Psychopathology Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
Statistical Infrequency
Deviation from Social Norms
Failure to Function Adequately
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
What is the definition of abnormality according to statistical infrequency?
A person’s trait, thinking, or behavior is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. It is necessary to clarify how rare a trait or behavior needs to be before we class it as abnormal. Behaviour can be measured as normal or abnormal according to where it is placed within a normal distribution. You look at the top and bottom 2.5% of behaviours and see this as the most rare. This would be considered abnormal.
What is the definition of abnormality according to deviation from social norms?
Social norms are a set of unwritten rules which people use in order to abide by what is deemed ‘normal’
If a behaviour goes against social norms it may be viewed as abnormal
Some behaviours are deemed to be desirable (e.g. queuing, speaking quietly); some behaviours are deemed to be undesirable (e.g. pushing, shouting)
Someone who performs undesirable behaviours may be labelled as socially deviant
What is the definition of abnormality according to failure to function adequately?
Failure to function adequately is a definition of abnormality that refers to the point at which someone is unable to continue their daily routine, or cope with everyday life. Rosenhan & Seligman suggested seven features of personal dysfunction . These include personal distress, unpredictability, and irrationality, among others. The more features of personal dysfunction a person has, the more they are considered abnormal.
To assess how well individuals cope with everyday life, clinicians use the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), which rates their level of social, occupational, and psychological functioning.
What is the definition of abnormality according to deviation from ideal mental health?
Marie Jahoda suggested a model of mental health in which there are six characteristics an individual should display if they have ideal mental health, including positive attitude to oneself, autonomy, resistance to stress. An absence of any of these characteristics indicates individuals as being abnormal.
Give two strengths of the Statistical Infrequency definition.
This definition can provide an objective way, based on data, to define abnormality if an agreed cut-off point can be identified.
No value judgments are made –Homosexuality was defined as a mental disorder under early versions of the diagnostic criteria used by psychiatrists and would not be seen as ‘wrong’ but merely as less frequent than heterosexuality
Give two weaknesses of the statistical infrequency definition.
Many rare characteristics are actually desirable traits. For example, having a really high IQ is rare but desirable, but according to this definition it would be seen as abnormal.
How do we know what the cut off point should be?
Give two strengths of the Deviation from Social Norms definition.
Flexibility- It takes context into account when deciding if it is abnormal or not.
Protects society- adhering to social norms means that society is predictable and ordered.
Give two weaknesses of the Deviation from Social Norms definition.
Subjective- social norms are based on opinions.
Changes over time- Lacks temporal validity as these norms are defined by society often relate to a moral standard that vary as social attitudes change over time.
Give two strengths of the Failure to Function Adequately definition.
The GAF allows to measure the degree of abnormality of people rather thank just saying that you are abnormal.
Observable behaviour by others. Can see when someone behaviour may fit with the 7 features of personal dysfunction so easier to provide help.
Give two weaknesses of the Failure to Function Adequately definition.
Abnormality is not always accompanied with dysfunction. For example, Harold shipman.
Give two strengths of the deviation from the ideal mental health definition.
It is a holistic measure of abnormality as it takes into account all facets and behaviours of a person.
It is a positive outlook, the 6 characteristics can be used as something to achieve, makes people want to be better.
Give two weaknesses of the deviation from the ideal mental health definition.
Overdemanding- Jahoda’s criteria of ideal mental health is almost impossible to live up to as it requires each individual to reach the highest levels of positive mental wellbeing.
Cultural variation- Collectivist cultures do not encourage autonomy so it is not as common. However according to this definition it would be seen as abnormal.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder characterised by low mood, lack of energy and motivation and loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable.
How is depression diagnosed?
To be given a diagnosis of depression, sufferers are required to display at least five symptoms, every day for at least two weeks. These characteristics are outlined in the DSM-V and highlight symptoms which are emotional, behavioural and cognitive in nature.
What are behavioural, cognitive and emotional characteristics?
Behavioural characteristics are related to how they act. Cognitive characteristics are related to thoughts. Emotional characteristics are related to how they feel.
What are 2 behavioural symptoms of depression?
Sudden shift in weight and appetite
Shift in activity levels
What are 2 cognitive symptoms of depression?
Poor concentration
Thoughts of death
What are 2 emotional symptoms of depression?
Feelings of sadness
Loss of interest
What are the 2 explanations of depression?
Becks negative triad
Ellis’s ABC model
What is Becks negative triad?
Beck found that depressed people are more likely to focus on the negative aspects of a situation, while ignoring the positives. They are prone to distorting and misinterpreting information, a process known as cognitive bias. According to Beck, depressed people possess negative self-schemas, which may come from negative experiences in the past. This can lead to the negative triad. The negative triad consists of a negative and irrational view of ourselves, our future and the world around us. This framework constitutes depression.
What is Ellis’s ABC model?
Ellis believed that depression is the result of irrational thinking, which prevents us from being happy.
Ellis proposed the A-B-C three stage model, to explain how irrational thoughts could lead to depression.
A: Activating Event- something occurs
B: Beliefs- Your belief is your interpretation of the event, which can either be rational or irrational.
C: Consequences- irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotional outcomes, including depression
Give two strengths of the cognitive approach of explaining depression.
They have good application for treating depression, e.g.:
CBT and REBT is used to identify, challenge and change irrational thoughts so that depression symptoms recede. This demonstrates its external validity as it is used in real life.
Becks negative triad takes personal life events into account and are recognised as why the depression may have started.
Give two weaknesses of the cognitive approach of explaining depression.
Ellis’s explanation cannot explain how depression forms without an activating event involved limiting it as an explanation.
Depressive realism- when the thoughts aren’t actually irrational but just the truth. Research shows that depressed people have the sadder but wiser effect.
