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A-level - Psychology > 1.4 - Psychopathology (set A - Definitions Of Abnormality > Flashcards

1.4 - Psychopathology (set A - Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards

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1
Q

What is psychopathology, why is it useful?

A
  • the study of psychological disorder
  • abnormality needs to be identified to find a diagnostic treatment of a psychological disorder
  • psycho refers to focus on mind and behaviour and pathology is term for disease
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2
Q

Give the 4 definitions of abnormality?

A
  • statistical infrequency
  • deviation of social norms (DSN)
  • failure to function adequately (FFA)
  • deviation from ideal mental health
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3
Q

Outline the statistical infrequency definition of abnormally?

A
  • obvious way to define ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ is based on how many times we observe it
  • usually behaviour (frequently observed) can be thought of as of as ‘normal’, and unusual behaviour (infrequently observed) can be thought of as of as ‘abnormal’
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4
Q

Give 3 strengths for the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

A
  • useful part of clinical assessment
  • Sources can be measured numerically (qualitative) - no bias and are objective rather then subjective
  • not separating people but acknowledging there different - more ethical
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5
Q

Give 3 weaknesses for the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

A
  • unusual characteristics can be positive (eg abnormally high Iq)
  • ‘Labels’ may have negative effects
  • who makes that decision? - who can say what’s abnormal, so its subjective as its what they think
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6
Q

Give an example of statistical infrequency being used to determine abnormality?

A

Ainan Cawley (iq 260) and Albert Einstein (iq 160) would be seen as statistically abnormal - average iq (normal) is around 100

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7
Q

Outline the deviations of social norms (DSN) definition of abnormally?

A
  • when an individual behaves in a way that is different from how we expect them to behave - social acceptability
  • departure from what is considered normal socially - judgment involved as this is seen as what is ‘right’
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8
Q

Explain what and how antisocial personally disorder (APD) is related to deviations of social norms (DSN) - give an example?

A

People with APD deviate heavily from social norms - the disorder is characterised by impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible behvaiour

  • eg Jeffrey damher - who killed and ate 17 people (considered extremely abnormal)
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9
Q

Give 3 strengths for the deviations of social norms (DSN) definition of abnormality?

A
  • used for clinical diagnosis - identification and diagnosis of personality disorders (eg APD)
  • societal boon - adhering to social norms makes society more ordered, predictable and safe
  • does distinguish between desirable and non-desirable behaviour so can be used to identify undesirable and dangerous behaviour
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10
Q

Give 2 weaknesses for the deviations of social norms (DSN) definition of abnormality?

A
  • cultural relativism - social norms vary tremendously from one culture to another (eg - Indonesian island relatives keep bodies of dead present in homes and feed and pray with them)
  • deviance is related to context and degree (eg wearing little clothing at beach is fine but not on bus)
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11
Q

Give an example of deviations of social norms (DSN) being used to determine abnormality?

A

Forms of sexual behaviour continue to be classified as abnormal, such as paedophilia - reasons behaviours are judged as abnormal is because they deviate from social norms of what is acceptable

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12
Q

Outline the failure to function adequately definition of abnormally?

A
  • when individual can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life
  • Personal functioning like maintaining basic standards of nutrition and hygiene may be failing
  • social and professional functioning (such as maintaining relationships or holding down a job) may be failing
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13
Q

Outline 4 characteristics displayed by someone failing to function adequately?

A
  • Unpredictability - loss of control
  • Personal distress
  • Observer discomfort - eg mum watching child fail to function
  • irrationality
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14
Q

Outline 2 strengths of the failure to function adequately (FFA) definition of abnormality?

A
  • first definition which cares about how the suffer feels - outlines the experiences of people who may be abnormal and focuses on how we can help them
  • easy to judge objectively because we can list behaviours
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15
Q

Outline 2 weaknesses of the failure to function adequately (FFA) definition of abnormality?

A
  • Subjective judgements - someone has to make a judgement whether the person meets the criteria of FFA
  • some dysfunctional behaviours can be adaptive and beneficial for the individual - fails to distinguish between functional and dysfunctional behaviours
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16
Q

Outline the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormally?

A
  • empathises on what’s ’normal’ rather than ‘abnormal’
  • If we know what’s psychologically healthy looks like we can identify who deviates from this and is therefore ‘abnormal’
  • use a criteria developed my Marie Jahoda
17
Q

Outline the assessment used to diagnose someone for failing to function adequately?

A

quantitative assessment called WHODAS which considers different areas of life (eg communicating, self care and getting along with people ext)

  • individuals rate each item on a scale for 1 to 5 - given and overall score out of 180
18
Q

Outline the 6 points of Marie Jahoda’s criteria (PRAISE)?

A
  • personal growth (Self actualisation)
  • reality perception (Accurate perception of reality)
  • autonomy (independent)
  • integration (stress resistance)
  • self attitudes (positive towards self)
  • environmental mastery
19
Q

Outline 3 strengths of the deviating from ideal mental health definition of abnormally?

A
  • covers a broad range of mental health
  • Includes nearly all the reasons why someone might need help
  • positive approach, focuses on the positives rather than the negatives and is influential to humanistic approach
20
Q

Outline 3 weaknesses of the deviating from ideal mental health definition of abnormally?

A
  • some of Jahodas criteria are culture bound - culture relativism
  • individualist vs collective cultures
  • sets an unrealistic expectation of mental health - unlikely anyone meets all the points at a given time
21
Q

Explain why cultural relativism is a weakness for Jahoda’s mental health criteria?

A

Many of the points are culture-bound - eg self actualisation is relevant to members of individualist cultures but not collectivist (which promote the needs of the group not themselves)

  • higher incidence of abnormality if applied to collectivist cultures

A-level - Psychology (23 decks)

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