Psychopathology Flashcards
What is statistical infrequency?
Describes behaviour as normal or not based on the number of times we observe it.
If the persons scores cluster around the average then they are considered ‘normal’ for that category.
On either side of the average people are attain the normal distribution therefore counting as abnormal. .
Advantages of statistical infrequency?
- objective definition- once a way of collecting quantitative data has been decided, the data is based on real, unbiased data
- no value judgements are made- abnormal behaviour wouldn’t be seen as wrong or unacceptable but simply less frequent
- used in diagnosis, which helps people get help that they need.
Disadvantages of statistical infrequency?
- not all rare behaviour is undesirable
whilst it does suggest rare behaviour is undesirable (IDD), it cannot distinguish when a rare behaviour might be desirable to have.
serious limitation to the concept of SI and means it would never be used alone to make a diagnosis. - not all abnormal behaviour is rare
in todays society depression is roughly found in 30% of the population. so, using this definition, depression would not be seen as abnormal.
clearly then this definition is not that suitable in modern society as depression shouldn’t be considered normal. - no benefit of being labelled abnormal
could affect the way others view them and how they view themselves
What is deviation from social forms?
Behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society is considered abnormal. These are different in every culture and generation, there are very few behaviours universally considered abnormal.
Weaknesses of deviation from social norms?
Not a sole explanation
- there are often many other factors in play when people are psychologically abnormal
Cultural relativism
- Different cultures have different perceptions of social norms. Even within cultures, some behaviour is acceptable in some situations but not others.
Can lead to human rights abuses
- There are several things in the past that were looked upon as socially abnormal and so they were punished for it such as Homosexuality and also race.
What is failure to function adaquately?
When a person can no longer cope with the demands of every day life.
e.g unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition; can’t hold down a job or relationship.
Strengths of failure to function adaquately?
Is applicable to mental illnesses
- EG depression or OCD where they may be unable to look after themselves or behave normally
- It is a sensible and realistic threshold for help. It can be said that most of us have a mental disorder to a degree, so servere cases are categorised by inability to cope.
- Thinks of the person’s experience not those around them.
Weaknesses of failure to function adaquately?
- there are times when we all don’t meet the demands
so we run the risk of mislabelling many as abnormal - how do we know it is not just someone being alternative?
there are many people who choose not to have a job - under the definition they would be abnormal.
but they do not necessarily need help - it’s just their chosen way to live but if we treat these behaviours of ‘failures’ of adequate functioning, we risk limiting personal freedom and discriminating against minority groups
-Cultural relativism- lifestyles can be different from dominant cultures.W
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
A picture/idea is created of what is psychologically healthy, and then those who do not match these ideals are abnormal.
What is the ideal mental health?
-Self attitudes.
-Personal growth and the ability to self actualise.
-Ability to tolerate anxiety and stress.
-Independence.
-Accurate perception of reality.
-Can successfully work and love
Strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?
- emphasises positive achievements and suggests a positive approach to mental problems- focussing on what is desirable not just undesirable
- identification of what is needed to achieve normality, allowing creation of personal goals to work towards and achieve
- allows professional comparison and discussion with a set criteria.
Weaknesses of ideal mental health?
Cultural relativism
- Not all cultures work on the same basis as a western one. EG collective cultures would not think independence is something to be desired
Basically impossible to achieve
- No one can self actualise meaning that many people would be considered abnormal. Unrealistic standards.
- Subjective and hard to measure.
Strengths of deviation from social norms?
-Distinguishes between desirable and undesirable.
-Helps in diagnosis. The DSM 5 symptoms are often surrounding failure to conform to socially acceptable behaviours.
What is a phobia?
irrational fear of specific objects or situations
What is the DSM-5 criteria for phobias?
Excessive anxiety or fear triggered by an object, situation or place, where the fear is out of proportion from the actual threat.
What is a specific phobia?
fear of objects or specific situations or events
What are social phobias?
severe anxiety or fear provoked by exposure to a social situation or a performance situation.
