• Question: how would you define 'abnormal'

    Asked by anon-204900 to James on 14 Mar 2019.
    • Photo: James Munro

      James Munro answered on 14 Mar 2019:


      Hey psych!

      “Abnormal” just means “not common”. It does not mean “wrong” or “bad”. Abnormal psychology is the study of uncommon psychological things. Like having a personality disorder, an anxiety disorder or having some sort of brain injury.

      Abnormal psychology has a very difficult history, with awful insane asylums where people were shut away. However nowadays we are focused on understanding and helping anyone with an abnormal condition – and using the research to better understand how humans and the brain work.

      Thanks for the question!

Comments