Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology examines patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that cause distress, impair functioning, or differ from cultural expectations in clinically significant ways. This opening lesson explains what makes a psychological pattern “abnormal,” why diagnosis is useful but imperfect, and how professionals think about mental health using evidence, context, and ethics.

You will also learn the scope of the field, common myths about mental illness, and the limits of labels. Later lessons will go deeper into specific disorders, assessment methods, treatment options, and the role of culture, development, and risk factors.