The document discusses differing perspectives on defining abnormal psychology. It notes that there is disagreement within the medical and general community about what precisely constitutes abnormal behavior, due to natural variations between individuals as well as cultural differences. Abnormal psychology can be defined as the study of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that diverge significantly from the norms of a given society or culture. However, these norms are subjective and have changed over time and place. The document explores various theoretical perspectives on abnormality and what diagnoses they may implicate. It challenges readers to come to a collective agreement on defining abnormal psychology through respectful discussion.

1. Controversy: Agree on a Definition of Abnormal
There is much dissention among people and the medical community exactly what defines
abnormal psychology. This is due to the fact that people are individuals and as such they will
exhibit natural variations in personalities, ways of thinking, how they deal with everyday stresses
and how they deal with others. This is complicated by the differences in cultures, customs,
communities, lifestyles, and belief systems encompassed throughout the world. Behavior that is
commonly accepted as normal and encouraged in one area may actually be considered abnormal
and bizarre in a different area. These differences become even more apparent when making
comparisons of people in different countries. The differences are even more apparent when
looking over the history of abnormal psychology and what led up to it being a part of the study
of the mind and its processes.
Abnormal psychology to me is the study of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that are
considered as abnormal or markedly atypical when compared to the accepted norms of a given
culture or society. These abnormal behaviors do not come in line with accepted societal norms,
which are constructed of legal norms and psychological norms. “Legal norms tend to dictate how
an individual should behave in the realm of his civic surroundings and with regard to his friends
and neighbors and Psychological norms are also determined by society, but are codified in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, published by the
American Psychiatric Association” (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2013).
Looking back over the years ‘norms’ have changed markedly. As early as 6500 BCE
people who displayed what was considered behavior were ostracized or suspected of being
possessed by evil spirits. These mentally ill people were subjected to having holes bored into
their skulls to allow the evil spirits to escape. The idea of such practice not only seem barbaric
but ludacris today. The performance of exorcisms took place from mediaeval times up until the
present indicating the belief of possession by evil spirits is still alive and well although they are
not commonly performed today (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2013).
In order to identify a theoretical perspective that resembles mine, I would have to agree
with that of Ausubel (1961) when he identified personality disorder as a disease. When a person
is mentally ill physical manifestations occur in the mind of the sufferer. These manifestations
many times are outside the control of the person suffering mental illness. If this were not a true
disease, medications would not control the symptoms and they could all be treated by counseling
or psychotherapy. Unlike Szasz (1960) I do not believe all psychological disorders are a result of
problems of living (inability to cope, or guilt). If this happened to be the case, and I do not
believe it is, mental illness would not be seen in small children such as in the case of Autism
Spectrum Disorder. Schizophrenia is another disorder that I cannot possibly connect with
problems of living as being the cause, otherwise medications would not calm the voices or stop
the psychoses it causes.
References
Ausubel, D. P. (1961). Personality disorder is disease. American Psychologist, 16(2), 69-74.
doi:10.1037/h0042627

2. Getzfeld, A., & Schwartz, S. (2013). Abnormal psychology: DSM-5 update . San Diego, CA:
Bridgepoint Education.
Szasz, T. S. (1960). The myth of mental illness. American Psychologist, 15(2), 113-118.
doi:10.1037/h0046535
As you enter into the conversation, provide your definition of abnormal psychology. Relate
historical events that influenced your thought process as you created your definition. Identify a
major theoretical perspective that closely matches your definition. What diagnoses come to mind
when defining abnormal psychology?

3. Your challenge, as a class, is to come to a collective agreement on a definition for abnormal
psychology. The goal of this discussion is to have a single dynamic and respectful conversation
about the definition, not a series of 20 to 30 separate conversations. This means that every post
should be in response to another post. Your instructor will be posting the initial thread to which
you will respond. Only start a new discussion thread if you want to address an entirely different
theme or question(s) within the discussion subject area. Additionally, only post after first
carefully reading what all the others within the thread have written.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your discussion.
AngelaWiley
Abnormal psychologyseekstodefineunusualbehaviors,thoughts,andemotionsthatcouldbe classified
as outside the realmof normal.Thisisaccomplishedbylookingat behaviorsthroughthe lensof a
varietyof perspectives.Doesthe behaviorgoagainstsocial norms?Isthisbehavioruncommonandless
likelytobe displayedingeneral populations?Doesbehaviorcomplicateandconflictdailylivingand/or
social encounters?Doesbehaviorcause distress?These are all questionsthatare takeninto
considerationwhentryingtodetermineabnormality(Getzfeld&Schwartz,2013).
Getzfeld,A.,&Schwartz,S.(2013). Abnormalpsychology:DSM-5update.SanDiego,CA:Bridgepoint
Education.
Hi Angela,
I enjoyed your post and share your understanding of what abnormal psychology is. Everything I
have read up until now aligns nicely with your description of how the study seeks to define
unusual behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that are considered outside the realm of what is
considered normal according to Getzfield, & Schwartz (2013). When seeking out other
definitions of abnormal psychology I found a complementary one at about health.com which
described it as the branch of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior
that covers a broad range of disorders and makes use of counselors, clinical psychologists and
psychotherapists to help patients regain mental health. In an article found in Simply Pschology, it
put it this way: "Abnormal Psychology is a division of psychology that studies people who are
'abnormal' or 'atypical' compared to the members of a given society." (McCloud, 2008) This
description allows for the normal idiosyncrasies of normal behaviors found in different societies
or regions that change from place to place. One article I found stated that it is difficult to
determine where normal behavior ends and abnormal behavior begins because of the differences
in personalities and personality types but as long as a person is generally happy, displays a
variety of moods depending on given situations, think of themselves as happy, can relate
appropriately with others, can work with satisfaction and has the flexibility to adapt to different
demands and stresses faced in life, they may indeed have normal personalities. (Neuman, 2013)
References

4. Getzfeld, A., & Schwartz, S. (2013). Abnormal psychology: DSM-5 update . San Diego, CA:
Bridgepoint Education.
McCloud, Saul (2008). Abnormal Psychology. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/abnormal-psychology.html
Neuman, Fredrick (2013). Determining What is Normal Behavior and What is Not. Psychology
Today (2013 May 1) Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fighting-
fear/201305/determining-what-is-normal-behavior-and-what-is-not.html
Eamon Gallagher
While psychology is the study of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, abnormal
psychology is the study of abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Although
somatogenic theory may account for abnormality based solely on biological
reasons, I tend to favor a more psychogenic theorist’s perspective in that
abnormality is rooted in psychological distress. Like Szasz who argued that
mental illness is a result of both internal and external conflicts, I support the
stance that psychological distress caused by internal or external conflict may
result in abnormal thoughts or behaviors, however I also feel that mental illness
is in fact a condition which meets the same classifications as any other physical
ailment, a belief which Szasz contended.
Szasz,T. S. (1960). The mythof mental illness.AmericanPsychologist,15(2),113-118.
doi:10.1037/h0046535
Abnormal psychologyis a branch of psychology thatdealswithpsychopathologyand
abnormal behavior.The termcoversa broadrange of disorders,fromdepressionto
obsession-compulsiontosexualdeviation.Counselors,clinical psychologistsand
psychotherapistsoftenworkdirectlyinthisfield.
(Abouthealth.com)
Abnormal psychologyisadivisionof psychologythatstudiespeople whoare
"abnormal"or"atypical"comparedto the membersof a givensociety.
McCloud,Saul (2008). Abnormal Psychology. Simply Psychology. Retrievedfrom:
http://www.simplypsychology.org/abnormal-psychology.html