Psychopathology Flashcards
What is statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality?
When an individual has a less common characteristic to the rest of the population based on statistical testing. This means they can be defined as abnormal.
What is an example of statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality?
Statistical infrequency can be most reliable with characteristics that are easily tested like intelligence. The IQ test shows that most with cluster around the average and the further away from the average the less likely people will be to get that score.
What is a strength of statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality?
Usefulness, used in clinical practices. IQ test is needed to diagnose intellectual disabilities. Show that the value of the statistical infrequency criterion is useful in diagnostic processes.
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality?
Infrequent characteristics can be postitive as well as negative. For example having an a low score on the depression scale is not seen as abnormal while having a high score would be. Therefore just basing abnormality on statistical infrequency is not sufficient at defining abnormality.
What is deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality?
When a persons behaviour differs from the societal expectations and norms. This can vary from culture to culture as each will have different norms.
What is an example of deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality?
A person with psychopathy is aggressive and impulsive. Psychopaths don’t conform to moral standards and would therefore be considered abnormal in a wide range of cultures.
What is a strength of deviation from social norms as an explanation for abnormality?
Used in clinical practice, for example it is used in diagnosing psychopathy as symptoms such as aggression, recklessness and deceitfulness are all deviations from social norms. This shows that the social norms criterion has value in psychiatry.
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms as an explanation for abnormality?
Variability between different cultures and situations. A person from one culture may label someone from another culture as abnormal using their standards rather than the persons standards which may create mislabeling. Means it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different situations and cultures.
What is failure to function adequately as a definition for abnormality?
When someone can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life. Such as lack of hygiene and nutrition.
What signs of failing to function adequately did Rosehan and Seligman propose?
-No longer conforming to interpersonal rules
-Experiences severe personal distress
-Irrational or dangerous behaviour
What is a strength of using failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
Represents a threshold for when most of us need professional help. Many people have symotoms of metal health disorders but are able to push through. It is when we can no longer function that we need help. Therefore this criterion means help and treatment can be targeted to those who need it most.
What is a limitation of using failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
Easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal. Can be hard to determine between people choosing to deviate or failing to function. Means that people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labeled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted.
What is deviation from ideal mental health as a definition for abnormality?
Occurs when someone does not meet a criteria for ideal mental health.
What did Jahoda suggest was the criteria for ideal mental health? -4 Points
-We can self actualise
-We can successfully work and enjoy leisure
-We have good self esteem
-We can cope with stress
What is a strength of ideal mental health as a definition for abnormality?
It is highly comprehensive, wide ranging criteria means that their can be multiple ways to look at reasons why we may need to seek help.
Means it provides a checklist where we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals.
What is a limitation for ideal mental health as a definition for abnormality?
Different elements are not equally applicable across cultures. Some of the criteria are firmly located in western view. Self actualisation would be viewed as indulgent in most of the world. Difficult to apply the concept from one culture to another.
What is a phobia?
Excessive fear or anxiety triggered by an object place or situation.
What are the three DSM categories of phobia and what does each mean?
1.Specific Phobia- Phobia of an object or situation
2. Social anxiety- Phobia of social situations such as public speaking or using a public toilet
3. Agoraphobia- Phobia of being outside or in a public place
What are the three behavioural characteristics of phobias and what do they each involve?
- Panic- May panic in response to the phobic stimulus. May involve crying screaming or running away.
- Avoidance- Unless the person is making. conscious effort to face their fear they tend to go to a lot of effort to avoid it.
- Endurance- When a person chooses to stay in the presence of a phobic stimulus.
What are the three emotional characteristics of phobias and what do they each involve?
- Anxiety- Classed as anxiety disorders and involve an emotional response of anxiety. Prevents a person relaxing.
- Fear- The immediate and unpleasant response when we encounter a phobic stimulus more intense but shorter than anxiety.
- Unreasonable emotional response- Anxiety or fear is much greater than is normal and disproportionate to any threat posed.
What are the three cognitive characteristics of phobias and what do they each involve?
- Selective attention to the phobic stimulus- Keeps attention on the perceived threat which will increase our chance of reacting quickly but is un helpful when the fear is irrational.
- Irrational beliefs- A person with a phobia may hold unfounded thoughts in relation to phobic stimuli which can’t be explained and have no basis in reality.
- Cognitive distortions- Perceptions may be inaccurate and unrealistic.
What are the four DSM categories of depression?
-Major depressive disorder
-Persistent depressive disorder
-Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
-Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
What are the three behavioural characteristics of depression and what do they each involve?
- Activity levels- People with depression have reduced levels of energy and this makes them lethargic.
- Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour- Associated with changes to sleeping behaviour May experience reduced sleep or increased need for sleep- similar with food.
- Aggression and self harm- Can become verbally or physically aggressive. Can also be aggressive against themselves.
What are the three emotional characteristics of depression and what do they each involve?
- Lowered mood- Means feeling sad but many people with depression describe feeling worthless or empty.
- Anger- Tend to experience more negative emotions and fewer positive ones during episodes of depression. This anger can be directed at self or others.
- Lower self esteem- People with depression tend to like themselves less than usual some experience a sense of self loathing.
What are the three cognitive characteristics of depression and what do they each involve?
- Poor concentration- Person may struggle to stick to tasks as they usually would or find it hard to make decisions they would usually find straightforward.
- Dwelling on the negative- pay more attention to the negative situation and ignoring the positive.
- Absolutist thinking- Think that situations are either all good or all bad.
What is OCD as defined by the DSM?
A condition characterised by obsessive and compulsive behaviour. Most with OCD with have both obsessions (cognitive) and compulsions (behavioural).
What are the three behavioural characteristics of OCD and what do they each involve?
- Compulsions are repetitive- People with OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour.
- Compulsions reduce anxiety- Around 10% of people show compulsive behaviour alone but the vast majority compulsions are formed to reduce anxiety around obsessions.
- Avoidance- Behaviour may be characterised by keeping away from situations that trigger anxiety.
What are the three emotional characteristics of OCD and what do they each involve?
- Anxiety and distress- Regarded as particularly unpleasant emotional experience because of the powerful anxiety that accompanies obsessions and compulsions.
- Accompanying depression- Anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment.
- Guilt and disgust- OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions such as irrational guilt over minor moral issues.
What are the three cognitive characteristics of OCD and what do they each involve?
- Obsessive thoughts- For around 90% of people with OCD the major cognitive feature of conditions is obsessive thoughts.
- Cognitive coping strategies- Adapted to deal with obsessions. Helps to manage anxiety but may make someone seem abnormal.
- Insight into excessive anxiety- People with OCD are aware their obsessions and compulsions are not rational. People will think catastrophic thoughts of the worst case scenario that might result if their anxiety were justified.
What is the two process model to explaining phobias?
The behaviourist model to explaining phobias consists of acquiring the phobia by classical conditioning and maintaining the phobia by operant conditioning.
What is in the acquiring section of the two process model to explaining phobias?
When we learn to associate a neural stimulus with something that already causes fear- an unconditioned stimulus.
What was the process of Watsons Little Albert study?
Gave 9 month old little Albert a white rat to play with.
Started to make a loud bang every time he was shown the rat.
Albert was then seen to be scared of white fluffy items.
What were the findings of the little Albert study?
That an neutral stimulus can be turned into a conditioned stimulus in the context of phobias.
