Analysis of Abnormal Psychology: Social Norms & Mental Health Experts

This essay provides an overview of abnormal psychology, defining it as behavior that deviates from societal norms. It discusses various criteria for determining abnormal behavior, including violation of social norms, statistical rarity, and personal distress. The essay also differentiates between three groups of mental health professionals: psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers, highlighting their unique roles and capabilities in diagnosing, treating, and supporting individuals with mental, social, or economic disadvantages. It emphasizes that psychiatrists can prescribe medication, while clinical psychologists cannot, and social workers offer broader support beyond mental health issues. The essay concludes by referencing key works in the field of abnormal psychology.

Running head: ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Abnormal Psychology
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1ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Answer 1)
Abnormal Behaviour refers to behaviour which deviates from what is held to be
normal in the society (McDougall, 2015).
There are various criteria that can be used for the determination of the abnormal
behaviour. The first criteria relates to the violation of the social norms. The behaviour that is
against what is held of to be normal in the society is considered to be abnormal.
Another criterion that helps in the identification of abnormal behaviour is the
statistical rarity. Person having an extremely low IQ can be classified as having mental
retardation which is hence considered to be abonormal.
The third criterion can be said to be personal distress. Distress can cause an individual
to engage themselves in the abnormal behaviour.
Answer 2)
There are differences lying between the three group of the mental health professional
called psychiatrists, social workers and the clinical psychologist. A psychiatrist refers to a
physician who has specialization pertaining to diagnosis and the treatment of that of mental
illness (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2017). The difference between a psychiatrist and that of
clinical psychologist lies due to the fact that a psychiatrist can prescribe the meditation
whereas a clinical psychologist cannot prescribe the meditation. A social worker on the other
hand is indicative of a person who has been trained so that he can be of help to the people
who have the physical, social or the economic disadvantage. A social worker is different from
psychiatrist and that of clinical psychologist owing to the fact that he helps the people not
only having any kind of mental disadvantage but also physical and the social disadvantage.

2ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
References
Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2017). Abnormal psychology. Pearson Education
India.
McDougall, W. (2015). An outline of abnormal psychology. Routledge.