Psychopathology- Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

What is deviation from social norms + an example?

Answer 1

People who differ from the expected norms of society- differs between different cultures and generations e.g. homosexuality

Question 2

What is antisocial personality disorder? (Linked with deviation from social norms)

Answer 2

Impulsive, aggressive, irresponsible. DSM-5 say an important symptom is absence of prosocial internal standards regarding conformity to ethical behaviour.

Question 3

What is a strength of deviation of social norms?

Answer 3

Real life application.
Links to antisocial personality disorder. Psychopathic behaviour would be seen as abnormal as they don’t conform to societal moral standards. Can be used as a diagnosis.
High external validity.

Question 4

What is a weakness of deviation from social norms?

Answer 4

Lacks validity.
Norms can vary overtime. E.g. drink driving seen as normal in previous eras, but is now a crime. Homosexuality used to be considered a psychological disorder.
Low temporal validity.

Question 5

What is failure to function adequately + example?

Answer 5

If an individual can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life.
Rosenhan + Seligman’s 7 signs of not coping-
Personal distress, unconventionality

Question 6

What is intellectual disability disorder? (Linked with failure to function adequately)

Answer 6

One criteria is very low IQ- and as a result failing to function.

Question 7

What is a strength of failure to function adequately?

Answer 7

Objective.
GAF is a scale and allows for the extent of failure to function to be measured. Means that the decision of whether behaviour is abnormal or not can be made in a relatively objective way. However could be subjective a someone has to judge if a patient is distressed.
High internal validity.

Question 8

What is a weakness of failure to function adequately?

Answer 8

Not a fully comprehensive definition.
Focuses on somebody coping- may mean that some abnormal behaviour is missed. People may appear fine to others, but different peoples’ perspectives and ability to hide distress can affect it.
Low internal validity.

Question 9

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 9

A person is abnormal if they do not meet the criteria for jahadas ideal mental health list.

Question 10

What is jahadas ideal mental health criteria?

Answer 10

Jahadas criteria
Accurate perception of reality
Self-actualisation
Positive attitude towards self
Environmental mastery
Autonomy
Resilient to stress

Question 11

What mental disorder can be linked to deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 11

Schizophrenia

Question 12

What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 12

Comprehensive definition.
Covers a broad range of health criteria. Factors discussed by jahoda make a good tool for thinking about mental health. High internal validity

Question 13

What is a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 13

Too comprehensive?
Criteria makes ideal mental health practically impossible. Majority of the population would be considered abnormal. Low internal validity

Question 14

What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 14

Comprehensive definition.
Covers a broad range of health criteria. Factors discussed by jahoda make a good tool for thinking about mental health.
High internal validity

Question 15

What is a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 15

Too comprehensive?
Criteria makes mental health practically impossible. Majority of population would be considered abnormal.
Low internal validity

Question 16

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 16

Individual has a less statistically common characteristic.

Question 17

What is an example of statistical infrequency?

Answer 17

IQ and intellectual disability disorder.
Average IQ- 100, produces normal distribution.
Most people 68% have IQ between 85 and 115, more than 2 standard deviations above/below considered abnormal.

Question 18

What is a strength of statistical infrequency?

Answer 18

Real world application.
Used in diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder. Useful factor in clinical assessment.
High ecological validity.

Question 19

What is a weakness of statistical infrequency?

Answer 19

Can’t be used alone as a diagnosis.
IQ scores above 130 just as abnormal as below 70, but super intelligence isn’t an illness. Statistically abnormal but doesn’t require treatment.
Low internal validity