Abnormal Psychology I
An intro level understanding of symptomatology, intervention strategies, and relevant contextual factors of broad experiences of psychopathology.
A fundamental understanding of the indications a family member, friend, or colleague may be experiencing distress
The comfort level required for initiating an empathic, compassionate conversation with a person of concern.
Charting the Boundaries Between Normal and Abnormal Behavior
• Determining whether behavior is abnormal is a complex problem.
• Psychologists typically use several criteria in determining whether behavior is
abnormal, including
− unusualness,
− social deviance,
− emotional distress,
− maladaptive behavior,
− dangerousness,
− faulty perceptions or interpretations of reality