Have you ever wondered what makes a behavior “abnormal”? Imagine you’re at a bustling coffee shop, observing people coming and going. Some behaviors might stand out as unusual, but when does “unusual” cross into “abnormal”? This article breaks down the four D’s of abnormal psychology—deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger—which professionals use to help distinguish everyday quirks from signs of psychological disorders. Understanding these criteria can empower you to better recognize when someone might need help or when a behavior could be a sign of something more serious. By the end of this read, you’ll have a clearer grasp of these…
Author: Iva Pritchett
Have you ever wondered why you feel a rush of excitement before a big meeting or anxiety when faced with a public speaking task? These emotions aren’t just random; they’re deeply rooted in the psychological factors that shape our everyday experiences. Understanding these elements can not only help you manage your emotions better but also improve your interactions with others. In this article, you’ll discover how psychological factors influence your behavior and decision-making processes. You’ll learn about the triggers that affect mental states and practical ways to harness this knowledge for better personal and professional outcomes. Stick around to uncover…
Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. Empirical methods are used to study psychological phenomena. The empirical method is based on observation and data. One example of empirical methods in psychology is the scientific method. This is a method of investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. What is an example of an empirical method? The researcher would then observe the groups to see if there is a difference in prosocial behaviour between the two groups. If the group exposed to happy music shows more prosocial behaviour, this would be an example of empirical…
There are a few different interpretations of what it could mean when you dream about someone chasing you. One interpretation is that the person chasing you represents something external that is causing you anxiety or fear in your life. Alternatively, it could be a representation of an internal fear or insecurity that you have. It could also be symbolic of a past trauma or experience that is haunting you. Whatever the case may be, it is important to try and explore what the dream specifically means to you. There is no one definitive answer to this question as dreams can…
In the DSM-5, trauma is defined as a psychological, physical, or emotional response to an event or situation that is overwhelming and causes feelings of helplessness, fear, or terror. Trauma is defined as an experience that overwhelsts’/ observing clinician would recognize as causing distress that would lead to significant impairment in daily functioning. What is the clinical definition of trauma? Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches…
Social culture psychology is the study of how people interact with each other and how these interactions shape their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It includes research on topics like social influence, social cognition, and social development. An example of social culture psychology would be the study of how different cultures interact and how those interactions affect the individual members of those cultures. What are examples of social cultural? Socio-cultural factors are the external factors that influence a consumer’s decision making. They include a consumer’s lifestyle, buying habits, education, religion, beliefs, values, demographics, social classes, sexuality and attitudes. All of these…
The scientific method is a set of steps that are followed in order to investigate a phenomenon. The steps of the scientific method are: observation, hypothesis, experiment, and conclusion. The scientific method is used in all sciences, but it is especially important in psychology because it is the only way to know if a psychological principle is true. There is no one single scientific method in psychology, as different psychologists and research traditions may use different methods and approaches. In general, however, psychologists use the scientific method to study behavior and mental processes, and to develop theories and treatments. This…
Mary Ainsworth’s attachment theory is one of the most influential theories in the field of psychology. It posits that there is a strong bond between infants and their primary caregivers, and that this bond has a profound impact on the child’s development. The theory has been extensively researched and has led to a greater understanding of the importance of attachment in human development. Attachment theory was first proposed by John Bowlby, who was a British psychologist. He suggested that attachment is a special relationship that exists between an infant and caregiver. This bond is important because it provides the infant…
In psychology, double dissociation is the existence of two groups that are each dissociated from the other. For example, one group may be able to remember personal information while the other group is unable to. Double dissociation is often used to demonstrate that two process are independently operating.In psychology, double dissociation is a pattern found in brain science whereby two different treatments produce opposite results in separate groups. What is an example of double dissociation? Double dissociation is a powerful tool for studying the brain and behavior. By showing that two related processes can function independently of each other, researchers…
In the Sixth Meditation, Descartes argues that he can be certain that he exists, even if he cannot be certain of anything else. He begins by considering the possibility that he might be dreaming, and observes that there is no way to tell whether he is dreaming or not. Even if he is dreaming, however, he must still exist, for it is he who is doing the dreaming. He thenconsider the possibility that he might be mad, and observes that the madness might consist in his believing that he has a body when he does not, or in his believing…