Psychopathology Flashcards
What are the definitions of abnormality?
- deviation from social norms
- failure to function adequately by Rosenham and Seligman
- statistical infrequency
- deviation from ideal mental help by Marie Jahoda
What does deviation from social norms means?
Behaviour that doesn’t follow social patterns or social rules and is seen as abnormal behaviour, which is unacceptable.
Advantages of deviation from social norms. (3)
- protects
- individuality
- disorders
- it distinguishes desirable and non desirable behaviour which protects members of the public from possible dangers
- it creates a sense of individuality for the person
- it can help identify people with mental disorders
Disadvantages of deviation from social norms. (2)
- judgements
- context
- must be cautious when making judgements about whether someone is mentally disturbed or not
- contact must be taken into account as in some societies a deviation may be unacceptable but in another society it may not be a deviation at all
What is the Failure to Function Adequately Model?
This model suggests that abnormality is based on the fact that a person can not cope with everyday life and is not functioning adequately. It uses the GAF Scale to assess the rate of psychological, social and occupational functioning.
What are the criteria for the Failure to Function Adequately model? (7)
- Suffering
- Unpredictability and Loss of Control
- Maladaptiveness
- Observer Discomfort
- Vividness and Unconventionality
- Irrationality and Incomprehensibility
- Violation of Moral Standards
Advantages of the Failure to Function Adequately model? (2)
- GAF
- problems
- it uses the GAF scale which is makes it accurate
- it can identify a person with psychological problems
Disadvantages of the Failure to Function Adequately model. (3)
- dysfunction
- cultures
- subjective
- abnormality doesn’t mean a person is dysfunctional; some people have a psychological abnormality but lead a normal life.
- there a different norms in different cultures
- it is difficult to measure and analyse as it is subjective and therefore not scientific
Who constructed the Failure to Function Adequately model?
Roseham and Seligman
What is statistical infrequency?
When a person possesses less common characteristics that are statistically rare.
Advantages of statistical infrequency. (2)
- objective
- behaviour
- data is objective, scientific and unbiased
- sometimes just because behaviour is statistically infrequent it doesn’t mean they are abnormal or require treatment (e.g high IQ)
Disadvantages of statistical infrequency. (2)
- labelling
- divide
- it involves labelling someone as abnormal has a negative effect on their self confidence and self esteem
- there is a subjective cut off point between abnormality and normality; the divide between them is subjective
What is the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model?
This suggests that if a person is deviating form idea mental health and they are failing to reach self actualisation then this is an indicator for abnormality.
Who constructed the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model?
Marie Jahoda
What are the criteria for the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model? (6)
- Autonomy
- Perception of Reality
- Personal Growth
- Integration
- Environmental Mastery
- Self Attitudes
Advantages of the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model. (2)
- positive
- dysfunction
- it is positive and productive and helps a persona reach self actualisation and become a psychologically healthy
- highlights target areas for dysfunction to work on and helps to treat different disorders
Disadvantages of the Deviation from Ideal Mental Health model. (2)
- abstract
- impossible
- it is based on abstract concepts and ideals and is difficult to define and measure so it is not objective or scientific
- it’s impossible to achieve all 6 criteria at once
What are behavioural characteristics of phobias? (4)
- Avoidance
- Freeze/Faint
- Disruption of Functioning
- Panic
What are emotional characteristics of phobias? (3)
- Fear
- Panic and Anxiety
- Emotions
What are cognitive characteristics of phobias? (4)
- Irrational
- Insight
- Cognitive Distortions
- Selective Attention
What is the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?
The two process model; phobias are learnt through classical conditioning or the social learning theory and maintained through operant conditioning.
Who conducted the Little Albert experiment and when?
Watson and Rayner in 1920
Advantages of the Little Albert experiment. (1)
- waterfall
- a woman who had a phobia of running water after getting her foot stuck in some rocks near a waterfall recovered but was still afraid of the sound of running water; an association was built.
Disadvantages of the Little Albert experiment. (2)
- repeated
- experiences
- this experiment was only done once and has not been repeated. It cannot be repeated today for ethical reasons.
- some people have traumatic experiences but don’t get a phobia
What negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Avoiding the objects to reduce risks
What is positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Avoiding the object and not feeling fear is a reward
Advantages of the two process model. (1)
- clear
- it has been praised for having two clear steps that are accurate.
Disadvantages of the two process model. (2)
- ignores
- limited
- it ignores biological and evolutionary factors and ignores genetic vulnerability
- it doesn’t explain phobias in adults so it is limited
What is the behavioural approach to treating phobias?
Systematic Desensitisation and Flooding