Learning Resources

Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week's assignments.

Readings

Review the Course Preview and read the Course Introduction
Comer, R. J. (2015). Abnormal psychology (9th ed.). New York, NY: Worth.
Chapter 1, "Abnormal Psychology: Past and Present"
Chapter 2, "Research in Abnormal Psychology"
Chapter 3, "Models of Abnormality"

Optional Resources

Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. (2013).Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Retrieved fromhttp://www.beckinstitute.org

This website includes a host of materials that explain what cognitive therapy is and how it is used to help people with various mental disorders.
The Dana Foundation. (2013).The BrainWeb & brain information. Retrieved fromhttps://www.dana.org/brainweb/

This BrainWeb site provides information and links to validated sites about brain diseases and disorders. These include outside resources reviewed by scientific advisors and articles in Dana publications. Sites listed in BrainWeb detail more than 25 common brain diseases and disorders and include some of the Internet's best general neuroscience and health resources.

Green, C. D., (2005).History & philosophy of psychology web resources. Retrieved fromhttp://www.psych.yorku.ca/orgs/resource/

This website includes numerous links to areas of interest in the history of psychology.
Sigmund Freud Archives. (n.d.).Sigmund Freud archives. Retrieved December 2, 2013, fromhttp://www.freudarchives.org

This site is devoted to Sigmund Freud and has links to other Freud-related sites.
Application:week 1 Abnormal Behavior and the Four Ds

One of the first topics that the textbook author addresses in Chapter 1 is how abnormal is defined. In the section entitled "What Is Psychological Abnormality?" the author identifies "the four D's" that can be used to identify what is abnormal. "The four D's" include the following: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. In this Application Assignment, you will apply this framework to a consideration of abnormal behaviors that you have encountered in your own life.

To prepare for this assignment:

Review Chapter 1 in the course textbook, paying particularly close attention to the section beginning on page 2 entitled "What Is Psychological Abnormality?"

Consider some personal encounters that you have had with others during which you thought that their behaviors might be deemed "abnormal."

The assignment (1-2 pages):

Describe and analyze your personal experiences and encounters with abnormal behavior.

Describe in detail three examples of abnormal behavior, based on your personal experiences, encounters with others, or examples from the news.

Identify elements in these examples that relate to "the four D's" that can be used to identify what is abnormal, including deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger.

Discuss cultural factors that might have an impact on whether or not the behavior you described would be considered abnormal.

Discuss any limitations to "the four D's" approach to defining abnormal that are highlighted by your three examples and your analysis of these examples.