Abnormality Flashcards
What does the term abnormal mean?
Deviating from the average (norm). Any rare behaviour or ability is abnormal.
3 ways of defining abnormality
- deviation from social norms
- failure to function adequately
- deviation from ideal mental health
Social norms are explicit or implicit
Both
Implicit= unspoken Explicit= spoken
Example of implicit social norm
Standing too close to someone
Example of a explicit social norm
Laws
Signs (standing to the right on escalator)
People who violate social norms are often considered
deviant or abnormal
Name some limitations of the deviation from social norms definition
Eccentric or abnormal abnormal or criminal role of context change with the times risk of abuse cultural issues
Limitations of the failure to function adequately definition
Not the whole picture
Exceptions to the rule
Direction of causality: cultural issues
Define failure to function adequately
A person with a psychological disorder often experiences distress and the inability to cope with everyday activities like work or social activities.
Who put forward the option of ideal mental health
Marie Jahoda in 1958
What did Marie Jahoda do?
She identified six major criteria for optimal living which she believed promoted psychological health and wellbeing. Anyone lacking these qualities would be vulnerable to mental disorder in her opinion.
Name the six criteria by Marie Jahoda of ideal mental health
- Positive Attitudes
- Self-actualisation of one’s potential
- Resistance to stress
- Personal Autonomy
- Accurate perception of reality
- Adapting to and mastering the environment
What are social norms?
Social norms are explicit and implicit rules that society has about acceptable behaviours, values and beliefs
Define implicit rules
convention within society, unspoken rules
Define explicit rules
Laws, if violated behaviour seen as criminal
Whats taken into account by doctors when diagnosing a disorder?
Failure to function- occupational and social functioning
What does DSM stand for?
Diagnostic and statistical manual
What does GAF stand for?
GAF- Global assessment of functioning scale
What is no longer part of the DSM
GAF scale
Examples of impairment to function adequately
Depressed mood Mild insomnia Suicidal ideation Severe obsessional rituals Danger of hurting oneself or others
Name the 3 limitations associated with the social norms definition
Changes with time
Risk of Abuse
Cultural Issues
What happened to the DSM in 1973
homosexuality removed and replaced by the category sexual orientation disturbance. Homosexuality no longer seen as an abnormality.
Limited as changes with time as fails to provide you with a list of behaviours which are abnormal at all times.
Example of cultural issues limitation of social norms
In African and Indian cultures hearing voices is seen as normal and seen as a way of contacting loved ones.
Example of changes with time limitations of social norm
homosexuality removed from DSM, used to be seen as abnormal behaviour
Example of Risk of abuse limitation of social norm
In some countries dissidents may be classed as mentally ill due to their opposing views to the ruling party- seen as social control.
Limitations of the failure to function adequately definition
Dysfunction is not an indicator of all disorders. Psychological disorders may not prevent a person from functioning adequately. People can maintain adequate functioning despite clinical levels of a disorder. The psychopath can appear normal most of the time and show no distress over his/her behaviour.
Identify and explain one definition of abnormality
Deviation from social norms, not understanding implicit social norms like invading peoples personal space and laughing during inappropriate times to the affect the situation.
Explain a limitation of deviation from social norms
Behaviour can be seen as eccentric rather than abnormal, only some behaviours can be regarded as pathological.
Name the 4 approaches to abnormality
- Biological/Physiological
- Psychodynamic
- Cognitive
- Behavioural
Describe the biological approach to abnormality
All behaviour normal and abnormal is rooted in our biology, particularly the brain
Identify the 3 key features of the biological approach
Genetics
Biochemistry
Brain Structure
Define concordant
Twins both develop disease
Define discordant
Only one twin develop disease
If one twin develops a disease are they concordant or discordant
discordant
Explain the twin studies
the presence or absence of a disease in twins can indicate level of disease causation which can be credited to an individual genetic make up rather than environmental exposures
Define monozygotic
Identical twins
Define dizygotic
(non identical) 2 different fertilised eggs, share 50% of genes like siblings
Describe the adoption studies
Twins are more likely to share environment. If twins adopted they are exposed to different environment to sibling. Adoptions tidies look at a disease between genetically identically related twins in comparison to adoptive relatives. If concordance rate is higher in a adoptive then environmental factors are important.
