Psychopathology: Abnormality (L1-4)

Question 1

What are the definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

• deviation from social norms
• failure to function adequately
• statistical infrequency
• deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 2

• suggests any behaviour which does not fit within what is socially acceptable is abnormal
• any behaviour which does not follow accepted social pattern or rules
• violation to these patterns/rules would be regarded as abnormal and classes and unacceptable

Question 3

+ve of deviation from social norms:

Answer 3

• distinguishes a difference between which behaviours are desirable and non desirable
• protects society from the effects of abnormal behaviour and any damaging consequences which it may have

Question 4

-ve of deviation from social norms:

Answer 4

• does not always clearly indicate that a person is psychologically abnormal
• must be cautious when making judgements of whether this deviation suggests this individual is abnormal or simply odd/eccentric
• only has temporal validity as social norms are constantly changing
• lack of consistency making them difficult and confusing to follow

Question 5

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 5

• when a person can no longer cope with the demands of every day life as a result of psychological distress

Question 6

What is the GAF (ftfa)?

Answer 6

• the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale
• assesses the rate of social, occupational and psychological functioning
• provides figure from 0-100
• 0 suggesting severe struggle with daily tasks
• 100 suggesting minimal difficulty in daily functions

Question 7

Who created the failure to function adequately model + no. criteria?

Answer 7

• Rosenhan and Seligman
• 7 criteria
• SUMOVIV

Question 8

What is the S in SUMOVIV?

Answer 8

• Suffering
• state of undergoing pain, distress or hardship

Question 9

What is the U in SUMOVIV?

Answer 9

• unpredictability and loss of control
• the individuals’ behaviour may be very variable and uncontrolled which could be occasionally inappropriate

Question 10

What is the M in SUMOVIV?

Answer 10

• maladaptiveness
• when one’s behaviour acts as an obstacle and stops individuals from reaching major life goals
• such as enjoying good relationships with people or working effectively

Question 11

What is the O in SUMOVIV?

Answer 11

• observer discomfort
• the feeling of discomfort some may feel when seeing others going against the unspoken rules of social behaviour

Question 12

What is the V(1) in SUMOVIV?

Answer 12

• vividness and unconventionality
• the way in which abnormal individuals behave in various situations differ substantially from how most other people would behave
• however! same is true for non conformists and eccentrics

Question 13

What is the I in SUMOVIV?

Answer 13

• irrationality and incomprehensibility
• a common feature of abnormal behaviour is that it isn’t clear why anyone would act that way
• lack of logical reasoning or understanding behind their actions

Question 14

What is the V(2) in SUMOVIV?

Answer 14

• violation of moral and ideal standards
• behaviour which may be judged to be abnormal when it violates established moral standards
• however! the majority of people may fail to maintain these standards, which may be out of date or imposed by minority religious or political leaders

Question 15

+ve of failure to function adequately:

Answer 15

• use of numerical data allows psychologists to accurately assess the degree of abnormality and how the patient is coping with daily life
• behaviour listed is mostly observable meaning others are likely to pick up on this abnormal behaviour and provide support as the individual is clearly incapable of doing so themselves

Question 16

-ve of failure to function adequately:

Answer 16

• assumption that dysfunction and abnormality come hand in hand, people with a psychological abnormality can still lead a normal life such as Harold Shipman and Ted Bundy
• some people may just be having a bad day so appear to be not functioning adequately when really they are quite normal
• model is very subjective and lacks being scientific as the 7 criteria can be problematic and difficult to measure/analyse
• there may be occasions when some criteria should be adhered to as it would be normal such as grieving and showing suffering after losing a loved one

Question 17

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 17

• occurs when an individual possesses a less common characteristic than most of the population
• behaviours displayed are statically rare

Question 18

+ve of statistical infrequency:

Answer 18

• just because a behaviour is statistically infrequent does not mean that the person is abnormal and requires treatment. Statistical infrequency can be a good thing
• SI is based on objective, scientific and unbiased data that can help indicate abnormality and normality, the results from testing can indicate whether someone needs psychological help and assistance

Question 19

-ve of statistical infrequency:

Answer 19

• it involves labelling some people as abnormal, and this is not beneficial. It could affect self confidence and self esteem and lead to problems.
• there is a subjective cutoff point (e.g. an IQ of 69 is abnormal but and IQ of 71 isn’t?)

Question 20

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 20

• definition stems from the Humanist approach which focuses on motivation and self development
• abnormality is related to the lack of “contented existence” therefore, people who deviate from having ideal mental health can be classed as abnormal
• “self actualisation” means that humans should strive towards their full potential through a series of goals, abnormality may occur if one is unable to meet these goals

Question 21

Who created the DfIMH model + no. criteria?

Answer 21

• Marie Jahoda
• 6 criteria, all must be fulfilled to be classed as normal
• APPIES

Question 22

What is the A in APPIES?

Answer 22

• autonomy
• the degree to which an individual is independent of social influences and can make their own decisions

Question 23

What is the P(1) in APPIES?

Answer 23

• perception of reality
• whereby mentally healthy people do not distort their perception of reality
• they are not too optimistic or pessimistic
• they show signs of empathy and social sensitivity to others

Question 24

What is the P(2) in APPIES?

Answer 24

• personal growth
• the extent of an individuals growth, development or self actualisation
• developing and changing as a person to become the person you want to be

Question 25

What is the I in APPIES?

Answer 25

• integration
• person must be able to cope well with stressful and anxiety provoking situations

Question 26

What is the E in APPIES?

Answer 26

• environmental mastery
• the extent to which an individual is successful and well adapted
• includes the ability to love, adequacy at work and play, good interpersonal relations, efficient problem solving and capacity for adjustment

Question 27

What is the S in APPIES?

Answer 27

• self attitudes
• having a high self esteem and a strong sense of identity

Question 28

+ve of deviation from ideal mental health:

Answer 28

• can be viewed as being positive and productive, it focuses on criteria we should all aim and strive for
• it can target areas of dysfunction that the patient needs to work on and improve their life

Question 29

-ve of deviation from ideal mental health:

Answer 29

• the six criteria are based on abstract concepts and are difficult to define and measure
• very few people can actually achieve all of the six criteria; it would become “normal to be abnormal”, the criteria is too demanding and meeting all 6 could be deemed as quite impossible