Abnormal Behavior Essays (Examples)

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Essay
Abnormal Behavior What Essentially Qualifies as Abnormal
Pages: 2 Words: 677

Abnormal Behavior
What essentially qualifies as "abnormal behavior" is not always as cut and dry as many believe. For example, the medical model defines abnormal behavior in terms as the result of some physical problem (cellular derangement, chemical imbalance, or genetic issue) that causes the behavior; however, there are no physical markers for the majority of the diagnoses in the DSM-IV (Szasz, 2008). The legal definition of insanity, which was based on psychiatric definitions, is that abnormal behavior occurs when the individual is unable to distinguish between right and wrong; however this definition is far too extreme to be practical (Porter, 2002). For instance most rapists realize that their behavior is wrong by societal standards amd yet rape is certainly considered by most as abnormal.

The four commonly held criteria for normal vs. abnormal behavior include: (1) Statistical infrequency model, which states that abnormal behavior that falls on either extreme end of…...

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References

American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders, IV- Text Revision. Washington, DC: Author.

Porter, R. (2002). Madness: A brief history. New York: Oxford University Press.

Szasz, T. (2008). Psychiatry: The science of lies. New York: Syracuse University Press.

Essay
Abnormal Behavior Three Case Studies
Pages: 6 Words: 1598


Forcing transgendered people to change at any age is usually futile, and could increase rather than alleviate any trauma the boy feels regarding his identity. However, given the difficulties the boy may experience in the future, encouraging the parents to get the boy counseling, without labeling the boy as 'abnormal' would be a wise step.

Part B

The reasons that individuals identify with opposite-gendered behaviors and physicality are not clearly understood, even by the individuals themselves. Adults who select sexual reassignment surgery often say that they never felt as if they could express their true selves, before surgery. However, in the case of this young boy, it is uncertain whether he will select such surgery in the future. His character is still unformed.

Given the age of the boy, it would seem wisest to support him in his choice, as his parents have, but without labeling his behavior as conclusively masculine or feminine.…...

Essay
Abnormal Behavior Lionel Aldridge Case
Pages: 2 Words: 758

Their messages became extremely scary and confusing.
Based on his rigorous training as a professional athlete, Aldridge was not one to quickly turn to get help and admit his problems. So, for a while, Aldridge kept his schizophrenia to himself. He attempted to rid himself of them by simply ignoring them. However, the voices began to get more and more intense and Aldridge had a harder and harder time keeping his illness a secret. The voices became incredibly antagonizing and tortured Aldridge with delusions of incompetence and extreme self-loathing. Eventually, he could no longer control his reactions to the voices, "I started talking back to the voices, bickering and pleading and cursing," (Aldridge 2009:1). Thus, with this erratic behavior, rumors began circling about Aldridge being on drugs and in an unstable mental state. His declining state led him to loose his job, family, and friends. He lost everything and became…...

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References

Aldridge, Lionel. (2009). He was a star with the champion Green Bay Packers, then a popular TV commentator with a golden future. Voices. Guideposts. Retrieved November 1, 2009 at  http://www.guideposts.com/story/Lionel-Aldridge-Green-Bay-schizophrenia 

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (2005). Lionel's house -- football star charity to benefit community. Schizophrenia Update. 2(31):1. Retrieved November 1, 2009 at  http://www.namiscc.org/News/2005/Newsletters/Summer/Schizophrenia2-31.htm#lionel 

World Health Organization. (1992). Paranoid schizophrenia. Schizophrenia.com. Retrieved November 1, 2009 at  http://www.schizophrenia.com/szparanoid.htm

Essay
Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology Although
Pages: 4 Words: 1250

