Psychopathology Flashcards
What Are The 4 Ways Of Defining Abnormality
Deviation From Statistical Norms
Failure To Function Adequately
Deviation From Ideal Mental Health
Deviation From Social Norms
What Are The 4 Ways Of Defining Abnormality
Deviation From Statistical Norms
Failure To Function Adequately
Deviation From Ideal Mental Health
Deviation From Social Norms
Give 4 Problems With Defining Abnormality via Deviation From Statistical Norms
Give 4 Problems With Defining Abnormality via Deviation From Statistical Norms
Give 4 Problems With Defining Abnormality via Deviation From Statistical Norms
Give 4 Problems With Defining Abnormality via Deviation From Statistical Norms
What is psychopathology?
Psychopathology is the scientific study of psychological disorders of the mind.
How do doctors determine if someone is unwell in the context of psychological disorders?
Doctors often look for abnormal behavior, which can be assessed using various definitions, including statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, and deviation from ideal mental health.
What is statistical infrequency in defining abnormality?
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality based on behaviors that are statistically rare or deviate from the mean average or norm. It involves identifying behaviors falling outside the “normal distribution” and two standard deviation points away as abnormal.
What is deviation from social norms in defining abnormality?
Deviation from social norms defines abnormality in terms of behaviors that deviate from the expected norms and standards set by society. It includes both explicit rules and unwritten, accepted behaviors within a social group.
How is failure to function adequately used to define abnormality?
Failure to function adequately defines abnormality based on a person’s inability to cope with the daily demands of life. It considers factors such as observer discomfort, irrationality, maladaptive behaviors, unpredictability, and personal distress.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
The emotional characteristics of phobias include irrational, persistent, and excessive fear, high levels of anxiety, and the possibility of panic attacks in the anticipation or presence of the feared object or situation.
What is deviation from ideal mental health in defining abnormality?
Deviation from ideal mental health assesses abnormality by evaluating mental health in a manner similar to physical health assessments. It involves looking for signs of absence of well-being and deviation from characteristics such as positive attitudes, self-actualization, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, resisting stress, and environmental mastery.
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
The behavioral characteristics of phobias involve avoidance or anxiety-based responses when confronted by feared objects or situations. This can lead to disruptions in functioning and active efforts to avoid the feared stimuli.
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
The cognitive characteristics of phobias relate to irrational thinking and resistance to rational perspectives. Individuals with phobias may recognize that their fear is unreasonable or excessive, distinguishing them from disorders like schizophrenia.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
The emotional characteristics of depression include symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, feelings of emptiness, worthlessness, low self-esteem, and anger directed towards oneself or others.
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
The behavioral characteristics of depression encompass loss of energy, fatigue, lethargy, social impairment, changes in weight, poor personal hygiene, and disturbances in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping).
Define abnormal behavior.
Abnormal behavior refers to patterns of thought, emotion, and action that deviate from the norm and impair functioning or cause distress.
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
The four definitions of abnormality are statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, and deviation from ideal mental health.
Explain statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality.
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality based on behaviors that are statistically rare or deviate from the mean average, using cutoff points to identify outliers.
What is a normal distribution curve in statistical infrequency?
A normal distribution curve is a graph of data points that forms a bell-shaped curve, representing the distribution of behaviors in the population.
Name a strength of statistical infrequency in defining abnormality.
One strength is its objectivity; it provides an objective measure for abnormality once a cutoff point is agreed upon.
What is a weakness of statistical infrequency?
A weakness is its susceptibility to cultural bias, as it imposes Western cultural norms on the definition of abnormal behavior.
Define deviation from social norms.
Deviation from social norms defines abnormality based on behaviors that deviate from socially accepted standards and expectations within a given society.
Give an example of a social norm.
Queuing at a bus stop without pushing in is an example of a social norm, an unwritten rule within society.
Explain a weakness of deviation from social norms in defining abnormality.
One weakness is its subjectivity; social norms can change over time, and behaviors deemed deviant in one era may be acceptable in another.
What is failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
Failure to function adequately defines abnormality based on a person’s inability to cope with the demands of daily life, considering factors like observer discomfort and personal distress.
List Rosenhan et al.’s features related to failure to function adequately.
Observer discomfort, irrationality, maladaptive behaviors, unpredictability, and personal distress are features related to failure to function adequately.
Name a weakness of failure to function adequately.
The definition is culturally biased, as cultural values may influence what is considered adequate functioning.
What is a strength of failure to function adequately in defining abnormality?
