Psychopathology Flashcards
What is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?
Any person’s measurement that falls out of the defined field (2 standard deviations away) can therefore have an abnormal characteristic. This isn’t always a negative thing.
Is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality objective?
It is impartial and fair as there is an objective cut off point. eg: IQ is usually between 90 - 100. Therefore it is not subjective.
Is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality black and white?
According to this definition, someone can only be placed in normal or statistically infrequent. Therefore this ignores a grey area, and maybe it should be on a spectrum.
Does the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality have practical applications?
Can help with a basis for diagnosis, and we can identify those who need treatment urgently. Therefore each individual gets a tailored diagnosis.
Does the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality account for all abnormalities?
Depression could be considered common - 20% suffer from a depressive episode at some point in their lifetime. This may prolong a sufferer’s experience.
What is the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?
Abnormality is a social deviant behaviour. If behaviour is seen as abnormal, it is viewed by society as undesirable and anti-social, not rare.
Some rules are implicit whilst others are policed by laws.
Does the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality take into account different types of norms?
Takes into account situational and developmental norms so could be considered to be more holistic. For example it takes context into account, therefore more valid.
Is the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality subjective?
Subjective which limits validity. Different norms between individuals, such as queueing for British individuals. Does not allow for a fair and equal assessment.
Does the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality have practical applications?
It allows therapists to intervene when necessary to stop people acting in a way that will hinder their progress in society as they have a baseline of societal norms.
Are there issues around the concept of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
Norms change throughout time, such as masks during the pandemic. Definition of abnormality is era dependent.
What is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?
You are abnormal if you don’t meet the criteria of ideal mental health.
Who came up with the six characteristics of ideal mental health?
Jahoda
What are the six characteristics of ideal mental health?
Positive attitude towards oneself
Accurate perception of reality
Autonomy
Resisting stress
Self-actualisation
Environmental mastery
Is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality refreshingly positive?
It does not look at deficits or negative aspects, as it helps individuals improve their own attitude without the need for professional help. It can be used as a more holistic definition.
Is the criteria for ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality too simplistic?
Majority considered abnormal by standards suggested. Humanism believes very few people achieve self-actualisation, definition may need to be more realistic.
Can we use the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality to formulate a plan of action?
Ensure autonomy in small decisions. Criteria can be incorporated into everyday life so six criteria can be used effectively in therapy.
Are the criteria of ideal mental health important in all cultures?
High self esteem not important in collectivist cultures. Personal growth and autonomy may be more applicable to individualist cultures.
What is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?
Not functioning adequately causes stress and suffering for the individual - a person may not be coping with life in a normal way.
Who created the features of personal dysfunction?
Rosenhan and Seligman
What are the features of personal dysfunction?
Personal distress
Maladaptive behaviour
Unpredictability
Irrationality
Observer discomfort
Violation of moral qualities
Unconventionality
Is it easy to assess the consequences of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
If a person consistently fails to perform everyday actions this could mean they are failing to function in a societal manner. This can be assessed by a questionnaire - quantitative data makes definition more objective.
Is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality influenced by subjective judgements?
What may seem to one person as failing to function adequately may not be the same to another. This implies the definition lacks generalisability.
Is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality more realistic?
Suggests it is not black and white as a person may decline due to circumstances. It is well rounded due to its emphasis on environmental and societal factors.
Is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality culturally relative?
What may seem as failing to function adequately in one culture may not be in another, depending on social norms/values.. This means we cannot generalise the explanation.
What is a phobia?
An intense, overwhelming and debilitating fear - very common, between 15 - 20% of the population experience one
What are emotional characteristics of phobias?
Persistent, excessive, unreasonable fear.
High level of anxiety when anticipating the object.
Fear when presented with stimulus.
What are behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Panic attacks, crying, screaming, running away, freezing or clinging.
Avoiding the feared stimulus.
Disrupting everyday functioning.
What are cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Conscious awareness of exaggerated anxiety.
Paying selective attention to the feared stimulus.
Irrational beliefs.
What is depression?
A mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness.
It is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Persistent low mood - pronounced feeling of sadness.
Anger directed at self and others.
Lowered self-esteem.
What are behavioural characteristics of depression?
Lack of interest in normal everyday activities / social withdrawal
Insomnia or excessive desire to sleep.
Aggression towards others.
What are cognitive characteristics of depression?
Poor concentration - difficulties attending to a task or problems making decisions
Cognitive biases - focus on negative aspects of a situation.
Suicidal thoughts.
What is OCD?
An anxiety disorder with obsessions and compulsions.
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
Anxiety and distress - may accompany both obsessions and compulsions.
Low mood and/or depression.
Feelings of guilt and disgust.
What are behavioural characteristics of OCD?
Compulsions - repetitive behaviours which are often performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety.
Avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety.
What are cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Obsessive thoughts which constantly occur.
Cognitive coping strategies.
Insight into obsessive anxiety.
What is the behaviourist approach to explaining phobias?
Association - (classical conditioning) - acquisition of phobia.
Consequences - (operant conditioning) - maintenance of phobias
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association. Pairing a neutral stimulus with a response that creates an association between the two to create a conditioned stimulus. For example, getting bitten by a dog, then associating the pain of the bite with all dogs.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning via consequences. This refers to positive reinforcement (reward makes the behaviour increase) and negative reinforcement (taking away the unpleasant experience that makes the behaviour increase)
What is stimulus generalisation?
Can occur when anxiety can be generalised to all similar objects/situations.
What is higher order conditioning?
If a person avoids all phobic objects and associated situations this ultimately reduces their fear through negative reinforcement because now related situations have been associated with the phobic object.
Is there research evidence to support the behaviourist approach to explaining phobias?
Watson and Raynor’s Little Albert study found it was possible to condition a baby to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise.
Also conditioned to fear all white furry things.
Supporting research to give an element of validity to theory.
Is the behaviourist approach to explaining phobias flawed?
Not all incidents of trauma result in phobias.
Some elements of cognition mediate the onset of phobia development.
Many people get stung by wasps but do not have a phobia of wasps.
Are there practical applications from the behaviourist approach to explain phobias?
Two process model: systematic desensitisation and flooding.
Stops the avoidance behaviour as the fear cannot be maintained.
Is the behaviourist approach to explain phobias environmentally reductionist?
It has been reduced down to simple stimulus/response from the complex behaviour.
Evolutionary explanations are ignored as some fears, such as the dark, used to keep us alive.
Are there alternative explanation to the behaviourist explanation of phobias?
Biological preparedness may be a better explanation.
Learning does not account for the fact that fears promoted survival.
Fear of some elements would ensure we keep safe (fear of snakes, spiders, the dark etc)
Is the behaviourist explanation of phobias scientific?
Two processes based on objective reliable data that focuses exclusively on behaviour.
The Little Albert study could be objectively observed.
Explanation offers scientific and trustworthy account.
Deviation from ideal mental health - positive attitude towards oneself
Having high self esteem and a strong sense of identity
Deviation from ideal mental health - accurate perception of reality
Not distorted by faulty thinking or delusions
Deviation from ideal mental health - autonomy
The ability to function as an independent person, taking responsibility for their own actions
Deviation from ideal mental health - resisting stress
Synthesising self-attitudes and personal growth to create resistance to stress.
Deviation from ideal mental health - self-actualisation
The extent to which a person develops their full capabilities.
Deviation from ideal mental health - environmental mastery
Including the abilities to love, function at work and interpersonal relations, adjust to new situations and solve problems.
Failure to function adequately - personal distress
The individuals themselves may suffer as a result of their condition, or inflict suffering on others.