Psychopathology Lessons 01 - 04 (Definitions Of Abnormality)

Question 1

Deviation from Social Norms

Answer 1

Any behaviour that does not follow social patterns or rules is seen as abnormal and unacceptable.
Every society has rules or ‘codes of conduct’, which are explicit. Breaking these is classed as behaving in a strange way and can be an indication of a mental disorder

Question 2

Evaluation of Deviation from Social Norms

Answer 2

(-) Does not always indicate abnormality. Someone could just be odd or eccentric. Psychologists have to be cautious.
(-) Context needs to be taken into consideration. Being naked at the high street is unacceptable but it is on a nudist beach.
(+) It distinguishes a difference between desirable and non desirable behaviours (non desirable behaviour is minimised, so the damaging consequences are too)

Question 3

Failure to Function Adequately

Answer 3

Rosenhan and Seligman
If a person is unable to cope with day to day life, they may be abnormal
Psychologists use the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) to assess rates of social, occupational and psychological functioning

Question 4

7 criteria for failure to function adequately

SUMOVIV

Answer 4

The higher the number of criteria, the more abnormal the person is

• Suffering (psychologically or physically)
• Unpredictability and loss of control (uncontrolled or varied behaviour; however some people behave like this when drunk etc.)
• Maladaptiveness (unable to do what they want to do, maybe due to a lack of skills or knowledge)
• Observer discomfort (onlooker is uncomfortable; however it may reflect cultural differences )
• Vividness and unconventionality (behaving in a different way to most people; however a person may just be eccentric)
• Irrationality and incomprehensibility (behaviour does not make sense; however we just might not know the reason)
• Violation of moral and ideal standards (behaviour breaks moral standards; however the standards may be outdated)

Question 5

Evaluation of Failure to Function Adequately

Answer 5

(-) Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction - some people are abnormal but can lead a normal life (e.g. Harold Shipman, a murderer who appeared to function adequately). On the other hand, someone might be normal, but just be having a bad day.
(-) Very problematic as they are difficult to measure and analyse. Very subjective and lacks being scientific, which means psychologists need to be cautious. There are instances where criteria should be adhered to (e.g. when a close relative dies, it is acceptable to show signs of suffering)
(+) Using the GAF means that psychologists can accurately assess the degree of abnormality and how well the patient is coping with daily life

Question 6

Statistical Infrequency

Answer 6

When an individual possesses a less common (statistically rare) characteristic than most of the population.
For example, when looking at IQ, the average is 100, so 70 or 130 are statistically infrequent
65% of the population has an IQ between 85-115
95% of the population has an average IQ score
2.5% of the population has an above average IQ (130 or over)
2.5% of the population has a below average IQ (70 or below)

Question 7

Normal Distribution curve

Answer 7

Data can be displayed in a Normal Distribution curve
Left-skewed (negative skewness) has a tail of distribution lying mainly to the left. Mean and median have lesser values than the mode. Most of the population have high scores
Right-skewed (positive skewness) has a tail of distribution lying mainly to the right. Mean and median have greater values than the mode. Most of the population have low scores

Question 8

Evaluation of Statistical Infrequency

Answer 8

+ Statistical infrequent behaviour does not always mean a person is abnormal, it can be a good thing (e.g. IQ over 130 = very intelligent = positive and desirable)
+ Objective, scientific and unbiased. Easily indicate whether someone needs psychological help.
- Involves labelling which is not beneficial - can lead to someone seeing themselves in a negative manner and lowering self-confidence.
- Subjective cut off point - can be questioned - 71 is normal, but 70 is abnormal?

Question 9

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Answer 9

Marie Jahoda
Stems from the Humanist approach which focused on motivation and self development. Maslow devised the ‘Hierarchy of needs’ whereby humans seek to have their basic needs met first.
Abnormality is related to the lack of ‘contented existence’ - people who deviate are classed as abnormal.
‘Self actualisation’ means humans should strive to reach their full potential, and abnormality could occur if a person fails to meet the necessary criteria.

Question 10

6 criteria of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

APPIES

Answer 10

All criteria need to be fulfilled at the same time to be classed as normal.

• Autonomy (the degree of independence)
• Perception of reality (reality is not distorted - not too optimistic or pessimistic)
• Personal growth (becoming the type of person that you aim to be)
• Integration (being able to cope well in stressful situations)
• Environmental mastery (extent of success and being well adapted)
• Self attitudes (high self esteem and a strong sense of identity)

Question 11

Evaluation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Answer 11

+ Can be viewed as positive and productive. Focuses on what humans should strive for and aim to achieve
+ Can highlight and target areas of dysfunction that the patient should improve and work on
- Very subjective, not scientific or objective - bases on abstract concepts and ideals which are difficult to define and measure (how much ‘environmental mastery’ is needed?)
- Very few people can achieve all six criteria at any one time (practically impossible) - many of us would be classed as abnormal, so it would be ‘normal to be abnormal’.