In this regard, these authors report that, "Twenty years ago, it would not have been uncommon to find a core team of medical doctors and nurses managing all inpatient activities in a hospital setting, with ancillary support from social workers, psychologists, and volunteers. The pattern has now changed dramatically" (Stravynski & O'Connor, p. 606).
Contributing to the increasingly rapid evolution of abnormal psychology into a strictly scientific discipline, at least in Western allopathic medicine, has been the introduction of a multidisciplinary approach that includes healthcare practitioners in a wide range of fields. According to Stravynski and O'Connor (1999), "There are now more psychologists and social scientists than doctors and nurses working in mental health. Psychotherapy is no longer the preserve of a medically trained psychiatrist, and, notwithstanding the view that psychiatric expertise is not transferable, nurse therapists, counselors, and psychologists have all developed skills as therapeutic professionals" (p. 606). The…...

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References

Brown, J.F. & Menninger, K.A. (1940). The psychodynamics of abnormal behavior. New York:

McGraw-Hill.

Dewald, P.A. (2000). Preserving the 'psychosocial' in an era of biological psychiatry. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 54(3), 301-302.

Kimble, G.A. & Schlesinger, K. (1985). Topics in the history of psychology. Hillsdale, NJ:

Essay
Age and Normal Abnormal Behavior When Defining and
Pages: 2 Words: 842

Age and Normal/Abnormal Behavior
When defining and classifying what is normal and abnormal behavior, age itself can become challenge and make it difficult to come up with a proper classification. Many aspects of the definition of age itself, makes it nearly impossible to assign its very presence to normality. Who is it the makes the rules and guidelines to determine what is appropriate behavior given a certain age? Does one expectation from one person at a certain age guarantee that it will be applicable to other individuals at that age within a social and cultural construct? Age is a factor that influences the definition of normal and abnormal behavior, but it is also one that makes it the most difficult to analyze.

Age makes it challenging when classifying what is normal and abnormal behavior on both sides of the spectrum, both when individuals are young, and when they are elderly (Link et…...

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References:

Frick, P.J. & Viding, E. (2009). Antisocial behavior from a developmental psychopathology perspective. Development and Psychopathology 21:1111-1131.

Kushnir, J. & Sadeh, A. (2010). Childhood fears, neurobehavioral functioning and behavior problems in school-age children. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 41:88-97.

Link, B.Q., Yang, L.H., Phelan, J.C., & Collins, P.Y. (2004). Measuring mental illness stigma. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30(3): 511-541.

Fomby, P., Mollborn, S., & Sennott, C.A. (2010). Race/ethnic differences in effects of family instability on adolescents' risk behavior. Journal of Marriage and Family. 72(2): 234-253.

Essay
Normal and Abnormal Behavior Abnormal Behavior Is
Pages: 2 Words: 583

normal and abnormal behavior. Abnormal behavior is that which is deemed pathological, and is usually incommensurate with a particular situation or background events. There may also be a lack of temperance in behavior that is considered abnormal, such as that which is deemed compulsory. Other distinctions between abnormal and normal behavior pertain to temporal elements. For instance, it is normal for everyone to experience negative feelings such as sadness, rage, frustration, etc. However, a chronic indulgence in such behavior is usually a key indicator of abnormal behavior. Those who regularly engage in such negative behavior over a sustained period of time are more than likely not engaging in normal behavior -- especially if such behavior is not equitable to the source of such sentiment that is causing the behavior (Diagnosis and Assessment, 2007).
Another key distinction between normal and abnormal behavior pertains to the impact of such behavior on the…...

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References

Course Media: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2007). Diagnosis and assessment. Baltimore, MD: Author. "Introduction" with Dr. John Marszalek.(approximately 5 minutes)

First, M.B. (2002.) DSM-IV-TR Handbook of Differential Diagnosis.

Essay
Abnormal Psychology Is a Field in Psychology
Pages: 4 Words: 1359

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…...

