained to ask questions and

by Abnormality?
conduct research. Though not all people who are
1.1
Explain how we define abnormality and classify
to
mental disorders.
trained in abnormal psychology (this field is sometimes
called psychopathology) conduct research, they still rely It may come as a
surprise
you that there is still no
to

on their scientific
skills and ability both to ask universal agreement about what is meant
heavily by abnormality
questions and to put information together in coherent or disorder. This is not to say we do not have definition
when clinician first we do. However, a
and logical ways. For example, a
truly satisfactory
definition will
probably always remain elusive
Stein et al., 2010). (Lilienfeld et al., 2013; consider them abnormal, ho
ings. We
because their behavior is maladaptive fa howevg
Indicators of Abnormality toward society. and
3. Statistical deviancy: The word abnormal lit.
Why does the definition of a normal." But simply
mental disorder means "away from the
many challenges? A present so
major problem is that there ering statistically rare behavior tobe abnormal Consig
one behavior is no
that nmakes someone not provide us with a
solutior to our
there are some abnormal. However, proble
clear elements or defining abnormality. Genius is statisticallyv
ity indicators of abnormal- is perfect pitch. However, we do not considerare,
(Lilienfeld et al., 2013; Stein et al.,
indicator is sufficient in 2010). No single be abnor
talents to
and of itself to define or deter- ple with such uncommon rmal
mine because something is
has
abnormality. Nonetheless, the more that someone any way. Also, just statis
difficulties in the following cally common doesn't make normal. The com
it
areas, the more likely he comme
or she is to have cold is certainly very common, but it is regarde
some form of mental disorder:
an illness nonetheless.
1.
Subjective distress: If people suffer or experience On the other hand, intellectual disability(wth
w
Psychological pain we are inclined to consider this is statistically rare and represents a deviation fr
as indicative of abnormality. People with depres- normal) is considered to reflect abnormality. T
sion
clearly report being distressed, as do people tells us that in defining abnormality we make
with anxiety disorders. But what of the patient who ue judgments. If something is statistically
1S manic and whose mood is one of elation? He or
rarear
undesirable (as is severely diminished intellech
she may not be experiencing any distress. In fact, functioning), we are more likely to consider it at
many such patients dislike taking medications normal than something that is statistically rare ar
because they do not want to lose their manic highly desirable (such as genius) or somethingthe
"highs." You may have a test tomorrow and be is undesirable but statistically common (such a
exceedingly worried. But we would hardly label
rudeness).
your subjective distress abnormal. Although subjec-
4. Violation of the standards of society: All culturs
tive distress is an element of abrnormality in many
cases, it is neither a sufficient condition (all that is
have rules. Some of these are formalized as law
Others form the norms and moral standards thatwa
needed) nor even a necessary condition (a feature
are taught to follow. Although many social rules a:
that all cases of abrnormality must show) for us to
arbitrary to some extent, when people fail to folow
consider something as abnormal.
the conventional social and moral rules of their cuk
2. Maladaptiveness: Maladaptive behavior is often tural group, we may consider their behavior abnor
an indicator of abnormality. The person with mal. For example, driving a car or watching telev-
anorexia may restrict her intake of food to the sion would be considered highly abnormal for tha
point where she becomes so emaciated that she Amish of Pennsylvania. However, both of thes
needs to be hospitalized. The person with
depres- activities reflect normal everyday behavior formos
sion may withdraw from friends and family and other Pennsylvania residents.
may be unable to work for weeks or months. Mal-
Of course, much
behavior interferes with
depends on the magnitudeo
adaptive our
well-being the violation and on how commonly the rule is
and with our ability to enjoy our work and ouur lated by others. As illustrated in the precedinge
relationships. But not all disorders involve mal- ample, a behavior is most likely to be viewed as a
adaptive behavior. Consider the con artist and the normal when it violates the standards of societya
contract killer, both of whom have antisocial
per- is statistically deviant or rare. In contrast, most
sonality disorder. The first may be able glibly to failure
talk people out of their life
us have parked illegally at some point. This that
savings, the second to to follow the rules is so statistically common u
take someone's life in return for we tend not to think of it as abnormal. Yet wne
payment. Is this
behavior maladaptive? Not for them, because it is mother drowns her children there is instarnt recoy
the way in which they
make their respective liv tion that this is abnormal behavior.
 Approaches
5
Research
Overview
and
Psychology:
Abnormal
abnormal.
