Psychology

The branch of psychology that deals with abnormal behaviors is abnormal psychology. Definition of abnormal behaviors has proved to be very difficult in the past. It has changed drastically over the course of human history. In order to understand abnormal behavior, one must first understand the meaning of the term abnormal. The term abnormal simply means deviation from the norm.

Something is considered normal or abnormal due to the way it is taken by the community. What a certain community regards as normal may be abnormal to another. The definition of normal and abnormal is not identical to bad and good. There are some instances whereby falling out of the normal is a good thing. For example, if a person is extremely bright, he may be considered abnormal and that is a good thing. In some cases, what is normal may be considered bad (Cherry, 2010).
The brain is the body organ that controls almost all the major function in the body including thoughts, senses, as well as emotion. The brain is composed of billions of neurons that coordinate with each other in order to function appropriately. Nerve cells communicate through impulses.

Neurotransmitters are the special chemicals that aid in transmission of messages from one nerve cell to the other. It was discovered that information detected by the receptors in the body are directed to the brain which then interpret it accordingly and sends it back to the body  directing the body how to respond. Imbalance of the neurotransmitters and defects in the neurological system in the brain leads to development of abnormal behaviors (Chakraburtty, 2009).

Violent and abnormal behaviors are associated with socioeconomic drift. Increased level of poverty is particularly believed to be a major cause of abnormal behaviors. The perception of a behavior as abnormal varies from one socioeconomic class to another. Some behaviors might be abnormal in the middle class, but are considered as normal in the lower class world. Cases of abnormal behaviors are experienced more in communities that are of low socioeconomic status with a higher rate of unemployment than in societies that are of a higher socioeconomic status (Corrigan, Mueser and Bond, 2007).

According to Olin and Keatinge (1998), when trust is built between the patient and the physician, treatment is facilitated. Personality features that lead to development of distrust between the patient and the physician greatly hinder the process of assessment as well as treatment. Clients with abnormal behaviors are socially isolated and also have poor self concept. They do not trust other people and perceive the world as risky and rejecting. Establishment of mutual trust is therefore important during the process of assessment as it provides a favorable environment for physicians to counsel the client. People portraying abnormal behaviors require somebody who is willing to listen and understand them. They tend to blame others for all their problems and therefore failure to establish trust during assessment leads to them blaming the doctor for all their problems.

As stated by Corrigan, Mueser, and Bond, (2007), the main purpose of interviews is to obtain information concerning a persons needs and strengths through questioning as well as engaging in dialogues in definite topic areas. Interviews vary in their approach there are those that are unstructured and those that are clearly outlined. Unstructured interviews are organized around specific areas and questions as well as follow-up queries are used to draw out information. Structured interviews include definite queries to draw out information concerning specific areas of functioning and also specify follow up questions. Structured interviews are preferred because differences between interviewers and clients due to specific wording and style are minimized. The precision of the assessment is greatly improved by elimination of interviewer differences.