Psychopathology Flashcards
(120 cards)
What is the easiest way to define ‘normal/abnormal’
According to statistics
What is the statistical definition of abnormal (statistical infrequency)
Any relatively usual behaviour/characteristics can be classed as normal and behaviours which are unusual can be classed as abnormal
What is an example of statistical infrequency definition
We can say that at any time only small number of people will have irrational fear of buttons
What is an example of statistical infrequency
IQ and intellectual disability disorder
When is statistical infrequency best
When dealing with reliably measured characteristics like intelligence
What is normal distribution
In any human characteristic most people’s scores will cluster round average and further out we go above or below average, fewer people will have this score
Give example of normal distribution in humans
Average IQ is 100, In normal distribution, most people (68%) have IQ scores in range of 85 to 115 and only 2% have scores below 70 (these people classed as abnormal according to statistical infrequency and often diagnosed with psychological disorder (intellectual disability disorder)
What is deviation from social norms
Most people notice those whose behaviour deviates from social norms and groups of people’s behaviour can be defined as abnormal on basis that is offends someone’s sense of what is normal
Give an example of what deviation from social norms means and how do we judge jt
When a persons behaves different from how we expect them to behave, we are making collective judgement as a society of what is right
Are social norms always the same and what does this mean
No they may vary depending on generation or culture so relatively few behaviours classed universally as abnormal on basis of deviation from social norms
Give an example of how culture/era can have different social norms
Homosexuality was considered abnormal in our culture in the past and still abnormal in other cultures
What is an example of deviation from social norms
Antisocial personality disorder
What are characteristics of someone with antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy)
They are impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible
According to DSM-5 (psychological disorder diagnosis manual) what are important symptoms of antisocial personality disorder
They have absence of prosocial internal standard associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour
Why do we class psychopathy as abnormal
We make a social judgement that psychopaths are abnormal as they don’t conform to our moral standards, psychopathic behaviours would be considered abnormal in a very wide range of cultures
How is normal distribution described on a graph
Bell shaped curve
What is a strength of statistical infrequency
Strength is its usefulness in clinical practice as formal diagnosis and access severity of patients symptoms. Eg. Diagnosis of intellectual personality disorder requires IQ lower than 70. Example of statistical infrequency as assessment tool is becks depression inventory (BDI), a score 30+ widely indicates severe depression. Shows value of statistical infrequency criterion is useful in diagnosis and assessment processes
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency
Limitation is infrequent characteristics can be good as well as bad. For every person w IQ below 70, there’s person w IQ +150, but we don’t think them abnormal. Also, we don’t think someone abnormal w low score on becks depression inventory. Shows being unusual at one end of spectrum doesn’t always make someone abnormal. Means although statistical infrequency can form part of assessment and diagnosis procedure it is not sufficient as sole basis of defining abnormality
What is a strength of deviation from social norms
Strength is its usefulness in clinical practice. Eg.defining characteristics of antisocial personality disorder is failure to conform to culturally normal ethical behaviour like recklessness, aggression, violating others human rights (all signs of disorder deviating from social norms). These norms help diagnose schizophrenia. Shows deviating from social norms criteria has value in psychiatry
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms
Limitation is variability between social norms in different cultures and situations. Person from 1 culture may label someone from another group as abnormal using their standards rather than other persons standard. Eg. Hearing voices is norm in some cultures(message from ancestors) but is abnormal in UK. Also, even within cultures it depends on the situation. Aggression more socially unacceptable in family life than corporate deal making. Means difficult to judge deviation across different situations and cultures
What is failure to function adequately
Person becomes abnormal when they can no longer cope with everyday demands
When do we class failure to function adequately
When persons no longer maintains basic nutrition and hygiene standards or if they can’t hold down a job or relationship with others
What did Rosenhan and Seligman propose
Additional signs to tell when someone is failing to function adequately
What were Rosenhan and Seligman additional signs for when someone isn’t functioning properly
When person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules like holding eye contact and respecting personal space, when person experiences severe personal distress, when person behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves and others