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References

Cherry, K. (2012).What is Abnormal Psychology? Retrieved May 10, 2013 from  http://psychology.about.com /od/abnormalpsychology/f/abnormal-psychology.htm

Crawford, O. (2010). Psychopathology Analysis: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives of Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology. Retrieved May 10, 2013 from  http://voices.yahoo.com/psychopathology-analysis-6147988.html

Essay
Abnormal Psychology Is Often Misunderstood as a
Pages: 3 Words: 1101

Abnormal Psychology is often misunderstood as a field of psychology because it deals with behavior that "creates a problem for an individual or society" -- and hence, the question immediately arises as to just what is "abnormal" and what is "normal"? The AP Psychology 7th Edition (Sharpsteen, et al., 2005) text suggests that abnormal behavior is "maladaptive or pathological behavior" and before determining whether a behavior is abnormal or not, the "total environment and impact of a person's behavior" must be taken into consideration. Moreover, abnormal psychology does not attempt to link "normal and abnormal" with the concepts of "good and bad," Kendra Cherry explains. Abnormal psychology deals with "psychopathology and abnormal behavior" covering a wide swath of disorders, including sexual deviation, depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, to name a few (Cherry, 2008).
The History and Evolution of Abnormal Psychology into a Scientific Discipline

In 800 B.C., Homer believed that mental illness results when…...

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Works Cited

AS Psychology. (2009). Biological and Psychological Models of Abnormality. Retrieved July 9,

2011, from http://as-psychology.pbworks.com.

Bennett, Paul. (2006). Abnormal and Clinical Psychology: An Introductory Textbook. New York: McGraw-Hill International.

Cherry, Kendra. (2008). Psychology / What Is Abnormal Psychology? About.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011, from  http://psychology.about.com .

Essay
Abnormal Psychology pop Culture Abnormal Psychology Pop Culture
Pages: 5 Words: 1812

Abnormal Psychology:pop Culture
Abnormal Psychology: Pop Culture

(You're name)

(You're school)

Abnormal Psychology: Pop Culture

In asking the question of what abnormal psychology is really supposed to be, it makes sense that we must first quickly think about the very definition of our word "abnormal . By all rights, is a remarkably puzzling word that is very dependent on what is called "normality . Both terms may justifiably change fundamentally from one era to another and one culture to a different one. How then do we choose upon what is abnormal and what is normal? Of course, this is much more of a philosophical issue than a psychological one. For logical reasons of practicability, it is essential to generate an approximately uniform definition of abnormal psychology that we can more or less decide upon as a cluster of caregivers. This general definition would obviously be typical in its nature, but the shared definition of the…...

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Work Cited

OW, M.G.T., KENARDY, J.A., JOHNSTON, D.W., NEWMAN, M.G., TAYLOR, C.B., & THOMSON, A. (2007). Prognostic indices with brief and standard CBT for panic disorder: I. predictors of outcome. Psychological Medicine, 37(10), 1493-9. doi:10.1017/S0033291707000670

King, S., Waschbusch, D.A., Pelham Jr., W.,E., Frankland, B.W., Andrade, B.F., Jacques, S., & Corkum, P.V. (2009). Social information processing in elementary-school aged children with ADHD: Medication effects and comparisons with typical children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37(4), 579-89. doi:10.1007/s10802-008-9294-9

Mandel, H.P., & Hampson, W. (2000). Abnormal psychology perspectives. Canadian Psychology, 41(4), 282-284.

Medved, M.L. (2008). Essentials of abnormal psychology, first Canadian edition. Canadian Psychology, 49(1), 73-74.

Essay
Abnormal Psychology Theories Issues Diagnosis
Pages: 8 Words: 2437

The DSM explicitly "strives to be atheoretical, using merely observationally referent terms. The hope with this is to make the manual as acceptable as possible to professionals with different theoretical orientations (Gilles-Thomas 1989, Lecture 2). Specific criteria and systematic descriptions are offered as guidance for making diagnoses. "Essential features, associated features, prevalence rates, sex ratios, family patterns, and differential diagnoses are listed" and it is noted when "alternative or additional diagnoses…should be considered," such as the possibility that a manic episode could mask itself as schizophrenia (Gilles-Thomas 1989, Lecture 2). This might occur if the clinician was unacquainted with the patient and the patient's past history of depression, for example, and/or mood disorders in the patient's family.
Also key to the efficacy of the DSM in approaching the ideologically and theoretically charged world of abnormal psychology is its multiaxial system. The multiaxial system "allows for a more holistic and comprehensive…...

