psychopathology

• Statistical infrequency


  A mathematical method for defining abnormality that would be used by GP's
• Human attributes


  • Fall into a normal distribution within the population
  • The 5% of the population that fell more than 2 standard deviations from the mean are abnormal
  • The top and bottom 2% of normal distribution are seen as abnormal
• IQ

  • The average IQ is set at 100, only 2% have an IQ below 70
  • May be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder (IDD)
  • Intellectual disability disorder would mean it falls in the two side of extremes (below 70 and above 120)
• Deviation from social norms


  Behaviour that is different from the standards of behaviour that are usually seen in society
• Abnormality


  A psychological condition or behaviour that departs from the norm or is harmful or distressing to the individual or those around them
• Deviation from ideal mental health


  • Rather than identifying what is normal, Jhoda identified characteristic of what she believed was "normal"
  • An absence of these characteristics indicates abnormality
  • The more characteristics they meet, the more normal they are
  • These included - rational and can perceive ourselves accurately, self-actualise, cope with stress, realistic view of the world, good self-esteem, independent
• Failure to function adequately


  • Suggests that individuals are abnormal, if they cannot cope with everyday life
  • Unable to manage basic standards such as nutrition and hygiene
  • Rosenhan and Seligman - identified additional signs that can be used to identify that someone is not coping. These included unable to maintain eye contact, behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to others
• AO3: statistical infrequency (STRENGTH)

  would have practical applications and is an easy way to identify levels of abnormality and linking it with the correct dosage of medication. this is a standardised procedure used all over in the UK so it would not be open for bias
• AO3: statistical infrequency (WEAKNESS)

  high IQ would be seen as positive but it would mean it is deviant from the mean on the distribution curve and mean it is abnormal according to statistical infrequency but it is not negative. this means being outside the norm would not always mean abnormality.
• AO3: Statistical infrequency (WEAKNESS)

  once diagnosed the patient would be given the label of the illness which is not useful and people in public may have a stigma arround the label the person has been given and could be seen differently to others around them. this could lead to self fulfilling prophecy -> so many act ways to support their diagnosis and could overreact, meaning labels arent always helpful
• AO3: deviation from social norms (WEAKNESS)

  wouldnt be a good explanation for behaviour and not all people would understand the societal norms due to different cultural backgrounds, different cultures would have different norms so it may be seen as abnormal in one society but normal in a different culture so many might not understand the implied.
• AO3: deviation from social norms (WEAKNESS)

  norms of society could change such as homosexuality in the UK was previously seen as illegal in the 70s, but society has become more open but peoples understanding of norms would not develop that quickly which would lead to stereotypes and prejudice
• AO3: Deviation from ideal mental health (STRENGTH)

  would be an in depth understanding between mental health and mental illness and would be able to compare ourselves to the criteria to judge our own mental health and we would be able to do something about it