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Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology

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Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology

Ann Bacon

Psy/410 Abnormal Psychology

October 24, 2011
Kristi Lane
University of Phoenix

Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology

What is abnormal psychology? Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with behaviors that are not considered normal as well as psychological phenomena such as dreams and altered mental states, which have not been explained. The goal of this branch of psychology is to understand abnormal behavior as well as to determine how and if the behavior needs to be addressed and to develop a treatment plan that will help individuals. This branch of psychology also recognizes that there are many influences such as environmental influences on psychological development. The goal of many mental health professionals is not to force an individual to achieve normality but to help individuals who struggle with mental and emotional disorders to achieve fulfilling and active lives. However, to completely understand what abnormal psychology is we need to understand the origins of abnormal psychology as well as the challenges of defining and classifying normal and abnormal behavior. It is also important to understand how abnormal psychology evolved into a scientific discipline as well as the different viewpoints or models of abnormal psychology. The following paragraphs will hopefully help us to completely understand the branch of abnormal psychology.
Origins of Abnormal Psychology The field of abnormal psychology has only existed for about 100 years. Although, there have been many forms of mental illnesses have been recorded throughout history. When an individual exhibited abnormal behavior, it was considered to be caused by demons, spirits, as well as planetary and astral influences. During the Stone Age, an individual exhibited signs of abnormal behavior the skull of the individual

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