Abnormal Psychology Is a Field in Psychology

Abnormal psychology is a field in psychology that addresses dysfunctions in behavior which are determined abnormally by standards of behavior .These standards have been established by clinical professionals in the field such as medical doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists. Behaviors considered to be abnormal are; schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit disorder, eating disorder, sexual deviance, obsessive compulsive disorder and anti-social disorder (Cherry, 2012). These disordered function outside the normal parameters of the functional behaviors considered to be standard. The paper will look at the origins of abnormal psychology and challenges when it comes to the classification and definition of normal and abnormal behavior. It will also look at how abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline. It will finally look at the theoretical models that have led to the advancement of understanding psychopathology.

Origins of Abnormal psychology

Abnormal psychology has been undergoing tremendous changes and progress. It is a very controversial field of study as there are no definite answers to some basic questions raised concerning the issue. Abnormal psychology is thus a very challenging course but the challenges are what make it interesting. The notions put forth in trying to explain abnormal psychology was the organic physiology of an imbalance in the humors which is considered as an influence of body fluids. Body fluids were considered to be under the influence of environmental factors like food and weather. These are what prompt behavior considered being out of the norm and hence providing a premise to abnormal psychology (Crawford, 2010). Contemporary assessments have given more details which can be used for diagnosis. Chemical imbalances occurring in the brain as well as neurotransmitters which are unable to function at a highest level have been determined as source origins of many mental health disorders classified under abnormal psychology.

Challenges in defining or classifying normal and abnormal behavior

Even if particular contexts suggest that a behavior is abnormal, it is quite challenging to define a normal and abnormal behavior. This is because there is a continuum between abnormality and normality. Many forms of abnormalities are perceived as exaggerations of normal behaviors and feelings; everyone at some point in their lives has ever felt anxious or depressed. This fact makes it quite difficult to get clear cut distinctions between normal and abnormal behaviors. For instance a teenage girl appears happy but she is quite thin. She barely eats at meals and like most of her friends she makes herself vomit after taking a lot of food or drinks. The girl has lost so much weight and when confronted she began crying claiming she still feels fat. She claims her life is out of control and does not know what exactly to do about it. When looking at this situation it becomes a challenge to classify the girl's behavior as being normal or abnormal. It is very difficult to say the exact weight that the girl has to loose to classify her as having an eating disorder (Cherry, 2012).

The continuum therefore makes it very difficult for researchers in the field of abnormal psychology to pinpoint a clear that divides abnormal and normal behaviors. It also become difficult to distinguish abnormal and normal behaviors since there is a wide variation when it comes to the classification of behaviors in different cultures. For instance in some cultures talking to a dead relative is a normal behavior while in others the same behavior can be considered to be a sign of an illness. Therefore, the existence of historical and cultural relativism can create a barrier to making universal statements of what exactly is abnormal and normal behavior. Abnormal behaviors are very complex and hence it is quite challenging to classify mental disorders .too much emphasis on the classification of mental disorders can lead to the oversimplification of problems that are complex.

The evolution of abnormal psychology into a scientific discipline

Technological advancement has been a great contributor to the evolution of abnormal psychology into a scientific discipline. These technological achievements have taken place in the fields of physiology, brain function and biochemistry. Practices in the field of medicine have enjoyed breakthroughs major in achievements. An enhanced perspective in the field of biochemistry has lead to a focus in chemical transactions which take place in the brain of an individual. For instance people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder have been found to be having a deficiency in biochemical's known as neurotransmitters. Therefore, when the deficient neurotransmitter is determined then appropriate medical treatment can be administered to a patient therefore enhancing their brain and life quality (Cherry, 2012).

The recognition of dualism which is an interaction between matter and the mind was also key to the development of abnormal psychology as a science. This is what led to two principles of psychology: behaviorism and introspectionism. There is an interconnection between the mind and brain. Emotional experiences alter the chemistry of the brain and the brain chemistry forms the basis of emotional experiences. Therefore, abnormal psychology is now refereed to as a scientific discipline due to this interconnection.

The role of theoretical models in advancing the understanding of psychopathology

There are several theoretical perspectives which have been developed in abnormal psychology and they continue to exist side by side. These theoretical perspectives include; biological whereby biological explanations have been used to provide an explanation to mental disorders. The focus in the biological model is physical structures and the biochemical functions in the body as factors that contribute to occurrence of abnormal behavior. Biological researchers in the field of abnormal psychology study the biological function and structure of the brain. This model enabled a better understanding of psychopathology as a result of a better understanding of the brain. There have also been discoveries regarding the role genetics plays in mental disorders as researchers have come to learn that some mental disorders have a genetic component (Crawford, 2010).

The idea behind the psychodynamic theory is the fact that the mind is divided into two a conscious and unconscious parts. It is tensions between these two parts which lead to mental symptoms. The contemporary Psychodynamic perspective emphasizes on the existence of emotional conflicts, unconscious processes and a repetitive, continuous influence of individuals experiences from their childhood and adolescence on their lives as adults. Humanistic and existential perspectives emphasize that there is an importance of human freedom, interpersonal connection and a personal choice for an individual's well-being. The model gives important views when it comes to the cause of emotional problems. They view psychopathology as being rooted in a person's personality and their approach to living. It views psychological symptoms as being symptoms of a problem that is underlying. These models provide more ideas that are specific when it comes to treating mental disorders.