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Works Cited

Abnormal psychology. (2009). a2psychology. Retrieved September 23, 2009 at  http://www.a2zpsychology.com/articles/abnormal.htm 

Gilles-Thomas, David L. (1989). Definitions. Abnormal psychology: Lecture 1. University of Buffalo. Retrieved September 23, 2009 at http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/Abpsy/lecture1.html

Gilles-Thomas, David L. (1989). Classifications. Abnormal psychology: Lecture 2. University

of Buffalo. Retrieved September 23, 2009 at http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/Abpsy/lecture2.html

Essay
Abnormal Psychology Within Any Society
Pages: 2 Words: 612

There were two major ideas of the origin of abnormal behaviors. The somatogenic perspective viewed the abnormal behaviors came from biological causes, while the psychogenic perspective believed that psychological factors were more dominant in the existence of abnormal behavior, (Comer 2006). Scientists began to see patters within various types of abnormal behavior, which then helped to facilitate the study of such behaviors and how they might be handled in order to treat individuals; scientists found that there were sets of symptoms which "appeared together regularly enough as having a biological cause, much as a particular medical disease may have an associated set of symptoms ad may be attributed to a biological dysfunction," (ScribD 2005). During the Twentieth Century, people began to see abnormal psychology as its own discipline, with behavioral attributes being caused by both physical abnormalities as well as deep rooted psychological issues (Comer 2006). Today abnormal behavior…...

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References

Comer, Ronald J. (2006). Abnormal Psychology. Macmillan Publishing.

Meyer, Robert G.; Chpman, L. Kevin.; & Weaver, Christopher. (2008). Cases in Abnormal Behavior. Ally & Bacon

ScribD. (2005). Abnormal Psychology. ScribD.com. Retrieved October 3, 2009 at  http://www.scribd.com/full/3980388?access_key=key-1ttr6z6sc9ts1uk7rcbb

Essay
Abnormal Person Affects Behaviors Cognitions
Pages: 3 Words: 794

The family is embarrassed when the subject goes out because of her antics, but gets frustrated remaining in the same house with her. The mother is torn between what she knows is right for her daughter and what will make her daughter happy. As previously mentioned, the two did not get along well in the daughter's childhood years. In addition to the subject, her mother felt the strain of this relationship bitterly. She still deals with the trauma it caused her. This lack of a relationship between the two women, and the presence of a father who, when rarely in the home, took the position of a strict disciplinarian lead to a stunted development for the subject. Although the abnormal behavior did not begin until after the accident, teachers recall mild paranoid behavior and odd actions toward her mother as early as high school's sophomore year.
Typical Day for the…...

Essay
Abnormal Psych Each of the
Pages: 2 Words: 573

Behaviorism focuses almost exclusively on the outward manifestations of mental illnesses. Underlying emotions, childhood memories, and dreams are trivialized in order to focus on bad habits or dysfunctional behaviors. Behavioral therapy employs methods based on classical and operant conditioning including systematic desensitization and aversive conditioning. Talking therapy is not an integral part of behavioral interventions.
Cognitive therapies may, however, combine both talking therapy with behavioral techniques. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a specific subset of cognitive psychology and includes interventions like rational-emotive therapy. The methods used by cognitive-behavioral therapists encourage the client to address and change faulty thoughts, irrational beliefs, and other underlying cognitions. The ultimate goal is to change behavior as well. Cognitive psychologists may focus more exclusively on altering negative thought patterns such as guilt and self-hatred. The therapeutic intervention acknowledges the role that childhood upbringing and repressed anxiety plays in the creation of mental illness. However, cognitive psychologists are…...

