psychopathology

Question 1

2 types of social norms and their definitions

Answer 1

implicit norms- not governed by law but still socially unacceptable such as laughing at a funeral
Norms policed by laws- e.g. rape or murdee

Question 2

define deviation from social norms

Answer 2

demonstrating behaviour that goes against the rules of a certain society

Question 3

give 2 evaluations of DSN

Answer 3

1. norms are culturally relative so creating a definition of abnormality based on culture specific norms would mean moving into another culture would be judged heavily for things they deem as normal.
2. It could lead to human rights violations e.g. in the past women who fell in love with working class men were defined abnormal and named a nymphomaniac.

Question 4

define statistical infrequency

Answer 4

behaviour that is numerically uncommon and extremely rare

Question 5

give an example of how normality is defined by statistical infrequency

Answer 5

the mean is found and then other results are compared to this e.g. the mean iq in the world is 100 so an average of between 85 and 115 was identified as the range. any result in the top/bottom 2% is diagnosably abnormal e.g. an IQ of under 70 is classed as being disabled

Question 6

evaluate statistical infrequency

Answer 6

1. it’s culture bound so what’s abnormal in one country won’t be for another. the diagnostic manuals for mental disorders are based on western countries however there are cultural differences.
2. it fails to identify desirable and undesirable behaviour e.g. having an iq of 150 is more desirable than 50 however they are deemed equally abnormal.

Question 7

what’s one argument that demands a cut off point for abnormality definitions

Answer 7

sleep, sleep is a symptom of depression but it has been argued what a healthy amount is as it’s different for everyone

Question 8

define failure to function adequately

Answer 8

incapability to cope with everyday living

Question 9

name rosenhan and seligmans signs of not being able to cope

(POMIUUV) Pandas On Mountains Isolate Under U V

Answer 9

personal stress
observer discomfort
maladaptive behaviours
irrationality and incomprehensibility 
unpredictability and loss of control
unconventional or statistically rare behaviour 
violation of moral standards

Question 10

give an example as to why alternate/multiple definitions of abnormality are necessary

Answer 10

if you have a low IQ it’s a statistical infrequency but not enough to diagnose you alone, however this combined with factors that cause failure to function adequately e.g. personal distress would help to make a case for diagnosis

Question 11

what do health care professionals use to diagnose mental health disorders

Answer 11

the DSM and GAF

Question 12

Evaluate FtFA.

Answer 12

+ recognises the patients perspective and acknowledges experience is important which captures the experience well
- involves subjective judgement to decide what is enough visible stress etc to be diagnosed

Question 13

what is the purpose of the GAF

Answer 13

to make diagnosis objective

Question 14

define deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 14

Not fitting Jahoda’s criteria for psychological well-being

Question 15

name the 7 of jahodas criteria for ideal mental health ASARPEW

Answer 15

1. Acceptance of self
2. Self Actualisation
3. Accurate Perception Of Reality
4. Resistance to stress
5. Personal Autonomy
6. Environmental Mastery
7. We have no symptoms or distress

Question 16

what are the two features of mowrers 2 process model and their function

Answer 16

classical conditioning- phobias are learnt

operant conditioning - phobias are maintained

Question 17

case study for the learning of phobias

Answer 17

little albert, classically conditioned to be afraid of white rats. Also generalised to white fluffy things in general.