Psychopathology Flashcards
What is meant by an explicit social norm?
An explicit social norm is a written rule/law
What is meant by an impicit social norm?
An implicit social norm is not a written rule, but one that we tend to follow such as eating dinner with cutlery.
Give a strength using PEE on the deviation from social norms definitions. (Implicit and explicit)
Strength
P: the definition has practical applications
E: it can be used to identify people who need psychiatric help. For example, the behaviour of someone who hears voices differs from the norm, so they would be likely to be diagnosed as schizophrenic, and to recieve treatment.
E: this suggests these definitions can be used to help improve the quality of peoples lifes.
Give a limitation using PEE on the deviation from social norms definitions. (Implicit and explicit)
Limitation
P: social norms change between cultures and over time. Consequently, so do peoples conceptions of abnormality.
E: homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness until 1973, but not any more. Cross - cultured misunderstandings are common, and may contribute to e.g. High diagnosis rate of schizophrenia amongst non - white British people.
E: therefore this definition is limited as it cannot lead to a universal definition of abnormality applicable to all cultures.
Describe an individual who is failing to function adequately
An individual who is failing to function adequately and unable to continue with their normal everyday activities, such as going to work, washing or taking part in social activities, would be considered abnormal using is definition.
Explain how someone with agoraphobia may fail to function adequately
A fear of open spaces and being outside
Explain how someone with depression may fail to function adequately
May loose focus in activities and so not socialise and have limited social skills.
Who proposed the features of someone failing to function adequately?
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)
What features did Rosenhan and Seligman propose for someone failing to function adequately?
UMPIO
Observer discomfort Unpredictability Irrationality Maladaptiveness Personal suffering and distress
What is a strength of the theory of someone who is failing to function adequately?
P: It has practical applications
E: it can be used to identify people who need psychiatric help
E: this definition can be used to help improve the quality of some people’s lives.
What is a weakness of the theory of someone who I see failing to function adequately?
P: the definition is culturally specific.
E: for example, black people are more likely to be diagnosed as having a disorder such as schizophrenia than whites because their lifestyles are less “traditional”
E: this suggests that this definition is limited because it cannot lead to a universal definition of abnormality, applicable to all cultures.
Describe what statistical infrequency is
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality as behaviour that deviates from the average, so the less the less often the behaviour occurs the more likely it is to be abnormal. Therfore majority of people are normal and a minority are abnormal
Describe standard deviation
A measure of dispersion which shows how far spread out the data is from the mean.
Strength of statistical infrequency definition
It gives a quantities measure which is objective. There is a clear cut off point as to what is and is not abnormal.
Limitation of statistical infrequency definition
Not every rare characteristic is negative for example, an IQ of over 130 is just as rare as one under 70 but therfore this is a serious limitation.
Who proposed the deviation of ideal mental health?
Jahoda
Describe deviation from ideal mental health
According to this definition we are abnormal if we do not meet the criteria for ideal mental health, thus any deviation from what is considered normal is classed as abnormal.
What are the six characteristics of ideal mental health?
ARE PSA Positive attitude towards oneself Self-actualisation Autonomy Resisting stress Accurate perception of reality Environmental mastery
What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?
It’s a more positive approach to abnormality than other deviations are. This is because it focuses on positive things rather than the negatives of behaviour in terms of looking at what behaviour is ideal rather than what behaviour is abnormal.
What is a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health?
The definition is culturally specific. What is ideal in one culture may not be in another.
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Panic
Avoidance
Endurance
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
Emotional responses
Anxiety
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Cognitive distortion
Irrational beliefs
Selective attention for phobic stimulus
What is the behaviour approach to explaining phobias?
All of our behaviour, including phobias is learnt. The two process model suggests that phobias are learnt through classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning
