What is the Difference Between Psychopathology and Abnormal Psychology?

The main difference between psychopathology and abnormal psychology lies in their definitions and focus. Here are the key differences:

• Definitions:
• Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that studies abnormal behavior, which deviates from what is considered "normal" and can be maladaptive and disruptive to an individual's life.
• Psychopathology refers to the study of mental disorders or mental illnesses.
• Focus:
• In abnormal psychology, psychologists study a wide range of abnormal behavior, including maladaptive patterns that disrupt an individual's life.
• In psychopathology, the focus is specifically on mental illnesses and mental disorders.
• Connection:
• Abnormal psychology studies the nature of psychopathology, as mental disorders can be considered a subset of abnormal behavior.
• Psychopathology can be viewed as a subdivision of abnormal psychology, as it focuses on a specific type of abnormal behavior.

In summary, abnormal psychology is the broader field that studies any behavior that deviates from the norm, while psychopathology is a subset of abnormal psychology that specifically focuses on mental disorders and mental illnesses.

Comparative Table: Psychopathology vs Abnormal Psychology

Here is a table comparing psychopathology and abnormal psychology:

Please note that the terms "psychopathology" and "abnormal psychology" are often used interchangeably, and there is no universally agreed-upon distinction between the two fields. The table above represents the general differences and similarities between the two fields as they are commonly understood.