Section 4 : Psychopathology - Defining Abnormality Flashcards

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1
Q

what can abnormality be described as

A

-deviation from social norms
-deviation from statistical norms
-failure to function adequately

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2
Q

what are the limitations of defining abnormality as deviation from social norms

A

-can be used to justify the removal of unwanted people from a society
-what is considered acceptable or abnormal can change over time

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3
Q

what can abnormality also be described as

A

deviation from statistical norms

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4
Q

how can statistically abnormal behaviour be expressed

A

in terms of normal distribution

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5
Q

what are the problems of defining abnormality in terms of statistical infrequency

A

-doesn’t take into account the desirability, just frequency
-no distinction between rare, slightly odd behaviour and rare psychologically abnormal behaviour
-no definite cut off point where normal behaviour becomes abnormal
-some behaviours considered psychologically abnormal are quite common

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6
Q

what are the various criteria used to diagnose abnormality if you can function adequately on a day to day basis

A

Dysfunctional behaviour
Observer behaviour
Unpredictable behaviour
Irrational behaviour
Personal distress

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7
Q

What does dysfunctional behaviour refer to

A

Behaviour which goes against the accepted standard of behaviour

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8
Q

What does observer discomfort refer to

A

Behaviour that causes other individuals to become uncomfortable

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9
Q

What does unpredictable behaviour refers to

A

Impulsive behaviour that seems to be uncontrollable

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10
Q

What does irrational behaviour refer to

A

Behaviour that’s unreasonable and illogical

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11
Q

What does personal distress refer to

A

Being affected by emotion to an excessive degree

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12
Q

Jahoda 1958 identified six conditions for ideal mental health what are they

A

Positive self attitude
Self actualisation (realising your potential)
Resistance to stress
Personal autonomy ( asking your own decisions)
Accurate perception of reality
Adaptation to the environment

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13
Q

What weaknesses are there for Jahoda 1958

A

-Hard to meet all standard set
-subjective
-e.g. violent offender may have positive self attitude and resistant to stress yet society wouldn’t consider them to be in a good mental health

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14
Q

What happens to the idea of ideal mental health

A

It varies across time and between cultures

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15
Q

What are the symptoms that classifies something as a mental illness

A

One or more of:
-Impairment of intellectual functions
-Alterations to mood that lead to delusional appraisals of the past or future or any lack of any appraisal
-delusional beliefs, such as of persecution or jealousy
-Disordered thinking - the person may be unable to appraise their situation or communicate with others

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