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Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
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Conduct Disorder

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Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking

Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking

Published on: December 16, 2010

Resolving normality-disorder boundary issues in gaming research.

Philip Nielsen¹, Henk Rigter²

¹1Unité de psychologie clinique des relations interpersonnelles, FPSE, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Journal of Behavioral Addictions

|May 6, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Assessing problematic gaming requires understanding family dynamics, not just time spent gaming. Improved family communication can reduce conflict, even if gaming duration remains unchanged.

Keywords:

diagnosis gaming disorder problem gaming treatment

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Area of Science:

Clinical Psychology
Family Systems Therapy
Behavioral Addiction

Background:

Debate exists regarding criteria for distinguishing normal from disordered gaming.
Clinical experience highlights limitations of time-based or self-report measures for problematic gaming.
Understanding the relational and contextual factors is crucial for accurate assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

To advocate for a multidimensional approach to assessing problematic gaming.
To emphasize the importance of relational and contextual factors in diagnosis.
To propose a collaborative model for understanding gaming behaviors.

Main Methods:

Clinical case experience with adolescents and families in treatment for problematic gaming.
Review of evidence from systemic therapy models, such as STANDUP.
Critique of overreliance on quantitative measures like gaming duration and self-report tools.

Main Results:

Multidimensional assessment, incorporating relational and contextual understanding, is superior to simplistic measures.
Systemic therapy interventions focusing on family communication can reduce gaming-related conflict.
Reduced conflict can occur independently of significant reductions in gaming time.

Conclusions:

Diagnosis of problematic gaming should be a collaborative working hypothesis, not a fixed label.
Integrating clinical insights with family systems perspectives enhances diagnostic accuracy.
Fostering dialogue among clinicians, families, and researchers is essential for advancing the field.