Psychopathology Flashcards
What is statistical infrequency?
Any behaviour that is numerically infrequent/rare so found in very few people
What is an example of statistical infrequency?
Intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ in the bottom 2% of the population
What are the strengths of statistical infrequency?
Is more definitive on the requirements of what is abnormal
What are the weaknesses of statistical infrequency?
Some undesirable traits may be common, and does not account for rare behaviours that may be desirable (e.g. high IQ)
What is deviation from social norms?
Not doing what the majority of society do- (written and unwritten rules of society). Different from how most people behave, in a way that is socially unacceptable
What is an example of deviation from social norms?
For example: breaking written social rules: being indecent in public, breaking unwritten social rules: sitting next to the only person on an empty bus
What are the strengths and weaknesses of deviation from social norms?
Defines what is and is not acceptable. HOWEVER- it is not fixed/open to change (social norms change)- not an objective, reliable measurement. And is affected by culture.
What is an example of the weakness of deviation from social norms?
Change over time: e.g. Drapetomania- used to be a medical condition; slaves showed an ‘irrational’ desire to escape, can be abused by creation of mental illnesses
What is failure to function adequately? And an example
Not being able to properly go about daily life/cope with everyday life e.g. not being able to hold down a job
What are the strengths of failure to function adequately?
Can be assessed using a questionnaire called WHODAS, high score = poor functioning, recognises the subjective experience of the patient, also relatively easy to judge objectively
What are the weaknesses of failure to function adequately?
Related to cultural ideas about how people should live, some dysfunctional behaviours may be quite functional, it depends on who is making the judgement (e.g. some Szs feel that their dangerous behaviour is perfectly normal)
What is deviation from ideal mental health? and example
Not having ideal mental wellbeing, not meeting criteria for ideal mental health e.g. a schizophrenic person may not have an accurate view of reality
What are the criteria for ideal mental health?
- positive view of self, 2 self actualisation, 3 resistance to stress, 4 accurate view of reality, 5 independence, 6 mastery of the environment
What are the strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?
definitive criteria for what is and is not ideal mental health (so what is abnormal/undesirable)
What are the weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health?
Culturally doesn’t work, based on western ideals, can anyone actually achieve ‘ideal’ mental health, some criteria are too vague
What are the behavioural and emotional characteristics of phobias?
B: avoidance, freezing
E: persistent excessive fear, anxiety
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions, adults typically know their fear is excessive whereas children do not
What is a phobia?
An anxiety disorder that interferes with daily living
What is the two process model of phobia creation and maintenance?
phobias are initiated through classical conditioning (learning through association) and maintained through operant conditioning (negative reinforcement)
What are the strengths of the behavioural explanation of phobias?
Research support (Watson and Rayner/little albert) Has lead to successful treatment (counter conditioning/systematic desensitisation and flooding)
What are the weaknesses of the behavioural explanation of phobias?
Evidence that challenges the behavioural explanation (DiNardo, Menzies and Clarke) , Alternative explanations (Seligman’s biological preparedness), Ignores cognitive factors
What did DiNardo find?
That not all people who are bitten by dogs developed a phobia of dogs
What did Menzies and Clarke find?
That only 2% of water phobic children could remember a direct conditioning experience with water
What was Seligman’s biological preparedness theory?
That we are genetically prepared to rapidly learn an association between potentially life threatening situations/stimuli and fear