What 2 studies investigate genetic explanations of abnormality?
Twin studies and Adoption studies
Outline the key features of the biological approach to psychopathology
Genetics
Biochemistry
Brain Structure
Explain the brain structure feature in the biological approach
Abnormalities are because of changes in the structure of the brain e.g. the size or function of the brain, enlarged ventricles
Explain the Genetics feature in the biological approach
Abnormalities have a genetic component and can be inherited
Concordance rate
Twins studies
Explain the biochemistry feature in the biological approach
Abnormalities caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain too much or too little of a hormone or neurotransmitter which can affect mood.
The higher the concordance rate the …
more likely both twins will suffer from the same disorder
Weakness of the biochemical explanation
Issue of cause and effect
Evaluate the genetics feature in the biological approach
Concordance rate is not 100% in MZ twins therefore genes is not entirely responsible and other facts contribute to the development of mental disorders
Why are genes not entirely responsible for determining whether an individual develops a mental disorder or not
Concordance rate in MZ twins is NOT 100% so other factors must contribute.
Identify one specific brain area where abnormality has been identified in schizophrenic patients
Paralimbic cortex -goldsteins evidence
Identify one methodological strength of Goldsteins research
- Matched pairs- individual differences accounted for
- Extraneous variables controlled
- Objective research- brain scan
Explain one way in which psychologists have investigated the genetic basis of abnormality
Researchers carried out twin studies. The studies enabled them to establish whether specific abnormalities have genetic links by comparing concordance rates fro MZ’s & DZ’s. Both sets of twins share the same environment but only MZ’s share the same genes. If a disorder has a genetic basis we would expect the concordance rates to be higher for the MZ twins. For example Gottesmans research shows that for MZ twins the concordance rates for schizophrenia are 48% compared to 17% for DZ twins. Shows some evidence for a genetic link.
Identify research that supports the genetic basis of abnormality
Gottesmans research shows that for MZ twins the concordance rates for schizophrenia are 48% compared to 17% for DZ twins. Shows some evidence for a genetic link.
Founder of Psychodynamic approach
Sigmund Freud
What did Sigmund Freud do
Began career as doctor of medicine and realised that some of his patients symptoms such as paralysis and severe headaches had no physical cause. He proposed that such physical symptoms were caused by deep rooted psychological conflict within the unconscious mind
Psychodynamic approach explanation
All behaviour normal and abnormal Freud believed derived from unconscious forces and the dynamics of personality structures
What did Sigmund Freud believe led to development of psychological abnormality
Poor quality early relationships and traumatic childhood experiences
3 key features to explain Freud’s original theory of psychodynamic approach to abnormal behaviour
Model of the personality
Stages of psychosexual development
Defence mechanisms
What is the ‘id’?
It is based on pleasure principle and present from birth
Unconscious state of mind- instinctive aspect of personality
Demands satisfaction and will not tolerate delay of wishes
Libido= sexual energy
What does the id do
A seething mass of contradictory desires oblivious to reason and morality
What is the ego (psychodynamic approach)
Based on reality principle
Child learns there are consequences of his/her actions
Partly conscious partly unconscious aware of desires of the ID and outside world
Rational and calculating developing through experience of outside world
Balances demands of the ID and superego
What is the super-ego (psychodynamic approach)
Based on morality principle
The relentless judge
Voice of parents/society formed from experiences with parents
Makes us feel guilty and rewards with pride if go along with restrictions
Briefly describe the ID, ego, and super-ego
ID- unconscious, instinctive
Ego- conscious, aware of desires of ID + Super-ego, reality principle.
Super-ego - conscience, sense of morality. voice of parents, determine guilt or pride depending whether followed restrictions
Describe the different type of egos
Strong ego- well adjusted who can cope with demands of the ID and superego
Unchecked ID impulses- if unchecked ID impulses might be expressed in destructive way
Too powerful superego- super-ego might overpower the ID and person deprived of any social pleasure
What type of Ego would a person suffering from OCD have
Too powerful ego- obsessively cleaning
What type of Ego would a person suffering from ADHD have
Unchecked ID impulses
Simply describe the model of the personality
ID (devil)
Super-ego (angel)
Ego (you)