Psychopathology - Definitions of Abnormality L1-4

Question 1

Deviation from social norms

Answer 1

This is one definition of Abnormality.
It is any behaviours which do not follow social patterns, where people stray from social norms.
A violation if these norms can be regarded as abnormal

Question 2

Evaluation of Deviation from Social Norms

Answer 2

• Advantage clearly outlines socially acceptable and unacceptable behaviours
• Disadvantage is that it automatically assumes that if someone strays away from social norms that they are mentally disturbed when they may just be quite odd/eccentric
• Disadvantage is that it is culturally relative. Certain cultures may see behaviours as normal whereas others may not

Question 3

Failure to function adequately

Answer 3

Rosenhan and Seligman created 7 criteria to identify abnormality. The higher the number of criteria met, the more abnormal the individual can be considered (SUMOVIV)

Question 4

Suffering

Answer 4

SUMOVIV
Individuals report suffering

Question 5

Unpredictability and loss of control

Answer 5

SUMOVIV
When individuals possess behaviour which is unpredictable and out of control

Question 6

Maladaptive

Answer 6

SUMOVIV
Maladaptive behaviours are those which prevent individuals from achieving major life goals. They prevent social relationships

Question 7

Observer Discomfort

Answer 7

SUMOVIV
Observing social behaviour makes one uncomfortable

Question 8

Vividness and Unconventionality

Answer 8

SUMOVIV
The ways that an abnormal individual behaviour behaves is very different to what a normal person would

Question 9

Irrationality

Answer 9

SUMOVIV
Not known why someone may behave in this way

Question 10

Violation of ideal moral standards

Answer 10

SUMOVIV
Behaviour clearly violates ideal moral standards

Question 11

Evaluation of Failure to Function Adequately

Answer 11

Advantage - GAF scale allows psychologists to accurately assess the degrees of abnormality from individuals
Disadvantages - Abnormality is not always accompanied with dysfunction, people can be abnormal but just not display any signs of this
Disadvantages - How much should one be suffering, how much maladaptiveness? How much irrationality or how much Vividness? Difficult to measure
Disadvantages - In certain situations, it is normal to adhere to the criteria. An example can be suffering when you lose a loved one

Question 12

Statistical Infrequency

Answer 12

Occurs when an individual possesses a less common characteristic than the rest of the population. The extreme ends of the data

Question 13

Normal Distribution Curve

Answer 13

This is the graph where the data is plotted, showing us the extreme ends of the data, thus the abnormality
- Left Skewed (Negative)
- Right Skewed (Positive)

Question 14

Evaluation of Statistical Infrequency

Answer 14

• An advantage is statistical infrequency can be a positive sometimes, an example being that having a high amount of IQ is better than lower
• A disadvantage is that it labels individuals as being ‘abnormal’ meaning that self esteem and confidence
• A disadvantage is that how can we draw the line between abnormal and normality. IQ of 70 is Normal but an IQ of 69 is abnormal?

Question 15

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Answer 15

Where people are unable to self-actualise and they fit into one of the 6 Criteria. Idea created by Marie Jahoda

Question 16

APPIES

Answer 16

Autonomy
Perception of reality
Personal Growth
Integration/Resistance to Stress
Environmental Mastery
Self-Attitudes

Question 17

Autonomy

Answer 17

APPIES
Able to make your own decisions

Question 18

Perception of Realtiy

Answer 18

They are emotionally available, showing empathy and can be both pessimistic and optimistic

Question 19

Personal Growth

Answer 19

APPIES
People can self-actualise and achieve goals

Question 20

Integration and Resistance to Stress

Answer 20

APPIES
Ability to widthstand stress

Question 21

Environmental Mastery

Answer 21

Can work well in your environment, mostly social like relationships, work, friends

Question 22

Self-Attitudes

Answer 22

High self esteem and content

Question 23

Evaluation for Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Answer 23

• An advantage of Marie Jahoda’s criteria is that it outlines an ideal set of criteria for one to meet for psychological health
• A disadvantage is that sometimes, meeting all criteria is challenging
• A disadvantage is that what does it actually mean by ‘meeting the criteria’, how much of the criteria should be met?