psychopathology

• What does statistical infrequency imply about a disorder?


  A disorder is abnormal if its frequency is more than two standard deviations away from the mean.
• How is statistical infrequency used in clinical diagnoses?


  It is used as a comparison with a baseline or 'normal' value to assess the severity of the disorder.
• How does statistical infrequency relate to schizophrenia?


  Schizophrenia affects 1% of the general population, indicating its statistical infrequency.
• What is a limitation of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?


  It assumes that any abnormal characteristics are automatically negative, which is not always true.
• Who proposed the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

  Rosenhan and Seligman proposed this definition.
• What does the failure to function adequately definition suggest?


  It suggests that individuals may be considered abnormal if their mental state prevents them from leading a 'normal' life.
• What behaviors might indicate failure to function adequately?


  Not obeying social rules, being in distress, or posing a danger to oneself or others.
• What is a strength of the failure to function adequately definition?


  It takes into account the patient's perspective, leading to potentially more accurate diagnoses.
• What is a weakness of the failure to function adequately definition?


  It may lead to labeling patients as 'strange' or 'crazy', reinforcing negative stereotypes.
• What does the deviation from social norms definition suggest?


  Abnormal behavior is based on straying away from social norms specific to a culture.
• How can cultural differences affect the diagnosis of mental health disorders?

  Diagnoses based on social norms can vary significantly between cultures, leading to potential discrimination.
• What historical example illustrates discrimination in mental health diagnoses?


  'Nymphomania' was used to label women attracted to working-class men, reflecting societal control.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from social norms definition?


  It suffers from cultural relativism, as norms vary widely across cultures.
• Who proposed the deviation from ideal mental health definition?

  Jahoda proposed this definition.
• What does the deviation from ideal mental health definition focus on?


  It focuses on what constitutes an ideal mental state rather than abnormality.
• What are some criteria for ideal mental health according to Jahoda?


  Self-actualization, accurate self-perception, and high self-esteem.
• What is a major issue with Jahoda's definition of ideal mental health?


  It may set unrealistic expectations that most people cannot meet.
• What are the behavioral characteristics of phobias?


  Panic, avoidance, and endurance.
• What physiological response occurs during panic in phobias?


  Heightened physiological arousal caused by the sympathetic nervous system.
• How does avoidance behavior relate to phobias?


  Avoidance behavior is negatively reinforced by preventing exposure to the phobic stimulus.
• What is endurance in the context of phobias?


  Endurance occurs when a patient remains exposed to the phobic stimulus while experiencing anxiety.
• What are the main emotional characteristics of phobias?


  Anxiety and unawareness of the irrationality of that anxiety.
• What cognitive characteristics are associated with phobias?


  Selective attention, irrational beliefs, and cognitive distortions.
• How does selective attention manifest in phobias?


  Patients focus intensely on the phobic stimulus, even when it causes severe anxiety.
• What are irrational beliefs in the context of phobias?


  Irrational beliefs lead to unreasonable anxiety responses towards the phobic stimulus.
• What are cognitive distortions in phobias?


  Cognitive distortions lead to an inaccurate perception of the phobic stimulus.
• What are the behavioral characteristics of depression?


  Changed activity levels, aggression, and changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
• What emotional characteristics are associated with depression?


  Lowered self-esteem, constant poor mood, and high levels of anger.
• What are the definitions of abnormality in psychopathology?


  1. Statistical infrequency
  2. Failure to function adequately
  3. Deviation from social norms
  4. Deviation from ideal mental health
• What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?


  • Absolutist thinking
  • Selective attention towards negative events
  • Poor concentration
• What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?


  • Guilt and disgust
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
• What are the behavioral characteristics of OCD?


  • Compulsions
  • Avoidance behavior
• What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?


  • Acknowledgment of excessive anxiety
  • Development of cognitive strategies
  • Obsessive thoughts
• What are the characteristics of phobias?


  • Behavioral: Panic, avoidance, endurance
  • Emotional: Anxiety, unawareness of irrationality
  • Cognitive: Selective attention, irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions
• What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?


  • Anxiety
  • Unawareness of irrationality
• What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?


  • Selective attention to the phobic stimulus
  • Irrational beliefs
  • Cognitive distortions
• What are the emotional characteristics of depression?


  • Lowered self-esteem
  • Constant poor mood
  • High levels of anger
• What alternative explanation for avoidance behavior did Buck suggest?


  Safety is a greater motivator for avoidance behavior than simply avoiding anxiety.
• How does Buck's explanation apply to social anxiety phobias?


  Individuals can venture out with a trusted friend despite being exposed to anxiety-triggering situations.
• What does Buck's view imply about Mowrer’s explanation of phobias?


  Mowrer’s explanation may be incomplete and only applicable to some cases.