PSYC 366 Exam #1 | Questions and correct
detailed Answers | 2026 Updates | 100%
Correct
1. What are the three (or 4 from N) criteria used to define abnormality? - ANSWER- -a.
Deviance- is a deviation from popular norms.
b. Dysfunction- Behavior is maladaptive (interferes with one's functioning) so it hurts the
individuals emotional, social, health, and daily activities.
c. Distress- it causes distress to those around the individual. And to the individual (depending on
the circumstances).
d. Dangerousness*- Person poses a risk to self and or others. (dangerous behavior can also be
dysfunctional behavior<can fall under all 3 categories>, which is why it is considered redundant-
at least in this course-).
What is cultural relativism? - ANSWER- -there is no universal standard by which people have
to follow so culture defines what is normal or abnormal. (As an example in Belgium it would be
the norm for a 7 year old to have a beer, but it is considered deviant in America).
What is the continuum model of abnormality? - ANSWER- -is a line between normal and
abnormal but it is not clearly defined where normal and abnormal meet, so it is subjective.
What is prevalence? - ANSWER- -Number (#) or percentage (%) of cases of a disorder in a
population at any specific time.
Incidence? - ANSWER- -Number (#) or percentage (%) of new cases that have appeared
within a specific area/time.
,What are some ways prevalence and incidence estimates can be biased? - ANSWER- -
Sampling as in people make mistakes when they make stats in a clinic or community
<Community is more accurate and less biased than clinics>
3. Consider the cases of O.J. Simpson and Neil Cargile (discussed in class, [MW] and assignment
#3)—what characteristics of each person's behavior meet or don't meet the criteria for
abnormality? - ANSWER- -OJ Simpson- met all criteria of the 3 D's. Neil Cargyle did not meet
the criteria of Dysfunction because he could still function in his day to day but met the criteria
of Deviation and Distress.
Neil Cargyle
Distress: Mother, brother, ex-wife (his children appeared to be fine)
Deviation; He was a wealthy southern man. Dressing in drag is not a cultural norm where he is
from.
What is trephination? - ANSWER- -an operation where they would drill holes into the skull of
a person displaying abnormal behavior to let the spirits out. This operation was done during the
Stone Age and well into the Middle ages. The tool they used was called trephine. (page 8) It was
proposed to release the evil spirits, if they lived. It was also said to relieve blood clots.
Psychic epidemics - ANSWER- -are a phenomenon in which large numbers of people engage
in unusual behaviors that appear to have psychological origin. (page 10)
5. Prior to the 18th century, how were people with severe psychological disorders treated in
Europe and the US? - ANSWER- -a. Asylums came into play in Europe and the US. They
treated their patients more or less like animals. Kept them in dark rooms with only straw either
chained to a wall or trapped in a small box. Could eat out of a bowl but could not even lay down
fully in most cases. No visits with other people except at feeding time. They were most likely not
adequately fed and since they were compared to animals, the food was not decent. (pg.11)
b. Laws passed for the protection of the "public and the ill person's relatives"
, i. Dalton's 1618 edition of Common Law stated that it was alright to forcibly contain the person
(either through binding, hitting, whipping, etc.) to protect those he would do harm to (pg. 12)
6. What was the Moral Treatment movement? Why was it less successful as time passed
(compared to its early period when it was significantly more successful)? - ANSWER- -a. The
moral treatment movement was started by Philippe Pinel, who thought that many forms of
abnormality could be cured by restoring the patients' dignity and tranquility. The patients were
now allowed to walk freely, were provided clean rooms, and they were allowed to engage in
social activities. (page 13) The moral treatment movement began to fall apart because it grew
too fast. With that, it was more difficult to maintain individual care and they didn't have enough
nurses and caretakers to give each person the time they needed. There was a rapid pace of
immigration and reduced funding. (page 13-14)
7. Who were the major founders of psychoanalytic theory? - ANSWER- -Mesmer (magnetic
fluid), Breuer (hypnosis), Freud (neurologist focused on the unconscious; psychoanalysis), Jean
Charcut (Neurologist and researcher of psychological causes for abnormal behavior)
Who were the major founders of Behavioral theory - ANSWER- -b. Behavioral: Pavlov
(classical conditioning, stimuli, and responses), Thorndike (operant conditioning; law of effect-
idk if this is in the textbook but this is what he is mostly known for), Skinner (consequences of
behaviors, reinforcements, and punishments)
Who were the major founders of Cognitive theory - ANSWER- -Bandura (self-efficacy beliefs),
Ellis (challenged irrational beliefs of an individual), Beck (Cognitive therapy, most widely used)
8. What is deinstitutionalization? What have been positive and negative consequences of it? -
ANSWER- -a. Deinstitutionalization: the release of mental patients from state psychiatric
hospitals into society with community-based treatment facilities
b. Positives: the number of patients in state psychiatric hospitals dramatically decreased. Many
patients experienced dramatic increases in quality of life
detailed Answers | 2026 Updates | 100%
Correct
1. What are the three (or 4 from N) criteria used to define abnormality? - ANSWER- -a.
Deviance- is a deviation from popular norms.
b. Dysfunction- Behavior is maladaptive (interferes with one's functioning) so it hurts the
individuals emotional, social, health, and daily activities.
c. Distress- it causes distress to those around the individual. And to the individual (depending on
the circumstances).
d. Dangerousness*- Person poses a risk to self and or others. (dangerous behavior can also be
dysfunctional behavior<can fall under all 3 categories>, which is why it is considered redundant-
at least in this course-).
