The abnormal psychologist investigates unusual or extreme human behavior in order to understand its causes and find ways to change it. Researchers in abnormal psychology, also known as psychopathology, look at behavioral irregularities from both a statistical and qualitative perspective. Psychiatrists who specialize in abnormal psychology diagnose and classify a wide range of disorders. Cognitive, behavioral, and medical theories can all be used to explain abnormal behavior. Clinicians use abnormal psychology theories to treat their patients.
Statistical analysis is frequently used abnormal psychologists to define what is considered unhealthy behavior. He or she might use a bell curve to look at different levels of deviation from the norm. A bell curve is a statistical model that depicts data distribution and can be used to investigate a population’s range of behaviors.
Aesthetic evaluations are not made solely on the basis of statistics. Culture, sex, age, and other demographic factors must all be considered when determining what constitutes normal behavior. When determining whether a behavior is normal or abnormal, the impact of the behavior is crucial. The abnormal psychologist, for example, would categorize behavior that causes harm to others or the patient as abnormal. Other harmful behaviors include those that make it difficult for the patient to function on a daily basis.
The abnormal psychologist categorizes the mental disorders he or she defines and studies. Anxiety disorders is one category that includes illnesses like panic disorder and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Cognitive disorders include Alzheimer’s disease and amnesia, for example. Developmental disorders include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.
Cognitive, behavioral, and medical theories are among the major theories used abnormal psychologists to describe psychopathology. The focus of cognitive theories is on unhealthy thought patterns and world perceptions and how they contribute to mental illness. Behavioral theories investigate how to reduce disruptive behaviors and replace them with more positive ones. Medical theories of abnormal psychology include chemical imbalances, genetic influence, and other biological conditions.
To understand and describe patient disorders, psychologists in clinical settings such as private practices, mental health facilities, and hospitals rely on abnormal psychology theories. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published the American Psychiatric Association, is a resource for clinical psychologists. The manual includes statistics on gender distribution and effective treatments for abnormal behavior, among other things.