Psychopathology Key Words

Question 1

deviation from social norms

Answer 1

definition of abnormality - there are rules in society - deviation from these rules is used to determine abnormality

eg. laughing at a funeral

Question 2

statistical infrequency

Answer 2

definiton of abnormality - behaviour is plotted on a normal distribution curve - behaviour that falls 2SD’s or more from the mean is considered abnormal

eg. schizophrenia is abnormal because it occurs in less than 1% of the population

Question 3

DSM 5

Answer 3

American Psychiatric Association manual for diagnosis for mental disorders - disorders are diagnosed using emotional, cognitive, behavioural, & physical characteristics

Ps must have a certain number of characteristics to be classified as having the disorder

Question 4

deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 4

definition of abnormality - list of criteria for achieving complete mental health

a lack in any of the criteria means the person my be abnormal

eg. lacking resistance to stress, inaccurate perception of reality