Psychopathology Flashcards
Definition of abnormality: Statistical Infrequency
Classified as abnormal if it is rare or statically unusual.
E.g. IQ below 60.
Definition of abnormality: Statistical Infrequency AO3
Limitation is that it fails to recognise desirability of behaviour.
E.g. IQ above normal average wouldn’t necessarily be seen as abnormal but actually highly regarded for intelligence.
Also implies abnormal behaviour should be rare, which is not the case. A specific behaviour is unusual but it is not unusual for someone to exhibit a form of prolonged abnormal behviour generally. MIAD - Can provide an objective view. Agreed cut-off point.
I/D - cultural relativism
Definition of abnormality: Deviation from social norms
Classified as abnormal if it violates the unwritten rules about acceptable behaviour within a social group. May be incomprehensible to others or make them feel threatened or uncomfortable.
Definition of abnormality: Deviation from social norms AO3
I/D Cultural Relativism: Cultural variations in behaviour, e.g. more common to stand much closer to people in Southern Europe than the UK.
Norms can change over time. Threat from temporal validity, e.g. homosexuality.
Deviance is related to contect, e.g. bikini in beach vs. classroom. Should be careful
Definition of abnormality: Failure to function adequately
Classified as abnormal if it prevents the person from carrying out the range of behaviours that society would expect from them.
E.g. getting out of bed, holding down a job.
Criteria typical of FFA:
- distress (anxiety or depression)
- unpredictability
- irrationality
- maladaptive behaviours
Definition of abnormality: Failure to function adequately AO3
Matches sufferer’s perceptions. Most people seeking clinical help believe they are suffering from psychological problems that interfere with ability to function properly, supporting the definition. MIAD - abnormality isn’t always accompanied by dysfunction, e.g psychopaths.
FFA may not be linked to abnormality but other factors. E.g. failure to keep a job may be due to economic situations, not psychology. + Abnormality isn’t always accompanied by dysfunction.
Cultural Relativism
Definition of abnormality: Deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda suggested a criteria necessary for ideal mental health. Absence of these characteristics indicates individuals as being abnormal.
- resistance to stress
- growth or development
- high self-esteem
- strong sense of identity
- autonomy
- accurate perception of reality
Definition of abnormality: Deviation from ideal mental health AO3
Difficulty of meeting all criteria. Very few would be able to do so. Are very few psychologically healthy? Unrealistic view?
Cultural Relativism - cultural ideas of ideal mental health vary. Should not impose etic onto other cultures.
Characteristics of OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Anxiety disorder characterised by intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts, along with need to perform acts repeatedly.
A common clinical obsession is fear is contamination. Compulsions are behavioral responses intended to neutralise these obsessions, e.g. cleaning, washing and constantly checking. If not performed exactly, something ‘bad’ will happen.
Cognitive, emotional and behavioural characteristics of OCD
Cognitive:
Obsessions dominate ones thinking and are persistent and recurrent thoughts, images or beliefs. Uninvited and cannot be removed.
Emotional:
Obsessive thoughts lead to anxiety, worry and distress.
Behavioural:
Compulsions are the repetitive behavioural responses intended to neutralise these obsessions. Most OCD suffers recognise their compulsions as unreasonable but believe something bad will happen if they don’t perform that behaviour.
Avoidance, e.g. dirt + germs
Characteristics of Depression
Mood or affective disorder.
Collection of physical, emotional, mental and behavioural experience that are severe, prolonged and damaging to everyday function.
DSM-5 suggests categories of depression, such as, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder or disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Cognitive, emotional and behavioural characteristics of Depression
Cognitive:
Negative thoughts, lack of centration, low self-esteem, poor memory.
Emotional:
Intense sadness, irritability, anger.
Behavioural:
Neglect of personal experience, loss of appetite, disturbed sleep patterns.
Characteristics of Phobias
Anxiety Disorder
Characterised by a persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by a the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation.
Cognitive, emotional and behavioural characteristics of phobias
Cognititve:
Recognise that fear is excessive or unreasonable and consciously aware anxiety levels are in relation to the specifc object or situation.
Emtional:
Exposure to phobic stimulus nearly always produces rapid anxiety response.
Behavioural:
Phobic Stimulus is avoided, this causes negative reinforcement, which will maintain the phobia.
E.g. have a phobia of dogs andcrossing the road when seeing a dog.
Can interfere with daily routines.
Biological Explanation of OCD - Genetic Studies
Suggests OCD is transmitted through specific genes and there is a biological basis for the disorder.
Investigated by family and twin studies where the probability of OCD is compared to the general population (2-3%).
Meta-analysis of 70 years worth of twin studies on OCD found genetics have a strong influence as children that are identical twins have a 45-65% concordance rate, implying a genetic influence for the disorder. First degree relatives also have been found to have a 11.7% chance of OCD, compared to general population 2-3%.
