Definitions of abnormality

• What does the term "psychopathology" refer to?

  The study of mental health conditions
• What does "psycho" mean in the word psychopathology?

  It means the mind
• What does "pathology" mean in the context of psychopathology?

  The study of disease
• Which psychological approach is applied to phobias?

  The behaviorist approach
• Which psychological approach is applied to depression?

  The cognitive approach
• Which psychological approach is applied to OCD?

  The biological approach
• Why is defining mental abnormality challenging?

  There is no clear definition for abnormality
• What are the four competing definitions of abnormality discussed?

  1. Statistical infrequency
  2. Failure to function adequately
  3. Deviation from social norms
  4. Deviation from ideal mental health
• What does the statistical infrequency definition state?

  Rare mental conditions indicate abnormality
• How is statistical infrequency measured?

  Using statistics and normal distribution curves
• What is the average IQ score in the normal distribution?

  100
• How many standard deviations away from the average is considered abnormal in IQ?

  Two standard deviations
• What is a positive evaluation of statistical infrequency?

  It objectively measures low IQ for support
• What is a criticism of statistical infrequency regarding low intelligence?

  Cutoff points for intelligence are subjective
• What is a limitation of the statistical infrequency definition?

  It includes common conditions like depression
• What does the failure to function adequately definition consider?

  • Ability to cope in daily life
  • Interaction with the world
  • Meeting daily challenges
• Who outlined the features of failure to function?

  Rosenhan and Seligman
• What are the features of failure to function according to Rosenhan and Seligman?

  • Maladaptive behavior
  • Personal anguish
  • Observer discomfort
  • Irrationality
  • Unpredictability
  • Unconventionality
• What is maladaptive behavior?

  Behaviors against long-term interests
• What does personal anguish refer to?

  Suffering from anxiety and distress
• What is observer discomfort?

  Behavior causing distress to others
• What does irrationality mean in the context of failure to function?

  Difficulty understanding someone's behavior
• What does the term "psychopathology" mean?

  Psychopathology means the study of mental health conditions
• What are the three psychopathologies that will be covered in this video series?

  OCD, depression, and phobias
• How will the different psychological approaches be applied to the psychopathologies?

  The behaviorist approach will be applied to phobias, the cognitive approach to depression, and the biological approach to OCD
• What is the first step in defining someone as mentally abnormal?

  Considering how to define abnormality
• What is the statistical and frequency definition of abnormality?

  Someone is abnormal if their mental condition is very rare in the population
• How can the statistical and frequency definition be used to identify low intelligence?

  By using a normal distribution curve to identify those with IQ scores 2 standard deviations below the average
• What are two criticisms of the statistical and frequency definition of abnormality?

  1. The cutoff for abnormality is subjective, 2) It includes both low and high intelligence as abnormal
• What is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

  Someone is abnormal if they struggle to cope with daily life and meet the challenges they encounter
• What are the four features of failure to function adequately outlined by Rosenhan and Seligman?

  Maladaptive behavior, personal anguish, observer discomfort, and irrationality
• What are two criticisms of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

  1. The judgment of coping is subjective, 2) It excludes some abnormal conditions like psychopathy
• What is the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?

  Someone is abnormal if their behavior deviates from the unwritten expectations of their culture
• What is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

  Someone is abnormal if they deviate from the six features of ideal mental health identified by Jahoda
• What are two criticisms of the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

  1. The criteria for ideal mental health may reflect a Western, individualistic perspective, 2) It's very difficult for most people to achieve all the criteria at any one time
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the different definitions of abnormality?

  Strengths:

  • Statistical and frequency: Objective, identifies those most in need of support
  • Failure to function adequately: Respects individual experience
  • Deviation from social norms: Respects cultural differences
  • Deviation from ideal mental health: Positive, holistic approach

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Statistical and frequency: Cutoff is subjective, includes both low and high intelligence
  • Failure to function adequately: Judgment of coping is subjective, excludes some conditions
  • Deviation from social norms: Can be problematic across cultures
  • Deviation from ideal mental health: Criteria may reflect Western perspective, very difficult to achieve
• What is the purpose of the Psychopathology video series?

  To look at a range of mental health conditions and consider their explanation and treatment using different psychological approaches