ABNORMAL ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY – PSYCHOLOGY –

MEANING AND SCOPEMEANING AND SCOPE

Dr. P. SwarnakumariDr. P. SwarnakumariAssociate ProfAssociate Prof

Rehabn.ScienceRehabn.Science

► Page :Page : Abnormal psychology is a sub-division (of Abnormal psychology is a sub-division (of the subject psychology) that is limited to the study the subject psychology) that is limited to the study of the mental processes and behaviour of of the mental processes and behaviour of abnormal people.abnormal people.

► Coleman :Coleman : Abnormal psychology is the field of Abnormal psychology is the field of psychology which specializes in the development psychology which specializes in the development and integration of psychological principles for the and integration of psychological principles for the understanding of abnormal behaviour.understanding of abnormal behaviour.

► Kisker :Kisker : Abnormal psychology is a specialized field Abnormal psychology is a specialized field of psychology dealing with personality of psychology dealing with personality disturbances and behaviour disorders.disturbances and behaviour disorders.

DEFINITION – ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

► Rosen, Fox and Gregory :Rosen, Fox and Gregory : Abnormal psychology is Abnormal psychology is an attempt to understand and explain the an attempt to understand and explain the abnormal within the framework of the normal and abnormal within the framework of the normal and general.general.

► Mahoney :Mahoney : Abnormal psychology means the study Abnormal psychology means the study of deviation or variance from a so-called normal of deviation or variance from a so-called normal pattern.pattern.

► All the above definitions have a common All the above definitions have a common understanding in realizing that abnormal understanding in realizing that abnormal psychology is a specialized branch or field of a psychology is a specialized branch or field of a discipline which deals with the behaviour and discipline which deals with the behaviour and experiences of the abnormal people. experiences of the abnormal people.

SCOPE OF ABNORMAL SCOPE OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY

1.1. The study of the abnormals cannot be The study of the abnormals cannot be undertaken until we decide about the normals undertaken until we decide about the normals and the abnormals, or what behaviour and and the abnormals, or what behaviour and activities make an individual normal or activities make an individual normal or abnormal.abnormal.

Abnormal psychology should essentially Abnormal psychology should essentially throw throw light on the concept of normality and light on the concept of normality and abnormality in relation to varying situations and abnormality in relation to varying situations and environmental conditions. The parameter is environmental conditions. The parameter is the normal population. Hence the study of the normal population. Hence the study of abnormal psychology, to some extent, should abnormal psychology, to some extent, should include the include the study of the normals.study of the normals.

2.2. All human behaviour has its roots in All human behaviour has its roots in motives and basic needs. The denial of basic motives and basic needs. The denial of basic needs and blocking of motives leads to needs and blocking of motives leads to frustrations, conflicts and stresses ending in frustrations, conflicts and stresses ending in maladaptive behaviour or maladjustment maladaptive behaviour or maladjustment which, in turn, results which, in turn, results in behavioural in behavioural disorders disorders

The subject-matter of abnormal The subject-matter of abnormal psychology psychology should, therefore, include the should, therefore, include the study of study of motives, basic needs, motives, basic needs, adjustment, adjustment, frustration, frustration, conflicts and stresses.conflicts and stresses.

3.3. In order to contribute to preventive purposes, In order to contribute to preventive purposes, abnormal psychology should be able to describe abnormal psychology should be able to describe and explain the causes of abnormal behaviour – and explain the causes of abnormal behaviour – the condition or factors generating maladaptive the condition or factors generating maladaptive behaviour, the symptoms and syndromes of the behaviour, the symptoms and syndromes of the various behavioural disorders. Since there is need various behavioural disorders. Since there is need for knowledge of common behavioural disorders, for knowledge of common behavioural disorders, abnormal psychology should essentially include abnormal psychology should essentially include the study of abnormalities or disorders such the study of abnormalities or disorders such psychoses, antisocial behavioural like psychoses, antisocial behavioural like

1.1. psychopathy,psychopathy,

2.2. delinquency, delinquency,

3.3. crime, crime,

4.4. drug addiction and drug addiction and

5.5. sexual deviation.sexual deviation.

4.4. Abnormal psychology, like its Abnormal psychology, like its main stream main stream psychology, has both pure psychology, has both pure and applied and applied aspects. aspects.

In its pure aspect it In its pure aspect it formulates formulates broad broad principles, generates principles, generates theories theories and suggests and suggests techniques for techniques for the study the study of the behaviour of the behaviour of the abnormal people of the abnormal people which finds which finds practical shape in its practical shape in its applied aspect applied aspect where where it helps us in it helps us in taking preventive and taking preventive and curative measures.curative measures.

PREVENTIVE MEASURESPREVENTIVE MEASURES

► (i)(i) Abnormal psychology helps us in Abnormal psychology helps us in protecting protecting ourselves or others from ourselves or others from situations or situations or conditions that lead to conditions that lead to maladjustment and maladjustment and behavioural disorders.behavioural disorders.

► (ii)(ii) It may lead us to the modifications and It may lead us to the modifications and restructuring of the uncongenial restructuring of the uncongenial

environment environment and prevailing circumstances and prevailing circumstances for the growth of for the growth of adjusted and balanced adjusted and balanced behaviour leading to a behaviour leading to a normal and happy normal and happy life.life.

CURATIVE MEASURESCURATIVE MEASURES

► In its extended stage, abnormal psychology In its extended stage, abnormal psychology applies its knowledge and skills for the applies its knowledge and skills for the treatment of various behavioural disorders treatment of various behavioural disorders

by by suggesting suggesting practicable therapies and practicable therapies and measures. measures. Moreover, in its applied form, it Moreover, in its applied form, it tries to tries to nourish related fields like nourish related fields like

Clinical psychology, Clinical psychology, psychiatry, psychiatry, psychiatric social work and psychiatric social work and legal psychology.legal psychology.

The subject matter of abnormal psychology may The subject matter of abnormal psychology may bebe

considered to revolve round the following mainconsidered to revolve round the following mainpivots :pivots :

1.1. Concept of normality and abnormalityConcept of normality and abnormality2.2. Factors that lead to maladaptive behaviour Factors that lead to maladaptive behaviour

and behavioural disorders.and behavioural disorders.3.3. Symptoms and syndromes of the abnormal Symptoms and syndromes of the abnormal

behaviour.behaviour.4.4. Description of the main behavioural Description of the main behavioural

disorders.disorders.5.5. The treatment of behavioural disorders.The treatment of behavioural disorders.

IMPORTANCE OF ABNORMAL IMPORTANCE OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY

1.1. Prevention and treatment of behavioural Prevention and treatment of behavioural disorders disorders or abnoramility.or abnoramility.

2.2. Differentiating abnormals from the normalsDifferentiating abnormals from the normals3.3. Knowledge of the causes of abnormal behaviour.Knowledge of the causes of abnormal behaviour.4.4. Correct notions about abnormality.Correct notions about abnormality.5.5. Environmental modifications for the growth of Environmental modifications for the growth of

normality.normality.6.6. Knowledge of the symptoms and syndromes of Knowledge of the symptoms and syndromes of

abnormal behaviour.abnormal behaviour.7.7. Adopting proper measures for mentally retarded.Adopting proper measures for mentally retarded.8.8. Adopting proper measures for antisocial Adopting proper measures for antisocial

behaviour.behaviour.9.9. Helpful in the related fields.Helpful in the related fields.10.10. Useful in every day lifeUseful in every day life..

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