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Biological Psychology – Introduction to Psychological Abnormality
What is psychological abnormality?
Answer:
Psychological abnormality is one of the most widely studied areas in psychology and is a major focus within clinical and counselling psychology. It examines behaviours, emotions, and thoughts that differ from what is considered typical or healthy and seeks to understand their causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Many students are interested in this field because psychological distress is common, and most people will either experience it themselves or know someone who has experienced a mental health problem during their lifetime.
Is abnormal behaviour studied only from a biological perspective?
Answer:
No. Although Biological Psychology focuses on biological explanations, abnormal behaviour is also studied from several other psychological perspectives.
These include:
What is the diathesis–stress model?
Answer:
The diathesis–stress model is one of the most widely accepted explanations of psychological disorders.
It proposes that:
Can you give an example of the diathesis–stress model?
Answer:
Yes.
An individual may have an imbalance in the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, making them biologically vulnerable to depression.
However, depression may not develop until the person experiences a major life event, such as:
Why is it important to consider multiple influences on behaviour?
Answer:
Psychological disorders rarely develop because of a single cause.
When studying abnormal behaviour, it is important to recognise that:
Demonstrating an understanding of these multiple influences shows critical thinking and strengthens reports and assignments.
Is the distinction between normal and abnormal behaviour fixed?
Answer:
No.
The distinction between normal and abnormal behaviour is:
Why do theories of abnormal behaviour change over time?
Answer:
Psychological theories are continually revised because they are based on:
Why is critical thinking important in Biological Psychology?
Answer:
When writing reports or assignments, students should:
What are the key ideas introduced in this chapter?
Answer (Note Form):
Psychological Abnormality
Psychological Perspectives
Abnormal behaviour is studied from:
Diathesis–Stress Model
Example
Normal vs Abnormal Behaviour
Critical Thinking
Conclusion
Psychological abnormality is one of the most important areas of psychology, with applications in both clinical and counselling psychology. Although Biological Psychology focuses on biological explanations, abnormal behaviour is best understood using the diathesis–stress model, which recognises that biological vulnerability interacts with environmental and cognitive factors to produce psychological disorders. The concepts of normal and abnormal behaviour are not fixed but change over time as scientific evidence, cultural values, and social attitudes evolve. Therefore, psychology students should adopt a critical, evidence-based, and biopsychosocial approach, recognising that biological, psychological, cognitive, social, and environmental influences all contribute to mental health and psychological disorders.
What is psychological abnormality?
Answer:
Psychological abnormality is one of the most widely studied areas in psychology and is a major focus within clinical and counselling psychology. It examines behaviours, emotions, and thoughts that differ from what is considered typical or healthy and seeks to understand their causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Many students are interested in this field because psychological distress is common, and most people will either experience it themselves or know someone who has experienced a mental health problem during their lifetime.
Is abnormal behaviour studied only from a biological perspective?
Answer:
No. Although Biological Psychology focuses on biological explanations, abnormal behaviour is also studied from several other psychological perspectives.
These include:
- Biological Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Humanistic Psychology
- Social Psychology
What is the diathesis–stress model?
Answer:
The diathesis–stress model is one of the most widely accepted explanations of psychological disorders.
It proposes that:
- Individuals may inherit a biological predisposition (diathesis) to a mental disorder.
- The disorder develops only when this biological vulnerability is triggered by environmental or cognitive stressors.
Can you give an example of the diathesis–stress model?
Answer:
Yes.
An individual may have an imbalance in the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, making them biologically vulnerable to depression.
However, depression may not develop until the person experiences a major life event, such as:
- Bereavement.
- Relationship breakdown.
- Job loss.
- Severe stress.
Why is it important to consider multiple influences on behaviour?
Answer:
Psychological disorders rarely develop because of a single cause.
When studying abnormal behaviour, it is important to recognise that:
- Biological factors.
- Psychological factors.
- Cognitive factors.
- Social influences.
- Environmental experiences.
Demonstrating an understanding of these multiple influences shows critical thinking and strengthens reports and assignments.
Is the distinction between normal and abnormal behaviour fixed?
Answer:
No.
The distinction between normal and abnormal behaviour is:
- Constantly changing.
- Not absolute.
- Not universal.
- Cultural beliefs.
- Social norms.
- Historical period.
- Scientific evidence.
Why do theories of abnormal behaviour change over time?
Answer:
Psychological theories are continually revised because they are based on:
- New scientific research.
- Changes in social attitudes.
- New evidence.
- Theoretical developments.
- Modified.
- Improved.
- Replaced.
- Rejected.
Why is critical thinking important in Biological Psychology?
Answer:
When writing reports or assignments, students should:
- Consider multiple explanations.
- Compare different psychological perspectives.
- Support arguments with scientific evidence.
- Avoid focusing on biological explanations alone.
- Demonstrate that biological, psychological, cognitive, and environmental factors interact.
What are the key ideas introduced in this chapter?
Answer (Note Form):
Psychological Abnormality
- One of the most studied areas of psychology.
- Major focus of:
- Clinical Psychology.
- Counselling Psychology.
- Most people experience psychological distress directly or indirectly.
Psychological Perspectives
Abnormal behaviour is studied from:
- Biological perspective.
- Cognitive perspective.
- Developmental perspective.
- Humanistic perspective.
- Social perspective.
Diathesis–Stress Model
- Biological predisposition (diathesis).
- Triggered by:
- Environmental stressors.
- Cognitive factors.
- Both biological and environmental factors are required.
Example
- Imbalance in serotonin and dopamine → Biological vulnerability.
- Major life event → Triggers depression.
Normal vs Abnormal Behaviour
- Not fixed.
- Changes over time.
- Influenced by:
- Culture.
- Society.
- Scientific evidence.
- Historical changes.
Critical Thinking
- Consider multiple influences.
- Use evidence.
- Avoid relying on one explanation.
- Recognise interaction between biological and environmental factors.
Conclusion
Psychological abnormality is one of the most important areas of psychology, with applications in both clinical and counselling psychology. Although Biological Psychology focuses on biological explanations, abnormal behaviour is best understood using the diathesis–stress model, which recognises that biological vulnerability interacts with environmental and cognitive factors to produce psychological disorders. The concepts of normal and abnormal behaviour are not fixed but change over time as scientific evidence, cultural values, and social attitudes evolve. Therefore, psychology students should adopt a critical, evidence-based, and biopsychosocial approach, recognising that biological, psychological, cognitive, social, and environmental influences all contribute to mental health and psychological disorders.
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