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What does statistical infrequency imply about a disorder?
A disorder is abnormal if its frequency is more than two standard deviations away from the mean incidence rates on a normally-distributed bell curve.
Who proposed the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989).
What does the failure to function adequately definition suggest?
Individuals may be considered abnormal if their mental state prevents them from leading a normal life and obeying social norms.
What are the criteria for considering someone as abnormal under the failure to function adequately definition?
- Does not obey social rules
- Experiences distress
- Behavior is dangerous
What does the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality suggest?
Abnormal behavior is based upon straying away from specific social norms of a culture.
What is an example of behavior that may indicate antisocial personality disorder (APD)?
Aggressive behavior towards strangers.
What was Jahoda’s (1958) focus in defining abnormality?
Deviation from ideal mental health.
What are some criteria for ideal mental health according to Jahoda?
- Self-actualization
- Accurate self-perception
- Absence of distress
- Normal motivation levels
- High self-esteem
What are the behavioral characteristics of phobias?
- Panic
- Avoidance
- Endurance
What physiological response occurs during panic in phobias?
Heightened physiological arousal caused by the hypothalamus triggering the sympathetic nervous system.
What is avoidance behavior in the context of phobias?
Behavior carried out to avoid the unpleasant consequences of exposure to the phobic stimulus.
What happens during endurance in phobias?
The patient remains exposed to the phobic stimulus for an extended period while experiencing heightened anxiety.
What are the main emotional characteristics of phobias?
- Anxiety
- Unawareness of irrational anxiety
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
- Selective attention to the phobic stimulus
- Irrational beliefs
- Cognitive distortions
What is selective attention in the context of phobias?
The patient focuses on the phobic stimulus despite severe anxiety.
What is an example of a cognitive distortion in phobias?
Mycophobia (phobia of mushrooms) or rectaphobia (phobia of bottoms).
What are the behavioral characteristics of depression?
- Changed activity levels
- Aggression
- Changes in sleeping and eating patterns
What emotional characteristics are commonly associated with depression?
- Lowered self-esteem
- Constant poor mood
- High levels of anger
What cognitive characteristics are associated with depression?
- Absolutist thinking
- Selective attention to negative events
- Poor concentration
What are the main behavioral characteristics of OCD?
- Compulsions
- Avoidance behavior
What emotional characteristics are prevalent in OCD?
- Guilt
- Disgust
- Depression
- Anxiety
What cognitive characteristics are associated with OCD?
- Acknowledgment of excessive and irrational anxiety
- Development of cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions
- Obsessive thoughts
