Psychopatholgy Flashcards
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
What is the definition of statistical infrequency?
A person is classified as abnormal if their behaviour is rare or statistically unusual.
What is a strength of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?
S- good real world application- helps professionals to diagnose people with a disorder and shows how severe it is. For example, if you score under 70 on an iq test or over 40 on Beck’s depression meter you can be helped more easily
What are limitations of statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality?
L- can give people an unnecessary label- for example if a person has an iq over 135 they are technically abnormal and don’t need a label as it could come with negative stigma. This can also be said with people with an iq under 70.
L- some behaviours are not statistically infrequent but still need treatment- depression effects 27% of elderly people but this doesn’t mean they don’t need help.
L- where is the cut off point?- for example why is an iq under 70 seen as manageable but an iq of 69 means someone requires help
What us the definition of deviation from social norms?
This sees any behaviour which differs from that which society expects as abnormal.
What is an example of deviation from social norms?
-Wearing bright colours to a funeral
-not wearing shoes in public
What is cultural relativism?
When something is seen as normal and acceptable in one culture but abnormal in another.
What is an example of cultural relativism?
Being homosexual is seen as acceptable in the UK but in Middle Eastern countries such as Brunei it can be punishable by death
What is situational relativism?
When something is seen as normal in one situation but abnormal in another
What is an example of situational relativism?
Being naked on a nudist beach compared to being naked in public
What is a strength of DfSN as an explanation for abnormality?
S- good real world application- can be used in psychiatry to make a clinical diagnosis, core example is reckless and aggressive they can be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
What are limitations of DfSN as an explanation for abnormality?
L- definition of ‘social norms’ can change- cultural relativism and situational relativism may apply
L- human rights- DfSN has been use to persecute people of different cultures such as slaves
What is the definition of failure to function adequately?
A person who fails to function and cope in everyday life.
What are examples of failure to function adequately?
-being unable to hold down a job
-not being able to leave the house
-not drinking
-not washing
What signs did Seligman say were displayed if someone wasn’t functioning adequately?
-a person breaks interpersonal rules, thy cannot hold eye contact or respect personal space
-when a person is severely distressed
-when a persons behaviour is irrational and dangerous to themselves and others
What is a strength of failure to function adequately?
S- sets a reasonable threshold- the charity ‘mind’ shows that 25% of people struggle with a mental health issue throughout the year. However they don’t all require help.
What is a limitation of failure to function adequately?
L- not generalisable- some people may not be failing to function adequately but just live an alternative lifestyle, such as travellers would fall into the category of failure to function adequately even though they just don’t follow social norms.
What is the definition of deviation from ideal mental health?
Sees any behaviour which differs from good psychological health as abnormal
What was Jahoda’s criteria for good mental health?
-no symptoms of distress
-rational with an accurate perception of reality
-we can self-actualise
-we have a realistic view of the world
-good self esteem and lack of guilt
-independent of other people
-successfully love, work and enjoy leisure
What is a strength of DfIMA?
S- Good real world application- jahodas criteria is very comprehensive so psychiatrists can easily identify and treat mental health issues using it.
What’s a limitation of DfIMH?
L- unrealistic- Jahoda’s criteria sets a very high standard and it’s likely very few people will reach the demands but not have a mental health issue.
What are the cognitive symptoms of phobias?
Selective attention to the phobic stimulus
Irrational beliefs
Cognitive distortions
What are behavioural symptoms of phobias
Panic
Avoidance
Endurance
What are emotional symptoms of phobias?
Unreasonable emotional response
Anxiety
Fear
What are the strengths of the behaviourist explanation for phobias?
S- real world applications- the two-process model of classical and operant conditioning lead to the development of systematic desensitisation and flooding
S- supporting evidence- Ad De Jongh found that 73% of people with a phobia of thr dentist had past trauma. This compared to people who didn’t have a fear of the dentist who only 21% had had a traumatic experience in the past
What are limitations of the behaviourist explanation of phobias?
L- floored design- not all phobias come from a traumatic experience. For example some of the most common phobias in the UK are snakes and sharks but no one has a phobia of cars which kill way more people.
L- states all phobias come from direct experience. Whereas some phobias such as the dark are inherited so have a biological explanation
What’s the the three steps of systematic desensitisation?
Create the ‘anxiety hierarchy’
Teach relaxation techniques
Work through the hierarchy
What is flooding?
The instant exposure of a phobic stimulus which is very frightening to the patient.
What are the strengths of systematic desensitisation?
S- supporting evidence- Gilroy followed 42 people with a phobia of spiders who had 3x45 mins sessions of SD compared to those who had basic relaxation therapy and 3 years later the people who did SD were less scared than the control group
S- can he used for everyone- ideal for younger children or people with mental disabilities as is more gradual and can be stopped at any time
S- applies to all phobias- virtual reality can be used for fears such as heights.
What are the limitations of SD?
L- takes longer- flooding is only one 3 hour session while SD takes multiple sessions which means it’s more expensive and time consuming.
L- lacks realism- Weachsler said that using virtual reality is very different from real life
What is a strength of flooding?
S- cost effective- only takes one 3 hour session which creates a shorter waiting list and is cheaper
What is a limitation of flooding?
L- highly traumatic- if a person drops out of flooding half way through at maximum anxiety levels it can make their phobia worse
What are three behavioural characteristics of depression
Change in activity levels
Disrupted sleep and eating
Aggression and self harm
What are three cognitive symptoms of depression
Poor concentration
Dwelling on the negative
Black and white (absolutist) thinking
What are three emotional symptoms of depression
Lowered mood
Anger
Lowered self esteem