PSY 215 Module Eight Activity Template
For this journal activity, you will focus on reconstructing your view of what it means to be abnormal.
Specifically, consider the notion of the humanity in abnormality. Then respond to the following prompts
with a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Address the rubric criteria listed below and support your answers
with a credible source when necessary. Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the
relevant information.
● Discuss what it means to view our individual differences through a non-pathologizing lens.
- Seeing individual differences through a "non-pathologizing lens" entails recognizing and valuing
differences in human behavior, thoughts, and experiences without automatically classifying
them as a mental illness or disorder. Instead, it focuses on the particular context and
perspective of each individual, acknowledging that differences may be natural variations rather
than indications of pathology.
● In recent times, people have begun to adopt a non-clinical view of psychological conditions—as
differences, not disorders. Discuss the costs and benefits of viewing psychological traits,
symptoms, and conditions in this manner.
- Potential advantages of considering psychological characteristics, symptoms, and
conditions as "differences" as opposed to "disorders" include lowering stigma and
encouraging a more inclusive approach to mental health, but there are drawbacks as
well, such as the possible minimization of serious conditions and difficulties in
determining which people need clinical intervention.
● Think of an abnormal behavior that may be viewed as a deficit or a weakness. Discuss how
aspects of this behavior may be reframed and reapplied as a strength.
- Extreme social anxiety is an abnormal behavior that is frequently perceived as a
weakness. Although it causes a great deal of distress in social situations, some aspects of
this behavior, such as heightened awareness of others' emotions, careful preparation,
and a strong focus on detail when interacting with others, can be reframed as strengths.
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For this journal activity, you will focus on reconstructing your view of what it means to be abnormal.
Specifically, consider the notion of the humanity in abnormality. Then respond to the following prompts
with a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Address the rubric criteria listed below and support your answers
with a credible source when necessary. Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the
relevant information.
● Discuss what it means to view our individual differences through a non-pathologizing lens.
- Seeing individual differences through a "non-pathologizing lens" entails recognizing and valuing
differences in human behavior, thoughts, and experiences without automatically classifying
them as a mental illness or disorder. Instead, it focuses on the particular context and
perspective of each individual, acknowledging that differences may be natural variations rather
than indications of pathology.
● In recent times, people have begun to adopt a non-clinical view of psychological conditions—as
differences, not disorders. Discuss the costs and benefits of viewing psychological traits,
symptoms, and conditions in this manner.
- Potential advantages of considering psychological characteristics, symptoms, and
conditions as "differences" as opposed to "disorders" include lowering stigma and
encouraging a more inclusive approach to mental health, but there are drawbacks as
well, such as the possible minimization of serious conditions and difficulties in
determining which people need clinical intervention.
● Think of an abnormal behavior that may be viewed as a deficit or a weakness. Discuss how
aspects of this behavior may be reframed and reapplied as a strength.
- Extreme social anxiety is an abnormal behavior that is frequently perceived as a
weakness. Although it causes a great deal of distress in social situations, some aspects of
this behavior, such as heightened awareness of others' emotions, careful preparation,
and a strong focus on detail when interacting with others, can be reframed as strengths.
1
