Psychopathology Flashcards
What is statistical infrequency?
Abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare, i.e. any behaviour that is found in very few people is regarded as abnormal. Deviation from typical value in a set of data.
What is an example of statisitical infrequency?
If you asked a group of students how scared they were of dogs on a scale of 1-10, you may expect most people to give a scale of around the middle or a low fear, so someone who says 10 is not the norm thus that is statistical infrequency.
What is deviation from social norms?
Abnormal behavior is seen as a deviation from the social norms which are like rules of how we should behave.
What is an example of a social norm?
Being polite. Thus, when someone displays anti-social behaviour or are rude to others are socially deviant and abnormal. Social norms can be implicit (unstated social rule) or explicit (a criminal offence). They are also dependent on context as social norms can change over time. A little bit of deviation is acceptable; some people are just naturally a little less polite.
What is an example of deviation from social norms?
In the past, homosexuality was classed as abnormal and regarded as a mental disorder and was illegal in the UK. This judgement was based on social deviation, because at the time, society regarded this as abnormal whereas now it is widely accepted.
What is cultural relativism?
The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture of which it originated.
What is a strength of the idea of statistical infrequency?
It is objective. Because it is based on mathematics, statistics and data means we can clearly define what is abnormal or what is not, and as their is no opinion involved there is no bias. However, because of this it is expected that abnormal behaviours happen rarely whereas depression is relatively common amongst adults as in 2014, almost 20% of 16-18 year olds displayed symptoms of depression.
What is a weakness of the idea of deviation from social norms?
Because it is so dependent on context and time. What is socially acceptable now may not have been socially acceptable before, for example 50 years ago, homosexuality was seen as a psychiatric disorder in the DSM whereas now it is widely socially accepted. Szasz claimed that the concept of mental illness was simply a way to exclude non-conformists from society. Thus, if we define abnormality in terms of deviation from social norms, there Is a danger of creating definitions based on prevailing current social attitudes which are always changing.
How are there issues with cultural relativism in the deviation of social norms idea?
There is cultural bias if we try to define abnormality in terms of social norms because these are defined by culture. For example, the DSM is almost entirely based on the social norms of the dominant western culture (white and middle class) and these are generalised world-wide, thus excluding and not considering other cultures or social norms. This is seen in SZ- cultural bias with spiritualism (hallucinations/religion).
What is failure to function adequately?
People are judged on their ability to go about daily life in a healthy and normal way. If they cannot do this and are feeling distressed (or others are distressed by their behaviour- e.g. in sz the individual does not realize it but other people do) then it is considered a sign of abnormality.
What is an example of failure to function adequately?
If someone has stopped showering and their room is a mess and is causing the individual or someone around them distress than this is classed as abnormality. However, if neither is distressed about this then a judgement of abnormality is inappropriate.
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Proposed by Jahoda. Abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness. Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude to the self, resistance to stress and an accurate and positive perception of reality. Having an absence of these indicates abnormality.
What are the 6 categories that were identified by Jahoda in ideal mental health?
- self-attitudes
- personal growth and self actualization
- integration
- autonomy
- having an accurate perception of reality
- mastery of the environment
What do we mean by self attitudes when we refer to ideal mental health?
Having high self esteem and a strong sense of personal identity.
What do we mean by personal growth and self actualization when we refer to ideal mental health?
The extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities
What do we mean by intergration when we refer to ideal mental health?
Being able to cope with stressful situations or pressure
What do we mean by autonomy when we refer to ideal mental health?
Being independent and self-regulating
What do we mean by mastery of the environment when we refer to ideal mental health?
Including the ability to love, function in work and in relationships, adjusting to new situations and problem solving
What is a weakness of failure to function adequately?
It is difficult to conclude the person who decides if someone is failing to function adequately. E.g. if a person is unable to eat regular meals, they may recognise that this is undesirable, feel distressed and seek help, or they could be quite unaware or content by the situation so it is up to other people to judge the behaviour as abnormal whether or not it makes them uncomfortable. E.g. offenders with cognitive delusions do not believe their crimes are wrong or feel guilt but others around them can recognise this as abnormal- same with schizophrenic patients.
What is a strength of the deviation from ideal mental health theory?
It is a positive approach which focuses on the positives rather than the negatives. It is rooted in humanistic psychology which is holistic and takes into account human emotions and drives. It offers a different perspective on mental disorder, focusing on what is desirable rather than undesirable which can help the patient to feel better about themselves and less isolated. It also has been used in therapy to help people achieve a higher and positive outlook on the self and outside world, which would be good for patients of depression.
