This document discusses neuropsychological factors that can lead to abnormal behavior. It begins by defining abnormal behavior and outlining criteria for what constitutes abnormal behavior. It then explains that since the nervous system is core to mental processes, any imbalance or distortion in the nervous system may affect neuropsychological relationships and lead to abnormal behavior. Specifically, it identifies congenital abnormalities, structural disruption of the nervous system, infections affecting the nervous system, and electrochemical imbalances as key neuropsychological factors that can influence abnormal behavior.

1. Neuro-Psychological Factors
Leading to Abnormal
Behaviour
PSY-102 Abnormal Psychology
Presented to:
Asst. Prof. Dr. Arpita Kackar
Presented by:
A Siddhartha
MA (Psychology) 1st Sem
2019-2020
Jai Narayan Vyas University

2. Contents
 Abnormal Behaviour
 Criteria of Abnormal Behaviour
 Why are neuropsychological factors important to understand abnormal
behaviour?
 Neuropsychological Factors
 Congenital Abnormalities
 Structural Disruption of Nervous System
 Electrochemical Imbalance/Disruption

3. Abnormal Behaviour
 Abnormality (or dysfunctional behavior) is a
behavioral characteristic assigned to those with
conditions regarded as rare or dysfunctional.
 In fact, there is no single criterion to define the
abnormality; it can only be explained through a
set of criteria.

4. Statistical abnormality Psychometric abnormality
Deviant behavior
Combinations: Distress
1.Dysfunction
2.Distorted Psy. Processes
3.Inappropriate Responses
Abnormal
Behaviour
Criteria of Abnormal Behaviour

5. Why are neuropsychological factors important
to understand abnormal behaviour?
Brain
• Processes
information from
sensory organs.
• It is important
aspect in
determining
behaviour
Spinal Cord
• Transmission of
nerve signals
from the motor
cortex to the
body, and from
the afferent
fibers of the
sensory neurons
to the sensory
cortex
Peripheral Nerves
• PNS is to connect
the CNS to the
limbs and organs,
essentially
serving as a relay
between the
brain and spinal
cord and the rest
of the body
 Since Nervous system is one of the core element of
mental processes, any imbalance/distortion to it may
affect neuropsychological relationship leading to
abnormal behaviour.

6. Neuro-
pscyhological
Factors
Congenital
Abnormalities
Structural Disruption of
Nervous system
Infections Affecting
Nervous System
Electrochemical
Imbalance/Disruption
Abnormal
Behaviour
Neuropsychological
Factors

7. Congenital Abnormalities
 A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is a condition
present at birth regardless of its cause.
 For example:
 Megalencephaly: This condition causes a person’s brain to be abnormally
large or heavy.
 Microcephaly: This occurs
When the brain doesn’t
develop to full size.

8. Structural Disruption of Nervous System
 Vascular disorders, such as stroke,
transient ischemic attack (TIA),
subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural
hemorrhage and hematoma, and
extradural hemorrhage.
 Structural disorders, such as brain or
spinal cord injury, Bell's palsy, cervical
spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome,
brain or spinal cord tumors, peripheral
neuropathy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome

9. Infections Affecting Nervous System
 Central nervous system infections caused by bacteria or
fungi can cause illnesses such as:
 Brain abscesses. This is a collection of pus and infected
tissue within the brain.
 Bacterial meningitis. This happens when bacterial
infections enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain
and spinal cord.
 Central nervous system infections caused by viruses can
cause illnesses such as:
 Viral meningitis. This is inflammation of the layers of
tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.
 Encephalitis. This is infection and inflammation of the
brain itself.

10. Electrochemical Imbalance/Disruption
 Neurotransmitter [imbalances of neurotransmitters like
norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and GABA (Gamma
aminobutryic acid)] and hormonal imbalances in the brain.
 Strong imbalances or disruptions to neurotransmitter systems
have been associated with many diseases and mental
disorders
 For example:
 Dopamine Imbalance can result in Parkinson’s Disease.
 Serotonin Imbalance may lead to mood swings, depression episodes.
 Glutamate imbalance has been linked to Autism.

11. Thank You