Abnormal Psychology Chapter 1 Highlights and Notes
● Provides an overview of the strategies used to define abnormality over the course of
history, with updated Canadian content
● Covers the developments of the Mental Health Commission of Canada
● Highlights the work of the Canadian Psychological Association’s task force on evidence-based
practice of psychological treatments and addresses issues related to access to care, including
recent government and corporate initiatives for ensuring that Canadians get the right help at the
right time.
● Features a Focus box “Treatment and Mistreatment,” which examines how Hollywood films
depict mental asylums ●
● Discusses how technology introduces new opportunities and challenges for mental health care
Chapter 1 Concepts of Abnormality Throughout History
● Describe the principles that have been used to define abnormality and then apply them to
determine whether a particular behaviour may meet the definition of abnormal behaviour.
Understand how the conceptualization of psychological disorders changed from antiquity
to the 1800s. Describe at least two treatments that are associated with the biological
approach and outline the current status of these treatments. Describe the contributions of
at least two influential Canadian individuals in the field of mental health care. Describe
two recent significant developments associated with mental health in Canada and discuss
implications of recent technological advances on the field of psychology.
● Psychological abnormality refers to behaviour, speech, or thought that impairs the
ability of a person to function in a way that is generally expected of him or her, in the
context where the unusual functioning occurs.
● Mental illness is a term often used to convey the same meaning as psychological
abnormality, but it implies a medical rather than psychological cause
● A psychological disorder is a specific manifestation of this impairment of functioning,
as described by some set of criteria that have been established by a panel of experts.
● In this book, we will use the term psychopathology to mean both the scientific study of
psychological abnormality and the problems faced by people who suffer from such
disorders.
● Psychological disorders occur in all societies and have been apparent at all times in
history. However, what is considered a disorder varies across time and place.
● Psychiatrists are trained in medicine prior to doing specialized training in dealing with
mental disorders. This specialized training focuses on diagnosis and medical treatment
that emphasize the use of pharmacological agents in managing mental disorders. Not
surprisingly, most psychiatrists attend to the medical aspects and biological foundations
of these disorders, although they usually also consider psychological and environmental
influences. The identification of a psychological disorder in any specific individual is
ultimately left to a professional to judge. In the final analysis, the opinions of particular
● Provides an overview of the strategies used to define abnormality over the course of
history, with updated Canadian content
● Covers the developments of the Mental Health Commission of Canada
● Highlights the work of the Canadian Psychological Association’s task force on evidence-based
practice of psychological treatments and addresses issues related to access to care, including
recent government and corporate initiatives for ensuring that Canadians get the right help at the
right time.
● Features a Focus box “Treatment and Mistreatment,” which examines how Hollywood films
depict mental asylums ●
● Discusses how technology introduces new opportunities and challenges for mental health care
Chapter 1 Concepts of Abnormality Throughout History
● Describe the principles that have been used to define abnormality and then apply them to
determine whether a particular behaviour may meet the definition of abnormal behaviour.
Understand how the conceptualization of psychological disorders changed from antiquity
to the 1800s. Describe at least two treatments that are associated with the biological
approach and outline the current status of these treatments. Describe the contributions of
at least two influential Canadian individuals in the field of mental health care. Describe
two recent significant developments associated with mental health in Canada and discuss
implications of recent technological advances on the field of psychology.
● Psychological abnormality refers to behaviour, speech, or thought that impairs the
ability of a person to function in a way that is generally expected of him or her, in the
context where the unusual functioning occurs.
● Mental illness is a term often used to convey the same meaning as psychological
abnormality, but it implies a medical rather than psychological cause
● A psychological disorder is a specific manifestation of this impairment of functioning,
as described by some set of criteria that have been established by a panel of experts.
● In this book, we will use the term psychopathology to mean both the scientific study of
psychological abnormality and the problems faced by people who suffer from such
disorders.
● Psychological disorders occur in all societies and have been apparent at all times in
history. However, what is considered a disorder varies across time and place.
● Psychiatrists are trained in medicine prior to doing specialized training in dealing with
mental disorders. This specialized training focuses on diagnosis and medical treatment
that emphasize the use of pharmacological agents in managing mental disorders. Not
surprisingly, most psychiatrists attend to the medical aspects and biological foundations
of these disorders, although they usually also consider psychological and environmental
influences. The identification of a psychological disorder in any specific individual is
ultimately left to a professional to judge. In the final analysis, the opinions of particular