Social discomfort: Not all must be
psychologically
sui-
rules to h o s p i t a l i z e
when they are explicit.
all rules bother us are And not another person
a r e required
a s the per-
violated. Nonethe- Indeed, therapists (as well
less, when someone violates contact
the police have a
social rule, those around him implicit or unwritten
an or
cidal clients if they
the threat)
or her may target of
who is the harm
another
a sense of discomfort unease. or
experience son
client who
makes an explicit
threat to
elements of
are sitting in an almost empty bus. Imagine
There are
that you
But, as with all of
the other
dangerousness
as
rows of person. on
unoccupied seats. Then someone comes in and sits if we rely only
r u n into
abnormality, w e will
down right next to of abnormality, ill? What
you. How do you feel? Is the our sole feature mentally
son's behavior per- in combat
abnormal? Why? The person is not problems. Is
a
soldier
bad d r i v e r ?
extremely
breaking any formal rule. who is an
Yet
He to others.
she has
someone
or about
ticket and is paid fora
people may
be a danger
permitted to sit Both of these ill. WVhy
likes. But your sense of social anywhere
he or she them to be
mentally
consider
not in extreme
discomfort ("Why did w e would
who engages
this person sit why is someone
free
right next to me when there are so not? And
dangerous hobby (such
as
many empty seats available?") will or who has a
poisonous
probably incline
you to think that this is an example of abnormal
sports
race car driving, or keeping
men-
diving, regarded as
not immediately
behavior. In other words, social discomfort is another snakes a s pets)
danger to
our-
may be
a
we
potential way that we can recognize abnormality. tally ill?Just because mean we arementally
not
others does
But again, much depends on circumstances. If the selves o r to that someone
assume
we
cannot
person who gets on the bus is someone you know ill. Conversely, must be danger-
mental disorder
diagnosed with
a
well, it might be more unusual if he or she did not illness do commit
with mental
join you. ous. Although people committed
crimes a r e also
serious crimes, serious
Irrationality and unpredictability: As we have of mental
. who have n o signs
every day by people in people
already noted, we expect people to behave in certain disorder. Indeed, research suggests that
the
ways. Although a little unconventionality may add with mental illness,
dangerousness is
more
some spice to life, there is a point at which we are
rule (Corrigan & Watson,
2005).
unorthodox behavior exception than the
likely to consider a given Decisions about
One final bears repeating.
point
abnormal. If a person sitting next to you suddenly
social judgments
to scream and yell obscenities at nothing, you
abnormal behavior always involve
began the values and expectations of society
abnormal. It and based on
probably regard that behavior as
are
would role in deter-
make n o sense at large. This m e a n s
that plays culture a
would be unpredictable, and it would abnormal. In addition, because
to you. The disordered speech and the disorganized mining what is and is not
and becoming m o r e o r less
behavior of patients with schizophrenia
are often society is constantly shifting
considered abnor-
are also a hallmark
of the tolerant of certain behaviors, what is
irrational. Such behaviors considered
disorder. Perhaps the most mal or deviant in o n e decade may not be
manic phases of bipolar abnormal or deviant a decade or two later. At one time,
evaluation of
however, is o u r
important factor, or her behavior. classified as a mental disorder. But
can control his homosexuality was
whether the person
who began to this is no longer the case (it was removed from the for-
consider a r o o m m a t e
Few of u s would
abnormal if wve mal classification system in 1974). A generation ago,
from King Lear to be
recite speeches devi-
Lear in the next campus pierced noses and navels were regarded as highly
knew that he w a s playing dra- ant and prompted questions about a person's mental
even if he was a
production-or
Shakespeare outbursts. On the health. Now, however, such adornments are common-
to extravagant
matic person given
other hand, if w e
discovered o u r
roommate lying on place and attract little attention. What other behaviors
and reciting Shakespeare, can you think of that are now considered normal but
the floor, flailing wildly,
for assistance if this was were regarded as deviant in the past?
consider calling
we might knew of no reason As you think about these issues, consider the person
out character and we
of
entirely described in the World Around Us box. He is certainly an
be behaving in such
a manner.
why he should think unusual human being. But is his behavior abnormal? D-
Dangerousness:
It seems quite reasonable to
7. herself o r to you think everyone will agree about this?
someone
who is a danger to him- o r
that
 The DSM-5 and the
of Mental Disorder Definition Although the DSM is widely used, it is not the only
psychiatric classification system. The International Clas-
In the United
States, the sification of Diseases (called ICD-10 because it is now in
various types of mental accepted standard for defining its 10th revision) is
produced by the World Health
disorders is the American Psy-
chiatric Association's Organization (WHO). Chapter V of this document cov-
Mental Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of ers mental and behavioral disorders
Disorders. This manual, commonly referred to as (WHO, 2015b).
the DSM, is revised and Although the ICD-10 has much in common with DSM-5,
updated from time to time. The it also many differences, with similar disorders
current version, called
DSM-5, was published in 2013. It having
different names, for example. The ICD-10 is used in
is 947 pages
long and contains a total of 541 diagnostic many countries outside the United States and ICD-11 is
categories (Blashfield et al., 2014). This recent revision of currently in development.
the DSM has been the topic of much debate and contro- Within DSM-5, a mental disorder is defined as a
versy. In the Thinking Critically about DSM-5 box we
syndrome that is present in an individual and that
explain more about the DSM and discuss why a revision involves clinically significant disturbance in behavior,
was necessary. emotion regulation, or cognitive functioning. These