Page 1 - psychological disorders

Class - XII

Psychology

Chapter 4: Psychological Disorders

MODULE - 1

(Topics: Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders, Historical
Background)

Short Note

 Psychological disorders are commonly represented by 4 Ds:
1. Deviance- Deviant behaviour – different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre
2. Distressing- Unpleasant, Upsetting to the person and the others.
3. Dysfunctional- Interfering with person’s ability to carry out day to day activities in a
constructive way.
4. Dangerous- to himself/herself or others

 There is no ideal/normal model on human behaviour to use as a reference for
studying normal & abnormal behaviours. This is because there are conflicting views
about these defining normal/abnormal behaviours.
 Various approaches have been used in distinguishing between normal and abnormal
behaviours. From these approaches, there emerge two basic and conflicting views:
1. The first approach views abnormal behaviour as a deviation from social norms.
Each society has certain norms that are stated or unstated rules of conduct.
Behaviours, thoughts and emotions that break societal norms are called
abnormal.
2. The second approach views abnormal behaviours as maladaptive. Many
psychologists believe best criterion for determining the normal behaviour is
not whether your society accepts it, but whether it fosters the well-being of the
individual and of the group where he /she belongs.
 And Well- being is not simply maintenance and survival but also includes growth and
fulfilment i.e actualisation of potential (as defined by Maslow’s need hierarchy).
 Describing behaviour as maladaptive implies that a problem exists.
 It also suggests that ~ vulnerability in the individual, which have
~ inability to cope, or led to the
~ exceptional stress in the environment problems in life.