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PSY 215 Module Eight Activity
restructuring the views of what it means to be abnormal.
Course
Abnormal Psychology (Psy-215)
999+ Documents
Students shared 1051 documents in this course
University
Southern New Hampshire University
Academic year: 2023/2024
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PSY 215 Module Eight Activity Template
For this journal activity, you will focus on reconstructing your view of what it means to be abnormal.
Specifically, consider the notion of the humanity in abnormality. Then respond to the following prompts
with a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Address the rubric criteria listed below and support your answers
with a credible source when necessary. Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the
relevant information.
Discuss what it means to view our individual differences through a non-pathologizing lens.
A non-pathologizing view means seeing someone as a whole and not just their diagnosis. We all
handle life differently, we all have “faults”, and we are all complex. It would benefit all of us to
understand that no one thing defines us. No cancer patient would want to be known as “the
cancer patient” and coddled to the assumptions of their illness. That same logic applies to
mental illness and just about any other label.
In recent times, people have begun to adopt a non-clinical view of psychological conditions—as
differences, not disorders. Discuss the costs and benefits of viewing psychological traits,
symptoms, and conditions in this manner.
Looking at traits as differences means putting potential disorders in the context of
characteristics. Andrea Fossati explains this further, stating “this involves considering the
subject’s mental disorder(s) in the perspective of his/her developmental history, including
psychobiological and psychophysiological aspects and risk factors” (2011). One benefit of this
approach is that it prevents medical professionals from using medications as the prominent way
of recovery. This could push to change the stigmas of mental health that associate having a
diagnosis with being a “pill popper” or “medicated”. Viewing traits as differences rather than
disorders would separate the person from the labels of “having a disorder”.
Think of an abnormal behavior that may be viewed as a deficit or a weakness. Discuss how
aspects of this behavior may be reframed and reapplied as a strength.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is commonly viewed as a weakness or genetic defect. Traits
associated with ASD include difficulty with social interactions, learning and attention difficulties,
and restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests. These traits are often seen as weaknesses
because of the overstimulation those with ASD experience. However, those with ASD placed in
an environment with something of interest can thrive. Many on the spectrum experience
“tunnel vision. This would allow for hyper-focus and great attention to detail. It is also shown
that those on the spectrum have acute hearing and encyclopedic knowledge due to their hyper
fixated interests. Those with ASD would greatly benefit from a strengths-based perspective,
allowing them the space to enhance and utilize their strengths.
1
References:
Fossati, A. (2011, June). Towards an Approach to Mental Disorders Based on Individual
Differences. World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association
(WPA). ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC3104886/
Super Powers & Kryptonites. Embrace Autism. (2023, December).
embrace-autism/autism-strengths-and-challenges/#:~:text=Autistic%20people
%20are%20up%20to,superior%20in%20processing%20complex%20patterns.
2
Was this document helpful?
PSY 215 Module Eight Activity
Course: Abnormal Psychology (Psy-215)
999+ Documents
Students shared 1051 documents in this course
University: Southern New Hampshire University
Was this document helpful?
PSY 215 Module Eight Activity Template
For this journal activity, you will focus on reconstructing your view of what it means to be abnormal.
Specifically, consider the notion of the humanity in abnormality. Then respond to the following prompts
with a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Address the rubric criteria listed below and support your answers
with a credible source when necessary. Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the
relevant information.
Discuss what it means to view our individual differences through a non-pathologizing lens.
A non-pathologizing view means seeing someone as a whole and not just their diagnosis. We all
handle life differently, we all have “faults”, and we are all complex. It would benefit all of us to
understand that no one thing defines us. No cancer patient would want to be known as “the
cancer patient” and coddled to the assumptions of their illness. That same logic applies to
mental illness and just about any other label.
In recent times, people have begun to adopt a non-clinical view of psychological conditions—as
differences, not disorders. Discuss the costs and benefits of viewing psychological traits,
symptoms, and conditions in this manner.
Looking at traits as differences means putting potential disorders in the context of
characteristics. Andrea Fossati explains this further, stating “this involves considering the
subject’s mental disorder(s) in the perspective of his/her developmental history, including
psychobiological and psychophysiological aspects and risk factors” (2011). One benefit of this
approach is that it prevents medical professionals from using medications as the prominent way
of recovery. This could push to change the stigmas of mental health that associate having a
diagnosis with being a “pill popper” or “medicated”. Viewing traits as differences rather than
disorders would separate the person from the labels of “having a disorder”.
Think of an abnormal behavior that may be viewed as a deficit or a weakness. Discuss how
aspects of this behavior may be reframed and reapplied as a strength.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is commonly viewed as a weakness or genetic defect. Traits
associated with ASD include difficulty with social interactions, learning and attention difficulties,
and restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests. These traits are often seen as weaknesses
because of the overstimulation those with ASD experience. However, those with ASD placed in
an environment with something of interest can thrive. Many on the spectrum experience
“tunnel vision. This would allow for hyper-focus and great attention to detail. It is also shown
that those on the spectrum have acute hearing and encyclopedic knowledge due to their hyper
fixated interests. Those with ASD would greatly benefit from a strengths-based perspective,
allowing them the space to enhance and utilize their strengths.
1
