Psychopathology Flashcards
What is psychopathology?
= Scientific study of psychological disorders
(Pathology = Study of disease)
What is abnormality?
= Deviating from what is normal
What is normal?
= Conforming to a standard
Approaches to normality:
Statistical terms
= A standard can be defined by what most people are doing
Approaches to normality:
Social terms
= What is or isn’t socially acceptable
Approaches to normality:
Standard of ‘adequate functioning’
= Being able to cope with day to day living
Approaches to normality:
Concept of ideal mental health
= State of contentment to which we all strive to achieve
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
1) Statistical infrequency
2) Deviation from social norms (DMS)
3) Failure to function adequately
4) Deviation from ideal mental health
Definition of statistical infrequency
= Abnormalities can be statistically determined and are found to be rare, and if behaviour is calculated to fall out of the range of normal distribution
i.e. Any behaviour found in very few people is regarded as abnormal
Statistical infrequency (AO1):
What is the assumption?
Assumed that personality traits and behaviours can be placed into a normal distribution pattern
Statistical infrequency (AO1):
Feature of normal distribution pattern?
In a normally distributed population average traits and behaviours will cluster around the mean
∴ They’re considered normal
Statistical infrequency (AO1):
Where would normal individuals score on a normal distribution pattern
In a cluster around the mean
Statistical infrequency (AO1):
Where would abnormal individuals score on a normal distribution pattern
Very high or very low
