Psychopathology

Question 1

What are the 4 definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

Statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, deviation from ideal mental health, failure to function adequately

Question 2

Define statistical infrequency

Answer 2

what is normal usually happens (or happens to the majority of people) and anything that occurs rarely is abnormal.

Question 3

Define deviation from social norms

Answer 3

behaviour is abnormal if it goes against what most people in society would consider acceptable.

Question 4

Define deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 4

behaviour is abnormal if it lacks the signs of what people consider to be ideal mental health.

Question 5

Define Failure to function adequately

Answer 5

behaviour is abnormal if it prevents a person from leading their everyday life.

Question 6

AO3 evaluation points for statistical infrequency are

Answer 6

+ High reliability, practical applications
- Incomplete explanations, simplified

Question 7

AO3 evaluation points for deviation from social norms are

Answer 7

+ Holistic, Practical applications
- Generalisability, theoretical issues

Question 8

AO3 evaluation points for deviation from ideal mental health are

Answer 8

+ Holism, promotes goal setting
- Simplistic, culture

Question 9

AO3 evaluation points for failure to function adequately are

Answer 9

+ Objectivity, Credibility
- Generalisability, culturally relative

Question 10

What are the forms of failure to function adequately

Answer 10

Observer discomfort: behaviour makes those around feel uncomfortable

Violation of moral standards: not behaving in accordance with society’s norms

Vividness: others find the behaviour odd

Suffering: individual may suffer as a result of their condition or may conflict suffering on others

Unpredictable: behaviour is unexpected or unpredictable

Maladaptiveness: behaviour prevents the person reaching desired goals

Irrational: behaviour seems to defy logical sense

Question 11

What factors make up Jahoda’s 6 main characteristics of ideal mental health

Answer 11

Positive attitude towards oneself, accurate perception of reality, autonomy, resisting stress, self actualisation, environmental mastery

Question 12

Define positive attitude towards oneself as one of Jahoda’s characteristics for ideal mental health

Answer 12

having a high self esteem and strong sense of identity

Question 13

Define accurate perception of reality as one of Jahoda’s characteristics for ideal mental health

Answer 13

Not distorted by faulty thinkings or delusions

Question 14

Define autonomy as one of Jahoda’s characteristics for ideal mental health

Answer 14

The ability to function as an independent person, taking responsibility for our own actions

Question 15

Define resisting stress as one of Jahoda’s characteristics for ideal mental health

Answer 15

Synthesising self attitude and personal growth to create resistance to stress

Question 16

Define self actualisation as one of Jahoda’s characteristics for ideal mental health

Answer 16

The extent to which a person develops their full capabilities

Question 17

Define environmental mastery as one of Jahoda’s characteristics for ideal mental health

Answer 17

Ability to love, function at work and interpersonal relations, adjust to new situations and solve problems

Question 18

What factors make up Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 18

Personal distress, maladaptive behaviour, unpredictability, irrationality, observer discomfort, violation of moral qualities, unconventionality

Question 19

Define personal distress as one of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 19

The individual may suffer as a result of their condition (e.g. depression) or may inflict suffering on others

Question 20

Define maladaptive behaviour as one of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 20

Behaviour prevents the person reaching desired goals, e.g. unable to work or have relationships

Question 21

Define unpredictability as one of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 21

Behaviour is unexpected or unpredictable

Question 22

Define irrationality as one of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 22

Behaviour seems to defy logical sense

Question 23

Define observer discomfort as one of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 23

Behaviour makes those around feel uncomfortable

Question 24

Define violation of moral qualities as one of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 24

Not behaving in accordance with society’s norms

Question 25

Define unconventionality (vividness) as one of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (failure to function adequately)

Answer 25

Others find the behaviour odd

Question 26

What is a phobia

Answer 26

An intense, overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, situation, feeling or animal

Question 27

What are the three main types of phobias

Answer 27

Specific phobias, social phobias and agoraphobia

Question 28

What are emotional characteristics of a phobia

Answer 28

Persistent, excessive, unreasonable fear. High level of anxiety when anticipating the object. Fear when presented with the object. Related to feelings or mood

Question 29

What are behavioural characteristic of phobias

Answer 29

Panic attacks, crying, screaming, running away, freezing or clinging. Avoiding the feared stimulus. Disruption of everyday functioning. Ways in which people act

Question 30

What are cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 30

Concious awareness of exaggerated anxiety. Paying selective attention to the feared stimulus. Irrational beliefs or cognitive distortions. Refers to thinking and knowing

Question 31

What is depression

Answer 31

A mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest

Question 32

What are emotional characteristics of depression

Answer 32

Persistent low mood, pronounced feelings of sadness. Anger directed at self and/or others. Lowered self esteem - feeling worthless and empty

Question 33

What are behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 33

Lack of interest in normal everyday activities. Social withdrawal. Insomnia or excessive desire to sleep (hypersomnia). Aggression towards others or self harm

Question 34

What are cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 34

Poor concentration - difficulties attending to a task and/or decision making. Cognitive biases - focus on negative aspects of a situation. Suicidal thoughts

Question 35

What is OCD

Answer 35

Anxiety disorder split into obsession and compulsion

Question 36

What are emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 36

Anxiety and distress - may accompany both obsessions and compulsions. Low mood and/or depression. Feelings of guilt or disgust may accompany OCD anxiety

Question 37

What are behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 37

Compulsions: repetitive behaviours e.g. hand washing, which are often performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety. Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety e.g. individual with germ obsession avoids emptying bins

Question 38

What are cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 38

Obsessive thoughts that recur over and over. Cognitive coping strategies e.g. praying. Understanding that obsessions or compulsions are irrational