Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

Define psychopathology

Answer 1

Study of the causes of mental mind diseases

Question 2

Define abnormality

Answer 2

Something undesirable and needing treatment
-hard to diagnose mental illness

Question 3

What are the 4 definitions of abnormality

Answer 3

Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 4

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 4

when an individual has a characteristic that’s rare enough to be classed as abnormal

-mathematical definition using quantitative data

Question 5

What does statistical infrequency assume?

Answer 5

-assumes that human characteristics which can be measures will form a normal distribution curve and most will cluster round the mean then reduce in frequency the further away from mean we go

Question 6

Give an example of being considered ‘abnormal’ in statistical infrequency definition

Answer 6

Having an IQ of over 130 is considered to be a genius, but this definition suggests that this is a psychological disorder that needs treating

(Does it?)- some Beh can be statistical infrequent but desirable such as athletic ability

Question 7

Give 2 strengths of statistical infrequency

Answer 7

Useful application
Representative of the population

Question 8

How does statistical infrequency have useful application?

Answer 8

-We can use it for all 4 definitions
Eg, we can diagnose people with IQ under 70 with intellectual disability disorder as they’re 3 SD below average

-Means definition useful in clinics as been diagnosed as having intellectual disability means they can get help

Question 9

How is statistical infrequency representative

Answer 9

It takes the whole population into account meaning its representative of the population so we can generalise the findings

Question 10

Give 2 limitations of statistical infrequency

Answer 10

Some statistically rare behaviours are desirable

No consideration for cultural/gender diffs

Question 11

How is some statistically rare behaviours being desirable a limitation?

Answer 11

Eg- Einstein had statistically rare IQ of 145 but we would class this is a very good thing rather than a psychological problem.

-Def assumes any statistically rare behaviours is problematic

Question 12

Define failure to function adequately

Answer 12

Where a persons no longer able to cope with the ordinary demands of day to day living

Question 13

What does FFA cause?

Answer 13

Personal distress and suffering

Observer discomfort

Question 14

What did Rosenhan propose?
(FFA)

Answer 14

3 additional signs that can determine when someone’s unable to cope

1. No longer conforming to standard interpersonal rules (eg, personal space)
2. Experiences severe personal distress
3. Behaviour is irrational or dangerous to themself or others

Question 15

What does GAF stand for and what does it measure?

Answer 15

-Global assessment of functioning scale
-It enables us to see when someone starts to fail to function

Question 16

What Are the 4 levels of the GAF scale

Answer 16

0-10, Persistent danger, scusidal
21-30, delusions, hallucinations
41-50, serious symptoms in every day life
81-90, minimal/absent symptoms

Question 17

Give 2 strengths of Failure to function

Answer 17

-Considers the individual
-Face validity

Question 18

How does the failure to function consider the individual? Why is this a strength?

Answer 18

Its the only definition to consider the patients experience therefore the individual may be happier with diagnosis

Question 19

Give a counter to the FFA considering the individual

Answer 19

2 people could have the same symptoms and get different diagnoses
EG- one may feel they’re coping with everyday life but one may not with the same symptoms

Leading to a lack of consistency to diagnose people

Question 20

Give a limitation of failure to function adequately

Answer 20

Symptoms could only be short term
-eg someone may not be able to cope post bereavement but not have depression as it’s normal to be sad for a short time

Question 21

Define deviation from social norms

Answer 21

Defines abnormality based on a person’s behaviour diverging from the expectations of a society.

Question 22

Define implicit

Answer 22

We make a collective judgement as a society what is right

Question 23

What is antisocial personality disorder

Answer 23

-having an absence of prosocial internal standards
-associated with failure to conform to lawful and normative ethical behaviour

Question 24

Give a strength of deviation from social norms

Answer 24

Useful definition- It’s used to diagnose people with psychological disorders like ASPD where the term strange is used to characterise behaviour

Question 25

Give a limitation of deviation from social norms

Answer 25

Its time and context specific- TIME- many beh were previously illegal but now accepted as normal (homosexuality) CONTEXT- some beh acceptable in some contexts but not others (wearing bikini in shop vs beach)

Question 26

What is deviation ideal mental health? Who created the definition?

Answer 26

Marie Jahoda -Definition focused on what it means to be normal rather than abnormal. Once we have a picture of psychological wellbeing then we can identify what deviating from this is

Question 27

What are the 5 criteria’s Jahoda made for ideal mental health?

Answer 27

1- able to resist stress 2- were rational (realistic perception) 3- we can self actualise (can be best version of self) 4- we have good self esteem 5- were autonomous 6- can successfully work, love and enjoy leisure - if we don’t meet this criteria were defined as abnormal

Question 28

Give a strength of Deviation ideal mental health

Answer 28

A comprehensive definition- it covers pretty much every reason why we may seek help and provides a checklist against which we assess people

Question 29

Give a counter to deviation ideal mental health being a comprehensive definition

Answer 29

Extremely high standards as not many people would meet all of Jahoda’s criteria meaning everyone’s abnormal

Question 30

Give a limitation of deviation ideal mental health

Answer 30

It’s culture bound- certain elements of definition may not apple to all cultures Eg- self actualisation isn’t applicable to collectivist cultures as they’re seen as self indulgent