Question

introduction to abnormal psychology. 200 words

Answer 1

Abnormal psychology is a branch in psychology that deals with the unusual or incoherent thoughts, emotions, feelings and behaviour patterns among people that doesn’t fit the normal lifestyle in the society. Earlier, norms were considered as the parameter to assess abnormal behaviour because breaking the norms was considered as a deviant behaviour and those who deviate from the norms were considered as abnormal people. Sometimes, they were also considered that they were possessed by evil spirits.

Later, when psychology took over, it made several distinctions between social deviance and mental disorders. It considered both the biological and mental factors as the reasons for one’s abnormal behaviour. Abnormal psychology works in a holistic way to assess people for mental disorders and looked for differences in people’s thoughts and feelings that altered their emotions and feelings. People are expected to think and behave in various contexts such as gender related, age related, society related and medical related. If they do not meet any of these criteria, they would be considered abnormal. Abnormal Psychology thus strives to understand these patterns and treat people through therapies, counselling and medication. It also helps people understand that all deviant behaviours and abnormal behaviours differ from culture to culture and country to country depending on their legal definitions of certain behaviours.

Thank you for your question. Please rate if you like the answer.