P1: Psychopathology Flashcards
What does abnormal mean?
Something that is undesirable and requires change
What definition of abnormality is this?
Any behaviour which breaks the unwritten rules of society.
Deviation of social norms
What are the weaknesses of deviation from social norms?
Lacks cultural bias- ethnocentric bias in diagnosis
Norms change over time
Ignores context
Subjective definition
What are the strengths of deviation from social norms?
Easy to distinguish normal from abnormal
Allows the consideration of the social dimensions of behaviour
Allows for an understanding that a behaviour may be normal in one situation but not another
What definition of abnormality is this?
Statistically uncommon, rare or anomalous behaviours.
Depends on normal distribution; most people around the mean.
Statistical infrequency
What are the weaknesses of statistical infrequency definition?
Lacks cultural bias
Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal, some are actually desirable; high IQ/ Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent eg. depression is experienced by around 10% of the population
Labelling causes distress
What are the strengths of statisical infrequency definition?
Objective, value free measure of the level of mental disability
Real life application
Clearly appropriate for many mental illnesses where statistical criteria is available
What definition of abnormality is this?
Jahoda’s 6 criteria needs to be met to be ‘normal’ (self-attitude, self-actualisation, integration, autonomy, reality, integration).
Deviation from ‘ideal mental health’
What is Jahoda’s 6 criteria for ideal mental health?
Self- attitude, Self- actualisation, Integration, Autonomy, Reality, Mastery
The more of the criteria the individual fails to meet, the further away from normality they are
What are the weaknesses of deviation from ‘ideal mental health’?
Difficult to measure
Culture bias- mental health criteria vary across cultures;
Collectivist societies- reject the importance of individual autonomt for mental health
Reality changes over time
Over demanding criteria- at any one moment most people do not meet all ideals- we are all ‘abnormal’
What are the strengths of deviation from ‘ideal mental health’?
Can be used as an aspiration- positive approach to mental problems
Focus on desirables rather than undesirables
What definition of abnormality is this?
Unable to cope with the demands of daily life.
Failure to function adequately
What are the weaknesses of failure to function adequately definition?
Difficult to define, issues with who has the right to define abnormal as dysfunctional
Ignores context
Abormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
eg. psychopaths can commit murder and still appear normal
What are the strengths of failure to function adequately definition?
Real life application
Takes into account the experiences of the patient, allowing assessment to be made from the point of view of the person experiencing it
Relatively easy to judge objectively- assessment criteria
Explain the Two process model (Mowrer)- explanation of phobias
We acquire phobias through classical conditioning and maintain them through operant conditioning. When an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant the behaviour results in a pleasant consequence which means the behaviour is likely to be repeated.
What are the strengths of the two process model?
Watson and Rayner: Little Albert research- real life application
The loud noise is an unconditioned stimulus and Albert’s response to it is an unconditioned response. Before conditioning the rat was a neutral stimulus.
By the third trial Albert showed fear whenever he saw the rat.
The rat was now a conditioned stimulus and Albert’s fear was a conditioned response.
What are the weaknesses of the two process model?
Ignores cognition and evolution
Does not account for the fact that some phobias are far more frequent.
Explain Systematic desensitisation- Treatment of phobias
Clients create an anxiety hierarchy and are taught relaxation techniques and gradually exposed to their fear- the body can’t sustain high arousal for long.
This is a gradual proces which includes counter-conditioning.
Weaknesses of SD as a treatments of phobias
SD is time consuming. Ignores cognition behind phobias. Not suitable for all people.
Explain Flooding- Treatment of phobias
Immediate exposure over 2-3hrs. Clients are exposed to their phobias after learning relaxation techniques until it no longer fears them (extinction).
Strengths of Flooding as a treatment of phobias
Effective in results. Flooding is cost-effective.
Outline the genetic explanation for OCD
Genes are involved in individual vulnerability to OCD.
COMT gene regulates the production of dopamine. SERT gene transports serotonin. If these genes are faulty, it can lead to damanges in the brain.
Outline Neural explanations of OCD
Genes associated with OCD are likely to affect the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
Damaged orbitofrontal cortex leads to ‘worry signals’ looped in the brain.
High dopamine and low serotonin can cause damage.
Thalamus- cleaning and checking behaviours
Overactive thalamus= OCD behaviours
What are the Strengths and weaknesses of SD?
Ethical- Controlled to protect the patient from harm
Effective- Gilroy et al spider phobia
Can be done in VR
Can be used for people with learning difficulties
Works for a diverse range of phobias
Time consuming and expensive- gradual nature
