psychopathology Flashcards
what is statistical infrequency 3
-abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely and statistically rarest
-therefore found in few people -eg An Iq result under 70 is seen to be abnormal
evaluation of statistical infrequency
- some abnormal behaviour is desirable eg an IQ over 150 is seen as “abnormally intelligent” TMB using SI the define abnormality means that we are unable to disguish desirable and undesirable behaviour
- cut off point is every subjective eg why is 71 classed as normal and not 69 on an IQ test TMB the lack of definity between abnormality and normalative
deviation from social norms 5
-abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules we learn from society
-how we ought to behave.
-Anything that violets these rules is considered abnormal
- in the past homosexuality was classed as abnormal
-In the uk it would be consider unacceptable to scream in a library
evaluation of DFSN
+ breaking norms isnt always a bad thing eg homosexuality accepted now TMB historical be for the better
- deviance is related to context and degree eg summer and winter clothing TMB social deviance cant offer a full definition of abnormality because it is inevitably related to both context and degree
failure to function adequately 3
-rosenhan and seligman
-people are judged on their ability to go about daily life.
- If they cant do this and are also experiencing distress then it is considered a sign of abnormality.
examples of failure to function adequately
The DSM considers 6 factors ed getting along with people and self care on a scale of 1-5 generating a quantitive number out of 180 for functioning. eg maladaptiveness self harm and observer discomfort
evaluate FTFA
-who judges?
eg individaul might be content with their situation for example an old man staying at home and leaving when only necessary. TMB the judgement might be subjective based on who is deciding.
-cultural relativism
eg different diagnoses when applied to different cultures TMB the model is limited by different cultural relativisms.
deviation from ideal mental health 5
-proposed by jahoda
-abnormality is defined in terms of mental health behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness.
-judged against criteria of someone good mental health
-for example mastery of the environment eg person can adopt to new situation and be at ease to all situations
-for example autonomy eg state of independence and self determination
evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health
- positive approach
ed doesn’t describe abnormality as undesirable and influenced the positive psychology movement TMB postive outlook - unrealistic criteria
eg hard to assess environmental mastery
TMB not really usable for identifying abnormality
what is depression
a mood disorder where an individual feels sad and or lacks interest in their usual activities. Further characteristics irrational negative thoughts, raised/lowered activity levels difficulties concentrating, sleep and eating
characteristics of depression
emotional- sadness, feeling empty, low self esteem lost of pleasure in usual hobbies and anger (anhedonia)
behavioural- shift in activity levels or reduced energy levels in sleep and appetite
cognitive- negative schemas that attract negative thoughts that are irrational eg “ i failed my exam i am stupid” Do not have to be evidence base.
what is OCD
an anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsession (persistent thoughts) and compulsions (repetitve behaviour) are a response to obsessions and the person believes the compulsions will reduce anxiety.
characteristics of OCD
emotional- obsessions and compulsions are a source of anxiety and distress. suffers are aware their behaviour is excessive which causes embarrassment and shame.
behavioural- compulsive behaviours are performed to reduce anxiety they are compelled because they believe something terrible will happen these are repetitive and unconcealed eg handwashing
cognitive- obsessions are recurrent, intrusive thoughts/impulses and perceived to the sufferer as inappropriate or forbidden eg fleeting sexual images
definition of phobias
a group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in responce to a phobic stimulus. This is life interfering
characteristics of phobias
emotional- fear marked as persistent, excessive and unreasonable coupled with feelings of anxiety and panic
behavioural - avoiding phobic stimulus eg a social phobic will avoid social situations
cognitive - mental processes in claustrophobia such as “ the small space is out to get me” are irrational not evidence based
what is a phobia
a phobia is an irrational fear that produces conscious avoiding behaviours eg claustrophobia
describe Mowrer’s model in explaining phobias - INITIATION
process 1 - initiation classical conditioning for example a phobia of dogs.
when associated with a bite (UCS) turns into the CR of fear to seeing a dog CS which was previously a NS
describe Mowrer’s model in explaining phobias - MAINTENANCE
process 2 - maintenance operant conditioning for example avoiding the phobic stimulus reduces fear and is therefore rewarding making it more likely for a individual to avoid their phobia (negative reinforcement)
mowers two process model 3
-suggests that all phobias are learned
-emphasises the importance of the environment
-proposes that some learning is maladaptive (not helpful maybe harmful and can led to abnormal behaviour
evaluate mowrers 2 way process model
+ supporting study little albert by watson and raynor created a phobia of rats in 11 month old TMB it suggests that phobias can be created from a unfortunate event therefore increases the validity
- biological preparedness seligman suggests we have ancient fears such as heights and strangers which have come from evolution and survival TMB not all phobias derive from a traumatic experience
-diathesis stress model for example mowrers model cant explain generic vulnerability diathesis (every one born with genetic vulnerability) stress (environmental factors) that trigger the genetic vulnerability
A hierarchy for a spider phobia might be
1= least feared = seeing spider on bathroom floor
2= approaching the spider with a glass
3= catching the spider in a glass
4= tipping the spider onto a table
5= Most feared picking the spider up and putting it out of your front door
what is systematic desensitisation?
-when a client is gradually exposed their phobic stimulus under relaxed conditions until the anxiety is extinguished
-A hierarchy of gradual steps
-real or imagined feared situations
what 3 components makes up for systematic desensitisation
- fear hierarchy based on progression gradual steps determined by patient and therapist from least to most fearful only move onto next stage after complete relaxation achieved in previous stage
-relaxation training patient taught deep muscle relaxation ed deep slow breathing starting with least feared learns to relax at each stage
-reciprocal inhibition based on the theory that no 2 opposite emotions can be felt a once eg fear and relaxation
what is flooding 5
-a client is exposed to the phobia at its worst
-. A long session (2-3 hours) until the anxiety reaction has disappeared
-being taught how to relax. such as deep breathing
- this can either be vivo (real) or virtual reality
-fear responses have a time limit as adrenaline reduces a new stimulus-response link can be learnt
