Psychopathology Flashcards
Definitions of Abnormality: Deviation from Social Norms
The first definition. According to the definition, a person is abnormal when their behaviour does not follow social norms.
E.g., A man wearing a skirt.
Definitions of Abnormality: Strengths of the Deviation from Social Norms Definition
Helps to minimise harm to others. When people deviate from social norms, they could cause harm to others in society. Classifying these people as abnormal means they are more likely to be treated and prevented from causing harm to others.
Definitions of Abnormality: Weakness of the Deviation from Social Norms Definition
1) Social norms change over time. This means that our classification of mental disorders (DSM) has to be updated all the time and that our diagnoses of mental disorders lack reliability because they are not consistent over time.
2) Social norms vary depending on the culture. This means that what is considered abnormal behaviour also varies depending on the culture. Therefore, people from ethnic minorities might be considered abnormal, because they are being judged by social norms that are different to their own culture. Therefore, this could cause people from ethnic minorities to be misdiagnosed as having a mental disorder.
Definitions of Abnormality: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
The second definition of abnormality.
Failing to display behaviours that indicate ideal mental health. The more a person deviates from ideal mental health, the more abnormal they are.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health: Jahoda’s 6 Criteria
According to Jahoda, the more criteria which a person meets, the more normal they are.
1) Positive self-attitude (feeling positive about yourself and your abilities)
2) Behaving Independently
3) Self-actualisation (constantly trying to develop and improve yourself)
4) Resistance to stress (ability to cope with small hassles and stress in everyday life)
5) Accurate perception of reality (seeing the world in a way which is similar to others around them)
6) Environmental mastery (adjusting to new situations easily)
Definitions of Abnormality: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health STRENGTHS
Enables patients to set clear goals. By using Jahoda’s criteria, patients who are diagnosed as abnormal can set themselves clear goals/criteria for achieving ideal mental health
Definitions of Abnormality: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health WEAKNESSES
1) Jahoda’s criteria are overly demanding. According to Jahoda, to have ideal mental health and to be considered ‘normal’, all six criteria should be met, meaning that many of the population would be considered abnormal.
2) Furthermore, the criteria are also difficult to measure objectively. For example, it is not clear what behaviour constitutes self-actualisation. This may lead doctors to then impose their own biases.
Definitions of Abnormality: Failure to Function Adequately
Third definition. A person is abnormal if they are unable to cope with normal tasks in their everyday life. E.g., being unable to get dressed, go to work, personal hygiene
Definitions of Abnormality: Failure to Function Adequately STRENGTHS
1) The behaviours used to identify abnormality can be easily observed and measured. This means doctors can easily identify and diagnose people with mental disorders. Therefore, people suffering with abnormality will receive the necessary treatment.
Definitions of Abnormality: Failure to Function Adequately WEAKNESS
1) Some patients do cope with everyday life. The definition, therefore, fails to identify those people who do cope well with everyday life but still suffer from a mental disorder.
2) Not all maladaptive behaviour is a sign of a mental disorder.
Definitions of Abnormality: Statistical Infrequency
Behaviour is considered abnormal if the behaviour is statistically infrequent, i.e., if only a small percentage of people display the behaviour. (The use of normal distributions - Abnormality = 5% or less of people display the trait of behaviour)
Definitions of Abnormality: Statistical Infrequency STRENGTH
1) An easy and practical way of diagnosing people
2) Compared to other definitions, there is less bias imposed by the doctor because it relies less on the doctor’s interpretation of the patient.
Definitions of Abnormality: Statistical Infrequency WEAKNESS
1) Some mental disorders are not infrequent. E.g., more than 5% of the population experience symptoms of depression in their lifetime.
2) Does not consider the desirability of behaviours.
What are the three symptoms of Phobias?
1) A fear of a specific stimulus
2) Irrational Beliefs
3) Avoidance
What are the three categories of the symptoms of Phobias/Depression/OCD
behavioural, cognitive and emotional
