Definitions of Abnormality

• What does the term "psychopathology" refer to?

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

  It means the mind
• What does "pathology" refer to in psychopathology?

  The study of disease
• What mental health conditions are covered in the psychopathology video series?

  • OCD
  • Depression
  • Phobias
• 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 statistical infrequency definition?

  100
• What percentage of the population falls two standard deviations below the average IQ?

  Just over 2%
• 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
• Why might high intelligence be a criticism of statistical infrequency?

  It includes high intelligence as abnormal
• What is a limitation of statistical infrequency regarding common mental health conditions?

  It doesn't account for common disorders like depression
• What does the failure to function adequately definition consider?

  • Ability to cope in daily life
  • Interaction with the world
  • Meeting daily challenges
• What are the features of failure to function according to Rosenhan and Seligman?

  Maladaptive behavior, personal anguish, observer discomfort
• What is maladaptive behavior?

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

  Suffering from anxiety and distress
• What is observer discomfort?

  Behavior causing distress to others
• What does rationality refer to in failure to function?

  Difficulty understanding someone's behavior
• What is unconventionality in the context of failure to function?

  Behavior that goes against societal expectations
• What is a criticism of the failure to function definition?

  Subjectivity in determining coping ability
• Why might psychopaths be excluded from failure to function definition?

  They can function successfully in society
• What is a criticism regarding maladaptive behavior?

  Not all maladaptive behavior indicates mental illness
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the failure to function definition?

  Strengths:

  • Respects individual experiences
  • Focuses on personal distress

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Subjective observer opinions
  • Excludes some abnormal individuals
• What is a social norm?

  An unwritten expectation of behavior
• How do social norms vary?

  They can change across cultures and time
• What happens when someone deviates from social norms?

  They may be seen as abnormal
• How do cultural differences affect social norms?

  Norms vary greatly between cultures
• What is a criticism of deviation from social norms?

  It can punish individual expression
• What is category failure in the context of cultural norms?

  Applying Western definitions to other cultures
• How might hallucinations be viewed differently in cultures?

  As normal religious experiences in some cultures
• What are the features of Jahoda's deviation from ideal mental health?

  1. Environmental mastery
  2. Autonomy
  3. Resistance to stress
  4. Self-actualization
  5. Positive attitude towards oneself
  6. Accurate perception of reality
• What is a limitation of Jahoda's definition of ideal mental health?

  It reflects a Western perspective of mental health
• Why is the strictness of Jahoda's criteria a criticism?

  Most people can't meet all criteria at once
• What is a positive aspect of Jahoda's definition?

  It provides a holistic approach to mental health