What is cultural relativism? - ANSWER- -there is no universal standard by which people have
to follow so culture defines what is normal or abnormal. (As an example in Belgium it would be
the norm for a 7 year old to have a beer, but it is considered deviant in America).
What is the continuum model of abnormality? - ANSWER- -is a line between normal and
abnormal but it is not clearly defined where normal and abnormal meet, so it is subjective.
What is prevalence? - ANSWER- -Number (#) or percentage (%) of cases of a disorder in a
population at any specific time.
Incidence? - ANSWER- -Number (#) or percentage (%) of new cases that have appeared
within a specific area/time.
,What are some ways prevalence and incidence estimates can be biased? - ANSWER- -
Sampling as in people make mistakes when they make stats in a clinic or community
<Community is more accurate and less biased than clinics>
3. Consider the cases of O.J. Simpson and Neil Cargile (discussed in class, [MW] and assignment
#3)—what characteristics of each person's behavior meet or don't meet the criteria for
abnormality? - ANSWER- -OJ Simpson- met all criteria of the 3 D's. Neil Cargyle did not meet
the criteria of Dysfunction because he could still function in his day to day but met the criteria
of Deviation and Distress.
Neil Cargyle
Distress: Mother, brother, ex-wife (his children appeared to be fine)
Deviation; He was a wealthy southern man. Dressing in drag is not a cultural norm where he is
from.
What is trephination? - ANSWER- -an operation where they would drill holes into the skull of
a person displaying abnormal behavior to let the spirits out. This operation was done during the
Stone Age and well into the Middle ages. The tool they used was called trephine. (page 8) It was
proposed to release the evil spirits, if they lived. It was also said to relieve blood clots.
Psychic epidemics - ANSWER- -are a phenomenon in which large numbers of people engage
in unusual behaviors that appear to have psychological origin. (page 10)
5. Prior to the 18th century, how were people with severe psychological disorders treated in
Europe and the US? - ANSWER- -a. Asylums came into play in Europe and the US. They
treated their patients more or less like animals. Kept them in dark rooms with only straw either
chained to a wall or trapped in a small box. Could eat out of a bowl but could not even lay down
fully in most cases. No visits with other people except at feeding time. They were most likely not
adequately fed and since they were compared to animals, the food was not decent. (pg.11)
b. Laws passed for the protection of the "public and the ill person's relatives"
, i. Dalton's 1618 edition of Common Law stated that it was alright to forcibly contain the person
(either through binding, hitting, whipping, etc.) to protect those he would do harm to (pg. 12)
6. What was the Moral Treatment movement? Why was it less successful as time passed
(compared to its early period when it was significantly more successful)? - ANSWER- -a. The
moral treatment movement was started by Philippe Pinel, who thought that many forms of
abnormality could be cured by restoring the patients' dignity and tranquility. The patients were
now allowed to walk freely, were provided clean rooms, and they were allowed to engage in
social activities. (page 13) The moral treatment movement began to fall apart because it grew
too fast. With that, it was more difficult to maintain individual care and they didn't have enough
nurses and caretakers to give each person the time they needed. There was a rapid pace of
immigration and reduced funding. (page 13-14)
7. Who were the major founders of psychoanalytic theory? - ANSWER- -Mesmer (magnetic
fluid), Breuer (hypnosis), Freud (neurologist focused on the unconscious; psychoanalysis), Jean
Charcut (Neurologist and researcher of psychological causes for abnormal behavior)
Who were the major founders of Behavioral theory - ANSWER- -b. Behavioral: Pavlov
(classical conditioning, stimuli, and responses), Thorndike (operant conditioning; law of effect-
idk if this is in the textbook but this is what he is mostly known for), Skinner (consequences of
behaviors, reinforcements, and punishments)
Who were the major founders of Cognitive theory - ANSWER- -Bandura (self-efficacy beliefs),
Ellis (challenged irrational beliefs of an individual), Beck (Cognitive therapy, most widely used)
8. What is deinstitutionalization? What have been positive and negative consequences of it? -
ANSWER- -a. Deinstitutionalization: the release of mental patients from state psychiatric
hospitals into society with community-based treatment facilities
b. Positives: the number of patients in state psychiatric hospitals dramatically decreased. Many
patients experienced dramatic increases in quality of life
