PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Psychopathology

Psychopathology

Abnormal behaviour is defined as behaviour that is measured to be maladaptive or unexpected by the social culture in which it happens. Though difference exists regarding which meticulous behaviour can be classified as abnormal psychologists have defined several criteria for purposes of categorization.

Literally? the word 'abnormal' means 'away from the norm' hence? abnormal behaviour is behaviour which departs from the norm. Sequentially norms can be defined in different ways. One is that the behaviour happens occasionally (statistical irregular behaviour). Another is that behaviour diverges from the social norms of suitable behaviour (social norms). A third is that the behaviour is maladaptive? that it has adverse affects on the individual or on the individual's social group. Lastly? abnormality may be defined based on the subjective feelings of misery? depression? or anxiety of an individual rather than any behaviour one exhibits.

In order to identify modern goals and objectives of abnormal psychology it is essential to find its origins. The roots of this regulation go deep into ancient times. Plato was first in the 4th century B.C. who involved attention to strange aspect of some people's behavior. In those times such “abnormality” was clarify by the actions of evil spirits. However? Plato did not recognize this position and stated that this behavior was basis by the natural madness.

In the Dark Ages evil feelings had been changed into devils - the person with strange or “abnormal” behavior was considered to be overcome by devils. This was the time of inquest and about 100?000 people were burned at the stake or grief-stricken or killed to death for this ownership of devils. Later? in the 19th century the initiative of devils possession was rethought and transformed. At that time abnormal behavior was understand as a punishment for the person's injurious and sinful thoughts and actions (cited in Sharman? 1970).

Nowadays there exist three diverse models which present their own patterns of abnormal behavior? its causes and possible treatments. These models are biological? psychological and sociocultural. The biological model emphasize that abnormal behavior? that is mental disorder in fact? is caused by biological procedure and changes in them. Due to this idea it has been set up that syphilis could lead to psychosis. The conditions of this model are the neurotransmitters. “Imbalances of Neurotransmitters perhaps extreme production and discharge of the neurotransmitter substances into the synapses; may be a dysfunction in how neurotransmitters are reduce the effect and may be a problem with receptors in the postsynaptic neuron” (Thase? 1985? p. 116). The biological model is based merely on the scientific proof and takes into account all biological peculiarities and possible causes of mental disorders. In accordance with the biological model mental disorder can be linked either with genetic predisposition or genotype-environment interaction. The proponents of this model reform genetic power and environmental influences. Environmental influences? in their turn? can be separated into shared and non-shared environmental influences.

The Psychological model is based upon the academic field of psychology. It attempts to explain mental illness through study of the human ...