Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Abnormal Psychology?Defining AbnormalityApproachesTopicsCriticisms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Abnormal Psychology?
Defining Abnormality
Approaches
Topics
Criticisms
Close
Abnormal psychology is abranch of psychologythat deals withpsychopathologyand abnormal behavior, or the patterns of emotion, thought, and behavior that can be signs of a mental health condition. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to personality disorders.
The term “abnormal” is the subject of considerable debate. What exactly is “normal” and who gets to decide? The social norms that are often used to determine what is normal versus abnormal can shift over time, so settling on a standard definition isn’t simple or straightforward.
Counselors, psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this field, often in a clinical context. Rather than the distinction between normal and abnormal, psychologists in this field focus on the level of distress that behaviors, thoughts, or emotions might cause.
If a behavior is creating problems in a person’s life or is disruptive to other people, then this would be an “abnormal” behavior. In such cases, the behavior may require some type of mental health intervention.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.
The following characteristics are usually included:
RecapAbnormal psychology doesn’t just address behaviors that are considered statistically infrequent. Instead, it focuses on behaviors that create distress, make it difficult to function, and that may be socially disruptive.
Recap
Abnormal psychology doesn’t just address behaviors that are considered statistically infrequent. Instead, it focuses on behaviors that create distress, make it difficult to function, and that may be socially disruptive.
What Are the Four Approaches to Abnormal Psychology?
There are a number of different perspectives used in abnormal psychology. While somepsychologists or psychiatristsmay focus on a single viewpoint, many mental health professionals use elements from multiple areas in order to better understand and treat psychological disorders.
Psychoanalytic Approach
This perspective has its roots in the theories of Sigmund Freud.The psychoanalytic approach suggests that many abnormal behaviors stem from unconscious thoughts, desires, and memories.
While these feelings are outside of awareness, they are still believed to influence conscious actions.
Behavioral Approach
This approach to abnormal psychology focuses on observable behaviors.In behavioral therapy, the focus is on reinforcing positive behaviors and not reinforcing maladaptive behaviors.
The behavioral approach targets only the behavior itself, not the underlying causes. When dealing with abnormal behavior, a behavioral therapist might utilize strategies such asclassical conditioning and operant conditioningto help eliminate unwanted behaviors and teach new behaviors.
Medical Approach
This approach to abnormal psychology focuses on the biological causes of mental illness, emphasizing understanding the underlying cause of disorders, which might include genetic inheritance, related physical illnesses, infections, and chemical imbalances. Medical treatments are often pharmacological in nature, although medication is often used in conjunction with some type of psychotherapy.
Cognitive Approach
The cognitive approach to abnormal psychology focuses on how internal thoughts, perceptions, and reasoning contribute to psychological disorders. Cognitive treatments typically focus on helping the individual change their thoughts or reactions.
Cognitive therapy might also be used in conjunction with behavioral methods in a technique known ascognitive behavioral therapy(CBT).
RecapPsychologists often look at abnormal behaviors through a number of different perspectives including the psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, and medical approaches. Such perspectives can influence how a condition is treated, but therapists also often draw on techniques from multiple approaches.
Psychologists often look at abnormal behaviors through a number of different perspectives including the psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, and medical approaches. Such perspectives can influence how a condition is treated, but therapists also often draw on techniques from multiple approaches.
Topics in Abnormal Psychology
The main topics in abnormal psychology are the study, understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of psychological disorders.Psychological disordersare defined as patterns of behavioral or psychological symptoms that impact multiple areas of life. These conditions create distress for the person experiencing symptoms.
Criticisms of Abnormal Psychology
The field of abnormal psychology is not without criticism. In addition to debates over the use of the term “abnormal” itself, some believe that this area has a number of shortcomings.
In particular, some feel that this areastigmatizesvulnerable and oppressed people. Critics also suggest that the field of abnormal psychology tends to pathologize normal variations in human behavior.
Some also propose that the medical approach to mental illness often focuses only on biological and genetic determinants of distress rather than taking amore holistic view.It also does not account for the fact that there are major cultural differences in what is deemed normal and abnormal.
Research has also found that learning more about abnormal psychology appears to do little to combat stigma regarding mental illness. One study found that teaching students about abnormal psychology did not reduce mental health stigma, improve attitudes toward mental illness, or increase help-seeking behaviors among students.
Summary
Abnormal psychology may focus on atypical behavior, but its focus is not to ensure that all people fit into a narrow definition of “normal.” In most cases, it is centered on identifying and treating problems that may be causing distress or impairment in some aspect of an individual’s life. By better understanding what is “abnormal,” researchers and therapists can come up with new ways to help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
How Psychological Disorders Are Diagnosed
Frequently Asked QuestionsCorrelational research is often used to study abnormal psychology because experimental research would be unethical or impossible. Researchers cannot intentionally manipulate variables to see if doing so causes mental illness. While correlational research does not allow researchers to determine cause and effect, it does provide valuable information on relationships between variables.Learn More:What Is Correlational Research?Key concepts include that abnormality can be viewed through many different lenses and that mental disorders often have multiple causes, including genetics and experiences. Another is that culture has an influence on how we define abnormality, so what is considered abnormal in one culture is perfectly normal in another.The study of abnormal behavior dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, thinkers such as Sigmund Freud suggested that mental health conditions could be treated with methods including talk therapy.The study of abnormal psychology has helped researchers and therapists better understand the causes of mental disorders and develop methods to effectively treat these conditions. By understanding the factors that affect mental health, psychologists can help people overcome impairment, relieve distress, and restore functioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Correlational research is often used to study abnormal psychology because experimental research would be unethical or impossible. Researchers cannot intentionally manipulate variables to see if doing so causes mental illness. While correlational research does not allow researchers to determine cause and effect, it does provide valuable information on relationships between variables.Learn More:What Is Correlational Research?
