Psycopathology Flashcards
Deviation from social norms
Unwritten rules
Abnormal if it’s not accepted, expected and approved
“Breaking rules of society”
Deviation from social norms( weaknesses)
-can change
May have been accepted 50yrs ago and not no
E.g homosexuality
Lack of consistency=reduced reliability
-differ between cultures
Culturally relative
E.g hearing voices not views as deviant elsewhere
Should be consistent between cultures (ethnocentric)
Deviation from social norms (strength)
-more appropriate definition compared so statistical infrequency
Distinguished desirable and non behaviour and effect on others
E.g always washing hand constantly could damage others
More appropriate
Failure to function adequately
Unable to cope with everyday life e.g can’t eat
Causes distress and suffering and can for for others
M- maladaptive (stop themselves from progressing)
U- unconventional ( odd behaviour)
S- suffering
I- irrational (act a way people can’t understand)
C- control (unpredictable, behave inappropriately)
Failure to function normally (weaknesses)
-abnormality isn’t always followed by disfunction
E.g someone hearing voices may be able to function and others may not
Questions validity
Each person is diagnosed different
-Cultural relativism
E.g long periods of grief is more acceptable in some cultures more than others
Same behaviour could be classed as abnormal cause views as failure to function in one functioning fine in another
-same behaviour should be consistent across cultures
-could be due to other factors
E.g unable to hold down Job due to economics not mental health
Could be incorrectly labelled
Suggests definition is not appropriate in all cases
Failure to function adequately (strengths)
Includes patients perspective
His her subjective experience takes into account their thoughts and feelings
Suggests it’s a useful criteria for assessing abnormality as it provides checklists for patients they can use
Statistical infrequency
Behaviour that is statistically Rare and if it falls out typical range
Statistical infrequency (weaknesses)
-many abnormal behaviours are quite desirable
-e.g very high IQ nit suggested to be undesirable
Equally there are normal behaviours classed as undesirable like depression after traumatic event
Problem es when planning treatment as only undesirable behaviour is identified, cant be used alone to diagnose
- may be culturally biased
Some behaviours that are statistically infrequent in some cultures but more frequent in others
E.g symptoms of schizophrenia is hearing voices, however it’s common experience in other cultures
Would class these people as abnormal even when displaying normal behaviour, can only be used to define abnormality in some cultures
Statistical infrequency (strengths)
More objective as there is a clear cut if point of abnormality
Easier to decide who meets criteria to be abnormal
Less subjective than other definitions
Deviation from ideal mental health
Define criteria required for normality
P-perception of reality ( able to see world as it is)
R- resistance to stress (able to cope with stress)
A- Self Attitudes ( higher self esteem’s and strong self of identity)
I - autonomy (function independently)
S- self actualisation ( focused on future and fulfilling potential)
E- mastery if Environment- (can adjust to new situations)
Deviation from mental health (weakness)
-culturally biased (ethnocentric
Ideals of mental health not applicable to app cultures
E.g self actualisation is relevant to members of individualistic cultures but not collectivist cultures where people strive for the good of the community
Problem as it’s not reliable as it’s not consistent between cultures
-unclear how many criteria needed to be lacking before were seen as deviating from ideal mental health
For example do all 6 need to be met or can we lack one or two, subjective judgement needed
Left to psychiatrist to decide whether someone is deviating
Lacks objectivity so definition will be rarely used in real world
Deviation from mental health (strengths)
-offers alternative perspective
Focuses on the positives and is holistic
Are in accord with the humanistic approach which focuses on positive aspects of human nature
And covers a wide range of criteria
Phobias
Anxiety disorder
Specific- object, animal
Social- social situation, public speaking
Agoraphobia- fear if leaving home or safe space, crowds
Two process model (weaknesses)
-incomplete as does not explain evolutionary principles
Research founds that we are innately predisposed to be afraid of spiders and snakes etc as source of danger in past
-helps us understand why people may be afraid of things they have never encountered
-may be too simplistic as suggests it’s mire than just classical conditioning causing phobias
-criticised as does not explain cognitive factors
-e.g someone in lift may think “I will get stuck and suffocate”
Irrational thinking as it causes extreme anxiety and could cause phobia
Weakness as it fails to explain vital component so we need behavioural and cognitive components to provide thorough explanation
Two process model (strengths)
-can be tested in objective way
E,g researcher tested two process model by paring buzz with electric shock
Used -ve reinforcement to train rats to jump over barrier when buzzer sounded
Increases scientific validity
-has practical applications
Several behavioural therapies which use principles of classical conditioning, SD helps unlearn phobia
Evidence supported to show success as 75% of patients had reduced symptoms after
Strengthens validity of treatment and explanation
