Psychopathology (easy) Flashcards
Tell me alllll the content in this topic
Definitions of abnormality (1)
Definitions of abnormality (2)
Phobias
Depression
OCD
The behavioural approach to:
explaining phobias
treating phobias
the cognitive approach to:
explaining depression
treating depression
The cognitive approach to:
explaining OCD
treating OCD
Give me all the definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
Statistical infrequency definition
an individual possesses a less common characteristic than most of the population
The behaviours displayed are statistically rare, for example being extremely intelligent with an IQ score over 130 or having a very low IQ e.g. under 70
How is statistical infrequency a definition of abnormality?
unusual behaviour = abnormal
when looking at statistics, the number of people who might display that behaviour might be infrequent or rare
* Approximately 68% of the population will have an IQ score between 85-115
- 95% of the population will have an average IQ score
- 2% of the population will have an above average IQ score (130 or over )
- 2% of the population will have a below average IQ score (below 70)
Normal distribution curve mean, mode and median for psychopathology
All in the middle/peak
Ends show rare
-ve skew
tail on left
mean and median less then mode
more scores to right (high IQ) - either too easy or very intelligent
+ve skew
positive skewness
tail on the right
mean and median greater then mode
scores mainly to left (low IQ) - test too hard or not smart
+ve for statistical infrequency. Real world application. AO3
judgements are based on objective, scientific and unbiased data that can help indicate abnormality and normality, (for example the IQ scores)
Used in clinical practices, part of formal diagnosis to assess severity of individuals symptoms.
The results from these tests can indicate whether someone needs psychological help and assistance e.g. an IQ score below 70 could indicate mental disability
-ve for statistical infrequency, unusual can be positive AO3
being very intelligent with an IQ score over 130 is not a negative behaviour, but is actually quite positive and desirable
Just because a behaviour is statistically infrequent does not mean that the person is abnormal and requires treatment
Statistical infrequency can be a good thing
Definition of deviation from social norms
Any behaviour that doesn’t follow accepted social patterns/rules. Such violation can be regarded as abnormal behaviour and would be classed as unacceptable
An example of deviation of social norms
Wearing no clothes in public
How does culture/time affect deviation from social norms
Norms, values and accepted ways to behave vary from culture to the culture and from time period to time period
What does deviation from social norms look at?
The impact of an individuals’ behaviour upon other people
The behaviour displayed is examined in terms of how desirable the behaviour is for the individual and for society as a whole
It is seen as abnormal and undesirable
When do people deviate from social norms
Every society has rules based on moral standards
Some are explicit like in law, others are ‘codes of conduct’ like dress codes
What does deviation from social norms help do?
It can help identify someone who is suffering from a mental disorder, if behaving strangely we can be concerned that they may be suffering from a mental disorder
+ve for deviation from social norms, real world application AO3
Used in clinical practices.
Example, key defining characteristic of someone with APD is failure to conform to culturally normal ethical behaviour. (recklessness)
signs of disorder= all deviations from social norms.
Such norms play part in schizotypal personality disorder, term ‘strange’ used to characterise thinking, behaviour, appearance of people with the disorder.
Has value in psychiatry
-ve for deviation from social norms, cultural + situational relativism AO3
Variability between social norms in different cultures and different situations.
One cultural group= label someone from another group as abnormal, using their standards.
Experience of hearing voices, norm in some cultures, sign of abnormality in UK.
One cultural context social norms differ from one situation to another.
Aggressive + deceitful behaviour in context of family life more socially unacceptable than in context of corporate deal-making
difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different situations + cultures
Who came up with the model of failure to function adequately?
Rosenhan and Seligman
Definition of failure to function adequately
the person is unable to cope with day to day life, like having a job or interacting well with others as they are experiencing psychological distress and discomfort
What are the effects of failing to function adequately?
Impacts personal, social and occupational life
Romantic relationships
if they don’t have a job it may limit social interactions
may feel disconnected with friends, less shared experiences/in common, hard to be friends with the, won’t be good friends (possibly) can’t help friends
How to figure out if someone isn’t functioning adequately
no longer conforms to standard rules, maintaining eye contact
person experiences severe personal distress
persons behaviour is irrational, become danger to themselves
Example for failing to function adequately
IDD one criteria is low IQ. Diagnosis would not be made on this basis, must be failing to function adequately before diagnosis
What is deviation from ideal mental health based on
The humanist approach - focuses on motivation and self development
Maslow devised the hierarchy of needs whereby humans seek to have basic needs met first then move up to the next level
Abnormality is related to the lack of ‘contented existence’ - so people who deviate from having ideal or ‘optimal’ mental health can be classed as abnormal
What is needed for people to have ‘positive mental health’ according to Jahoda
6 criteria (APPIES)
Autonomy
Perception of reality
Personal growth
Integration
Environmental mastery
Self attitudes
What is self actualisation
Humans should strive to reach full potential - for normal people it means striving to achieve a series or goals
Abnormal if fail to achieve goals or necessary criteria
FFA +ve and -ve AO3
+ve represents threshold for help
Most people have symptoms of mental health disorders.
25% of people will experience mental health problems.
At the point we cease to FFA people are referred to see a professional.
Means we target those who are most in need.
-ve individual differences
Easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal.
Is someone FFA? OR chosen to deviate from social norms?
Some people live life ‘off the grid’ high-risk leisure activities, example.
People who make unusual choices = labelled abnormal, freedom of choice restricted.
