Psychopathology

    Cards (17)

    • What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
      1. statistical infrequency
      2. Deviation from social norms
      3. Failure to function adequately
      4. Deviation from ideal mental health
    • What makes someone abnormal according to statistical infrequency?
      On a normal distribution curve, they are on the bottom 2.5% or on the top 2.5%
    • Strengths of statistical infrequency as an explanation of abnormality:
      • allows for an objective, value-free assessment of mental disability
    • Weaknesses of statistical infrequency as an explanation of abnormality
      • not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal (eg. if someone has an obnromal BMI, that doesn't mean that they have an eating disorder)
    • What are social norms?
      • unwritten rules in society for what is seen sa acceptable behaviour
    • What is meant by deviation from social norms?
      • any behaviour which does not follow the unwritten rules of society
      • this defintion draws a line between socially desirable & undesirable behaviour
      • those who do not follow social norms are labelled as abnormal
    • What are examples of antisocial personality disorder?

      • impulsive/selfish/aggressive behaviour
      • general failure to conform to lawful or culturally ethical behaviours
    • What is a strength of deviation from social norms as an explanation of abnormality?
      • beneficial for society - as adhering to social norms can be argued to be hepful to ensure society stays ordered and predictable
    • What are 3 weaknesses of deviation from social norms as an explanation of abnormality? Explain why.
      1. Cultural validity - this definition is not generalisable across the world as different cultures have different defintions of social norms, so will also have different definitions of abnormality
      2. Temporal validity - social norms change over time, which makes it hard to define abnormality
    • What is meant by 'failure to function adequately' as an explanation of abnormality?
      individuals cannot cope with everyday life
    • What are examples of 'functioning adequately' in everyday life?
      • eating reguarly
      • washing clothes
      • socialising with others
    • If a person cannot do normal everyday tasks and is also experiencing distress, it is considered a sign of abnormality.
    • What is used to assess the degree of dysfunctionality in a person?
      Rosenhan & Seligman's seven features of abnormality
    • What are the seven features of abnormality?
      1. suffering, 2. maladaptiveness, 3. vividness & unconventionality, 4. unpredictability & loss of control, 5. irrationality/incomprehensibilty, 6. observer discomfort, 7. violates moral/social standards
    • What is an mental condition where someone often experiences the 7 features of abnormality?
      schizophrenia - the individual can have disturbing hallucinations which can lead to bizarre behaviour, can also be irrational & unpredictable
    • What is a strength of 'failure to function adequately' as an explanation of abnormality?
      • takes into consideration the experiences of the patient so an assessment can be made from the point of view of the person experiencing the symptoms
    • What are 3 limitations of 'failure to function adequately' as a explanation of abnormality?
      • abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
      • there is a problem with determining who has the right to define behaviour as dysfunctional
      • cultural relativism = explains higher incidences of mental illness in sub-cultures because extra stress or pressures are more associated with moving cultures, racism or prejudice
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