4: Psychopathology

Question 1

What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

• Statistical infrequency
• Deviation from social norms
• Failure to function adequately
• Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

Which criticism can be applied to all definitions of abnormality?

Answer 2

Cultural relativism: “abnormal” behavior from one culture may be considered normal in another. There are no universal laws of abnormality

Question 3

How does statistical infrequency define abnormality?

Answer 3

Mathematical definition: any “rare” behavior/characteristic that lays more than 2 standard deviations from the mean (~5%) is considered abnormal

Question 4

What is a limitation of statistical infrequency?

Answer 4

• Cannot distinguish between desirable or undesirable characteristics
• The “cut-off” point for abnormality is subjective
• Cultural relativism

Question 5

What is a strength of statistical infrequency?

Answer 5

It may be beneficial to use in a clinical setting (E.g. diagnosing intellectual disability) as a baseline diagnosis and to determine the severity of one’s symptoms

Question 6

How does deviation from social norms define abnormality?

Answer 6

Behavior that does not comply with the unwritten rules and expectations of society is considered abnormal

Question 7

What is a limitation of deviation from social norms?

Answer 7

• Susceptible to abuse depending on prevailing social norms (E.g. homosexuality)
• Depends on the context and severity of behavior
• Cultural relativism

Question 8

What is a strength of deviation from social norms?

Answer 8

• Able to distinguish between desirable and undesirable characteristics
• May be used in a clinical setting to diagnose certain personality disorders (E.g. APD, or psychopathy)

Question 9

How does failure to function adequately define abnormality?

Answer 9

When someone is unable to cope with the everyday stresses of life (E.g. eating, washing, working etc.), they are considered abnormal

Question 10

What are the criteria for failure to function adequately?

Answer 10

• Personal + observer distress
• Unpredictability
• Irrationality
• Dysfunctional + maladaptive behaviors

Question 11

What is a limitation of failure to function adequately?

Answer 11

• Subjectivity: some may view a person as dysfunctional, while others may not, so this definition depends on who is diagnosing an individual
• Some disordered behavior may benefit an individual and a lack of distinguishment between harmful and beneficial behavior limits this approach
• Cultural relativism

Question 12

What is a strength of failure to function adequately?

Answer 12

It recognizes individual experience by emphasizing the perspective of the individual and providing a clear criteria for diagnosis; this makes it a sensitive and practical approach

Question 13

How does deviation from ideal mental health define abnormality?

Answer 13

Failing to meet any 1 of Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health (characteristics of a mentally healthy person) makes an individual abnormal

Question 14

What are the 6 criteria of ideal mental health, according to Jahoda?

Answer 14

• Resisting stress
• Self-actualization
• Accurate perception of reality
• Autonomy
• Environmental mastery
• Positive self-attitude

Question 15

What is a limitation of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 15

• Unrealistic criteria makes the majority of people “abnormal” which makes this definition unusable in diagnosing abnormality
• Equates mental and physical health when the two are diagnosed and treated in completely different ways
• Cultural relativism

Question 16

What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 16

It is a positive approach, focusing on the positive aspects rather than the negative. It has influenced “positive psychology,” a type of psychology with a positive outlook