PSY215 1-2 assignment PDF

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Sandra Stuckey PSY 215 January 10, 2020 Module One Milestone Template ●

Often a person describes an abnormal behavior as weird—a term that can elicit a range of emotional responses (e.g., fear, anger, guilt, curiosity, withdrawal, compassion). Describe a common psychological reaction that a person might have after hearing this description. Emotional or psychological reactions that a person may experience from being called “weird” are not unlike the reactions one would experience from trauma. Those who go through trauma usually react with anxiety, embarrassment, anger, withdrawal and avoidance. For many, being called abnormal is a traumatic experience in itself, and causes at the very least, anxiety about not fitting in or belonging to a social norm.

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Describe why witnessing an abnormal behavior may cause a person to experience psychological discomfort. When presented with abnormal behavior, or behavior that one is not used to, a person may experience psychological discomfort. Psychological discomfort means the feeling of uneasiness, or un-wellness, fear and anxiety being the major two. Witnessing an abnormal behavior may cause a person to experience psychological discomfort primarily because of the stigmas that are attached to mental health. Psychological discomfort may also happen because of the nature of human response to threat, that is to either fight, flight or freeze. In general, we learn most of our behaviors and reactions by modeling, so things perceived outside of the realm of “normal” threaten us whether we are aware of it or not.

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Describe the feelings a person may experience when witnessing a behavior that deviates from the norm. When witnessing a behavior that deviates from what is normal to them a person may feel shocked, confused, irritated or amazed depending on how that person thinks. Psychological reactions and emotions may vary when it comes to things that are far different from what they were used to or what they were taught. For example, if a person was taught since birth that being gay is bad and shameful due to their religious beliefs, they may treat gay people poorly because that is how they were made to think. Another example is when you see things different from your culture especially when you go abroad. There are acts that are acceptable in their country which are frowned upon in others.

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Ironically, it is normal to perceive abnormal behavior as atypical, uncomfortable, or strange. However, the labels that we use to describe abnormal behavior could contribute to its stigma. In your own words, describe how abnormalities in the mind are not really different from other physical or biological abnormalities.

First, it’s important to remember that “normal” and “abnormal” are not the same thing as “good” and “bad”. Abnormal behavior and abnormalities of the mind do not automatically make you a good or bad person, just as they don’t make you a sick or well person. Stigma and judgment almost always stem from a lack of understanding rather than the facts. Abnormal behavior and mental illness do not differ that much from physical or biological abnormalities. They both can interfere with daily functioning and prevent a person from operating optimally - just as a broken leg would impair your ability to walk, a broken mind can impair your ability to think clearly and use sound judgment. Just because the illness is invisible to the naked eye, does not make it any less valid than those you can see. ●

Reference List: a. Hartney, E. (2020, July 7). How Emotional Pain Addiction Causes Physical Issues. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/physical-pain-and-emotional-pain-22421#: %7E:text=Emotional%20pain%20is%20pain%20or,regret%2C%20grief%2C%20or %20loss b. Joseph, S. (2017, June 4). What Are the Common Psychological Reactions to Trauma. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-doesnt-killus/201706/what-are-the-common-psychological-reactions-trauma c.

McLeod, S. (2018, August 5). Abnormal Psychology. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/abnormal-psychology.html...