Psychopathology

• Psychopathology


  study of abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
• Why is abnormality difficult to define?

  views change between and within cultures and over time
• Statistical Infrequency is a way of defining something as normal or abnormal in relation to how 'typical' it is
• statistical infrequency is a mathematical method of defining abnormality; anyone with less common characteristic may be considered abnormal
• Strengths of Statistical Infrequency
• Strengths of Statistical Infrequency

  mathematical approach; clear + objective

  easy comparison

  high population validity
• weaknesses of statistical infrequency

  fails to recognise desirable behaviour; not all uncommon behaviour is undesirable

  cultural bias/cultural bound; what's normal in one culture may be abnormal in another

  subjective cut off-point between clinicians assessing abnormal behaviours
• deviation from social norms is standards of what is 'acceptable' or not in any society. set out by social groups and accepted by those socialised into the group
• deviation from social norms is anyone who behaves differently or deviates from these norms set out by social groups. some are implicit (unspoken rules), others policed by laws
• strengths of deviation from social norms

  distinguishes desirable vs undesirable behaviour

  takes into account the effect abnormal behaviour has on others

  offers a practical + useful way of identifying behaviour
• limitation of deviation from social norms

  social norms vary over time

  culture bound
• failure to function adequately (FFA) judges abnormal behaviour in terms of being able to function adequately. healthy people are judged as being able to operate within certain acceptable limits
• with FFA, if abnormal behaviour interferes with adequate functioning then one is considered abnormal i.e. individuals who cannot look after themselves
• deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH) is when abnormality is seen as deviating from an ideal positive mental health; seen as having a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and accurate perception of reality
• weaknesses of FFA

  who decides what's meant by FFA? subjective

  some dysfunctional behaviours may be seen as adaptive + functional for the individual

  unusual behaviour may be a coping strategy

  culturally relative ideas relating to 'functioning adequately'
• Marie Jahoda (1958) - abnormality can be diagnosed the same as physical ill health
• Jahoda's 6 Criteria of Health

  self attitude

  personal growth + self actualisation

  integration

  autonomy

  accurate perception of reality

  master of environment
• Weaknesses of Jahoda

  who can achieve all this criteria; unrealistic

  how many need to be lacking before one is judged as abnormal

  is mental health the same as physical health? can't be diagnosed the same

  culturally relative
• Key Characteristics - Emotional, Behavioural, Cognitive


  the emotions felt as a result of the disorder

  how the disorder affects behaviour

  how the disorder affects the way you process information (thinking styles)
• emotional characteristics are triggered by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation and are out of proportion to the actual danger posed
• Cognitive Characteristics is the irrational nature of the person's thinking