It recognizes the subjective experience of the individual, allowing for a patient-centered view of mental disorders.
Define deviation from ideal mental health.
Deviation from ideal mental health assesses abnormality by evaluating mental health in terms of positive attitudes, self-actualisation, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, resisting stress, and environmental mastery.
List Jahoda’s characteristics of ideal mental health.
Positive attitudes towards oneself, self-actualization, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, resisting stress, and environmental mastery.
What is a criticism of deviation from ideal mental health?
The criteria for ideal mental health are over-demanding and unrealistic, making it difficult for most individuals to meet these standards.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
Emotional characteristics of phobias include irrational fear, high anxiety, and the potential for panic attacks.
How do phobias differ from other mental disorders?
Individuals with phobias often recognize that their fear is unreasonable, distinguishing them from disorders like schizophrenia.
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Behavioral characteristics involve avoidance, anxiety-based responses, and disruptions in functioning when confronted with feared objects or situations.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Emotional characteristics of depression encompass sadness, loss of interest, feelings of emptiness, worthlessness, and anger.
Explain cognitive characteristics of phobias.
Cognitive characteristics include irrational thinking and resistance to rational perspectives, even when the individual recognizes the irrationality of their fear.
How might depression manifest behaviorally?
Depression may manifest as either insomnia or oversleeping, both affecting daily functioning.
What is a major symptom of major depressive disorder?
Major depressive disorder requires at least five symptoms, including persistent sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities.
What are the behavioral characteristics of depression?
Behavioral characteristics include loss of energy, lethargy, social impairment, changes in weight, poor personal hygiene, and disturbances in sleep patterns.
What is a strength of defining abnormality using deviation from social norms?
It allows society to intervene to improve the lives of individuals with mental disorders and protects the overall well-being of society.
Name a weakness of deviation from social norms in defining abnormality.
It is subject to cultural bias, as what is considered normal may vary across cultures.
What is a weakness of failure to function adequately?
It can be culturally biased, as cultural values may influence what is considered adequate functioning.
What is a strength of defining abnormality based on failure to function adequately?
It recognizes the subjective experience of individuals, allowing for a patient-centered perspective on mental disorders.
Define deviation from ideal mental health.
Deviation from ideal mental health assesses abnormality by evaluating mental health in terms of positive attitudes, self-actualization, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, resisting stress, and environmental mastery.
What is a potential issue with defining abnormality based on statistical infrequency?
One potential issue is the subjective determination of the cutoff point, which may blur the line between normal and abnormal behavior.
What are the characteristics of ideal mental health according to Jahoda?
Positive attitudes towards oneself, self-actualization, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, resisting stress, and environmental mastery.
What is a criticism of deviation from ideal mental health?
The criteria for ideal mental health are over-demanding and unrealistic, making it difficult for most individuals to meet these standards.
Define social norms.
Social norms are accepted standards of behavior within a social group, either explicit or unwritten, that individuals are expected to follow.
Explain how social norms may be context-dependent.
Social norms may vary based on context; behaviors acceptable in one situation may be deemed abnormal in another.
What is a criticism of defining abnormality based on deviation from social norms?
Social norms can change over time, making this definition era-dependent and potentially leading to misdiagnosis based on changing societal values.
What is the emphasis of failure to function adequately in diagnosing abnormality?
Failure to function adequately focuses on a person’s inability to cope with the demands of daily life, considering factors like observer discomfort and personal distress.
Describe the role of cultural bias in deviation from social norms.
Deviation from social norms is subject to cultural bias, as what is considered normal varies across cultures, leading to potential misinterpretations.
How does failure to function adequately take a patient-centered view?
This definition recognizes the subjective experience of the individual, allowing mental disorders to be understood from the sufferer’s perspective.
Explain the potential cultural bias in defining abnormality based on failure to function adequately.
Failure to function adequately may be culturally biased, as different cultures have varying beliefs about what constitutes adequate functioning.
Define ideal mental health according to Jahoda.
Ideal mental health, according to Jahoda, involves positive attitudes towards oneself, self-actualization, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, resisting stress, and environmental mastery.
What is a criticism of defining abnormality based on deviation from ideal mental health?
The criteria for ideal mental health are often considered over-demanding and unrealistic, making them difficult for most individuals to meet.
How do phobias differ from schizophrenia in terms of self-awareness?
Individuals with phobias often recognize the irrationality of their fear, distinguishing them from disorders like schizophrenia.
What are some characteristics of phobias?
