Psychopathology Flashcards
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Why must psychologist be careful when defining behaviour as abnormal?
It implies something undesirable and needing change
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Name the four definitions
Deviation from social norms, statistical infrequency, failure to function, deviation from ideal mental health
DEFINTIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Define a social norm
A social norm is a generally accepted way of behaving in certain situations
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Give an example of a social norm
Wearing black to a funeral
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Name one positive of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality
When a person deviates from a social norm it can highlight how something is awry and act as a warning flag.
DEFINTIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Give two criticisms of deviating from social norms as a definition of abnormality
Cultural relativism; context as social norms can change over time, for example homosexuality
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Define statistical infrequency
Rare behaviour can be classed as abnormal
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
What are the two negatives of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?
Cultural relativism; there is an implication that rare behaviour is undesirable, this is not always the case
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Which two psychologists investigated failure to function?
Rosenhan and Seligman
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Which characteristics did Rosenhan and Seligman put forward for failing to function?
- Visible suffering
- Maladaptiveness
- Vividness and unconventionality
- Loss of control
- Irrationality
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Give the two negatives of failure to function
Cultural relativism for example a school in Korea; sometimes showing these signs is normal, for example grief
DEFINTIONS OF ABNORMALITY
List Marie Jahoda’s criteria for deviation from ideal mental health
- Autonomy
- Self actualisation
- Mastering environment
DEFINITONS OF ABNORMALITY
Give the two negatives of deviation from ideal mental health
Cultural relativism; the harsh and strict criteria means many wouldn’t fit all of the criteria, contradicts being a definition of abnormality
MENTAL DISORDERS
How many people have mental illness?
1/4
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the emotional characteristic of OCD?
Anxiety
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the cognitive feature of OCD?
Intrusive thoughts
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the behaviour of OCD?
Compulsions - can be overt or covert
MENTAL DISORDERS
According to mind how many people suffer from extreme phobias?
2.6% of the population
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the emotional characteristic of a phobia?
Fear and anxiety
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the cognitive characteristic of phobias?
Awfulizing
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the behaviour of a phobia?
Avoidance which causes negative reinforcement
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the emotional characteristic of depression?
Sadness
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the cognitive characteristic for depression?
Awfulizing
MENTAL DISORDERS
What is the behavioural characteristic of depression?
Withdrawal from social situations
BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR OCD
What is they key assumption?
OCD comes from a physical origin
BIO EXP FOR OCD
If there is an OCD gene, this suggests that…
People can inherit OCD from their parents
BIO EXP FOR OCD
What does the SERT gene produce?
Serotonin
BIO EXP FOR OCD
More often than not, if a SERT gene is malfunctioning people are more likely to…
Have OCD
BIO EXP FOR OCD
What does the COMPT gene produce?
Dopamine
BIO EXP FOR OCD
Is the COMPT gene common in those with OCD?
Yes
BIO EXP FOR OCD
Who conducted the family study?
Nesdadt
BIO EXP FOR OCD
What did Nesdat’s study show?
If one close relation has OCD then the individual is 5x more likely to inherit
BIO EXP FOR OCD
What did Nesdat’s study show?
If one close relation has OCD then the individual is 5x more likely to inherit
BIO EXP FOR OCD
Who conducted the Mz twin study?
Billet