Correlational research is often used to study abnormal psychology because experimental research would be unethical or impossible. Researchers cannot intentionally manipulate variables to see if doing so causes mental illness. While correlational research does not allow researchers to determine cause and effect, it does provide valuable information on relationships between variables.
Learn More:What Is Correlational Research?
Key concepts include that abnormality can be viewed through many different lenses and that mental disorders often have multiple causes, including genetics and experiences. Another is that culture has an influence on how we define abnormality, so what is considered abnormal in one culture is perfectly normal in another.
The study of abnormal behavior dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, thinkers such as Sigmund Freud suggested that mental health conditions could be treated with methods including talk therapy.
The study of abnormal psychology has helped researchers and therapists better understand the causes of mental disorders and develop methods to effectively treat these conditions. By understanding the factors that affect mental health, psychologists can help people overcome impairment, relieve distress, and restore functioning.
6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Mental illness.Bargh JA, Morsella E.The unconscious mind.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2008;3(1):73-9. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.xWalinga J.Behaviourist psychology. In: Stangor C, Walinga J, eds.Introduction to Psychology: 1st Canadian edition.BCcampus Open Education.Cheng AW, McCloskey K, Matacin ML.Teaching personality and abnormal psychology with inclusivity. In: Mena JA, Quina K, eds.Integrating Multiculturalism and Intersectionality into the Psychology Curriculum: Strategies for Instructors. American Psychological Association; 2019:225-241. doi:10.1037/0000137-018Miller RB.Not so Abnormal Psychology: A Pragmatic View of Mental Illness. American Psychological Association; 2015. doi:10.1037/14693-000Kendra MS, Cattaneo LB, Mohr JJ.Teaching abnormal psychology to improve attitudes toward mental illness and help-seeking.Teaching Psychol. 2012;39(1):57-61. doi:10.1177/0098628311430315
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Mental illness.Bargh JA, Morsella E.The unconscious mind.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2008;3(1):73-9. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.xWalinga J.Behaviourist psychology. In: Stangor C, Walinga J, eds.Introduction to Psychology: 1st Canadian edition.BCcampus Open Education.Cheng AW, McCloskey K, Matacin ML.Teaching personality and abnormal psychology with inclusivity. In: Mena JA, Quina K, eds.Integrating Multiculturalism and Intersectionality into the Psychology Curriculum: Strategies for Instructors. American Psychological Association; 2019:225-241. doi:10.1037/0000137-018Miller RB.Not so Abnormal Psychology: A Pragmatic View of Mental Illness. American Psychological Association; 2015. doi:10.1037/14693-000Kendra MS, Cattaneo LB, Mohr JJ.Teaching abnormal psychology to improve attitudes toward mental illness and help-seeking.Teaching Psychol. 2012;39(1):57-61. doi:10.1177/0098628311430315
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Mental Health.Mental illness.Bargh JA, Morsella E.The unconscious mind.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2008;3(1):73-9. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.xWalinga J.Behaviourist psychology. In: Stangor C, Walinga J, eds.Introduction to Psychology: 1st Canadian edition.BCcampus Open Education.Cheng AW, McCloskey K, Matacin ML.Teaching personality and abnormal psychology with inclusivity. In: Mena JA, Quina K, eds.Integrating Multiculturalism and Intersectionality into the Psychology Curriculum: Strategies for Instructors. American Psychological Association; 2019:225-241. doi:10.1037/0000137-018Miller RB.Not so Abnormal Psychology: A Pragmatic View of Mental Illness. American Psychological Association; 2015. doi:10.1037/14693-000Kendra MS, Cattaneo LB, Mohr JJ.Teaching abnormal psychology to improve attitudes toward mental illness and help-seeking.Teaching Psychol. 2012;39(1):57-61. doi:10.1177/0098628311430315
National Institute of Mental Health.Mental illness.
Bargh JA, Morsella E.The unconscious mind.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2008;3(1):73-9. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.x
Walinga J.Behaviourist psychology. In: Stangor C, Walinga J, eds.Introduction to Psychology: 1st Canadian edition.BCcampus Open Education.
Cheng AW, McCloskey K, Matacin ML.Teaching personality and abnormal psychology with inclusivity. In: Mena JA, Quina K, eds.Integrating Multiculturalism and Intersectionality into the Psychology Curriculum: Strategies for Instructors. American Psychological Association; 2019:225-241. doi:10.1037/0000137-018
Miller RB.Not so Abnormal Psychology: A Pragmatic View of Mental Illness. American Psychological Association; 2015. doi:10.1037/14693-000
Kendra MS, Cattaneo LB, Mohr JJ.Teaching abnormal psychology to improve attitudes toward mental illness and help-seeking.Teaching Psychol. 2012;39(1):57-61. doi:10.1177/0098628311430315
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