psychopathology

Question 1

What is psychopatholgy

Answer 1

Study of psychological disorders

Question 2

statistical infrequency

Answer 2

when an individual has a less than common characteristic

Question 3

How can statistical infrequency be used to detect a psychological disorder

Answer 3

• This approach can only be used when the characteristic can be reliably measured
• Such as IQ, a person having an IQ of lower than 70 will often be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder (IDD)

Question 4

Deviation from social norms

Answer 4

when a behaviour deviates from what is socially acceptable

Question 5

Evaluation of statistical infrequency

Answer 5

Strengths
- practical use for diagnosis
- Beck depression inventroy - used to measure depression
- IQ - measure intellectuality

Limitations
- Can only be used when characteristics can be objectively measured
- Sometimes statistical infrequency could be positive, such as a high IQ
- Social stigma attached to labels , therefore sometimes people may not benefitted from being diagnosed as different, especially if they are able to function without treatment

Question 6

Evaluation of deviation from social norms

Answer 6

Strengths
- Real world application, used to diagnose mental disorders such as psychopathy
- Moral social norms are largely accepted across cultures

Limitations
- Social norms are different across cultures and generations
- Using social norms as a diagnosis carries the risk of unfair labelling, deviation from social norms can be unharmful to the person themself and the people around them