Psychopathology Flashcards
psychopathology
study of psychological disorder
what do abnormal behaviours do?
they violate society’s ideas of what’s an appropriate level of functioning
Statistical infrequency
abnormality’s defined as behaviours that are very rare
normality’s defined as typical values
deviation from social norms
Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society- can be laws or unwritten norms
failure to function adequately
Occurs when someone is unable to cope with day-to-day living
Deviation from ideal mental health
Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
JAHODA- deviation from ideal mental health
we define physical illnesses by looking at the absence of signs of physical health, so we should do the same fro mental illnesses. her criteria for good mental health: -self attitudes, high self esteem -personal growth and self-actualisation -Integration, coping with stressful situations -autonomy, being independant -an accurate perception of reality -mastery of the environment.
statistical infrequency evaluation
- abnormalities can be desirable (very high IQ) and some normal behaviours are undesirable (depression) Using it to define abnormality means we cant distinguish between desirable & undesirable behaviours
- subjective cut off point of normality from abnormality
- cultural relativism- some behaviours are statistically infrequent in 1 culture but frequent in another. There’s no universal standards for labelling behaviour as abnormal.
deviation from social norms evaluation
- susceptible to abuse- what’s socially accepted now may not be accepted 50 years ago. If we define abnormality through this, there’s a danger of creating definitions based on prevailing social morals and attitudes.
- deviance is related to context and degree- behaviours must be judged based on its context
- Is a practical and useful way of identifying desirable and undesirable behaviours.
- cultural relativism- social norms are defined by culture
failure to function adequately evaluation
- is subjective
- some dysfunctional behaviours can be adaptive and functional for the individual- so the failure to distinguish between functional and dysfunctional behaviour mean the definition’s incomplete.
- has sensitivity and practicality- it recognises the subjective experience of the patient as it allows us to view the mental disorder from the person experiencing it.
- cultural relativism
deviation from ideal mental health evaluation
- unrealistic and difficult to measure criteria
- equates mental and physical health- not many mental issues have physical causes or symptoms
- a positive approach- alternative perspective on mental disorders, shows what’s desirable instead of what’s undesirable
- Jahoda’s criteria’s culture bound (e.g. self-actualisation)
phobia
excessive fear and anxiety triggered y an object/place/situation
it’s irrational and the fear’s out of proportion
specific phobia
phobia of an object or a situation
animal/ flying
social phobia
phobia of social situations
public speaking/ public toilets
agoraphobia
phobia of being outside/ in a public space
