Psychopathology 1 Flashcards
Statistical infrequency
When an individual has a less common characteristic for example being higher iq than 130
Strength of statistical infrequency
Usefulness in rw used in clinical practice diagnosis of disorders for example those belo 70iq diagnosed w intellectual disability disorder.
= useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
Limitation of statistical infrequency
Infrequent characteristics can be positive such as we would view someone w iq over 130 as abnormal or very low on the depression scale as abnormal may be unusual but doesn’t make someone abnormal
= not sufficient
Deviation from social norms
A behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a society
Strength of deviation from social norms
Usefulness used in clinical practice eg psychopathy characteristic failure to conform to acceptable behaviour used diagnosing schizophrenia all deviate from social norms
= value in medicine
Limitation of social norms
The variability between cultures and what is a norm. May label as abnormal from 1 culture to another eg in tribes talked to by ancestors uk would diagnose as schizophrenia. Even within culture aggression accepted in a boxing match however frowned upon at dinner
= difficult to judge and use as an explanation of abnormality
Failure to function adequately
When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day life
Rosenhan - no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules
Sever personal distress
Dangerous to themselves
CSD
Strength of failure to function adequately
Represents sensible threshold to seek help. Everyone on depression spectrum if reach this point seek pro help
= means treatment can be targeted to those who need it most
Limitation of failure to function adequately
Discriminate label a nonstandard lifestyle as abnormal. Eg travellers may be seen as abnormal as they don’t have a permanent address or a job. Adrenaline junkies danger to self
= those who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and restrict freedom
Deviation from mental health
When someone doesn’t reach the set of criteria for good mental heath
No distress
Rational
Self actualise
Cope w stress
Good self esteem
Independent
Limitation of deviation from ideal mental health
Culture bound only made for us and eaurope doesn’t even apply to European countries eg Italy doesn’t value independence
= limited application
Limitation of ideal mental health
Incredibly high standards no one meets all the time
Disheartening and may do more harm than good
= poor ideology of what is abnormal
Phobia behavioural characteristics
Panic
Avoidance
Endurance
Phobia emotional characteristics
Anxiety
Fear
Unreasonable emotional response
Phobia cognitive characteristics
Selective attention
Irrational beliefs
Cognitive distortions
Behavioural explanation of phobias
2 process model = acquisition classical conditioning (neutral stimulus unconditioned stimulus like dentists and pain)
- maintenance operant conditioning - behaviour reinforced -vely (avoid) and +vely behaviour= desirable consequences