Phobias are characterized by irrational fear, high anxiety, panic attacks, avoidance, and disruptions in functioning when confronted with feared objects or situations.
What are common behavioral characteristics of depression?
Common behavioral characteristics of depression include loss of energy, lethargy, social impairment, changes in weight, poor personal hygiene, and disturbances in sleep patterns.
How might weight changes manifest in individuals with depression?
Individuals with depression may experience either weight loss or gain, both affecting their overall well-being.
What is the potential impact of defining abnormality based on deviation from social norms on non-conformists?
Defining abnormality based on deviation from social norms may lead to the persecution of non-conformists, limiting societal change and progress.
Name a potential criticism of defining abnormality based on deviation from social norms.
One potential criticism is that behaviors considered normal in one context may be deemed abnormal in another, leading to ambiguity in the definition.
How might deviation from ideal mental health be culturally biased?
Deviation from ideal mental health may be culturally biased, as the criteria are based on Western ideals and may not apply universally to diverse cultural contexts.
How does deviation from social norms contribute to societal functioning?
Deviation from social norms allows society to intervene when individuals display behaviors that may harm themselves or others, contributing to overall societal well-being.
What is an example of a behavioral characteristic of depression?
A behavioral characteristic of depression is social impairment, as individuals may withdraw from friends and family due to their emotional state.
How does deviation from ideal mental health differ from other definitions of abnormality?
Deviation from ideal mental health focuses on defining normality, contrasting with other definitions that emphasize abnormal behavior.
What is a limitation of defining abnormality based on deviation from ideal mental health?
The criteria for ideal mental health are subjective and challenging to measure, making the definition less objective compared to other approaches.
How might the criteria for ideal mental health be culturally biased?
The criteria for ideal mental health may be culturally biased, as they are based on Western ideals that may not align with diverse cultural perspectives.
Define the term “observer discomfort” in the context of failure to function adequately.
Observer discomfort refers to the discomfort or distress experienced by individuals observing someone whose behavior deviates from socially accepted norms.
What is a strength of defining abnormality based on failure to function adequately?
The definition recognizes the subjective experience of the individual, allowing for a patient-centered perspective on mental disorders.
What are some potential drawbacks of defining abnormality based on failure to function adequately?
Drawbacks include subjectivity in judgment, cultural bias, and the risk of creating ideal expectations that many individuals may struggle to meet.
Name a potential limitation of defining abnormality based on deviation from ideal mental health.
The criteria for ideal mental health are subjective and challenging to measure, leading to potential variations in interpretation.
How might the concept of “environmental mastery” contribute to ideal mental health?
Environmental mastery, as defined by Jahoda, involves being competent in all aspects of life and adapting flexibly to changes, contributing to ideal mental health.
How does deviation from social norms contribute to societal functioning?
Deviation from social norms allows society to intervene when individuals display behaviors that may harm themselves or others, contributing to overall societal well-being.
What is a potential criticism of using deviation from social norms in defining abnormality?
The definition may lack a clear distinction between normal and abnormal behavior, leading to ambiguity in diagnosing certain behaviors as eccentric rather than indicative of mental disorders.
How does deviation from social norms contribute to societal functioning?
Deviation from social norms allows society to intervene when individuals display behaviors that may harm themselves or others, contributing to overall societal well-being.
What is a potential criticism of using deviation from social norms in defining abnormality?
The definition may lack a clear distinction between normal and abnormal behavior, leading to ambiguity in diagnosing certain behaviors as eccentric rather than indicative of mental disorders.
Explain how cultural bias can affect statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality.
Cultural bias may arise as statistical norms are often based on Western cultural standards, which might not be universally applicable to diverse cultural contexts
Name a potential advantage of using statistical infrequency to define abnormality.
An advantage is its objectivity; once a cutoff point is agreed upon, it provides an objective measure for determining abnormality.
How might statistical infrequency be era-dependent?
Behaviors that were statistically rare in the past might not be rare today, and vice versa, leading to era-dependent judgments.
Define “deviation from social norms” in the context of abnormality.
Deviation from social norms defines abnormality based on behaviors that deviate from accepted social standards within a particular culture or society.
How does the context-dependency of social norms impact the definition of abnormal behavior?
Social norms may vary based on context, and what is deemed acceptable in one situation may be considered abnormal in another.
What is a limitation of using social norms to define abnormality?
One limitation is that social norms can change over time, making the definition era-dependent and subject to shifting societal values.
Explain how social norms might be subject to abuse in defining abnormality.
