Abnormal Psychology:
Definitions, Assessment &
Cultural Considerations
2026 | Study Guide,
Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Abnormal psychology Study of psychopathology (mental disorders).
Psychopathology Mental disorders broadly.
Psycho Relating to the mind.
Pathology Disorder.
Psychosis / psychotic A form of psychopathology involving symptoms such as hallucinations and
delusions.
Psychopathy A specific personality disorder concept involving lack of emotionality and empathy;
not the same thing as psychopathology.
Trephination Historical practice of drilling holes in the skull to release spirits.
Hysteria Historical idea of a "wandering uterus" and the belief that certain disorders occurred
only in women.
Four humors Historical theory that blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile had to be kept in
balance.
Ancient Greek "insanity" A label that could result in a person's rights being taken away.
Why define abnormality? Too narrow a definition can lead to underdiagnosis; defining too much as abnormal
can create stigma and self-fulfilling labels.
Continuum model Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors fall on a spectrum from normal to abnormal
rather than having a perfectly clear dividing line.
, Normal end of continuum Typical for social context, not distressing, not interfering with functioning, and not
dangerous.
Middle of continuum Somewhat unusual, distressing, interfering, and/or dangerous.
Abnormal end of continuum Highly unusual, significantly distressing, significantly interfering, and/or very
dangerous.
Four D's Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, Dangerousness.
Four D's important rule All four are not required, but deviance alone is not enough.
Deviance Being unusual or different from the norm; strongly influenced by cultural norms.
Cultural relativism No universal standard for abnormality; behavior must be judged relative to cultural
norms.
Why deviance alone is insufficient Rare traits can be positive, and common problems can still be clinically important.
Distress Physical or emotional pain to oneself or others.
Problems with distress criterion Not everyone feels distressed; distress can be normal; distress to others can be
subjective.
Dysfunction Interference with daily life, work/school, or relationships.
Dangerousness Risk of harm to self or others; may carry more weight on its own than the other D's.
Definitions, Assessment &
Cultural Considerations
2026 | Study Guide,
Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Abnormal psychology Study of psychopathology (mental disorders).
Psychopathology Mental disorders broadly.
Psycho Relating to the mind.
Pathology Disorder.
Psychosis / psychotic A form of psychopathology involving symptoms such as hallucinations and
delusions.
Psychopathy A specific personality disorder concept involving lack of emotionality and empathy;
not the same thing as psychopathology.
Trephination Historical practice of drilling holes in the skull to release spirits.
Hysteria Historical idea of a "wandering uterus" and the belief that certain disorders occurred
only in women.
Four humors Historical theory that blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile had to be kept in
balance.
Ancient Greek "insanity" A label that could result in a person's rights being taken away.
Why define abnormality? Too narrow a definition can lead to underdiagnosis; defining too much as abnormal
can create stigma and self-fulfilling labels.
Continuum model Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors fall on a spectrum from normal to abnormal
rather than having a perfectly clear dividing line.
, Normal end of continuum Typical for social context, not distressing, not interfering with functioning, and not
dangerous.
Middle of continuum Somewhat unusual, distressing, interfering, and/or dangerous.
Abnormal end of continuum Highly unusual, significantly distressing, significantly interfering, and/or very
dangerous.
Four D's Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, Dangerousness.
Four D's important rule All four are not required, but deviance alone is not enough.
Deviance Being unusual or different from the norm; strongly influenced by cultural norms.
Cultural relativism No universal standard for abnormality; behavior must be judged relative to cultural
norms.
Why deviance alone is insufficient Rare traits can be positive, and common problems can still be clinically important.
Distress Physical or emotional pain to oneself or others.
Problems with distress criterion Not everyone feels distressed; distress can be normal; distress to others can be
subjective.
Dysfunction Interference with daily life, work/school, or relationships.
Dangerousness Risk of harm to self or others; may carry more weight on its own than the other D's.
