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PSY 43599: Abnormal Behavior
Study Notes Lecture 1
Arizona State University
2022
What is normal?
What is abnormal?
What is abnormal behavior considered a disorder or problematic?
Common scenarios that portray abnormal behavior
Here are some common scenarios that may portray abnormal behavior:
Talking to oneself frequently or engaging in self-conversations in public
Avoiding social situations or people
Experiencing extreme mood swings or sudden outbursts of anger or sadness
Constantly checking, cleaning, or arranging things in an obsessive manner
Engaging in risky behavior or substance abuse
Showing no interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable
Expressing irrational fears or beliefs
Engaging in self-harm or suicidal behavior
Having difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Showing extreme paranoia or suspicion of others.
Are these reasons for alarm? Do these appear to be clinical symptoms of a disease or mental problems?
how did you find out?
Abnormal behaviors can certainly be causes for concern, particularly if they are impacting
someone's ability to function in daily life or causing them distress. However, it's important to
, 2
keep in mind that abnormal behavior does not always indicate a clinical disorder or mental
illness.
Whether or not abnormal behavior is indicative of a disorder or illness depends on the specific
behavior and the context in which it occurs. Some abnormal behaviors may be relatively benign
or even adaptive in certain circumstances.
For example, someone who talks to themselves frequently may simply be
processing their thoughts out loud, or someone who engages in obsessive
cleaning may be managing anxiety or stress.
On the other hand, certain abnormal behaviors can be more indicative of a clinical disorder or
mental illness. For example, extreme mood swings or sudden outbursts of anger or sadness
could be symptomatic of a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder, while irrational fears or
beliefs could be indicative of a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.
Ultimately, it's important to consider the individual and their specific circumstances when
assessing whether or not abnormal behavior is a cause for concern. Consulting with a mental
health professional can be helpful in determining whether or not a clinical disorder or mental
illness is present.
Definition of Abnormal Behavior
1. It is extreme statistically
Defining abnormal behavior is a complex and multifaceted process that involves considering a
range of factors, including statistical deviation from the norm. However, simply being statistically
extreme is not sufficient to diagnose someone with a clinical disorder.
According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a clinical disorder is defined as "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" (APA, 2013, p. 20).
While statistical deviation from the norm can be one factor in assessing whether someone is
experiencing abnormal behavior, it is not sufficient on its own to diagnose a clinical disorder. Other
factors, such as the severity and duration of the behavior, the impact on the individual's daily
, 3
functioning and quality of life, and the presence of other symptoms or comorbid conditions, must
also be considered.
Research suggests that simply being statistically extreme is not enough to diagnose someone with
a clinical disorder. For example, a study by Haslam, Holland, and Kuppens (2012) found that
individuals who were extremely high or low in trait neuroticism (a personality trait characterized by
emotional instability and vulnerability to negative affect) did not differ significantly from those with
more moderate levels of neuroticism in terms of mental health outcomes.
While statistical deviation from the norm can be one factor in assessing abnormal behavior, it is not
sufficient on its own to diagnose a clinical disorder. Other factors, such as the impact on daily functioning
and the presence of other symptoms, must also be considered.
The requirements for a clinical disorder are lacking. Why?
2. It is personal distressing.
Defining abnormal behavior as solely based on personal distress can be problematic, as not all
distressing behaviors necessarily indicate a clinical disorder. According to the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the definition of a mental disorder
includes not only the presence of a set of symptoms but also the degree to which these symptoms
cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning
(American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Therefore, the criteria for a clinical disorder go beyond
just personal distress, and also consider the functional impairment caused by the behavior.
Moreover, some behaviors that are distressing for an individual may be
considered normal or even adaptive within a particular cultural or social context.
Therefore, it is essential to take into account the cultural and social norms when
assessing whether a behavior is abnormal or not.
There are also other criteria that are used to define abnormal behavior, such as
statistical rarity, deviation from social norms, and mal-adaptiveness. However,
these criteria are also not sufficient on their own to determine the presence of a
clinical disorder and should be used in conjunction with other clinical information
(Barlow & Durand, 2015).
