Definitions of abnormality: PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Question 1

what are the 4 main definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

1) deviation from social norms
2) Failure to function adequately
3) Deviation from ideal mental health
4) Statistical infrequency

Question 2

what does deviation from social norms state

Answer 2

that abnormality is when we step away from what is normally accepted and expected in society

Question 3

One example of a mental illness that deviates from social norms

Answer 3

• Anti-social personality disorder
• One symptom = ‘absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour’

Question 4

What are the two types of social norms?

Answer 4

Explicit (told to u)

Implicit (you just know)

Question 5

what does failure to function adequately state about abnormality?

Answer 5

Abnormality is seen as an inability to cope with everyday situations e.g: work, school, society

Question 6

What are the two methods used by psychologists to determine

whether someone is functioning adequately?

Answer 6

• Global assessment of Functioning questionnaire

- Observe behaviour

Question 7

what is the Global assessment of Functioning questionnaire

Answer 7

• scores range from 10 to 100
• Score 10= suicidal
• score 100= superior

Question 8

How do psychologists determine behaviour that seems to not function adequately ?

which 3 of these do WE look at?

who proposed these ideas?

Answer 8

Rosenman + Seligman suggest there are 7 characteristics determining a failure to function adequately.
-We look at 3 of these being Unpredictability, irrationality, creating observer discomfort

Question 9

outline and define the 3 observable characteristics determining FFA

Answer 9

• Unpredictability= Inconsistent in behaviour
• Irrationality= Reactions and behaviours that are extreme responses , feelings or behaviours that don’t makes sense
• Creating observer discomfort= making others feel uncomfortable

Question 10

who put the ideas of deviation from ideal mental health forward

What was the focus of these ideas

Answer 10

• Jahoda 1958
• Focus on positives rather than negatives (mental health rather than mental illness)
• outlined 6 criteria

Question 11

What were the 6 criteria established by Jahoda in 1958

Answer 11

1) Positive attitude towards self
2) Self actualisation of one’s potential
3)Personal Autonomy

4) Resistance to stress
5) Accurate perception of reality
6) Adapting to the environment

Question 12

How does statistical infrequency determine abnormality

Answer 12

• uses statistics to find the statistical minority of data
• If a behaviour or trait is statistically rare, it becomes abnormal
• uses Distribution curves to identify this
  If you are at either end of a normal distribution curve, you are abnormal
• Decide on set % for trait we are assessing
  -E.g for psychosis, 1.5 to 3.5% of people will meet the criteria for a primary psychiatric disorder in their lifetime