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.
Deviation from ideal mental health AO3
+ve comprehensive
Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health covers why people seek help.
Not meeting criteria discussed with professionals, like self-actualization.
Definition gives a checklist to assess ourselves + discuss +ve B.
Holistic view.
-ve unrealistic
Everyone = stressed.
Definition states stress is a sign of abnormality, despite it being abnormal.
Makes psychologists question how many absent criteria are needed to be identified for diagnosis
What are the three behavioural characteristics of phobias
Avoidance
Endurance
Panic
Avoidance
Fear can lead to avoidance of objects or situations.
Avoidance can disrupt daily life by causing distress in social or occupational activities.
For example, someone might avoid parks to steer clear of dogs.
Endurance
Person chooses to remain in presence of phobic stimulus
Person who fears spiders stays in room to keep eye on it
Panic (Behavioural)
May panic in presence of stimulus
they may shows behavioural characteristics like crying, screaming, vomiting, running away or freezing
Emotional characteristics (feelings)
Fear
Panic & anxiety
Fear
immediate + extremely unpleasant response when we encounter phobic stimulus.
More intense than A, experienced for shorter periods.
Panic and anxiety
person will feeling highly anxious
experience unpleasant negative feelings
may worry a lot
Relaxing = difficult
A = long term
Cognitive characteristics of phobias (thinking)
Irrational
Cognitive distortions
Selective attention
Irrational
unfounded thoughts in relation to stimuli.
X have reality basis.
‘I must always sound intelligent’
Increases pressure for people to perform well in social situations.
Cognitive distortions
view phobia unrealistically
E.g. see snakes as alien and aggressive
DSM-5 categories of depression
major depressive disorder- severe, short term D
Persistent depressive disorder- long term D
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder- childhood temp tantrums
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder- disruption to mood prior to/or during menstruation
B characteristics of depression
activity levels
disruption to eating + sleep
Aggression + self harm
Activity levels B C of D
low energy
lethargic
knock on effect, withdraw from work
extreme cases X get out of bed
Opposite effect in some cases, psychomotor agitation.
X relax, pace in room
disruption to eat + sleep
B C of D
reduced sleep (insomnia)
increased need for sleep (hypersomnia)
Weight loss/gain
Aggression + self harm
B C of D
verbally + physically aggressive
Serios knock on effect
Verbal aggression= ending relationship, quitting job
Cutting themselves, suicide attempts.
Emotional characteristics of D
lowered mood
Anger
Lowered self-esteem
lowered mood emotional C of D
Sad
still emotional element of D, but more pronounced than in daily kind of experience of feeling lethargic + sad
may feel ‘worthless’ and ‘empty’
anger
B C of D
The person might feel anger which might be directed towards others or turned inwards towards the self, which could result in self harm
Depression may arise from feelings of being hurt and wishing to retaliate
lowered self esteem
B C of D
like themselves less than usual
Quite extreme, for some D describes sense of self loathing, hating themselves.
Cognitive characteristics of D
Poor concentration
Attending to and dwelling on the -ve
Absolutist thinking
Poor concentration
C C of D
There can be difficulty in paying/maintaining attention, and the person might feel that they cannot stay on task for long periods of time
They might have slower thought processes than normal and difficulty making decisions (even if the decision seems very simple)
This can interfere with the person’s ability to do their job
Negative thinking
Depressed people -ve view of the world and they expect things to turn out badly rather than well
-ve expectations about their lives and relationships, and the world in general
= self fulfilling prophecy whereby if you expect negative things to happen, then they probably will
+ve in their life = ignored, cognitive bias
Absolutist thinking
Most situations are not all bad or all good
Sufferers of depression tend to think in this format, and they usually think about events in absolutist terms, “it was a complete disaster” rather than, “that was good, but there are a few things that could have been better
What’s OCD
characterised by the DSM-5 as a disorder whereby the patient shows repetitive behaviour (compulsions) and obsessive behaviour
The behavioural characteristics of OCD
Compulsions are repetitive
Compulsions reduce anxiety
Avoidance
The emotional characteristics of OCD
anxiety and distress
accompanying depression
guilt and disgust
The cognitive characteristics of OCD
Obsessive thoughts
Cognitive coping strategies
Insight into excessive anxiety
Compulsions are repetitive
B C of OCD
Repeat B
Hand washing
Couting, tidying groups pf objects
Compulsions reduce A
B C of OCD
10% people with OCD= compulsive B alone
no obsessions, just general sense of irrational A, X obsession
For majority, compulsive B manages A produced by obsessions, like
Hand washing (response) due to germs (obsessive fear)
Compulsive checking, door locked, response to obsessive thought might be left unsecured.
Avoidance
B C of OCD
keep away from situation triggering it
People who wash hands repetitively avoid contact with germs
can = avoiding ordinary situations, like emptying rubbish bin. interferes with normal life.
Anxiety and distress
E C of OCD
OCD= unpleasant emotional experience
due to powerful A which accompanies obsessions + compulsions.
obsessive thoughts= unpleasant, frightening, overwhelming
urge to repeat B= anxiety
Accompanying depression
E C of OCD
OCD = accompanied by D
so A accompanied by low mood. lack of enjoyment in activities.
Brings relief from A but this is temporary.
Guilt and disgust
E C of OCD
as well as A + D, OCD involves -ve emptions, like irrational guilt, minor moral issues, disgust, directed against something external like dirt, or themselves
Obsessive thoughts
C C of OCD
90% people, major C feature= obsessive thoughts
recur over and over
vary from person to person, unpleasant
example, contaminated by dirt + germs
Cognitive coping strategies
C C of OCD
Obsessions= major aspect
people respond by adopting C coping strategies
Religious person tormented by obsessive guilt, respond by praying or meditating
Manages A, distracts from everyday tasks
Insight into excessive A
C C of OCD
OCD sufferers recognize their obsessions are irrational.
Key for diagnosing disorder
If someone believed thoughts were based on reality, would be symptom of different mental disorder.
People with experience catastrophic thoughts about worst case scenarios if anxieties were justified.
Often hypervigilant, focusing on potential hazards.