In certain situations, governments or authorities may misuse deviation from social norms to label dissenting individuals as mentally ill and exert control.
What role does context play in determining the abnormality of a behavior in deviation from social norms?
The acceptability of a behavior can vary depending on the context, blurring the line between eccentricity and mental disorder.
What is the primary emphasis of the “failure to function adequately” definition of abnormality?
Failure to function adequately emphasizes a person’s inability to meet the demands of daily life, impacting their well-being and the well-being of those around them.
How does “personal distress” contribute to the evaluation of failure to function adequately?
Personal distress is one of the features used to evaluate failure to function, recognizing the individual’s suffering and distress as an indicator of abnormality.
What is one of the potential weaknesses of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
Subjectivity in judgment; different individuals may assess the same behavior differently, leading to varying diagnoses.
Explain how cultural values can impact the evaluation of failure to function adequately.
Cultural values influence what is considered adequate functioning; therefore, this definition may be culturally biased in its judgments.
Define “deviation from ideal mental health” as a definition of abnormality.
Deviation from ideal mental health assesses abnormality by examining deviations from a set of criteria associated with positive mental well-being.
How might the criteria for ideal mental health be considered overly demanding?
Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health are often viewed as overly demanding and difficult for most individuals to meet.
What are some potential drawbacks of defining abnormality based on deviation from ideal mental health?
Drawbacks include subjectivity in judgment, cultural bias, and the risk of creating ideal expectations that many individuals may struggle to meet.
Name a potential disadvantage of using deviation from ideal mental health to define abnormality.
The criteria are subjective and challenging to measure, making the definition less objective compared to other approaches.
Define the term “positive attitudes towards oneself” in the context of ideal mental health.Define the term “positive attitudes towards oneself” in the context of ideal mental health.
Positive attitudes towards oneself involve having high self-esteem and a strong sense of personal identity, contributing to mental well-being.
How does “self-actualization” contribute to ideal mental health?
Self-actualization involves personal growth and development toward one’s potential, contributing to the overall well-being of an individual.
What is a potential drawback of using failure to function adequately in defining abnormality?
The definition may create ideal expectations that many individuals find challenging to meet, leading to potentially widespread diagnoses of abnormality.
How might deviation from ideal mental health be culturally biased?
The criteria for ideal mental health may be culturally biased, as different cultures may have varying beliefs about what constitutes mental well-being.
Define “environmental mastery” in the context of ideal mental health.
Environmental mastery involves being competent in all aspects of life, adapting to changes, and maintaining flexibility in different life circumstances.
How might cultural values influence the assessment of deviation from ideal mental health?
Cultural values play a significant role in determining what is considered ideal mental health, potentially leading to cultural bias in assessments.
What is a criticism of using deviation from social norms in defining abnormality?
The definition may lack a clear distinction between normal and abnormal behavior, leading to ambiguity in diagnosing certain behaviors as eccentric rather than indicative of mental disorders.
How does deviation from social norms contribute to societal functioning?
Deviation from social norms allows society to intervene when individuals display behaviors that may harm themselves or others, contributing to overall societal well-being.
What is a potential criticism of using deviation from social norms in defining abnormality?
The definition may lack a clear distinction between normal and abnormal behavior, leading to ambiguity in diagnosing certain behaviors as eccentric rather than indicative of mental disorders.
How does deviation from social norms contribute to societal functioning?
Deviation from social norms allows society to intervene when individuals display behaviors that may harm themselves or others, contributing to overall societal well-being.
Explain the concept of “statistical infrequency” in defining abnormality.
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality based on behaviors that are statistically rare or deviate significantly from the mean average in the general population.
How might cultural bias impact the application of statistical infrequency in defining abnormality?
Cultural bias may arise as statistical norms are often based on Western cultural standards, which might not be universally applicable to diverse cultural contexts.
What is one potential advantage of using statistical infrequency to define abnormality?
An advantage is its objectivity; once a cutoff point is agreed upon, it provides an objective measure for determining abnormality.
How might statistical infrequency be era-dependent?
Behaviors that were statistically rare in the past might not be rare today, and vice versa, leading to era-dependent judgments
Define “deviation from social norms” in the context of abnormality.Define “deviation from social norms” in the context of abnormality.
Deviation from social norms defines abnormality based on behaviors that deviate from accepted social standards within a particular culture or society.
How does the context-dependency of social norms impact the definition of abnormal behaviuor?
Social norms may vary based on context, and what is deemed acceptable in one situation may be considered abnormal in another.
