Psychopathology Flashcards
What 4characteristics can define someone as abnormal?
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Deviation from ideal mental health
Failure to function adequately
How does statistical infrequency define abnormality?
Behaviours that are extremely rare and found in very few people
uses a bell graph in which the outliers are the anomalies and show the rare behaviours
What is a strength of statistical infrequency to define abnormality?
Quick and easy way to define abnormality
Uses objective and empirical method (bell graph uses numerical data)
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency to define abnormality?
Gender
Figures are affected by gender issues
e.g. women are more likely to visit a GP than men
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency to define abnormality?
Cultures
Affected by cultural bias
Different cultures diagnose behaviours differently
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency to define abnormality?
Age
Affected by age
e.g. certain behaviours may be normal at some ages and abnormal at others
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency to define abnormality?
Desirability
If behaviour is desirable, it may not be considered abnormal
How does deviation from social norms define abnormality?
Social norms are unwritten social rules that everyone in a society is expected to follow
If you deviate from them, you’re seen as abnormal
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms to define abnormality?
Culture
Culturally relative
What is normal in some cultures may be abnormal in others
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms to define abnormality?
Time
social norms can change over time
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms to define abnormality?
Context
The context of the situation
What is a strength of deviation from social norms to define abnormality?
Desirable
This definition does distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour
This allows people to recognise potentially damaging behaviour, which can alert others to secure help for this person
How does deviation from ideal mental health define abnormality?
Jahoda identified 6 categories that people need in order to be mentally healthy
What are the 6 categories Jahoda identified as being mentally healthy?
Self attitudes Personal growth Integration Autonomy Accurate perception of reality Adaptation to environment
How do self- attitudes make someone mentally healthy?
As an explanation for abnormality
High self esteem
