Psychopathology

    Cards (116)

    • What does Statistical InFrequency imply?
      That a disorder is abnormal if its F is more than 2 standard deviations away from the mean incidence rates represented on a normally-distributed bell curve.
    • Statistical infrequency is almost always used in what type of clinical diagnoses?
      The clinical diagnoses of mental health disorders.
    • How is statistical infrequency used in the clinical diagnoses of mental health disorders, and why is it used? (EXTRA: how is SiF used when assesing Schizophrenia?)
      They compare the persons values with a baseline or ‘normal’ value so they can assess the severity of the disorder.
      EXTRA: the idea that Schizophrenia only affects 1% of the general population, but subtypes are even less frequent (such as hebephrenic or paranoid Schizophrenia).
    • What assumption does statistical infrequency make about abnormal characteristics?
      it makes the assumption that any abnormal characteristics are automatically negative, whereas this is not always the case.
    • Give an example of an abnormal characteristic that may be wrongfully categrosied as negative due to SiF.
      Displaying abnormal levels of empathy (and thus qualifying as a Highly Sensitive Person) or having an IQ score above 130 (and thus being a genius) would rarely be looked down upon as negative characteristics which require treatment, but may be when using SiF.
    • Who proposed 'the failure to function adequately' as a definition of abnormality? (EXTRA: include the year it was proposed)
      Rosenhan and Seligman (EXTRA: 1989)
    • When the patient does not obey social and interpersonal rules, is in distress or is distressing, and their behaviour has become dangerous (not limited to themselves, but may also pose a danger to others), that means theyre unable to live a 'normal life' (faliure to function adequately)
    • The failure to function adequately suggests that someone's mental state is preventing them from living a 'normal life'
    • Give a strength of 'failure to function adequately' as a definition of abmornality?

      It takes into account the patient’s perspective, and so the final diagnosis will be comprised of the patient’s (subjective) self-reported symptoms and the psychiatrist’s objective opinion. This may lead to more accurate diagnoses of mental health disorders because such diagnoses are not constrained by statistical limits, as is the case with statistical infrequency.
    • Give 2 weaknesses of 'failure to function adequately' as a definition of abmornality?

