| From the Prologue Ullman, L. P., & Krasner, L. A Psychological Approach to Abnormal Behavior Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall (1975), 2nd Edition |
| "The central idea of this book is that the behaviors traditionally called abnormal are no different, either quantitatively or qualitatively, in their development and maintenance from other behaviors. This book traces the conceptual research and therapeutic implications of not labeling any behavior, ipso facto, as abnormal or as an indication of 'mental illness.' |
| "In general conversation the word "abnormal" is used to signify that something is unexpected, irregular, and different from the normal or predictable state of affairs . . . |
| "The mutual interdependence of people often makes the accurate prediction of other persons' behavior crucial for survival. For example, when driving a car, use of the proper side of the road and the proper responses to traffic lights are literally matters of life and death . . . |
| "There is an area of behavior, however, where formal rules may not be broken but unexpected behavior is seriously upsetting to other people, such as friends, parents, spouses, neighbors, teachers, and policemen [policewomen], or to the person himself [herself]. For the purposes of this book, abnormality is the sort of devience that calls for and sanctions the professional attention of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other 'mental health' professionals. |
| "It is apparent from this definition taht the area of abnormality will vary from place to place, time to time, and person to person . . . |
| "Calling an act abnormal has a number of consequences. Of importance here is that the label sanctions a type of social control . . . (2-3). |
| "Behavior likely to be called abnormal. Most adults are physically capable of making a great many different acts at any given moment. The typical college student sitting on a hard, narrow chair in a stuffy classroom more or less listening to a droning lecturer is a good example. . . Once in class, he [she] is physically capable of shouting obsenities, touching the person seated next to him [her], undressing, or walking out of the room. At any given moment, only a small fraction of the acts that a person is physically capable of making are socially appropriate. By socially appropriate is meant that the acts are welcome or at least not disturbing to the other people involved in that setting. Acts that are appropriate in one setting may be inappropriate in another time and place . . . |
| "A second aspect of behavior likely to be called abnormal is that it is unpleasant enough or disturbing enough for someone to want to change it. . . |
| "A third condition that is likely to increse the likelihood of the use of the 'abnormal' label is that the label itself helps solve the problem raised by the aversive behavior. . . The reports (Time, September 27, 1971, pp. 44-45) of the use of psychiatric clinics by Soviet authorities to deal with dissident intellectuals is a good example. . . The eminent geneticist Medvedev who was critical of government actions in the scientific field was diagnosed as 'split personality.' |
| "A fourth condition that increases the chance of 'abnormal' label being used is that the behavior seems to be senseless, self-defeating, or without favorable consequences for the individual" (33-34). |