Psychopathology : Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

What is psychopathology?

Answer 1

Is the study of psychological disorders.

Question 2

What are the four definitions for psychopathology?

Answer 2

• Deviation from social norms
• Failure to function adequately
• Statistical infrequency
• Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 3

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

Is a definition of abnormality where behaviour is seen as abnormal if it violates unwritten rules ( social norms ) about what is acceptable in a particular society

Question 4

Advantages of deviation from social norms?

Answer 4

-gives a culturally specific definition of abnormal behaviour
- it takes into account the culture in which the behaviour occurs because what is considered normal in one culture might be considered abnormal in another

Question 5

Limitations of Deviation from social norms?

Answer 5

-Does not help give a reliable definition of abnormal behaviour that can be used across cultures.
- social norms change over time which raises an issue known as hindsight bias. Meaning that historically you will be punished for being abnormal but today’s standards it is considered normal.

Question 6

What are two types of norm?

Answer 6

• Politeness ( desirable ‘ norm ‘ )
• Aggressiveness ( undesirable ‘norm’ )

Question 7

When is behaviour abnormal?

Answer 7

Behaviour is considered to be abnormal if society or the majority considers it unacceptable or undesirable

Question 8

What does statistical infrequency mean?

Answer 8

Is a definition of abnormality. According to this definition of behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon or not seen very often in society.

Question 9

Advantages of Statistical infrequency?

Answer 9

• The statistical frequency definition provides a clear cut-off point for defining abnormality and there is no issue on subjectivity.
  -behaviour is seen as abnormal on how uncommon it is and there are no personal judgements to interfere with the statistic.

Question 10

Limitations of statistical infrequency?

Answer 10

• fails to seem behaviour that is rare but desirable such as having a high IQ.
• some disorders are not statistically rare
  -Issue of who decides the cut of point

Question 11

What is deviation from ideal mental health ?

Answer 11

Is a definition of abnormality which suggests that abnormal behaviour should be defined by the absence of particular ( ideal ) characteristics

Question 12

What are the six principles of ideal mental health that Jahoda (1958) proposed ?

Answer 12

-having a positive view of yourself (high self-esteem )with a strong sense of identity
-being capable of personal growth and self actualisation
-being independent of others ( autonomous ) and self regulating
-having an accurate view of reality
- being able to integrate and resist stress
- being able to master your environment ( love, friendships, work, and leisure time)

Question 13

What does the six principles by Jahoda mean?

Answer 13

• therefore if an individual does not demonstrate one of these criteria they would be classified as abnormal according to this definition

Question 14

Advantages of Jahoda’s criteria ?

Answer 14

-it’s positive , Focuses on the desirable behaviour rather than concentrating on just negative behaviour and furthermore it considers the whole person taken it into account multitude of factors that can affect their health and well-being
- is holistic ( relatable )

Question 15

Disadvantage of Jahoda’s criteria?

Answer 15

• The criteria are too demanding most people would be judged abnormal based on this definition
• if we fail to achieve one of these criteria we are demanded to be abnormal
• more focused on the individual rather than the cultures

Question 16

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 16

Is a definition of abnormality where a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in society.

Question 17

Advantages of the failure to function adequately?

Answer 17

This can be measured by those closest to the person and also tested by self response to interview

Question 18

Disadvantages of failure to function adequately?

Answer 18

• people suffering from a mental disorder often believe they are functioning adequately. Also adequately is subjective term without a reliable definition.