Psychopathology Flashcards
Definitions of Abnormality
x4
There is no universal definition of abnormal behaviour. Here are 4 possible ways for defining this:
- Deviation from social norms
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from ideal mental health
- Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Examples of social norms x4
Implicit (unspoken social rules)
- Saying please and thank you
- Meeting deadlines
- Cutlery
Explicit (laws and rules)
- Wearing clothes
So according to the deviation from social norms theory, abnormal behaviour is behaviour that….
Violates social norms
e.g. showing inappropriate affect such as laughing when told someone has died, may be seen as a symptom of schizophrenia
Deviation from social norms
Evaluation
Strengths x2
- Generally ensures that people get help as it is very clear to others in society that an individual’s behaviour is abnormal.
- Behaviour that is normal in a particular situation or at a particular age in life may not be considered normal in another. as situational and developmental norms are taken into account
Deviation from social norms
Evaluation
Limitations
- Social norms are subjective and are based, at best, on the opinions on the majority.
- social norms often relate to moral standards and so they change over time as social attitudes change.
Ethnocentrism
- Evaluation of other cultures according to the standards and customs of own’s own culture.
Cultural relativism
- The function and meaning of a behaviour, value or attitude are relative to a particular cultural setting. Interpretations about the same behaviour may therefore differ between cultures
Failure to function adequately is
when someone’s behaviour is such that they are unable to work, form a relationships, attend to their own physical needs
Rosenhan and Seligman - 7 features
- Personal distress (Depression/anxiety)
- Maladaptive behaviour (cant attain life goals)
- Unpredictability (Unexpected behaviour)
- Irrationality
- Observer discomfort
- Violation of moral standards
- Unconventionality
Failure to function adequately
Evaluation
Strengths x2
- Means most people seek help for psychological problems because it is interfering with their ability to function properly
- Recognises personal experience of the individual
Failure to function adequately
Evaluation
Weaknesses x3
- Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
- Dysfunction are subjective
- Cultural bias
Deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda x6
- Positive attitude towards oneself
- Self actualisation
- Autonomy (being independent)
- Resisting stress
- Accurate perception of reality
- Environmental mastery (Competent)
Deviation from ideal mental health
Evaluation
Strengths x2
- emphasises positive achievement
- Creation of personal goals to work towards and achieve
Deviation from ideal mental health
Evaluation
weaknesses x3
- Over demanding criteria
- Subjective, vague and difficult to measure
- Cultural bias
statistical infrequency is
when behaviour is able to be measured and assigned some kind of score
statistical infrequency
evaluation
strengths x2
- Definition is objective
- No value judgements are made
statistical infrequency
evaluation
weaknesses
- Where to draw the line
- Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal
- Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent
Behavioural = what the person
does
Emotional = what the person
feels
Cognitive = what the person
thinks
Phobias
- extreme anxiety disorder.
Phobias
Behavioural characteristics x2
- Avoidant/ anxiety response
- Disruption of functioning
Phobias
Emotional characteristics x2
- Persistent, excessive fear due to anticipation of the anxiety-provoking stimulus
- Extreme fear/panic attacks from exposure to phobic stimulus
Phobias
Cognitive characteristics x1
- Recognition that the fear response is overstated
Depression
Behavioural characteristics x5
- Loss of energy
- Social impairment
- Weight changes
- poor personal hygiene
- Sleep pattern disturbance
Depression
Emotional characteristics x3
- Loss of enthusiasm
- Constant depressed mood
- Worthlessness
Depression
Cognitive characteristics x4
- Delusions
- reduced concentration
- Thoughts of death
- Poor memory
OCD
Obsessions x2
- Internal
- What they think about and persistent thoughts