Psychopathology Flashcards
Definitions of abnormality- Explain what is meant by deviation from social norms
Behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave. Societies define abnormal behaviour on the basis it offends their belief of what is acceptable or the norm. Norms are specific to the culture we live in
What’s the cultural view on deviation from social norms
Unlikely behaviour is considered universally abnormal in every society and culture
What’s an example of how the deviation from social norms changes from culture to culture
Antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive aggressive and irresponsible. DSM-5 states “ an absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour”
Evaluation of deviation from social norms
Not a sole explanation- strength of this definition is real life application in the diagnosis of anti social personality disorder. There is therefore place for this definition in thihnking about what is normal and abnormal
Lead to human rights abuses- too much reliance on this to understand abnormality can lead to systematic abuse of human rights. Some diagnoses from history were in place to maintain control over minority ethnic groups and women e.g drapetomania stops black slaves running away.
Explain failure to function adequately
When someone can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life e.g unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene
Three categories from failure to function adequately and who developed then
From Rosenhan and Seligman
No longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g making eye contact or maintaining personal space
Severe personal distress
Irrational or dangerous to themselves
Evaluation of failure to function adequately
Overlaps with/It is just a variation of deviation from norms e.g behaviour is irrational in base jumpers doesn’t mean mental health
Judgements- someone has to make the judgment about whether a patient is distressed or not. However there are methods for making judgements as objective as possible like global assessment of functi Ning scale
Explain statistical infrequency
Normal or abnormal depending on how often it occurs. Any usual behaviour or characteristic is normal. Any statistically infrequent behaviour is abnormal and may indicate mental health issues
evaluation of statistical infrequency
Real life application- compare how severe symptoms of patients are with those of statistical norms
Unusual characteristics can be positive e.g high IQ. Having an unusual characteristics doesn’t always mean you require treatment
If you’re statistically infrequent and there’s no negative consequences to you’re life then being labelled as abnormal has no benefits. Stigma
Explain deviation from ideal mental health
Look at what makes someone normal and once have a picture of how we should be psychologically healthy we can begin to identify who deviates from this idea.
Who came up with the categories for ideal mental health and name the 7
Marie Jahoda No symptoms or distress Rational perceive ourselves accurately Self actualise Cope with stress Realistic view of world Good self esteem lack guilt Independent of others Successfully work love and enjoy leisure
Evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health
Comprehensive definition- covers broad range of criteria for mental health and mentions most of the reasons someone would seek professional help.
Unrealistically high expectation for mental health- very few of us attain all of the criteria for mental health at the same time or keep it up for long. Too demanding
What’s a phobia and the three types
Excessive fear and anxiety triggered by an object place or situation. Extent of fear is out of proportion to any real danger represented by the phobic stimulus. Irrational fear response
Specific social and agoraphobia
What’s a specific phobia
Phobia of an object such as an animal or body part or a situation such as flying or having an injection
What’s social anxiety/phobia
Phobia of a social situation such as public speaking or using a public toilet
What’s a agoraphobia
Phobia of being outside or in a public place
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias
Panic- crying screaming or running away.
Avoidance- go to extremes to avoid the phobic stimulus can make every day life hard.
Endurance- alternative to avoidance. Remains in presence of stimulus but continues to experience high levels of anxiety
Emotional characteristics of phobias
Anxiety- emotional response of anxiety and fear. Unpleasant state of high arousal. Prevents relaxation stops positive emotions and can be long term. Fear immediate and unpleasant response to phobic stimulus
E.g arachnophobia
Emotional responses are unreasonable
Cognitive characteristics of phobias
Selective attention- can’t look away. Keeping attention on dangerous thing is good but not useful when fear is irrational.
Irrational beliefs- irrational beliefs in relation to phobic stimulation e.g I must always sound intelligent. It Can lead to increasing pressure on the sufferer to perform well in social situations.
Cognitive distortions - perception of stimulus may be distorted.
Behavioural characteristics of depression
Activity levels - reduced energy, lethargic. Withdraw from education work and social life. Extreme cases can’t get out of bed
Opposite is psychomotor agitation lead to pacing
Disrupting sleep and eating- insomnia (reduced sleep) premature waking or hypersomnia which is a need for more sleep. Appetite may increase or decrease. Weight gain or loss
Aggression self harm- verbally and physically aggressive. Physical aggression directed against self. Cutting or suicide attempts
