Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

a. Treat the underlying physical problem.
b. Use the principles of learning theory to modify her shy 
behavior.
c. Express a great deal of caring.
d. Uncover her negative past experiences through 
hypnosis.
 Module 
46 
Normal Versus Abnormal: Making the Distinction 
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K E Y T E R M S
abnormal behavior p. 504
medical perspective p. 505
psychoanalytic perspective p. 506
behavioral perspective p. 506
cognitive perspective p. 506
humanistic perspective p. 507
sociocultural perspective p. 507
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
 Mental 
Disorders, Fourth Edition, 
 Text 
Revision 
(DSM-IV-TR) p. 509 

R E T H I N K
1. Do you agree or disagree that DSM should be updated 
every several years? Why? What makes abnormal 
behavior so variable?
2. From the perspective of an employer: Imagine that a well-paid 
employee was arrested for shoplifting a sweater that costs 
$15. What sort of explanation for this behavior would the 
proponents of each perspective on abnormality provide: 
the medical perspective, the psychoanalytic perspective, 
the behavioral perspective, the cognitive perspective, the 
humanistic perspective, and the sociocultural perspective? 
Based on the potential causes of the shoplifting, would 
you fi re the employee? Why or why not?