5.1 Psychopathology (Definitions of Abnormality)

Question 1

What are the definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 2

Suggests behaviour that is concerning or different from the accepted standards of behaviour

Question 3

Describe 2 characteristics of antisocial personality disorder

Answer 3

• Absence of prosocial behaviour
• Failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour

Question 4

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 4

Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health

Question 5

Name 3 criteria for Jahodas ideal mental health

Answer 5

• No symptoms or distress
• Rational + can perceive oneself accurately
• Self actualise
• Good self esteem

Question 6

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 6

When an individual has less common/statistically uncommon characteristics

Question 7

What classifies intellectual disability disorder?

Answer 7

An IQ lower than 70 (2% of population)

Question 8

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 8

A person can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life

Question 9

Name 3 of Rosenhan + Seligmans signs that someone is not coping

Answer 9

• No longer conform to interpersonal norms e.g eye contact
• Severe personal distress
• Irrational + dangerous to themselves or others

Question 10

A03 for failure to function adequately

Answer 10

1. Lifestyle choices viewed as abnormal
Some willingly choose to deviate, difficult to distinguish failing. alternative lifestyles may choose to live ‘off-grid’, unusual choices risk abnormality, restricts freedom

2. Represent threshold for help
Shows when professional help needed, at the point where we tend to function adequately we seek professional help, treatment can be targeted at those who need most

Question 11

AO3 for statistical infrequency

Answer 11

1. Real world application
IQ tests beneficial, low IQ=IDD, abnormal levels of depression lead to diagnosis, importance of statistics to understand/diagnose

2. Unusual characteristics can be positive
High IQ (above 130) not considered abnormal, low depression not abnormal, unusual on one end of spectrum, not sufficient as sole basis of diagnosis

Question 12

A03 for deviation from social norms

Answer 12

1. Cultural relativism
Norms change frequently, each culture has own norms which may clash, eye contact in eastern=intimidating, Rosenhan + Seligman=lack of eye contact means failure to cope, difficult to judge across cultures

2. Real life application
Used in clinical practice, antisocial personality disorder=reckless behaviour e.g recklessness+aggressiveness, also characterises schizotypal personality disorder, value in psychiatry

Question 13

A03 for deviation from mental health

Answer 13

1. Comprehensive definition
Jahodas concept provides range of criteria for mental disorders, mental health discussed meaningfully with professionals, provides checklist to assess ourselves and others, discuss psychological issues

2. Culture-bound
Elements not equally applicable across cultures, criteria firmly located in context of US + Europe e.g self-actualise=self indulgent in other cultures, difficult to apply concept of mental health from one culture to another