      • May lead to labelling some patients as strange or crazy -> doesnt change traditional stereotypes about mental health disorders.
      • Not everyone w/ a mental health disorder needs a diagnosis, especially if it has little impact on themselves/others -> labelling could lead to discrimination/prejudice
    • What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
      Deviation from social norms, Failure to function adequately, Statistical infrequency and Deviation from ideal mental health.
    • List behaviours which:
      • were considered 'normal' 100 years ago, but are now considered 'abnormal'
      • are considered 'normal' in one culture, but not in another
      • are considered 'normal' now, but were not 100 years ago
      • death penality, subservient women
      • dress codes, eating with hands, chopsticks
      • homosexuality, children out of marriage/divorces, human rights
    • Define culture and what it's define by
      Culture is the characteristics of a particular
      group of people, defined by everything from:
      • language
      • religion
      • cuisine
      • social habits
      • music
      • arts
    • What varies from one society to another?
      culture
    • What is Ethnocentrism and why is it a problem in research about abnormality?
      Ethnocentrism: Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own culture. It can lead to biased interpretations of abnormal behavior across different cultures.
    • What are the 3 types of abnormal conditions that can occur?
      • Absolute - occur in the same way & frequency in all cultures
      • Universal - occur in all cultures, but not w/ the same frequency
      • Relative - unique (or almost) to particular cultures, & only meaningful within those cultures
    • Think of 2 examples for where each type of abnormal condition has occured
      • Absolute: pneunomia, schizophrenia
      • Universal: malaria, depression
      • Relative: brain fag, latah
    • What is latah, and what type of syndrome is it?
      It's a neurotic condition, characterized by the compulsive imitation of the actions and words of others (automatic obedience), usually induced by an external stressor (like a startle). It is a culture-bound syndrome.
    • Define 'Deviation from ideal mental health'
      The behaviour prevents the person from achieving self-actualisation or personal autonomy
    • Define 'Deviation from social norms'
      The behaviour is very different from the behaviour shown by most people in the population.
    • Define 'Failure to function adequately'
      The behaviour means that the person cannot cope with everyday activities.
    • What defines mental health by identifying 6 criterias which must be met (Jahoda)? List these 6 criterias and what they mean.
      • Positive self-image: high self-esteem
      • Self-actualisation: reaching goals, developing to the most of your ability
      • Resistance to stress
      • Personal autonomy: ability to make own decisions
      • Accurate perception of reality: living in the 'real world'
      • Adapting to the enviroment: competent in all areas of life, and being flexible
    • What are 2 limitations of 'Deviation from ideal mental health' as an explantion for abnormality
      • Assumes the absence of one of these categories implies abnormality, despite some of the criterias being hard to achieve -> actualisation is difficult to reach for most people in life, so that means most ppl are abnormal...? NO!
      • Concepts are vague & difficult to measure; subjective judgements are needed to improve the usefulness of the approach -> same measurement cant be used for someone w/ benefits & 3 kids and for a celebrity
    • What are 2 limitations of 'Failure to function' as an explantion for abnormality
      • People may not be able to cope w/ everyday life TEMPORARILY (e.g: stress coz exam, cant cope) -> this isnt seen as a psychological abnormality. ALSO some psychopaths may be able to function adequtely yet kill people -> so it simply measures extent of dysfunction, not abnormality
      • Most ppl aagree commiting murder = abnormal, but this behaviour for the culprit may not be maladaptive -> might be a murderer w/ rational behaviour (may be doing it to fulfill their lives -> hired killer kills to make a living)
    • What definition of abnormality states induviduals only need treatment if they are unable to carry out normal activites, and what are the 7 criterias for it?
      Faiure to function, as people with mental disorder often show an ianbility to cope w/ everyday life.
      • Suffering, Maladaptiveness, irrational, observer discomfort, vividness, violation of moral codes, unpredictability
      If someone is experiencing many/all of these 7 crtierias for 'failing to function' they 'need' treatment.
    • Define maladaptiveness
      Actions that prevent people from adapting, adjusting or participating in different aspects of life -> actions are inteded to relieve/avoid stress, but often contribute to increased stress/discomfort/anxiety over time.
    • What are 2 limitations of 'Deviation from social norms' as an explanation for abnormality?
      • Social norms change over time: homosexuality was considered ab until 1967, and is now seen as normal -> unless an up-to-date record is kept of all behavs that deviate from current social norms, the ideas of what's considered 'deviating' lack temporal validity
      • Norms must be considered in context -> it isnt just breaking a social normal that shows abnormal behav, but the context in which behav appears
    • Give an example of where social norms must be considered in context
      Dress codes -> in the 18th centruy it may have been normal for men to wear elaborate wigs, but by the 20th century this habbit dissapeared. However, those wigs are still seen worn by court judges sometimes -> in this context, wearing the elaborate wig isnt abnormal behaviour.
    • All behaviour, normal or abnormal is learnt. Most learning is positive and helpful, but some is maladaptive and harmful. This is considered abnormal.
    • John Watson & Rosalie Rayner (1920) gave baby - Albert - a phobia of fluffy white things (showed no axiety before):
      Before conditioning: rat NS, loud banging UCS -> fear (UCR)
      During conditioning: rat NS + loud banging by ear UCS -> fear (UCR)
      After conditioning: rat/fluffy white stuff (conditioned stimulus) -> fear (CR)
    • What does the two-process model focus on?
      Behaviour we can see.
    • Mowrer (1960) proposed the two-process model based on behaviour approach to phobias. This states that phobias are acquired learning by classical conditioning and reinforced by operant conditioning.
    • What does statistical infrequency imply about a disorder?
      It is abnormal if more than two standard deviations away
    • How is statistical infrequency used in clinical diagnoses?
      As a comparison with a baseline or 'normal' value
    • What percentage of the general population is affected by Schizophrenia?
      1%
    • What assumption does statistical infrequency make about abnormal characteristics?
      They are automatically negative
    • Who proposed the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?
      Rosenhan and Seligman
    • What does failure to function adequately suggest about a person's mental state?
      It prevents them from leading a 'normal' life
    • What behaviors indicate failure to function adequately?
      Not obeying social rules and being in distress
    • What is a major strength of the failure to function adequately definition?
      It considers the patient's perspective