Abnormal psychologists study and categorize mental disorders, using theories such as cognitive, behavioral, and medical to explain their causes and develop treatments. They consider cultural and demographic factors and the impact of behavior on others when assessing abnormal behavior. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders provides information for clinical psychologists.
The abnormal psychologist studies extreme or unusual human behavior to explain its causes and find ways to change behavior. Researchers in abnormal psychology or psychopathology, as it is also known, frequently study irregularities in behavior, both statistically and qualitatively. Abnormal psychologists describe mental abnormalities and categorize a wide range of disorders. The causes of abnormal behavior can be explained based on cognitive, behavioral or medical theories. Theories of abnormal psychology are used by doctors to treat patients.
The abnormal psychologist usually begins to define what is considered harmful behavior based on statistical analysis. He or she may use a bell-shaped curve to examine different levels of deviation from what is considered normal. A bell curve is a statistical model that illustrates the distribution of data and can be used to study the range of behaviors within a population.
Assessments of abnormal behavior are not made solely on statistical grounds. Notions of what is normal behavior need to be seen in the context of culture, gender, age and other demographic factors. The impact of the behavior is an important consideration in deciding whether it is normal or abnormal. For example, behavior that causes harm to other people or the patient would definitely be considered irregular by the abnormal psychologist. Other harmful behaviors would include those that prevent the patient from functioning on a day-to-day basis.
The mental disorders defined and studied by the abnormal psychologist are categorized. One category, anxiety disorders, includes conditions such as panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Alzheimer’s disease and amnesia fall under the category of cognitive disorders. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism are considered developmental disorders.
The main theories used by the abnormal psychologist to describe psychopathology include cognitive, behavioral and medical. Cognitive theories focus on unhealthy thinking patterns and perceptions about the world and how they contribute to mental illness. Behavioral theories look for ways to discourage disruptive behaviors and replace them with more positive ones. Chemical imbalances, genetic influence, and other biological conditions are components of medical theories of abnormal psychology.
Psychologists who treat patients in clinical settings such as private practices, mental health facilities, and hospitals draw on theories of abnormal psychology to understand and describe patients’ disorders. The American Psychiatric Association publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which provides information used by clinical psychologists. Among other facts, the handbook contains statistical information on gender distribution and effective treatments for abnormal behaviors.
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