PSYC 2490 Exam 1 Chapter 1-3 Questions With
Complete Answers
Statistical Infrequency - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Behaviour is defined
as abnormal if it can be observed infrequently in the population. Sometimes infrequent
behaviour can be positive, but usually the further away from the mean = abnormal.
Personal Distress - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Very subjective. Not
present in all individuals. Person may not be of distress to themselves but to others
around them.
Personal Dysfunction - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Very subjective.
Behaviour is clearly maladaptive (interferes with appropriate functioning). Appropriate
functioning can be different in different contexts.
Violation of Norms - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. However, social norms
can vary over time and place (culturally relative), and usually reflect the predominant
view in society.
Diagnosis by an Expert - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Need to be careful
as to the credibility of who is diagnosing (clinical psychologists vs. psychiatrists).
Inappropriate Behaviour - ANSWER NOT a criteria of abnormal behaviour. Too
subjective.
Psychological Abnormality - ANSWER Behaviour, speech, or thought that impairs a
person's ability to function in a way that is generally expected of them in the context
where the unusual functioning is occurring. Beginning signs that something "isn't right"
but not enough to reach a diagnosis.
Mental Illness - ANSWER Conveys the same meaning as psychological abnormality, but
implies a medical rather than a psychological cause.
, Psychological Disorder - ANSWER Specific manifestations of an impairment in
functioning.
Psychopathology - ANSWER Scientific study of psychological abnormality and the
problems faced by people who suffer from these disorders.
Prehistorical Thoughts - ANSWER Believed in supernatural causes. Used trephination.
Trephination - ANSWER Surgery performed to put holes in the skull in order to release
"evil spirits."
Greek and Roman Thought - ANSWER Pericles, Hippocrates (humours, rejected
demonism), Plato/Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Soranus of Ephesus, Aretaeus
Dark Ages Thoughts (15th Century) - ANSWER Period of intellectual darkness/economic
regression, Arab world carried on "enlightened period." Return of demonism (witches,
exorcisms)
Opposing Views in Renaissance - ANSWER Paracelsus (attacked supernatural beliefs),
Teresa of Avila and St. Vincent de Paul (advocated for more compassion for people
suffering mental health problems)
Mental Asylums - ANSWER Developed from more naturalistic approaches to treating
mental health problems. Common throughout Europe and North America. Overcrowding
responsible for negative treatment of patients.
Bedlum - ANSWER Any form of rowdy, chaotic behaviour.
17th Century Thoughts - ANSWER Being poor seen as a serious social problem.
Workhouses established for poor, old, orphans, and the insane.
Complete Answers
Statistical Infrequency - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Behaviour is defined
as abnormal if it can be observed infrequently in the population. Sometimes infrequent
behaviour can be positive, but usually the further away from the mean = abnormal.
Personal Distress - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Very subjective. Not
present in all individuals. Person may not be of distress to themselves but to others
around them.
Personal Dysfunction - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Very subjective.
Behaviour is clearly maladaptive (interferes with appropriate functioning). Appropriate
functioning can be different in different contexts.
Violation of Norms - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. However, social norms
can vary over time and place (culturally relative), and usually reflect the predominant
view in society.
Diagnosis by an Expert - ANSWER A criteria of abnormal behaviour. Need to be careful
as to the credibility of who is diagnosing (clinical psychologists vs. psychiatrists).
Inappropriate Behaviour - ANSWER NOT a criteria of abnormal behaviour. Too
subjective.
Psychological Abnormality - ANSWER Behaviour, speech, or thought that impairs a
person's ability to function in a way that is generally expected of them in the context
where the unusual functioning is occurring. Beginning signs that something "isn't right"
but not enough to reach a diagnosis.
Mental Illness - ANSWER Conveys the same meaning as psychological abnormality, but
implies a medical rather than a psychological cause.
, Psychological Disorder - ANSWER Specific manifestations of an impairment in
functioning.
Psychopathology - ANSWER Scientific study of psychological abnormality and the
problems faced by people who suffer from these disorders.
Prehistorical Thoughts - ANSWER Believed in supernatural causes. Used trephination.
Trephination - ANSWER Surgery performed to put holes in the skull in order to release
"evil spirits."
Greek and Roman Thought - ANSWER Pericles, Hippocrates (humours, rejected
demonism), Plato/Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Soranus of Ephesus, Aretaeus
Dark Ages Thoughts (15th Century) - ANSWER Period of intellectual darkness/economic
regression, Arab world carried on "enlightened period." Return of demonism (witches,
exorcisms)
Opposing Views in Renaissance - ANSWER Paracelsus (attacked supernatural beliefs),
Teresa of Avila and St. Vincent de Paul (advocated for more compassion for people
suffering mental health problems)
Mental Asylums - ANSWER Developed from more naturalistic approaches to treating
mental health problems. Common throughout Europe and North America. Overcrowding
responsible for negative treatment of patients.
Bedlum - ANSWER Any form of rowdy, chaotic behaviour.
17th Century Thoughts - ANSWER Being poor seen as a serious social problem.
Workhouses established for poor, old, orphans, and the insane.
