psychopathology: definitions of abnormality

Question 1

what is psychopathology

Answer 1

study of mental disorders in terms of causes, development, course, classification and treatment

Question 2

what is statistical deviation

Answer 2

• when a person is considered abnormal if their behaviour / characteristic is less common than the general population (2%)
• most suited to characteristics which are quantifiable and measurable (IQ)

Question 3

how is statistical deviation measured (IQ)

Answer 3

along the normal distribution curve:
- if IQ between 0-70 they are considered to have a intellectual disability disorder

Question 4

what are the strengths of statistical deviation

Answer 4

+ real life application: intelligence average is 100 IQ and below 70 is considered as a intellectual disability disorder
+ it is useful to have an objective number to distinguish disorders in some cases

Question 5

what are the limitations of statistical deviation

Answer 5

• unusual characteristics can be important e.g. having an extremely high IQ is seen as genius
• not everyone benefits from having a label: it may lead to prejudice and people with a low IQ may have lower happiness , people with a high IQ may overthink

Question 6

what is deviation from social norms

Answer 6

a persons thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it goes against the unwritten rules of society, can be seen as antisocial or undesirable

Question 7

what is a strength of deviation from social norms

Answer 7

+ real life application - antisocial personality disorder ( these people fail to conform to prosocial standards and don’t feel guilt)

Question 8

what is a limitation of deviation from social norms

Answer 8

• cultural realism , social norms vary between cultures and over time and can lead to human rights abuses

Question 9

what is failure to function adequately

Answer 9

this is behaviour that interferes with everyday life and cannot preform the behaviours necessary for day-to-day life due to extreme distress, causing discomfort to others

Question 10

what did rosenhan + seligman (1989) suggest

Answer 10

the following characteristics:
- not conforming to interpersonal rules e.g. maintaining personal space
- experiencing extreme personal distress (impacts ability to function)
- behaviour is irrational or a danger to themselves (maladaptive behaviour)

Question 11

what are the strengths of failure to function adequately

Answer 11

+ takes into account an individuals subjective experiences
+ adequately captures when people need help

Question 12

what are the limitations of failure to function adequately

Answer 12

• how do we measure distress? (subjective)
• most people fail to function adequately at some point (doesn’t mean they are abnormal)
• many people engage in behaviour that is maladaptive/harmful to themselves but we do not class them as abnormal

Question 13

what is deviation from ideal mental health + characteristics

Answer 13

defining what is normal, anything that deviates from this is abnormal
characteristics:
- not being able to resist stress
- lack of self esteem
- not achieving self-actualisation

Question 14

what is jahodas criteria for good mental health

Answer 14

1. positive view of the self
2. can cope with stress
3. self actualisation
4. independent from other people
5. have an accurate perception of reality
6. positive friendships and relationships

Question 15

what are the strengths of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 15

• comprehensive definition: covers a broad range of criteria for mental health
• covers range of reasons why people may seek help for mental health

Question 16

what are the limitations of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 16

• cultural relativism: what is viewed as ‘ideal’ varies across culture and time
• very few people would meet all the criteria for ‘ideal’ mental health

Question 17

how is mental health diagnosed

Answer 17

• decided by presence of all characteristics at same time ( no. of symptoms over a period of time)
• the ICD is used in Britain
• for each mental disorder a list of clinical characteristics (symptoms) is given