Introduction to Abnormal
Psychology: Key Concepts
& Historical Perspectives
2026 | Study Guide,
Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, A branch of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior,
What is abnormal psychology? which can indicate a mental health condition.
What is psychopathology? The field concerned with the nature, development, and treatment of psychological
disorders.
Define psychological disorder. A psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or
impairment in functioning, and a response that is not typical or culturally expected.
What does distress refer to in the context of psychological Behavior characterized by significant distress, such as in anxiety disorders,
disorders? depressive disorders, and personality disorders.
What is dysfunction in abnormal psychology? A breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, impairing important
areas of life such as personal relationships and work.
What are social norms? Widely held standards that people use to make judgments about behaviors as
good-bad, right-wrong, justified-unjustified, and acceptable-unacceptable.
What historical perspective attributed abnormal behavior to Supernatural explanations, where behaviors were thought to reflect displeasure
supernatural causes? from the Gods or possession by demons.
Who is considered the father of modern medicine? Hippocrates, who separated medicine from religion and superstition.
What did Hippocrates believe about psychological He believed they were caused by physical imbalances among bodily fluids, such as
disorders? blood and bile.
What was the significance of the death of Galen in the It marked the beginning of the Dark Ages in Western medicine, where the Church
history of psychopathology? gained influence over medical practices.
What were lunacy trials? Trials conducted to determine a person's mental health, assessing orientation,
memory, intellect, and daily habits.
What is the origin of the term 'lunacy'? It comes from a theory by Paracelsus, attributing odd behavior to a misalignment of
the moon and stars.
Psychology: Key Concepts
& Historical Perspectives
2026 | Study Guide,
Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, A branch of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior,
What is abnormal psychology? which can indicate a mental health condition.
What is psychopathology? The field concerned with the nature, development, and treatment of psychological
disorders.
Define psychological disorder. A psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or
impairment in functioning, and a response that is not typical or culturally expected.
What does distress refer to in the context of psychological Behavior characterized by significant distress, such as in anxiety disorders,
disorders? depressive disorders, and personality disorders.
What is dysfunction in abnormal psychology? A breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, impairing important
areas of life such as personal relationships and work.
What are social norms? Widely held standards that people use to make judgments about behaviors as
good-bad, right-wrong, justified-unjustified, and acceptable-unacceptable.
What historical perspective attributed abnormal behavior to Supernatural explanations, where behaviors were thought to reflect displeasure
supernatural causes? from the Gods or possession by demons.
Who is considered the father of modern medicine? Hippocrates, who separated medicine from religion and superstition.
What did Hippocrates believe about psychological He believed they were caused by physical imbalances among bodily fluids, such as
disorders? blood and bile.
What was the significance of the death of Galen in the It marked the beginning of the Dark Ages in Western medicine, where the Church
history of psychopathology? gained influence over medical practices.
What were lunacy trials? Trials conducted to determine a person's mental health, assessing orientation,
memory, intellect, and daily habits.
What is the origin of the term 'lunacy'? It comes from a theory by Paracelsus, attributing odd behavior to a misalignment of
the moon and stars.
