Psychopathology Alevel

• What is a definition of abnormality?

  Abnormality is difficult to define.
• Why is defining abnormality challenging?

  Psychologists disagree on causes and manifestations.
• What are the four attempts to define abnormality?

  1. Deviation from social norms
  2. Failure to function adequately
  3. Statistical infrequency
  4. Deviation from ideal mental health
• What does deviation from social norms mean?

  Behaviour that goes against societal rules.
• How does society judge abnormal behaviour?

  By making collective judgments on norms.
• Why are norms specific to culture important?

  They vary across situations and generations.
• Give an example of abnormal behaviour based on social norms.

  Hoarding useless possessions is abnormal.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from social norms definition?

  Norms change over time and vary culturally.
• What is cultural relativism?

  Behaviour judged in its cultural context.
• What is a strength of the deviation from social norms definition?

  It provides a clear assessment method.
• What does failure to function adequately mean?

  Inability to cope with everyday demands.
• What characterizes abnormal behaviour in failure to function adequately?

  Causes distress and inability to function.
• Who suggested features of dysfunction for assessing abnormality?

  Rosenhan and Seligman.
• What is a strength of the failure to function adequately definition?

  Focuses on individual needs and experiences.
• What is a limitation of the failure to function adequately definition?

  Involves value judgments from observers.
• How can a healthy response be misjudged in failure to function adequately?

  Grieving can lead to temporary dysfunction.
• What is statistical infrequency?

  Behaviours that are statistically rare.
• How is a normal distribution curve related to abnormality?

  It shows proportions of behaviours in a population.
• What percentage of the population is considered abnormal in statistical infrequency?

  About 5% of the population.
• What is an example of statistical infrequency?

  IQ scores outside the normal range.
• What is a strength of the statistical infrequency definition?

  It is an objective assessment method.
• What is a limitation of the statistical infrequency definition?

  Some desirable traits are statistically infrequent.
• What does deviation from ideal mental health mean?

  Deviation from defined normal behaviour.
• Who developed criteria for ideal mental health?

  Marie Jahoda.
• What are the criteria for ideal mental health according to Jahoda?

  1. Positive attitude towards self
  2. Resistance to stress
  3. Accurate perception of reality
  4. Independence (autonomy)
  5. Self-actualization
  6. Environmental mastery
• What is a strength of the deviation from ideal mental health definition?

  Focuses on positive and desirable behaviours.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from ideal mental health definition?

  Most people do not meet all criteria.
• How is the deviation from ideal mental health definition culturally biased?

  It reflects Western ideals of autonomy.
• What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

  • Panic behaviours (crying, running away)
  • Avoidance of phobic stimulus
  • Disruption of functioning in daily tasks
• What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?

  • Loss of energy and fatigue
  • Social impairment and reduced interaction
  • Weight changes (increase or decrease)
  • Poor personal hygiene
  • Sleep pattern disturbances
• What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

  • Compulsive behaviours (e.g., hand washing)
  • Compulsions reduce anxiety
  • Avoidance of anxiety-triggering situations
  • Impaired ability to carry out daily tasks
• What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

  • Persistent excessive fear and anxiety
  • Immediate fear response to phobic stimulus
  • Unreasonable emotional responses
• What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

  • Loss of enthusiasm for activities
  • Constant lowered mood
  • Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
  • Frequent anger and irritability
• What immediate response can phobias produce?

  Panic attacks
• How are emotional responses to phobic stimuli characterized?

  They are unreasonable and disproportionate
• What is a key characteristic of depression?

  Constant lowered mood
• How is loss of enthusiasm related to depression?

  It indicates lack of pleasure in activities
• What feelings do those suffering from depression often experience?

  Feelings of worthlessness
• What can accompany feelings of worthlessness in depression?

  Inappropriate feelings of guilt
• What emotion do sufferers of depression frequently experience?

  Anger