Psychology-Psychopathology Flashcards
What is psychopathology?
The scientific study of psychological disorders
What are the definitions of abnormality?
Statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health
What is statistical infrequency?
Mean, median and mode are descriptive statistics that are used as a way to represent the typical value for any set of data, and many aspects of what is normal is defined by referring to typical values. Abnormality therefore is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare
What is an example of statistical infrequency?
A frequency distribution graph will show what is normal, and usually either ends of it will be what is abnormal. For example a graph of intelligence in the population would be a bell shaped curve, either ends of it (genius or low intelligence) would class as abnormal
What are the evaluation points for statistical infrequency?
Some abnormal behaviour is desirable, the cut off point is subjectively determined and statistical infrequency is sometimes appropriate
Explain ‘some abnormal behaviour is desirable’ as an evaluation point
Many abnormal behaviours are actually desirable eg very few people have an IQ over 150, so it is abnormal however it would not be undesirable. Also some normal behaviours are undesirable such as depression. Therefore this definition cannot distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours
Explain ‘the cut off point is subjectively determined’ as an evaluation point
It has to be decided at what point does normal become abnormal. This is subjective as many people will have different opinions. Although either ends of the scale are easy to distinguish between really abnormal and really normal, but at point where the two meet there will be many slightly different opinions, leading someone to possibly be labelled as abnormal when in fact some people would still class it as normal
Explain ‘statistical infrequency is sometimes appropriate’ as an evaluation point
In some situations it is appropriate to use a statistical criterion to define abnormality eg intellectual disability is defined in terms of the normal distribution using the concept of standard deviation to establish a cut off point for abnormality. Anyone with an IQ more than two standard deviations below the mean is judged as having a mental disorder-however this diagnosis would only be made in conjunction with failure to function adequately
What is deviation from social norms?
Social norms are created by a group of people (Social_. In any society there are standards of acceptable behaviour that are set by the social group and adhered to by those socialised into that group. Anyone that deviates from these would be considered abnormal. The standards are often there for good reasons eg politeness, to help people know how to behave, to stop unacceptable behaviour etc
What is an example of deviation from social norms?
In the past, homosexuality was classified as abnormal and regarded as a mental disorder. It was also against the law in the UK. This judgement was based on social deviation-a judgement made by society at that time
What are the evaluation points for deviation from social norms?
Susceptible to abuse, deviance is related to context and degree, there are some strengths, and cultural relativism
Explain ‘susceptible to abuse’ as an evaluation point?
Social norms vary as times change so what is socially acceptable now, may not have been 50 years ago eg homosexuality. If abnormality is defined in terms of deviation from social norms, it opens the door to definitions based on prevailing social morals and attitudes. Szasz claimed that the concept of mental illness was simply a way to exclude nonconformists from society
Explain ‘deviance is related to context and degree’ as an evaluation point
For example, at a beach it is acceptable to wear swimming clothes (next to nothing) but the same outfit in a classroom or formal gathering would be abnormal, and a possible indication of a mental disorder. In many cases there is not a clear line between what is an abnormal deviation and what is simply more harmless eccentricity. Also somethings may be normal but abnormal if they are excessive and so cannot be determined in one moment
Explain ‘there are some strengths’ as an evaluation point
The definition distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviour (unlike with statistical infrequency). The social deviancy model also takes into account the effect that behaviours has on others. Deviance is defined in terms of transgression of social rules and social rules are established in order to help people live together
Explain ‘cultural relativism’ as an evaluation point
Cultural relativism is the view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates. What is abnormal in one culture may be normal in another, and what is normal somewhere may be abnormal elsewhere. This evaluation point works for both statistical infrequency and deviation from social norms
What is failure to function adequately?
People are judged on their ability to go about daily life, eg eating regularly, washing clothes, communicating etc. If they can’t do this and are also experiencing distress (or others are distressed by their behaviour eg with schizophrenia where the person may not know or be distressed) then it is considered a sign of abnormality. It can also be abnormality is someone is not coping with life in a normal day eg they may be content living in unwashed clothes without a regular job (but only abnormality if it causes distress to others or self)
What is an example of failure to function adequately?
The DSM includes an assessment of ability to function called WHODAS (World health organisation disability assessment) which considers six areas (understanding and communicating, getting around, self-care, getting along with people, life activities and participation in society. Each item has a scale of 1-5 and are given an overall score out of 180. An assessment of abnormality using the DSM would include a quantitative measure of functioning
What are evaluation points for failure to function adequately?
Who judges, the behaviour may be quite functional and strengths of the definition
Explain ‘who judges’ as an evaluation point
The patient them self may recognise that they are not coping and may feel distressed, but also an individual may be content and/or unaware they aren’t coping, and so others judge the behaviour as abnormal eg with schizophrenia. This is a weakness of this definition as it depends on who is making the judgement
Explain ‘the behaviour may be quite functional’ as an evaluation point
Some dysfunctional behaviours can be adaptive and functional for the individual eg some mental disorders such as eating disorders or depression, may lead to extra attention for the individual. This is rewarding and functional for the individual as it can lead to getting help
Explain the strengths of this definition
It recognises the subjective experience of the patient, allowing us to view mental disorders from the point of view of the person experiencing it. Also it is relatively easy to judge objectively due to WHODAS
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness. Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and an accurate perception of reality. Jahoda shows that physical health is defined in part by looking at the absence of signs of physical health and so suggested it should be the same for mental health. Deviation from ideal mental health would therefore be an indicator of abnormality and a possible mental disorder
What are the evaluation points for deviation from ideal mental health?
Unrealistic criteria, suggests that mental health is the same as physical health, it is a positive approach and cultural relativism
Explain ‘unrealistic criteria’ as an evaluation point
According to the criteria, most people would be abnormal. It is also not clear on how many criteria need to be lacking before someone is judged as abnormal. Also the criteria are quite difficult to measure eg hard to assess capacity for personal growth or environmental mastery. Therefore this approach is not very useable when it comes to defining abnormality