PSY 43599: Abnormal Behavior
Study Notes Lecture 1
Arizona State University
2022
What is normal?
What is abnormal?
What is abnormal behavior considered a disorder or problematic?
Common scenarios that portray abnormal behavior
Here are some common scenarios that may portray abnormal behavior:
Talking to oneself frequently or engaging in self-conversations in public
Avoiding social situations or people
Experiencing extreme mood swings or sudden outbursts of anger or sadness
Constantly checking, cleaning, or arranging things in an obsessive manner
Engaging in risky behavior or substance abuse
Showing no interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable
Expressing irrational fears or beliefs
Engaging in self-harm or suicidal behavior
Having difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Showing extreme paranoia or suspicion of others.
Are these reasons for alarm? Do these appear to be clinical symptoms of a disease or mental problems?
how did you find out?
Abnormal behaviors can certainly be causes for concern, particularly if they are impacting
someone's ability to function in daily life or causing them distress. However, it's important to
, 2
keep in mind that abnormal behavior does not always indicate a clinical disorder or mental
illness.
Whether or not abnormal behavior is indicative of a disorder or illness depends on the specific
behavior and the context in which it occurs. Some abnormal behaviors may be relatively benign
or even adaptive in certain circumstances.
For example, someone who talks to themselves frequently may simply be
processing their thoughts out loud, or someone who engages in obsessive
cleaning may be managing anxiety or stress.
On the other hand, certain abnormal behaviors can be more indicative of a clinical disorder or
mental illness. For example, extreme mood swings or sudden outbursts of anger or sadness
could be symptomatic of a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder, while irrational fears or
beliefs could be indicative of a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.
Ultimately, it's important to consider the individual and their specific circumstances when
assessing whether or not abnormal behavior is a cause for concern. Consulting with a mental
health professional can be helpful in determining whether or not a clinical disorder or mental
illness is present.
Definition of Abnormal Behavior
1. It is extreme statistically
Defining abnormal behavior is a complex and multifaceted process that involves considering a
range of factors, including statistical deviation from the norm. However, simply being statistically
extreme is not sufficient to diagnose someone with a clinical disorder.
According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a clinical disorder is defined as "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" (APA, 2013, p. 20).
While statistical deviation from the norm can be one factor in assessing whether someone is
experiencing abnormal behavior, it is not sufficient on its own to diagnose a clinical disorder. Other
factors, such as the severity and duration of the behavior, the impact on the individual's daily
, 3
functioning and quality of life, and the presence of other symptoms or comorbid conditions, must
also be considered.
Research suggests that simply being statistically extreme is not enough to diagnose someone with
a clinical disorder. For example, a study by Haslam, Holland, and Kuppens (2012) found that
individuals who were extremely high or low in trait neuroticism (a personality trait characterized by
emotional instability and vulnerability to negative affect) did not differ significantly from those with
more moderate levels of neuroticism in terms of mental health outcomes.
While statistical deviation from the norm can be one factor in assessing abnormal behavior, it is not
sufficient on its own to diagnose a clinical disorder. Other factors, such as the impact on daily functioning
and the presence of other symptoms, must also be considered.
The requirements for a clinical disorder are lacking. Why?
2. It is personal distressing.
Defining abnormal behavior as solely based on personal distress can be problematic, as not all
distressing behaviors necessarily indicate a clinical disorder. According to the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the definition of a mental disorder
includes not only the presence of a set of symptoms but also the degree to which these symptoms
cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning
(American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Therefore, the criteria for a clinical disorder go beyond
just personal distress, and also consider the functional impairment caused by the behavior.
Moreover, some behaviors that are distressing for an individual may be
considered normal or even adaptive within a particular cultural or social context.
Therefore, it is essential to take into account the cultural and social norms when
assessing whether a behavior is abnormal or not.
There are also other criteria that are used to define abnormal behavior, such as
statistical rarity, deviation from social norms, and mal-adaptiveness. However,
these criteria are also not sufficient on their own to determine the presence of a
clinical disorder and should be used in conjunction with other clinical information
(Barlow & Durand, 2015).
