Psychopathology Flashcards
define OCD
condition characterised by obsessions and/or complusive behaviour
what are the 2 behavioural characteristics of OCD
-avoidance
- compulsions
what are the 3 emotional characteristics of OCD
-anxiety+distress
-guilt+disgust
-accompanying depression
what are 2 cognitive characteristics of OCD
-obsessive thoughts-persistent irrational thoughts
- cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions
- insight into excessive anxiety
- hypervigilance-incr. awareness of source of obsession
What is statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
Abnormaliy is when an individual has a less common characteristic than most of the population e.g less intelligent
How are characteristics of statistical infrequency measured?
On a distribution curve whereby majority of people cluster around the average at the top of the curve and the ‘abnormal’ people will lie at the bottom of the curve
What is an example of a statistical infrequency?
Average IQ is between 85-115 (68%), only 2% fall below which is intellectual disability disorder
Give one strength and limitation of statistical infrequency
Hint: RL application, Unusual characteristics
:) RL application in the diagnosis of disorders like intellectual disability disorder. All assessments of patients with disorders includ. Some kind of measurement of how severe their symptoms are against statistical norms, therefore statistical infrequency=useful part of clinical assessment
:( unusual characteristics can be positive, IQ scored over 130=just as unusual as those below. 70, just bc a few ppl display certain behav does make them statistically abnormal but doesn’t mean they require treatment to return to normal=serious limitation to concept so cannot be used for diagnosis alone
What is deviation from social norms as an explanation for abnormality?
Behaviour which is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community/society. We make a collective judgement as a society about what is right
Give an example of a deviation from social norms
Antisocial personality disorder(psychopathy)-impulsive, aggressive, unable to perform to ethical behaviour
Explain this limitation of deviation from social norms: cultural relativism
Defining behaviour as abnormal through this definition is a problem as social norms vary between generations/communities. TF: different cultures may label others as abnormal whereas others may label them as normal. E.g hearing voices=socially acceptable in some cultures, UK= sign of mental abnormality
Give one strength of the deviation from social norms explanation hint: RL application
RL application in diagnosis e.g antisocial personality disorder, TF this explanation =acceptable for thinking about what is normal/abnormal
What is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?
Abnormality occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary day-to-day demands of living.
What are rosenhan+ seligmans signs for when someone is not coping
- severe personal distress
- behaviour is=irrational/dangerous to themselves/others
- no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g personal space
What is an example of failing to function adequately?
Intellectual disability disorder- a person must have low IQ to be diagnosed HE must also be failing to function adequately
Explain this strength for the failing to function adequately: patients perspective
- attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual, acknowledging its importance
- definition captures the experience of many of ppl who need help suggesting it is a useful criteria for assessing abnormality
Explain this limitation for failing to function adequately: subjective judgements
When deciding if someone is failing to function adequately sm1 has to judge. A patient may say they are distressed but may be judged as not suffering. There= checklists such as the global assessment of functioning scale. HE issue= someone has to judge
what is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?
looks at what makes people normal to describe what is abnormal using a set of critera
give some examples of jahodas criteria on what good mental health is
-no distress
- self-actualise
- good self-esteem
- independent
evaluation: explaining phobias: alt explanations
doesnt fully explain why we have phobias. other explanations for why we acquire+maintain phobia needs to be considered as bc ppl dont remember how they acquired one doesnt mean they dont have one. alt explanation: biological preparedness (innate predisposition to acquire a phobia) we acquire phobias that have been a source of danger in our evolutionary past e.g snakes
evaluation: phobias explanation: anxiety reduction
buck: goal of anxiety reduction=not always a favoured response. agoraphobia doesnt support model bc they are more concerned w/safety then avoiding the stimulus of going outside. explains why ppl w/ this phoba are able to go outside w/ a trusted person w/ lil anxiety. contradicts the model that states they wouldnt leave to avoid the anxiety
evaluation explaining phobias: good explanatory power
two-process model=step forward from watson+raynors classical conditioning proposal, explains why phobias=maintaned over time. this =important in therapies bc it explains why patients need to be exposed-once patient cant practise their avoidant behaviour, ceases to be reinforced so ti declines
what are the 3 behavioural characteristics of phobias
- panic
- avoidance
- endurance
what is the emotional characteristic of phobia
- anxiety
