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What Is a Psychological Disorder? Why Is It Difficult to Distinguish

question 44

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What is a psychological disorder? Why is it difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior? Describe the four factors that psychologists often use to distinguish abnormal from normal behavior. Which two of these are typically given more weight when diagnosing a psychological disorder?


Definitions:

Varying Amounts

Describes quantities that differ in size, number, or extent, and are not fixed or constant.

Fixed Interval

A schedule of reinforcement where the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed, in behavioral psychology.

Fixed Ratio

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses, leading to a high and steady rate of response.

Variable Ratio

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that rewards an action after an unpredictable number of responses.

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