What is a criticism of the deviation from ideal mental health theory?
That according to Jahoda’s definitions, most people would be considered as abnormal. Jahoda said they are ideal criteria, but the majority of people never have all 6 categories which would suggest very few people are psychologically healthy. Some are also hard to measure, as who can decide on how well someone can master their environment? Therefore, cannot be used in the general population.
What are phobias?
A group of mental disorders characterized by high levels of irrational anxiety in response to a particular stimulus or group of stimuli. The anxiety interferes with normal living.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
Excessive fear, anxiety and panic because of a specific object or situation. This is out of proportion.
What are the behavioral characteristics of phobias?
- avoidance of stimulus
- fainting or freezing
These both interfere with everyday life
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
- the irrational nature of the persons thinking and the resistance to rational arguments (e.g. someone with a phobia of sharks will not listen to someone who says they’re harmless)
- the person can recognise that their fear is excessive or unreasonable (although this may be absent in children)
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
- sadness/emptiness/hopelessness
- a loss of interest and pleasure
- sometimes anger (to others or to self)
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
Reduce or increase in - activity levels (some feel agitated and restless) - sleep - appetite also self harm in some people
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
- irrational and negative thoughts
- self beliefs that are self-fufilling (e.g. if you believe you will fail a test you will not put work in)
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
- anxiety and distress
- awareness this is excessive, leading to shame/embarassment
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
COMPULSIONS
These are repetitive acions performed to reduce obsessive thoughts and anxiety. These are not connected in a realistic way and are clearly excessive.
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
OBSESSIONS
Recurrent, intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden. They may be frightening or embarrassing so the person doesn’t want to share them. These are uncontrollable thoughts that are recognised to be a product of the persons mind but produce extreme anxiety.
What are compulsions?
These are repetitive acions performed to reduce obsessive thoughts and anxiety. These are not connected in a realistic way and are clearly excessive.
What are obsessions?
Recurrent, intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden. They may be frightening or embarrassing so the person doesn’t want to share them. These are uncontrollable thoughts that are recognised to be a product of the persons mind but produce extreme anxiety.
How are phobias acquired according to the two process model?
Classical conditioning
How are phobias maintained according to the two process model?
Operant conditioning
How does classical conditioning cause a phobia?
Because it is acquired through association of a NS +UCS and a conditioned fear response
How would someone gain a phobia of dogs if they were bitten by one?
before the experience, the dog (NS) –> no response
being bitten by a dog –> fear response UCS–> UCR
dog by itself –> fear response CS–> CR
What happened in the little albert study by watson and rayner?
White rat NS had no response NR
Loud noise UCS created fear response UCR
Loud noise + white rat UCS+NS created fear response UCR
white rat CS created CR
What did watson and rayner want to demonstrate?
That emotional responses could be learned through classical conditioning
What were the findings of watson and rayner?
Before the study was conducted he showed no response to white fluffy things (e.g. white rat, white rabbit, white cotton wool)
After he had a conditioned response of fear and crying to all white fluffy objects
How is operant conditioning involved in the two process model?
Because this maintains phobias
Phobias are reinforced. Avoidance of the phobic stimulus leads to reduced fear, and this is negative reinforcement because anxiety is taken away
How is social learning theory involved in the two process model?
Because phobias could be acquired through the modelling of others- if a child sees their role model parent respond to a stimulus with extreme stress then the child may imitate the behaviour if they see the response as rewarding or if it gets attention from others
How is the two process model determinist?
It concludes that if a NS is associated with a fearful experience then the result will be a phobia but this is not always the case.
Not everyone who gets bitten by a dog gets a phobia of dogs so there is a limited and determinist explanation.
A diathesis stress model may give a more holistic explanation; its been proposed that we have a genetic vulnerability of developing mental disorders so the fearful experience may just be a trigger for developing a phobia
How could biological readiness explain the two process model?
it was argued that humans have a biological preparedness to develop certain phobias than others, which could also give a more holistic explanation.
We may be genetically programmed to learn association between life threatening stimuli and fear (although they’re more relevant to our evolutionary past like snakes or sharks as this adaptive and would’ve helped us to survive). People can have phobias of things they’ve never encountered before.
How does the cognitive approach criticise the two process model?
Because it doesn’t take mental processes into account. It argues that the thinking process that occurs between a stimulus and response, such as irrational thinking which has significance in OCD and depression. Thus, CBT may be a good treatment or could be used in combination with systematic desensitization/flooding.
What makes the two therapies ‘behaviourist’?
Because they both involve counterconditioning which is a form of classical conditioning
