Chapter 5: Diagnosis and Classification of Psychological Problems Flashcards
What does psychopathology examine?
examines the nature and development of abnormal behaviour, thoughts, and feelings
Definition of psychopathologist:
scientists that studies the cause of mental disorders and the factors that influence its development
What do we need to know about the definition of abnormal behaviour?
definitions of abnormality vary widely and may not capture all aspects of psychopathology
it is hard to define abnormal behaviour – no one definition is sufficient
Does abnormal behaviour indicate mental illness?
Abnormal behaviour does not necessarily indicate mental illness.
What are the 5 characteristics of abnormal behaviour?
Disability
Personal Distress
Violation of Social Norms
Dysfunction
Statistical Infrequency
What is the disability characteristic of abnormal behaviour?
impairment in a key area
ex. chronic alcohol consumption results in job loss
What is the personal distress characteristic of abnormal behaviour?
emotional pain and suffering
ex. helplessness and hopelessness of depression
What is the violation of social norms characteristic of abnormal behaviour?
makes others uncomfortable or causes problems
ex. antisocial behaviour of the psychopath
What is the dysfunction characteristic of abnormal behaviour?
Biological, social and occupational
What is the statistical infrequency characteristic of abnormal behaviour?
suggest that rare behaviours are abnormal
What does the curve in statistical infrequency as a characteristic of abnormal behaviour indicate?
Normal curve indicates that some behaviours are common while others are rare
Common behaviours are at the middle of the normal curve
Rare behaviours fall at the tails of the curve
What are the 3 definitions of abnormal psychology?
Statistical Infrequency or Violation of social norms
Subjective distress
Disability, Dysfunction or Impairment
What is the Definition Abnormal Psychology: Statistical Infrequency or Violation of Social Norms?
Person whose behaviour is deviant or non-conforming is likely to be noted as “abnormal”
Normal curve indicates that some behaviours are common while others are rare
Common behaviours are at the middle of the normal curve
Rare behaviours fall at the tails of the curve
What are the advantages of the definition statistical infrequency or violation of social norms?
Cutoff Points: Has cutoff marks that are quantitative (a low score can be compared to the cutoff point). Ex: Used to compare psychological test scores (above the cutoff is clinically significant).
- Can be established and used
Intuitive Appeal: Behaviours that we consider abnormal would be judged as abnormal by others.
- We tend to think we know abnormal behaviour when we see it
What are the problems of the definition statistical infrequency or violation of social norms?
Choice of Cutoff Points: onformity criteria are limited as it is difficult to establish cutoff points. Very few guidelines on how to form cutoff points. Shouldn’t categorize every abnormality as deviant.
- How to decide?
The Number of Deviations: How many deviant behaviours are needed to earn the label “deviant”?
- Number of deviations required
Cultural Relativity: What is classified as deviant for one group, is not deviant for another. Also some behaviors that are appropriate at one developmental stage may be inappropriate at another (focus on comparison to same-age peers and not all-peers).
- Deviance differs for different groups
What is the Definition Abnormal Psychology: Subjective Distress?
Subjective feelings and sense of well-being of the individual (ex. Feeling happy, sad, troubled…)
Behaviours that are accompanied by distress are abnormal
What are the advantages of the definition subjective distress?
Individuals are aware of their emotional experiences and can express them: harder for children.
Seems reasonlable to expect that person can assess whether or not s/he is experiencing distress
What are the problems of the definition subjective distress?
Labelling someone as maladjusted only works if their behaviour is specified and their behavioural manifestations are stated.
Can think of a number of exceptions: antisocial Personality Disorders, Manies, Psychosis
What is the Definition Abnormal Psychology: Disability, Dysfunction or impairment?
Disability/dysfunction definition argues that impairment of life can be a component of abnormal behaviour
Social: Interpersonal relationships are affected
Occupaitional: Job is disrupted, perhaps even lost
Perosnal: Day-to-day functioning is impaired
What are the advantages of the definition disability, dysfunction, or impairment?
Relatively little interference is needed; people seek treatment for social and work problems.
Often prompts people to seek treatment because their normal life is interrupted
What are the problems of the definition disability, dysfunction, or impairment?
Judgements regarding social and occupational dysfunction is relative not absolute (no standard)
- There are self-report inventories and interviews to assess work and social functioning.
In how many domains of functioning must you see problems? (1,2,3, more?)
Definition of mental illness?
The syndrome (cluster of abnormal behvaiours) must be associated with distress, disability, or increased risk of problems
A mental disorder is considered to represent?
a dysfunction within an individual
Are all deviant behaviour or conflicts in society are indicative of a mental disorder?
Not all deviant behavior or conflicts in society are indicative of a mental disorder (ex: cultural, religious…)
