Psychopathology Flashcards
Deviation from social norms
society has unwritten social rules + when people violate these unwritten rules and deviate from the social norm it could indicate a mental illness
This definition identifies what is acceptable/normal in a culture
Limitations
1.Social norms change over time e.g homosexuality. Unmarried woman
2. Cultural relativism: mental disorders classified in different ways in different cultures. Everyone has different cultural norms. Likely to misdiagnose as a result.
3. Social control: Szasz 1974 claimed concept of mental illness was a way to exclude non conformists from society
Strengths
- Situational norms taken into account e.g. can wear bikini in beach not at shopping centre
- Development norms are taken into account e.g for young children it’s ok to cry in public but not for adults
Statistical infrequency definition
Idea that behaviours that are statistically infrequent are seen as abnormal. Those that have a low IQ (less than 70) are seen as having a mental illness. Normally 5% of population fall outside curve
Evaluation of statistical infrequency
Unusual characteristic can be positive e.g people with an IQ over 130 seen as abnormal, but this is seen as a gift rather than something that requires treatment
Not everyone benefits from labels - pointing out abnormality may make them feel more upset than not paying attention at all e.g diagnosis for low IQ may weaken their quality of life rather than improving it
Failure to function adequately
Rosenham and Seligman (1969) suggested 6 criteria, any combo which could indicate that a persons behaviour is abnormal:
( table in notes)
Deviation from ideal mental health
. Behaviour prevents person from achieving self autonomy
Opposite definition to others. If you have all 6 you’re fine, if not, you could have a mental illness
( table in notes)
Limitation of deviation from ideal mental health
According to this criteria we’ve all abnormal
.Can we diagnose mental abnormality in the same way we diagnose physical abnormality?
.Cultural relativism = could find a higher incidence of abnormality among non- western cultures and non-middle class social groups.
Evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health
.ethnocentric.
.Cultural bias + belief in superiority of one’s own cultural group. E.g Some women in Middle East don’t get autonomy so can never be classed as mentally normal.
Phobias
= anxiety disorders characterised by extreme irrational fears
.Behavioural characteristics= avoidant /anxiety response, disruption of functioning
.Emotional characteristics=persistent excessive fear from exposure to phobic stimulus
.cognitive characteristics= recognition of exaggerated anxiety.
2 ways to treat phobias?
systematic desensitisation
flooding/ implosion
systematic desensitisation?
. based on classical conditioning
. taught relaxation which leads to reciprocal inhibition
. fear hierarchy
. covert desensitisation (imagining scenarios)
. in vivo desensitisation ( actual contact)
evaluation of SD treatment?
. mainly suitable for patients that are able to learn
. if used in imaginary sense there’s no guarantee it’ll work
. behaviourist treatments work best on simple phobias
flooding/ implosion?
. fear taken to worst case and client can’t feel fear due to exhaustion
research on flooding?
. Wolpe 1960
. flooding used to remove phobia of cars. Girl forced to be driven around for 4 hours until fear eradicates
. shows effectiveness of treatment but it can cause psychological harm