What is a limitation of using social norms to define abnormality?
One limitation is that social norms can change over time, making the definition era-dependent and subject to shifting societal values.
Explain how social norms might be subject to abuse in defining abnormality.
In certain situations, governments or authorities may misuse deviation from social norms to label dissenting individuals as mentally ill and exert control.
What role does context play in determining the abnormality of a behavior in deviation from social norms?
The acceptability of a behavior can vary depending on the context, blurring the line between eccentricity and mental disorder.
What is the primary emphasis of the “failure to function adequately” definition of abnormality?
Failure to function adequately emphasizes a person’s inability to meet the demands of daily life, impacting their well-being and the well-being of those around them.
How does “personal distress” contribute to the evaluation of failure to function adequately?
Personal distress is one of the features used to evaluate failure to function, recognising the individual’s suffering and distress as an indicator of abnormality.
What is one of the potential weaknesses of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
Subjectivity in judgment; different individuals may assess the same behavior differently, leading to varying diagnoses.
Explain how cultural values can impact the evaluation of failure to function adequately.
Cultural values influence what is considered adequate functioning; therefore, this definition may be culturally biased in its judgments.
Define “deviation from ideal mental health” as a definition of abnormality.
Deviation from ideal mental health assesses abnormality by examining deviations from a set of criteria associated with positive mental well-being.
How might the criteria for ideal mental health be considered overly demanding?
Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health are often viewed as overly demanding and difficult for most individuals to meet.
Name a potential disadvantage of using deviation from ideal mental health to define abnormality.
The criteria are subjective and challenging to measure, making the definition less objective compared to other approaches.
What are some potential drawbacks of defining abnormality based on deviation from ideal mental health?
Drawbacks include subjectivity in judgment, cultural bias, and the risk of creating ideal expectations that many individuals may struggle to meet.
Define the term “positive attitudes towards oneself” in the context of ideal mental health.
Positive attitudes towards oneself involve having high self-esteem and a strong sense of personal identity, contributing to mental well-being.
How does “self-actualization” contribute to ideal mental health?
Self-actualization involves personal growth and development toward one’s potential, contributing to the overall well-being of an individual.
How might deviation from ideal mental health be culturally biased?
The criteria for ideal mental health may be culturally biased, as different cultures may have varying beliefs about what constitutes mental well-being.
What is a potential drawback of using failure to function adequately in defining abnormality?
The definition may create ideal expectations that many individuals find challenging to meet, leading to potentially widespread diagnoses of abnormality.
Define “environmental mastery” in the context of ideal mental health.
Environmental mastery involves being competent in all aspects of life, adapting to changes, and maintaining flexibility in different life circumstances.
In deviation from social norms, how might the definition lack a clear distinction between normal and abnormal behaviour?
The lack of a clear distinction arises as what is acceptable in one context may not be acceptable in another, leading to ambiguity in labelling behaviours as eccentric or indicative of mental disorders.
How might cultural values influence the assessment of deviation from ideal mental health?
Cultural values play a significant role in determining what is considered ideal mental health, potentially leading to cultural bias in assessments.
According to statistical infrequency, what does the term “mean average” refer to?
The mean average is the central value in a distribution, and behaviors deviating significantly from this value are considered statistically infrequent.
Why might deviation from social norms be subject to cultural bias?
Deviation from social norms may reflect the standards of the majority culture, potentially labeling behaviors from different ethnic or cultural groups as “abnormal.”
What is one potential advantage of using failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
A strength is its patient-centered view, considering the subjective experience of individuals who may be struggling and wish to seek intervention.
How might the subjectivity of judgment impact the application of failure to function adequately?
Different individuals may judge the same behavior differently, leading to varying diagnoses and potential challenges in applying this definition consistently.
According to Rosenhan et al. (1989), what are some features suggesting a failure to function adequately?
Features include observer discomfort, irrationality, maladaptive behaviors, unpredictability, and personal distress, contributing to the diagnosis of abnormality
In deviation from ideal mental health, why might the criteria be considered over-demanding?
Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health are often viewed as over-demanding as they set high standards that most individuals may find challenging to meet.
How might the criteria for ideal mental health be culturally biased?
The criteria are based on Western ideals, potentially leading to cultural bias as different cultures may have varying beliefs about what constitutes ideal mental health.
Name a potential criticism of using deviation from social norms in defining abnormality.
The definition may lack a clear distinction between normal and abnormal behavior, leading to ambiguity in diagnosing certain behaviors as eccentric rather than indicative of mental disorders.
