Chapter 4
Psychological Disorders
,֎ What comes to your mind hearing the term
psychological disorders?
Abnormal:
The word means “away from the normal”
No clear cut mark that this is normal and this is
abnormal
But some common features called the 4 Ds
Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction and Danger
Deviance- different, extreme, unusual, strange
Distress- unpleasant and upsetting to oneself and others
Dysfunctional- daily activities are hindered to a
considerable extent
Dangerous- behaviors that are not safe for oneself and
others
,Two basic views try to explain normal and
abnormal behavior:
1) Based on social norm
All these are relative to the place you stay in
and the culture you belong to.
For e.g. touching feet of somebody.
So normality is related to cultural norms.
Who decides the social norms?
2) Based on maladaptive behavior
Adaptive behavior are behaviors that help you
grow.
It is not based on survival but achieving
higher goals that help you grow as an
individual.
Where have you read about growth of an
individual?
Which theory?
, Have you met someone and thought that
he/she needs psychological treatment or
attention?
If you have a situation like that would you go
to a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
Stigma?
- find out what is stigma for tomorrow
Psychological Disorders
,֎ What comes to your mind hearing the term
psychological disorders?
Abnormal:
The word means “away from the normal”
No clear cut mark that this is normal and this is
abnormal
But some common features called the 4 Ds
Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction and Danger
Deviance- different, extreme, unusual, strange
Distress- unpleasant and upsetting to oneself and others
Dysfunctional- daily activities are hindered to a
considerable extent
Dangerous- behaviors that are not safe for oneself and
others
,Two basic views try to explain normal and
abnormal behavior:
1) Based on social norm
All these are relative to the place you stay in
and the culture you belong to.
For e.g. touching feet of somebody.
So normality is related to cultural norms.
Who decides the social norms?
2) Based on maladaptive behavior
Adaptive behavior are behaviors that help you
grow.
It is not based on survival but achieving
higher goals that help you grow as an
individual.
Where have you read about growth of an
individual?
Which theory?
, Have you met someone and thought that
he/she needs psychological treatment or
attention?
If you have a situation like that would you go
to a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
Stigma?
- find out what is stigma for tomorrow
