Psychopathology Flashcards
4 definitions of abnormality
1) Statistical infrequency
2) Deviation from ideal mental health
3) Deviation from social norms
4) Failure to function adequately
Define statistical infrequency
Individuals behaviour is classified abnormal if it’s rare or statistically unusual
Evaluation of statistical infrequency
1) Fails to distinguish between desirable and non-desirable behaviours. High IQ is rare/abnormal but not undesirable
2) Culturally bias, something rare in one culture may not be rare in another
3) 5% cut off appears to be arbitrary label of abnormality, line between abnormal and normal is subjective
4) Undesired behaviours can be common. E.g. depression wouldn’t be classified as abnormal as it’s common
5) Allows comparisons within population, therefore can identify people falling behind in development
Define deviation from ideal mental health
Not meeting a set criteria for good mental health
What is Jahodas criteria for ideal mental health
8 things
1) No symptoms of distress
2) Ability to act rationally, and perceive ourselves accurately
3) Working to fulfil full potential (self-actualisation)
4) Coping well with stress
5) Realistic view of the world
6) Good self-Esteem, and lack of guilt
7) Independence
8) Successful in work and relationships and enjoyment of leisure
Evaluation for ideal mental health
- Specific areas of dysfunction identified, therefore can tailor treatment
- Focuses on positive aspects of behaviour, therefore doesn’t put people down
- Aspects of behaviour can’t be measured objectively, therefore subjective
- Criteria too demanding to meet, lead to overdiagnosis
Define deviation from social norms
What society defines as behaviour that’s offensive or unacceptable
Evaluation of deviation from social norms
- Culturally bias. Lead to overdiagnosis
- Social norms change over time. Lead to overdiagnosis
- Doesn’t distinguish between positive and negative deviations. Lead to overdiagnosis
- Deviating from social norms doesn’t always mean illness. Lead to overdiagnosis
- Help people who are mentally ill, by identifying abnormal behaviours. Provide treatment
Define failure to function adequately
Inability to cope with demands of day to day living
Name Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) criteria for failure to function adequately
1) Personal distress- obvious upset
2) Maladaptive behaviour - goals not achieved at work or socially
3) Unpredictability- Loss of behavioural control
4) Irrationality- unreasonable behaviour that cannot be explained
5) Observer discomfort
6) Violation of moral standards
7) Unconventionality- displaying non-typical behaviour
Evaluation of failure to function adequately
- Recognises importance of personal experience of sufferer, therefore get correct treatment
- Doesn’t consider individual differences. What functioning normally for one person may not be the same for others
- Some abnormal people can function adequately. Lead to underdiagnosis
- Distress caused to others not assessed. Not protecting children
Behaviourist approach to explaining phobias
What model is used
The two-process model
What are the two processes in the two process model
Process 1= Phobia is acquired (classical conditioning)
Process 2= Phobia is maintained (operant conditioning)
Explain process 1- Phobia is acquired
Example of this
- Behaviourists believe phobias are acquired through classical conditioning, the association of a neutral stimulus with something unpleasant.
E.g. of this is Little Albert. UCS= loud noise UCR= fear NS= mouse CS= mouse CR= fear
Explain process 2- Phobia is maintained
- Phobias maintained through operant conditioning, specifically negative reinforcement
- Negative reinforcement is when an unpleasant stimulus is taken away
- Negative reinforcement maintains the phobia as you avoid it
Evaluation of behaviourist approach (two-process model) to explaining phobias
- Explains how phobias can be maintained, having important implications for therapies(explaining why patients need to be exposed). Strength, shown to work In therapies
- Not all aspects of phobic behaviour been explained, like evolutionary behaviours. Limitation, doesn’t account for innate behaviours
- Evidence suggesting avoidance is motivated by safety. Limitation, model suggests avoidance is motivated by reducing anxiety.
- Not all phobias come from a bad experience. Limitation, behavioural theory can’t explain how Phobia could’ve developed.
Behaviourist approach to treating phobias
What 2 methods are used
Systematic desensitisation
Flooding
What is systematic desensitisation
Gradual exposure to a phobic stimulus used with relaxation techniques to break association
How many steps are there in systematic desensitisation
What does the first one consist of
3 steps
- Step 1= Anxiety hierarchy is created - where the patient lists anxious situations in order of severity
What does the second step of SD consist of
Relaxation techniques are taught- , such as deep breathing, slower breathing
What does the third step of SD consist of
Exposure- Patient is exposed to phobic stimulus on the lowest end of the hierarchy. If calm, then progress to the next stage
Method and results for Gilroys study on systematic desensitisation
- Method= Compared participants who carried out S.d and participants who didn’t of their level of anxiety after 3 and 33 months
- Results= S.d is much lower in anxiety after 3 and 33 months
- Conclusion= - S.d lowers anxiety more than just relaxation
- S.d lasts a long time
What’s flooding
Patient is exposed to an extreme form of the phobic stimulus for a long time
What is extinction
This is no flooding is meant to work
When a conditioned stimulus (e.g. Rat) is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus (loud noise). The conditioned response (fear) is extinguished
