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Psychology - Psychopathology > Definitions of abnormality - Psychopathology > Flashcards

Definitions of abnormality - Psychopathology Flashcards

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1
Q

Deviation from social norms

A

Behaviour that does not follow accepted social patterns or rules and this can be caused by abnormal behaviour.

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2
Q

What does deviation from social norms look at?

A

The impact of an individuals behaviour on other people. This behaviour is examined in terms of how desirable the behaviour is for the individual and for society as a whole.

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3
Q

How is deviation from social norms seen?

A

As abnormal and undesirable

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4
Q

What type of rules are there in society which people may deviate from?

A

Explicit rules (like breaking laws) or codes of conduct

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5
Q

What can deviation from social norms help to identify?

A

A person that might be suffering from a mental disorder

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6
Q

What are the disadvantages of deviation from social norms?

A
  • Does not always indicate a psychological abnormality
  • Context must be taken into account
  • Culturally relative
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7
Q

How does deviation from social norms not always indicate a psychological abnormality?

A

Psychologists must be cautious when making judgements about whether deviation from social norms implies that someone is abnormal or just odd/eccentric.

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8
Q

What has to be taken into account when looking at deviation from social norms to identify abnormalities?

A

The context of the situation

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9
Q

How is deviation from social norms culturally relative?

A

It’s difficult to determine universal signs of psychological illness. For example in some African cultures it is socially acceptable to claim that God is communicating with the person, however, in western cultures this could be classed as schizophrenic

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10
Q

What are the advantages of deviation from social norms?

A
  • Distinguishes differences between desirable and non-desirable behaviour
  • Protects members of the public from effects of abnormal behaviour
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11
Q

Failure to function adequately

A

When a person is unable to cope with day to day life and this can impact their social, personal and occupational life. Behaviour can become maladaptive, irrational or dangerous.

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12
Q

Who looked at failure to function adequately?

A

Rosenhan and Seligman

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13
Q

What did Rosenhan and Seligman conclude about people who seek psychological help if they are experiencing a failure to function adequately?

A

They could be classes as suffering from psychological distress because recognising they aren’t functioning adequately can be an indicator of abnormality

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14
Q

How do psychologists assess rates of social, occupational and psychological functioning?

A

Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF)

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15
Q

Who made the 7 criteria?

A

Rosenhan and Seligman

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16
Q

What does the 7 criteria assess?

A

Someone’s ability to function in society. The higher the number, the more abnormal they are.

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17
Q

What is the 7 Criteria acronym?

A

SUMOVIV

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18
Q

S U M O V I V

A
  • Suffering
  • Unpredictability and loss of control
  • Maladaptiveness
  • Observer discomfort
  • Vividness and unconventionality
  • Irrationality and incomprehensibility
  • Violation of moral and ideal standards
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19
Q

What is the S in SUMOVIV?

A

suffering

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20
Q

What is the U in SUMOVIV?

A

Unpredictability and loss of control

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21
Q

What is the M in SUMOVIV?

A

maladaptiveness

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22
Q

What is the O in SUMOVIV?

A

Observer discomfort

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23
Q

What is the first V in SUMOVIV?

A

Vividness and unconventionality

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24
Q

What is the I in SUMOVIV?

A

Irrationality and incomprehensibility

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25
What is the second V in SUMOVIV?
Violation of moral and ideal standards
26
What are the disadvantages of Failure to function adequately?
- Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction. - Problematic to measure and analyse, subjective model.
27
How is abnormality not always accompanied by dysfunction?
Some people do have a psychological abnormality, but they still appear to lead a normal life and do not possess many of the 7 criteria.
28
How is the 7 criteria problematic?
They are very difficult to measure and analyse. It is subjective and there might also be occasions when some of the criteria should be adhered to because it would be the normal or right thing to do
29
What are the advantages of Failure to function adequately?
- GAF scale means psychologists can accurately assess degree of abnormality - Recognises the patients perspective
30
Statistical abnormality
When an individual possesses a less common characteristic than most of the population (IQ over 130)
31
Abnormality
Defined as behaviour or characteristics that are rare/uncommon or unusual
32
What percentage of the population has an IQ between 85-115?
0.65
33
What percentage of the population has an average IQ?
0.95
34
What percentage of the population has an above average IQ (130)?
0.025
35
Which ways can normal distribution curves be skewed?
Left skewed (negative), Right skewed (positive)
36
How is a left-skewed distribution shown?
tail of distribution lies to the left, mean and median lower than mode, higher scores on average
37
How is a right-skewed distribution shown?
Tail of distribution to the right, mean and median higher than mode, lower scores on average
38
What are the advantages of statistical abnormality?
- Can be an abnormally good trait such as a higher IQ - Based on objective, scientific and unbiased data
39
What are the disadvantages of statistical abnormality?
- Labelling people as abnormal could affect self confidence and lead to further problems - Criticised for subjective cut off between abnormal and normal
40
What approach does the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality stem from?
From humanist approach of motivation and self development, such as "hierarchy of needs" by Maslow.
41
Deviation from ideal mental health
Lack of contented existence and a lack of self actualisation
42
Self actualisation
humans should strive to reach full potential
43
What is Marie Jahoda's 6 Criteria of Ideal mental health acronym?
A P P I E S
44
What does Jahoda argue about the deviation from mental heath definition of abnormality?
The concepts of "abnormality" and "normality" are too vague. Instead she focuses on the 6 criteria that are needed in order for a person to have positive mental health.
45
A P P I E S
- Autonomy - Perception of reality - Personal growth - Integration - Environmental mastery - Self attitudes
46
What does A stand for in APPIES?
Autonomy
47
What does the first P stand for in APPIES?
Perception of reality
48
What does the second P stand for in APPIES?
Personal growth
49
What does I stand for in APPIES?
Integration/resistance to stress
50
What does E stand for in APPIES?
Environmental mastery
51
What does S stand for in APPIES?
Self attitudes
52
Autonomy
The degree to which an individual is independent of social influences and can make their own decisions
53
Perception of reality
Mentally healthy people don't distort their perception of reality; they are not too optimistic or pessimistic. They show signs of empathy and social sensitivity to others
54
Personal growth
The extent of an individual's growth, development or self actualisation. Becoming the type of person that you aim to be
55
Integration/resistance to stress
Integrates the criteria of self attitude and personal growth together. The person must be able to cope well with stressful situations and anxiety provoking situations
56
Environmental mastery
Extent to which an individual is successful and well adapted. It includes the ability to love, adequacy at work and play, good interpersonal relations, efficient problem solving and capacity for adjustment
57
Self attitudes
High self esteem and a strong sense of identity
58
What are the advantages of Deviation from ideal mental health?
- Positive and productive as it focuses on an optimal criteria - Can highlight and target areas of dysfunction so it can be improved
59
What are the disadvantages of Deviation from ideal mental health?
- Problematic as its based on abstract concepts and its not objective or scientific - Very few people can achieve all six criteria all at once
60
What are the 4 Definitions of abnormality?
Deviation from social norms, Failure to function adequately, Statistical infrequency, Deviation from ideal mental health

Psychology - Psychopathology (4 decks)

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