Abnormal Psychology Assignment 1
Assignment 1
1). In regard to the issues of the extent of abnormal behavior, explain the following terms: epidemiology, prevalence, and lifetime prevalence.
All branches of science have different methods for discerning and studying pertinent information as it relates to their particular field. In the mental health branch of science, epidemiology is the study, in a given population, of the distribution of mental health disorders, diseases or other health-related behaviors (Butcher & Hooley, 2013, p. 12). Rather than being geared towards individuals, epidemiology focuses on groups and the number of reoccurrences of mental disorders within a given population. The occurrences and distributions of diseases are recognized in epidemiology.
A term we cite in epidemiology when speaking of measuring the number of mental disorders is prevalence. Prevalence refers to the total number, usually expressed in percentages, of active cases over a period of time, or a moment of time, in a population (Butcher & Hooley, p. 12). A lifetime prevalence estimate is one of the numerous ways in which prevalence estimate can be made. A lifetime prevalence estimate would focus on the number of people who have had a particular disorder, whether still dealing with it or completely recovered, at any point in their life. For example, if we wanted to study depression in a certain population group and wanted a lifetime prevalence estimate, we would include those still in the midst of dealing with their depression and those who have recovered. We will find that the lifetime estimate of those with depression will more than likely be higher than other prevalence estimates of depression since the lifetime estimates span an entire lifetime.
2). What are some of the biological causal factors of abnormal behavior?
While the scientific community has come up with several different biological factors of abnormal behavior, there are four categories that seem pertinent to the development of
1). In regard to the issues of the extent of abnormal behavior, explain the following terms: epidemiology, prevalence, and lifetime prevalence.
All branches of science have different methods for discerning and studying pertinent information as it relates to their particular field. In the mental health branch of science, epidemiology is the study, in a given population, of the distribution of mental health disorders, diseases or other health-related behaviors (Butcher & Hooley, 2013, p. 12). Rather than being geared towards individuals, epidemiology focuses on groups and the number of reoccurrences of mental disorders within a given population. The occurrences and distributions of diseases are recognized in epidemiology.
A term we cite in epidemiology when speaking of measuring the number of mental disorders is prevalence. Prevalence refers to the total number, usually expressed in percentages, of active cases over a period of time, or a moment of time, in a population (Butcher & Hooley, p. 12). A lifetime prevalence estimate is one of the numerous ways in which prevalence estimate can be made. A lifetime prevalence estimate would focus on the number of people who have had a particular disorder, whether still dealing with it or completely recovered, at any point in their life. For example, if we wanted to study depression in a certain population group and wanted a lifetime prevalence estimate, we would include those still in the midst of dealing with their depression and those who have recovered. We will find that the lifetime estimate of those with depression will more than likely be higher than other prevalence estimates of depression since the lifetime estimates span an entire lifetime.
2). What are some of the biological causal factors of abnormal behavior?
While the scientific community has come up with several different biological factors of abnormal behavior, there are four categories that seem pertinent to the development of
References: Butcher, M., & Hooley. (2013). Abnormal Psychology .Pearson. McLeod, S. A. (2007). Psychology Perspectives. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/perspective.html Butcher, M., & Hooley. (2013). Abnormal Psychology. Pearson. ZeePedia. (2012). Abnormal Psychology. Pearson. Retrieved from http://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?causes_of_abnormal_behavior_biological_dimensions_abnormal_psychology&b=83&c=11