Paper 1 - Psychopathology - Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
What does pathology mean?
The study of causes of disease
What does psychopathology mean?
The study of mental disease
Why do we need psychopathology?
So psychologists can diagnose people to help them recover
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
Statistical infrequencies / deviations from statistical norms
Deviations from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
Explain the definition of abnormality - Statistical infrequencies / deviations from statistical norms?
This is when we decide that abnormal is anything that isn’t normal because it is statistically infrequent
/
Because they represent a small subgroup of the population?
In an exam how could you explain statistical infrequency (as a definition of abnormality)?
You could use a diagram of a bell curve
What are the strengths of Statistical infrequencies / deviations from statistical norms as a definition of abnormality?
It is an obvious, relatively quick and easy way to define abnormality
Real life applications: it is relatively easy to determine abnormality using psychometric tests developed using statistical methods
Most patients with a mental disorder will undergo some kind of measurement of their symptoms in comparison to the norm
What are the limitations of Statistical infrequencies / deviations from statistical norms as a definition of abnormality?
Desirability of behaviour. Many behaviour are rare but considered highly desirable eg a high IQ isn’t good
It is difficult to know how far you have to deviate from the norm to be considered abnormal
Benefits of a label. A label of abnormal isn’t helpfully to people
Something can be frequent but still considered abnormal eg depression
Culture and historical relativism. Different cultures do things differently
What is the new way to say psychopath?
Antisocial personality disorder
Explain the definition of abnormality - deviation from social norms
Anything that is different from societies social laws is abnormal
What are the strengths of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
Real life applications in terms of diagnoses
What are the limitations of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
Historical issues - Homosexuality was illegal in the UK (1967?)
Cultural issues -
Japan - you are considered insane if you don’t work
Russia - a diagnosis of insanity are used to detain political opposition
In some cultures it is considered normal to talk to the dead
Social control - this approach has been used as a form of social control. Eg escaped slaves were said to have an addiction to running away
Explain failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
This is the inability to cope with day to day life caused by psychological distress or discomfort which may lead to harm of self or others
(Names needed) Rosenhan and Selingman (1989) proposed 6 major features which indicate a person may not be functioning adequately. The more of these features that a person has, the more likely they are to be considered abnormal
What are the strengths of the definition of abnormality of failure to function adequately?
Patients perspective - attempts to include the subjective experiences of the individuals. Although any individuals assessment of their own distress may be very subjective ,it does at least acknowledge the experiences of the patient as important
What are the limitations of the definition of abnormality of failure to function adequately?
It is very subjective
You need context of behaviour - some people may do thinks to function which may be considered abnormal
Some people with psychological disorders still function adequately
People don’t like labels especially if the person is now able to function adequately because the issue is in the past
