1. Intro to Abnormal Psych
Defining: necessary vs sufficient
Definitions of abnormality: subjective distress, maladaptiveness, statistical deviancy, violation of
social standards, social discomfort, irrationality and unpredictability, dangerousness
DSM: nosology, noy etiology, labels pros and cons
Epidemiological Terms: prevalence (point, one year, lifetime), incidence
Mental health stigma and representations
Cultural influences on abnormality: changes overtime, cultural bound syndromes
2. Research Methods
Gathering data: case studies, self-report data, observational
Participants: criterion group, comparison group
Single case experimental design
Externally valid: representative sample
Internally valid: methodologically sound
Result validity: repetitions
3. History of Abnormality
Humoral Theory: dominant fluids
Supernatural explanations, mass madness
Mental hospital reform:
1) public exhibit, choose rationality over insanity, torture
2) Humanitarian reform: humane treatment, Phillippe Pinel
3) in the US: Benjamin Rush, bloodletting, purgatives, spinning board, tranquilizer chair…
concept of moral management
4) prejudice against immigrants, overburden, mental hygiene movement
Benjamin Franklin - electricity treatment
Dorothy Dix: more humane treatments, new hospitals
Nellie Bly: undercover at asylum and exposed treatment
Deinstitutionalization: bad consequences from good intentions
Biological perspective: general paresis and tuskegee syphilis experiment
Classification system: precursor of DSM - Emil Kraeplin
Rise of psychological perspective: Mesmerism, Nancy School, Sigmund Freud
Defining: necessary vs sufficient
Definitions of abnormality: subjective distress, maladaptiveness, statistical deviancy, violation of
social standards, social discomfort, irrationality and unpredictability, dangerousness
DSM: nosology, noy etiology, labels pros and cons
Epidemiological Terms: prevalence (point, one year, lifetime), incidence
Mental health stigma and representations
Cultural influences on abnormality: changes overtime, cultural bound syndromes
2. Research Methods
Gathering data: case studies, self-report data, observational
Participants: criterion group, comparison group
Single case experimental design
Externally valid: representative sample
Internally valid: methodologically sound
Result validity: repetitions
3. History of Abnormality
Humoral Theory: dominant fluids
Supernatural explanations, mass madness
Mental hospital reform:
1) public exhibit, choose rationality over insanity, torture
2) Humanitarian reform: humane treatment, Phillippe Pinel
3) in the US: Benjamin Rush, bloodletting, purgatives, spinning board, tranquilizer chair…
concept of moral management
4) prejudice against immigrants, overburden, mental hygiene movement
Benjamin Franklin - electricity treatment
Dorothy Dix: more humane treatments, new hospitals
Nellie Bly: undercover at asylum and exposed treatment
Deinstitutionalization: bad consequences from good intentions
Biological perspective: general paresis and tuskegee syphilis experiment
Classification system: precursor of DSM - Emil Kraeplin
Rise of psychological perspective: Mesmerism, Nancy School, Sigmund Freud
