Phycopathology Flashcards
3 factors to decide if someone is abnormal
Risk of harming self or others
Not fitting in
Being unusual
Why do we need to identify psychological abnormality
They may need treatment
What is a social norm
A rule / judgement held by a group about how people should behave and act
What is abnormal behaviour
Someone behaves in a way that group deems to be unusual or unacceptable
Someone doesn’t fit in
Anti social personality
Mental illness
Leads to criminals
Mood disorders
No guilt
Symptoms of schizotypal
Superstition and belief in the supernatural that deviate from the persons cultural norms
Odd thinking and speech
Behaviour or appearence that is odd or eccentric
What is failure to function adequately (FFA)
Behaviour is seen as abnormal if the person is not coping with typical activities and demands involved in every day life
Examples of not coping
Poor basic hygiene
Bad diet
Not leaving the house
Struggling relationships
Limitation of ffa
Some people choose to deviate from the social norm
Strength of ffa
Show when treatment is t required
Weakness of ffa
Doesn’t consider peoples choices
Jahoda 1958 study
Don’t concentrate on what makes you abnormal but what makes you normal and psychologically healthy
What is ideal mental health
Being sociable
Stable relationships
Experiencing joy
Jahodas 8 criteria
No symptoms or distress
Rational and accurate self perception
Self actualisation
Cope with stress
Realistic view in world
Good self esteem
Independent
Can work, love and enjoy leisure
What is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality
Uses statistics to show infrequent or rare behaviour to indicate abnormality
Frequent behaviour shown by average is considered normal
What does DSM stand for
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
Who was DSM published by
American psychiatric association
DSM purpose
Common language for researchers and psychologists and standard criteria for diagnosis
When was DSM published
1952
Latest one was in 2013 (DSM 5)
How is DSM a work in progress
It is constantly reviewed and check up on
Society changes an so does the view of mental health
E.g. homosexuality used to be considered abnormal
What is a phobia
Excessive fear and anxiety
A lot harder to cope with than a fear
Triggered by object, place or situation
Level of fear is out of proportion to level of danger
Difference between a phobia and a fear
Phobias impact every day life
Specific phobia
Fear of object e.g. animal
Social anxiety
Phobia of social situation such as public speaking or using public toilet