What is agoraphobia?
extreme or irrational fear of crowded spaces or enclosed public places.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
Anxiety- the long term emotional response making it very difficult to relax and experience positive emotions.
Fear- the immediate and unpleasant response that is short term and more intense when we encounter or think about the stimulus.
These responses are unreasonable and out of proportion to the actual threat.
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Panic- crying screaming or running away. Children may become clingy, have a tantrum or freeze.
Avoidance- Going to a lot of effort to not come into contact with the stimulus. This may make daily life very difficult.
Endurance- Staying in the presence of the stimulus instead of taking their eyes off of it.
What are cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Selective attention- can be very difficult to look away from the stimulus. This is evolutionary good in dangerous situations because we can react quickly, but not good when the fear is irrational.
Irrational beliefs- Beliefs that cannot be talked out of. They can’t be explained and have no basis in reality.
Catastrophic beliefs- the worst case scenario involving the stimulus.
Cognitive distortion- Perceive things inaccurately and unrealistically.
What is Mowrer’s two factor theory?
Phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning.
How are phobias aqquired by classical conditioning?
We associate something we initially have no fear of (neutral stimulus) with an extreme fear response (UCR).L
Little Albert Experiment?
Watson and Rayner.
-White rat was NS, the loud bang was UCS that produced the UCR.
-The rat was presented and the loud bang sounded at the same time.
-The rat was now the CS producing fear the CR.
-This fear was generalised to other furry objects like a fur coat and cotton balls.
Why doesn’t classical conditioning maintain phobias?
Responses acquired by classical conditioning weaken over time as the conditioned stimulus is no longer associated with the unconditioned stimulus.
How does operant conditioning maintain phobias?
When the person avoids the phobic stimulus, they successfully avoid the fear and anxiety. This acts as negative reinforcement because avoiding a bad consequence. The behaviour of the phobia is likely to increase,
Strengths of the two factor model?
-Credible explanation which explains the links between negative experiences and phobias.
-Real life application for phobia treatments. If we can understand how they are acquired then we can treat them. Led to exposure therapies that try to reduce the negative reinforcement of the phobia. Therefore the theories have value.
Limitations of two factor theory?
-Some people don’t recall a traumatic event that triggered a phobia, so does not provide a complete explanation.
-Diathesis stress model- suggests we have genetic vulnerability to mental disorders. So the traumatic event will trigger a phobia but only in the people with genetic vulnerability.
-Biological preparedness- we are more likely to develop phobias to ancient fears that were dangerous in our past. Adapted to rapidly learn what life threatening stimuli were. This is not explained by the model.
-Bandura looked at vicarious reinforcement of phobias. When a man acted in pain when a buzzer sounded, participants later on had a fear response to the buzzer. Not explained by model.Wh
What is systematic desensitation?
a treatment for phobias in which the patient is exposed to progressively more anxiety-provoking stimuli and taught relaxation techniques.
How does systematic desensitisation work?
1) Anxiety hierarchy- a list of situations involving the stimuli in order from least anxiety to most.
2) Relaxation- anxiety and relaxation cannot happen at the same time as one inhibits the other. This is called reciprocal inhibition. So clients are taught to relax as deeply as possible.
3) Exposure- move up the hierarchy, learning to relax at each level before moving. The phobia has been treated when the client can relax in the highest anxiety level.
Strengths of systematic desensitisation?
- More ethical: involves gradual exposure and the client is fully involved in their therapy. More people choose treatment and carry on to the end,
- Studies show it is successful: Capafons (1998) helped overcome fear of flying. Airlines offer courses to desensitise fear.
-McGrath showed it was 75% effective.
-Can be self administered and is cheaper/quicker than psychoanalysis therapies.
-Not concerned with cognitive processes, so children and people with learning difficulties can access the treatment.
Limitations of systematic desensitisation?
-Ohman suggested not as effective at treating phobias with an underlying evolutionary causes compared with ones of personal experience.
-Requires a positive attitude.
-Multiple sessions so more time consuming.