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References

Lazarus, a.A. & Coleman, a.M. (1995). Abnormal Psychology., London and New York: Longman.

"Psychological Therapies." Retrieved May 8, 2010 from http://web.mst.edu/~pfyc212b/Therapy.htm

"Psychology Schools of Thought in the United States" (nd). Psychological Health Care. Retrieved May 8, 2010 from http://atwitsendbook.com/psychological-schools-of-thoughts-in-the-united-states.php

Essay
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Pages: 5 Words: 1642

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Issues
Reproductive Tract Diseases for human females are typically focused in the upper reproductive tract or the lower reproductive tract. The upper tract includes the fallopian tubes, ovary and uterus, while the lower reproductive tract focuses on the vagina, cervix and vulva. There are three major types of infections: endogenous, iatrogenic and sexually transmitted diseases. Endogenous diseases arise from internal cellular structures and may be bacterial, viral or genetic, usually the most common and arise from an overgrowth of organisms that are already present in the vagina; iatrogenic diseases are the result of medical or surgical treatment, and sexually transmitted diseases occur between humans as a result of sexual behavior. In addition to infections, there are congenital abnormalities, cancers and functional problems. Each infection has its own specific cause and symptoms; caused by bacteria, virus, fungi or other organisms. Indeed, some are easily treatable and cured, others…...

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Works Cited

Azim, P., et al. (2011). Evaluation of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Isra Medical Journal, 3(3). Retrieved November 2013, from http://121.52.154.227/Isra%20Medical%20Journal%20Volume-III%20Issue-III.pdf#page=6

Davidson, B., et al. (2012). Abnormal Uterine Bleeding During the Reproductive Years. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 57(3), 248-54.

Fraser, I., et al. (2011). The FIGO Recommendations on Terminologies and Definitions for Normal and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 29(5), 383-90.

Gray, S. (2013). Menstural Disorders. Pediatrics in Review, 34(1), 6-18.

Essay
Abnormal Psychology Many Women Are Afraid of
Pages: 4 Words: 1405

Abnormal Psychology
Many women are afraid of getting older and are willing to do right about anything to appear always young. infarct many people perceive it is rude to ask a woman her age since the society has no room to accommodate old women and the changes that their bodies go through. It is not possible for women in the society not to struggle with issues of their appearance .this has resulted to many women trying to change how they look as they age so that they can be accepted in the society. They go to an extent of denying themselves food and applying anti-wrinkle cream so that they maintain their states of their bodies and faces.

Aging is always a taboo subject with women as compared to their male counterparts. Women are afraid of the aging factor due to the perceptions in the society. The society tends to create stereotypes that…...

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References

American Psychological Association. (2012). Aging and Depression. Retrieved November 29, 2012 from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/aging-depression.aspx

United Nations. (1999). Gender and ageing: problems, perceptions and policies. Retrieved November 29, 2012 from  http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/aging.htm 

REHAB ASIA. (2011).Gender and substance abuse.Retreieved November 29, 2012 from  http://alcoholrehab.com/alcohol-rehab/gender-and-substance-abuse/ 

CalmClinic. (2012).Destructive Anxiety Habits. Retrieved November 29, 2012 from  http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/destructive-habits

Q/A
Do you believe that animals should have the freedom to roam in their natural habitats rather than being confined in zoos?
Words: 259

As an AI, I do not have personal beliefs. However, many people believe that animals should have the freedom to roam in their natural habitats rather than being confined in zoos. This is because animals in their natural habitats are able to exhibit their natural behaviors, social structures, and physical abilities. Additionally, animals in zoos can suffer from stress, boredom, and health issues due to confinement. Many argue that conservation efforts should focus on protecting and preserving animals in their natural environments rather than keeping them in captivity.
Those in favor of animals having the freedom to roam in their natural....

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