Psychopathology- Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

Define deviation from social norms

Answer 1

When a person’s thoughts and feelings deviate from the unwritten rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group

Question 2

What may a person’s behaviour appear like to others if they deviate from social norms?

Answer 2

-Incomprehensible
-Threatend
-Uncomfortable

Question 3

Define deviant behaviour

Answer 3

-Behaviour which is considered anti social or undeseriable by the majority of society

Question 4

Give some examples of understanding social norms

Answer 4

-ADP- antisocial personality disorder (criminal behaviour, reckless,irrational and dangerous)
-Day drinking/drugs
-Wearing a coat on a hot day

Question 5

Social norms: Why is flexibility a strength?

Answer 5

-The definition is flexible depending on the situation and age
-EG. wearing a bikini in a shopping centre vs the beach

Question 6

Social norms: Why is clarity a strength?

Answer 6

-If you have lived in a culture for a while you will be aware of what is acceptable and what is not

Question 7

Social norms: Give another strength

Answer 7

-Helps society to adhere to social norms so it is predictable and ordered

Question 8

Social norms: Why is subjectivity a weakness?

Answer 8

-Somethings/somebody may view as normal may be abnormal to another

Question 9

Social norms: Why are changes over time a weakness?

Answer 9

-Allows for age and situation-dependent behaviour to become norms over time
-Sometimes lack of consensus between generations (eg. homosexuality

Question 10

Social norms: Why are cultural differences a limitation?

Answer 10

-Not always clear what is abnormal in different cultures

Question 11

Social norms: Why are ethical differences a limitation?

Answer 11

-Dictated by the minority

Question 12

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 12

-When a person’s traits, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual

Question 13

How do we measure how rare a trait or behaviour is before we class it as abnormal?

Answer 13

-Use standard deviations (2 standard deviation points away from the mean

Question 14

Give an example of a disorder which could be described as statistically infrequent

Answer 14

-IDD- intellectual disability disorder (IQ lower than 70)

Question 15

Give a strength of statistical infrequency (objectivity)

Answer 15

-All clinicians will have the same judgement
-Clear whta is normal and what is not
-Not based on opinion

Question 16

Give a strength of statistical infrequency (useful overview)

Answer 16

-Looks at the whole picture, taking all the population into account
-Can give a usefulinsight into the whole picture

Question 17

Give a strength of statistical infrequency (intuitive)

Answer 17

-Idea of abnormality is when something does not occur as stated by the definition
-Often accepted definition

Question 18

Give a limitation of statistical infrequency (inflexible)

Answer 18

-A degree of inflexibility
-Scores at the top/bottom 2.5%
-Some behaviours that are not normal dont fit the ddefinition
-OCD= 3% of the populations
-Definition + current criteria for defining mental health issues dont match

Question 19

Give a limitation of statistical infrequency (culture)

Answer 19

-NO consideration of cultural differences
-Populations of the world are contained within the normal distribuition

Question 20

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 20

An inability to function adequately

Question 21

Give some examples of not coping with everyday life.

Answer 21

-Not being able to hold down a job
-Maintain relationships
-Maintaining basic standards of baisc nutrition and hygiene

Question 22

What were the signs of failure to cope according to Rosenhan and Seligmann (1989)?

Answer 22

-No longer conform to interpersonal rules (maintaining personal space)
-Experience personal distress
-Behaviour is irrational/dangerous

Question 23

What were the factors identified by Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)?

Answer 23

-Observer discomfort- causes discomfort and distress to an observer
-Unpredictability- cannot trust that someone will behave consistently
-Irrationality- behaviour is extreme and hard to understand
-Maladaptiveness-interferes with a person’s usual daily routine
-Personal distress- anxiety/distress
-Violation of moral standards
-Unconventional behaviour

Question 24

Give strengths of failure to function adequately. (definition,
observable behaviour, checklist, personal perspective, threshold for help)

Answer 24

Definition of abnormality- does recognise the subjective experience of the paitent

Observable behaviour- definition focuses on behaviours which can be observed in the individual, allowing others to judge if the individual appears to have abnormal behaviour

Checklist- the definition provides the individual with a practical checklist to check their behaviour

Personal perspective- allows the individuals to have their own perspective of mental disorder by recognising the personal experience of those suffering

represents a threshold for help and provides clear criteria for when individuals need professional help

Question 25

Give some limitations of failure to function adequately (who decides, dysfunctional behaviour, discrimination, abnormality is normal, abnormality+ dysfunction don’t always go together)

Answer 25

Who is the person who decides if someone is failing to function adequately

Dysfunctional behaviour can be adaptive+ functional for the individual

Discrimination- the definition labels individuals who make unusual life choices

Abnormality is normal- the definition does not consider when it is normal to behave abnormally for example at the loss of a loved one

Abnormality +dysfunctional do not always go together- the dysfunction does not explain people with dangerous disorders such as psychopaths

Question 26

Define deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 26

Abnormal behaviour should be defined by the absence of particular (ideal) characteristics

Question 27

What were Jahoda’s (1958) 6 principles of ideal mental health?

Answer 27

Attitude having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity
Personal growth and self-actualisation- the extent to which a person develops to their full capabilities
Integration- such as being able to cope with stressful situations
Autonomy- independence and self-regulating
Accurate perception reality- knowing that what you see is real and seen by others
Mastery of the environment- the ability to love function at work, interpersonal relationships, adjust to situations, solve problems

Question 28

Give strengths of deviation from ideal mental health (Comprehensive, range of criteria, reasons for help, johada)

Answer 28

Deviation from ideal mental health is comprehensive

The definition covers a broad range of criteria for mental health

Probably covers most of the reasons someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help

The sheer range of factors discussed to joha bas criteria makes it a good tool when thinking about mental health

Question 29

Give some limitations of deviation from ideal mental health (changes over time, cultural specifics, subjective criteria, context)

Answer 29

Changes over time do not account for behaviours that were once seen as normal and abnormal

Cultural specifics- specific for Western countries + collectivist cultures would see autonomy as undesirable

Subjective criteria- definition tries to treat mental health in the same way as physical health however it is more subjective

Context- diagnosing a paitent with a mental health condition is much more complex than self questionnaires and even some experienced professionals struggle to find answers