Psychopathology Definition of abnormality + EBC of disorders

Question 1

Statistical deviation/infrequency

Answer 1

Statistical deviation/infrequency: abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare i.e any behaviour that is found in very few people

Question 2

Deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Deviation from social norms: behaviour that is different from accepted/expected standards of behaviour in society

Question 3

Failure to function adequately

Answer 3

Failure to function adequately: occurs when someone can’t complete/faces distress whilst completing everyday tasks

Question 4

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 4

Deviation from ideal mental health: when someone does not meet the set critrea for good mental health which include: SCARED
Self-actualisation (being able to realise true potential and achieve full potential/ideal self),
Cope with stress
Autonomy (independence from other peope)
Rational/accurate perception of oneself
Good self esteem and lack of guilt
No symptoms of distress

Question 5

OCD

Answer 5

Cognitive: Obsessive/persistent/irrational thoughts e.g. that a door is left unlocked
Catastrophic thinking i.e. always thinking the worst will happen

Compulsions (2 elements of this)
They are repetitive e.g. handwashing
Avoidance – try to reduce anxiety by keeping away from triggers e.g. avoiding bins

Anxiety and stress: Obsessive thoughts can be frightening and the coupled
anxiety is overwhelming
Guilt & disgust e.g. over trivial issues

Question 6

Depression

Answer 6

Cognitive: Poor concentration
Dwelling on negatives i.e. half glass empty thinking

Behavioural: Activity levels – reduced energy & lethargic and so sufferers withdraw from
social life.
Disruption to sleep/eating – may suffer from insomnia or hypersomnia & weight gain/loss
Aggression towards others & self-harm

Emotional: Lowered mood e.g. feeling worthless (more than sad)
Anger – can lead to aggressive or self-harming behaviour
Lowered self-esteem

Question 7

Phobias

Answer 7

Cognitive: Selective attention – struggle to concentrate on anything else
Irrational beliefs – only believe irrational thoughts about the stimulus

Behavioural: Panic e.g. crying, screaming running away
Avoidance

Emotional: Anxiety as it involves unpleasant arousal.
Fear is felt when we encounter or think about the stimulus