psychopathology

Question 1

what are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

-deviation from social norms
-deviation from ideal mental health
-faliure to function adequately
-statistical infrequency

Question 2

outline deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 2

-social ‘norm’ is an unwritten rule about what is acceptable
-if someone’s thinking or behaviour deviates, they may be considered as abnormal

Question 3

evaluate deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 3

1) cultural relativism (-)
2) hindsight bias (-)
3) mediated by degree of severity and context (-)

Question 4

outline failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 4

-when an individual is unable to cope with the demands of everyday life in society
-causes personal suffering and distress
-causes others distress and discomfort

Question 5

evaluate failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 5

• hard to distinguish between definitions (dev from social norms)
• stems from individual differences
  + considers the individual’s own thoughts and feelings

Question 6

outline statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 6

-abnormal behaviour is seen as statistically uncommon
-determined by looking at distribution within a particular society
-represented by a normal distribution curve

Question 7

evaluate statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 7

• desirability bias
• misdiagnosis
• labelling can be damaging

Question 8

outline deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality

Answer 8

Jahoda
-abnormal behaviour is the absence of ideal characteristics
-individual has behaviours which move away from ideal MH
-missing one of the criterial would make the individual abnormal

Question 9

What are the six principles of ideal mental health?

Answer 9

-self actualisation/personal growth
-high self image, strong sense of identity
-independent of others
-accurate view of reality
-integrate and resist stress
-master environment

Question 10

evaluate deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality

Answer 10

• unrealistic criteria
• cultural relativism
  + focuses on absence of positives