Abnormal Psychology Basics
● Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal
behavior.
● Abnormal indicates something that is away from normal or away from norm.
● The word normal is derived from Latin word “norms” which means a carpenter ruler.
What are the criteria for normality?
a. Understanding of self
b. Feelings of personal worth
c. Bodily desire and ability to satisfy them.
d. Integration of personality
e. Feelings of security
f. Adequate basics harmony with environment
g. Emotional maturity
Thus, abnormal behavior is behavior that deviates from what is expected and normal.
Criteria for Abnormality
1. Violation of social norms: Behavior that goes against what is considered normal by society is
abnormal.
2. Statistical Rarity: A person with an extremely low IQ might be classified with some type of mental
disorders.
3. Personal distress: when we engaged in abnormal behavior the cause of the behavior can be distress.
(Distress is suffering, sorrow, pain)
4. Maladaptive behavior: is the behavior likely to hurt that person or someone else?
Psychopathology: is a scientific study of mental disorders including efforts to understand their genetic,
biological, psychological, and social causes.
Mental disorder: also called mental illness or psychological disorder is a mental or behavioral pattern that
causes either suffering or poor ability to function in ordinary life.
According to DSM IV abnormal behaviors is “a cluster of persistent, maladaptive behaviors that are associated
with personal distress such as anxiety or depression or with an impairment in social functioning such as job
performance or personal relationships.”
Why do we classify mental disorders?
Classification system provide us with a nomenclature (a naming system) and enable us to structure
information. Organizing info within a classification system allow us to study the different disorders that we
classify and learn, what causes them and how they can be treated. However, the disadvantage includes stigma
and labelling.
Symptom: Is a single indicator of a problem. It can involve affect (e.g., sad), behavior (lethargy) or cognition
(suicidal thoughts)
Syndrome: a group or cluster of symptoms that occur together.
According to Carson & Butcher (2002), DSM IV definition of mental disorder is, “a clinically significant behavior
or psychological syndrome, associated with distress or disability, not simply a predictable and culturally
sanctioned response to a particular event, considered to reflect behavioral, psychological or biological
dysfunction in the individual.”
DSM: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is published by the APA and provides a common
language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders.
DSM I: 1952
DSM II: 1968
DSM III: 1980
DSM IV: 1994
DSM IV-TR- 2000
DSM V- 2013
Aspect of DSM-IV DSM-5
Comparison
Number of Contained 297 disorders. Contains 541 disorders.
Disorders
Multiaxial Utilized a multiaxial Eliminated the multiaxial system.
System system with five axes.
Cultural Did not emphasize Emphasizes the importance of
Formulation cultural factors in considering cultural factors in the
diagnosis. diagnostic process.
Aspect of ICD-10 Description- ICD- 10
Structure Organized into chapters, with each chapter covering a specific category of
diseases and conditions.
Code Format Utilizes alphanumeric codes that can be up to 7 characters in length.
Use Used for coding and classifying diseases, conditions, and health-related issues
for healthcare billing, epidemiology, research, and public health.
Global Standard Widely adopted internationally as a standardized system for recording and
reporting health data.
Detail Provides a high level of detail with codes that can specify the exact nature of
the condition or its cause.
Regular Updates Subject to regular updates and revisions by the World Health Organization
(WHO) to reflect advancements in medical knowledge and evolving
healthcare needs.
Clinical Variants and clinical modifications of ICD-10 have been developed to suit
Modifications specific healthcare systems and needs, such as ICD-10-CM (Clinical
Modification) used in the United States.
Language Translated into multiple languages to accommodate international use.
Adoption Transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 was a significant challenge for many
Challenges healthcare systems due to the increased complexity and specificity.
Transition to The ICD-11, the next revision, was officially released by the WHO in 2021 and
ICD-11 will gradually replace ICD-10 over time.
