psychopathology

Question 1

A01 Define Statistical infrequency

Answer 1

-Defining abnormality in terms of statistics
-Behaviour that is rarely seen is ‘abnormal’
-Example: IQ and intellectual disability disorder, Average IQ is 100 only 2% have a score below 70
Individuals are statistically ‘abnormal’ and then diagnosed

Question 2

A03 Evaluate statistical infrequency

Answer 2

1) Strength: Real world application
Useful in diagnoses and conditions e.g BDI assesses depression
Means it is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
2) Weakness: unusual characteristics can be positive
IQ being abnormally higher is not necessarily a bad characteristic
Labelling people as ‘abnormal’ is unnecessary
Cannot use statistical infrequency alone to define abnormality

Question 3

A01 Define Deviation from social norms

Answer 3

-Abnormality is based on social context, societies have their own judgment on what is considered ‘abnormal’
-Homosexuality considered abnormal in some cultures not all
-Example: Antisocial personality disorder
Psychopath is abnormal because they deviate from social norms/standards, generally lack empathy

Question 4

A03 Evaluate Deviation from social norms

Answer 4

1) Strength: Real world application
Useful in diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder
Useful in psychiatric diagnosis
2) Weakness: Situationally and culturally relative
One culture may label someone abnormal where another might not
Example: Hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but in the UK it is abnormal
Difficult to judge deviation from social norms from one context to another