Abnormal Psychology

[abfandango]

I found a book called 'Abnormal Psychology'. I presume it deals with people who is not normal, psychologically. What is a person who is 'normal' psychologically like?

[Clare A]

Who is the author of this book? It might be crap psychobabble, or it might be a credible work which was good in its day but is outdated now.

Years ago, psychologists thought you could determine someone's mental state by their physical appearance, ie 'the criminal type has a weak jaw'  or 'has mis-shapen ears' - that sort of thing. These were the findings of Cesare Lombroso. His experiments were flawed.

To try to answer your question - there isn't one 'norm'., there is a range of normal behaviour. A person who is 'normal  psychologically' copes with their everyday life, whether that means to get up and go to work or school, or whatever are the requirements of the day. Friendships, relationships, are also rewarding. Contact with family, too, if that's appropriate.

Your book possibly deals with psychopathy - the inability to feel empathic to other individuals, or possibly with other disorders such as schizophrenia, which is better understood nowadays, but not wholly.

Bear in mind it may have been written a long while ago.

                                     

[morg_monster]

'Normal' as used in psychology relates to the majority of people. There are plenty of examples of abnormal psychology and indeed a whole reputable journal dedicated to it (the journal of abnormal psychology, funnily enough!).
It is taken to mean mental illnesses, sexual deviance, all sorts and yes I know that eg schizophrenia is not exactly rare, but it does occur only in a minority of people.
I know in this day and age some people object to using the terms abnormal and normal but for the sake of space and the need to identify those with problems which may impact on other people, 'abnormal psychology' is an accepted and recognised term in the field.
have a look at http://www.purgatory.net/merits/ for "A beginner's guide to abnormal psychology" if you are interested.