Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought, which could possibly be understood as a mental disorder. Although many behaviors could be considered as abnormal, this branch of psychology typically deals with behavior in a clinical context. Abnormal psychology focuses on many different types of disorders as the field is broad in scope. Mood disorders such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia are among the most commonly diagnosed, along with anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, and the less common obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are also fairly common in certain populations.
Abnormal psychology is involved with all aspects of psychology, from research to practice. Psychological scientists use the scientific method of experimental research to study abnormal behavior and mental processes. The study of abnormal psychology is so integral to the psychological sciences that it has become a fundamental part of degree programs such as the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology.
Abnormality can be defined as a deviation from ideal mental health. This means that rather than defining what is abnormal, psychologists define what is normal and compare it to what is abnormal. The definition of abnormality is imprecise and difficult to define. Examples of abnormality can take many different forms and involve different features, so that what at first sight seems like quite reasonable definitions turns out to be quite problematic.
In summary, abnormal psychology is a subfield of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought, which could possibly be understood as a mental disorder. It focuses on many different types of disorders and is involved with all aspects of psychology, from research to practice. The definition of abnormality is imprecise and difficult to define, and psychologists define what is normal and compare it to what is abnormal.
