psychopathology 1.1

Question 1

the four definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
statistical infrequency
deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

deviation from social norms

Answer 2

a definition of abnormality where a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it violates unwritten rules (social norms) about what is acceptable in a particular society

Question 3

social norms

Answer 3

a set of unwritten rules to follow
they are specific to the culture we currently live in and are often different for different generations and cultures

e.g in the past homosexuality was deemed as abnormal and now it’s not, homophobia is a crime however in come cultures homosexuality is still abnormal

Question 4

strengths of deviation from social norms

Answer 4

looks at individuals abnormal behaviour and seeks to protect society from it

definition has a clear indication of what is considered normal and abnormal as most of us understand and are aware of social norms in our own culture

allows for developmental norms e.g. may be normal for one year old to be carried everywhere but abnormal if it was a 50 year old

Question 5

limitations of deviation from social norms

Answer 5

based on western societal norms and reflects the majority which is a white population - Cochrane (1977) found that black people were more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than white people however this wasn’t the same in countries with a majority black population e.g. Jamaica so there is a diagnostic bias

this definition doesn’t explain abnormality changing over time, homosexuality was not removed from the international classification of diseases until 1990

definition doesn’t make it clear how to deal with cultural differences in normal and abnormal behaviour e.g. walking barfoot in London compared to in a tribal community

doesn’t account for those who don’t conform to social norms but are not abnormal, such as those that are individualistic or eccentric in their behaviour

Question 6

statistical infrequency

Answer 6

according to this definition, a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon, or not seen very often in society

uses statistics to determine the difference between normal and abnormal behaviour

Question 7

when is a behaviour regarded as abnormal

Answer 7

if it is statistically uncommon i.e. not present often or regularly per society e.g. about 1 in 300 people worldwide have schizophrenia making it an abnormal condition

Question 8

what type of curve is used to represent the proportions of a population who share a particular characteristic?

Answer 8

distribution curve

Question 9

where does the mean fall in the distribution curve?

Answer 9

in the centre

Question 10

where do outliers fall on the distribution curve?

Answer 10

at each end of the curve

Question 11

strengths of statistical infrequency

Answer 11

uses an objective, standardised measure which means that it is reliable

distribution curves are based on real data and therefore should be unbiased

Question 12

weaknesses of statistical infrequency

Answer 12

depression is regarded as abnormal behaviour, yet it is so prevalent (1 in 6 adults in the uk have depression) which measn that it isn’t statistically deviant, hence using this as a measure of abnormality is unrepresentative

having an IQ of 130 might be regarded as advantageous rather than as evidence of ‘abnormality’

Question 13

failure to function adequately

Answer 13

states individuals are abnormal when they are unable to cope with everyday life and this is evident in their behaviour

e.g. distress leading to not being able to function

Question 14

what did rosenhan and seligman suggest?

Answer 14

that certain elements jointly determine abnormality

Question 15

features of personal dysfunction (5)

Answer 15

personal distress

maladaptive behaviour

observer distress

unpredictable behaviour

irrational behaviour

Question 16

personal distress

Answer 16

behaviour causes personal distress to sufferer

Question 17

maladaptive behaviour

Answer 17

actions that prevent people from adapting, adjusting, or participating in different aspects of life

Question 18

observer distress

Answer 18

someone who displays discomfort causes distress to the observers

Question 19

unpredictable behaviour

Answer 19

unexpected characteristics, loss of control

Question 20

irrational behaviour

Answer 20

displayed behaviour doesn’t make sense to other people

Question 21

strengths of failure to function adequately

Answer 21

observable behaviour, others can judge if individual appears to have abnormal behaviours

checklist, provides individuals with a practical checklist to check their behviour

personal perspective, allows individual to have their own perspective of the mental disorder by recognising the personal experience of those suffering

represents a threshold for help, provides a clear criteria for when individuals need professional help

Question 22

limitations of failure to function adequately

Answer 22

discrimination, labels individuals who make individual life choices e.g. those who complete unusual spiritual activities it also discriminates against those cultures who make different life choices e.g. travellers

abnormality is normal, doesn’t consider when it is normal to behave abnormally, for example at the loss of loved one or taking exams

abnormality and dysfunction do not always go together, this definition doesn’t explain people with dangerous personality disorders such as psychopaths who appear normal, e.g. Harold Shipman who was a well respected doctor but murdered over 200 patients

Question 23

deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 23

this definition assesses mental health in the same way physical health is assessed

once it is established how individuals should look when they are psychologically healthy (ideal mental health) then those who deviate from this can be identified

Question 24

what did Marie Jahoda (1958) suggest?

Answer 24

there are 6 characteristics an individual should display if they have an idea of mental health

Question 25

the 6 characteristics of ideal mental health

Answer 25

positive attitudes towards ones self

self actualisation

autonomy

integration

environmental mastery

accurate perception of reality

Question 26

accurate perception of reality

Answer 26

having a realistic view of the world and not a distorted view e.g. if you were unsuccessful at a job interview you could see that it was because he other candidate was a better fit for the job

Question 27

environmental mastery

Answer 27

having flexibility to adapt to the changing life circumstances e.g. in relationship being loving with partner at work and professional with boss

Question 28

positive attitudes towards one’s self

Answer 28

high levels of self-esteem and a strong sense of identity

knowing where you fit in the world

Question 29

self actualisation

Answer 29

personal growth and development

developing yourself and achieving the goals you se yourself in life

e.g. completing your exams to the best of your ability, buying a house or getting your dream job

Question 30

autonomy

Answer 30

ability to be independent and self regulating
if you were left alone you would be able to work things out for yourself

Question 31

integration

Answer 31

resisting stress and being able to cope in stressful situations

coping with tight deadlines, celebrations and moving house

Question 32

strengths of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 32

holistic- looks at whole person rather than focusing on singular behaviours

comprehensive- includes a range of reasons to why individuals may need help with their mental health

it also includes a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from illness

Question 33

limitations of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 33

cultural specific- this definition is specific to western cultures, collectivist cultures would see autonomy as undesirable

changes over time- doesn’t account for changes over time, behaviours that were once seen as normal are abnormal and vice versa
e.g. seeing visions of god would have been seen as a strong religious commitment however now this would be likely to lead to a diagnosis of a personality disorder

subjective criteria- mental health is subjective and needs to be looked at in the context of the patient
often experienced professionals struggle to come up with an accurate diagnosis