Psychopathology Flashcards
What is Psychology?
The scientific study of psychology disorders. How do we identify when someone is psychologically ill and how might behaviour be defined as abnormal as opposed to normal?
What is Statistical Infrequency?
Number based definition. It defines ‘normal’ behaviour in typical values e.g. mean, median and mode. If we know what is the most common behaviour then we know when behaviour is usual, anything more than 2 standard deviations away from the mean may indicate an abnormality.
What is Cultural Relativism?
Statistically frequent behaviours in one culture may be statistically infrequent in another. Behaviour must be considered within its cultural context, in order to avoid a mis-diagnosis.
What Type of Curve can Statistical Infrequency be shown on?
A normal distribution curve (bell shaped curve with the peak being in the average in the middle).
If behaviour occurs at either end of the curve, it may be considered statistically rare and therefore abnormal.
What does it mean if distribution shows scores mainly at the Lower End of a Normal Distribution Curve?
It is a positive skew so the mode is at the peak, then the median and then the mean closest to the tail. The tail is on the positive end.
What is the Evaluation of Statistical Infrequency?
-Some desirable behaviours are statistically rare e.g. high IQ and some frequent behaviours may be undesirable like depression.
-Some abnormal behaviours are not statistically rare.
-The precise cut-off point may be subjective opinion. If lack of sleep is a symptom of depression, how many hours constitute a ‘lack’ -> It’s an objective measure but can be subjective when someones on the boarder of a standard deviation.
-Can still be used effectively as an indication of abnormality when used alongside another definition. Appropriate for some e.g. IQ measured at more than 2 standard deviations below the mean is judged abnormal providing they are also considered “failing to function adequately” i.e. used in conjunction with another definition.
What is Deviation from Social Norms?
-Socially based definition.
-Social norms - the expected/usual behaviour in a culture or society.
-There are explicit and implicit rules that a society has about socially accepted behaviours, values or beliefs e.g. explicit (laws) like don’t murder and implicit (rules) like personal space, queueing.
-Deviance from the social norms is undesirable, often leads to rejection, considered abnormal.
-Social deviance makes it difficult for social interaction and society may exclude those individuals.
e.g. Standing too close to someone, inappropriately dressed (e.g. for age or situation), inappropriate affect (e.g. laughing when told someone has died).
What are the Strengths and Limitations of Deviation from Social Norms?
+The focus on social norms helps society function and considers the impact of behaviour on others.
-Role of context - different dress for different settings. Also the degree of behaviour e.g. excessive shouting at a football match is socially acceptable but not in the street.
-Changes over time - homosexuality was once listed in DSH as an abnormality.
What is the Evaluation of Social Norms in terms of Cultural Relativism?
-Social norms vary from one culture to another, what is considered socially acceptable in one culture may not be to another (e.g. ideas of personal space vary between cultures).
-Dangers of being ethnocentric - the assumption that your own culture that your own culture is the norm and any deviation from this indicates abnormality.
-The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) now makes references to different cultural behaviours e.g. panic attacks may be uncontrollable crying in some cultures but difficulty breathing is the primary symptom in others.
What is the Failure to Function Adequately?
People with psychological disorders often experience considerable suffering and distress - and a general inability to cope with everyday activities e.g. may be unable to work, lose motivation to care for themselves.
-Distress may also be to others as the individual may not be aware how much they are suffering e.g. experiencing hallucinations.
-The World Health Organisation Disability Assessment (WHODAS) included in the DSM as a measure of ability to function considers areas such as: understanding and communication, life activities and participation in society, getting along with others and getting around.
-Individuals rate each item out of 5 and are given an overall score making this a quantitative measure.
-This means the measure of overall functioning is quantitative.
What are the Strengths and Limitations of the Failure to Function Adequately?
+Can be measured objectively using the WHODAS scale (why is this better than a subjective measure).
-The behaviour may be ‘functioning’ for the individual e.g. cross-dressing, however, transvestitism is listed as a mental disorder.
-Subjective judgement: the individual may be content e.g. those with schizophrenia may not recognise their own dysfunctional behaviour.
