A* revision notes for psychopathology, a compulsory topic for both AS and A level AQA Psychology, containing all necessary and detailed definitions, explanations and case studies. Best results when used alongside Exampro Exam Questions for psychopathology that are available free of charge online w...
Statistical infrequency occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic which
is statistically unusual.
This statistical approach comes into its own when we are dealing with characteristics that
can be reliably measured, for example intelligence. The average IQ is set at 100. In a normal
distribution, most people (68%) have a score in the range from 85 to 115. Only 2% of people
have a score of below 70. Therefore, according to the statistical infrequency definition,
having an extremely low IQ and being less intelligent than most of the population would be
considered abnormal. These individuals are liable to receive a diagnosis of a psychological
disorder - intellectual disability disorder (IDD).
Evaluation:
+ One strength of the statistical infrequency definition is its usefulness. Statistical
infrequency is used in clinical practice, both as a part of formal diagnosis, and as a
way to assess the severity of an individual’s symptoms. For example, a diagnosis of
intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ of below 70 (bottom 2%). This shows
that the value of the statistical infrequency criterion is useful in diagnostic and
assessment procedures.
- One limitation of statistical infrequency is that infrequent characteristics can be
positive as well as negative. For example, having an extremely high IQ is considered
desirable, and therefore an individual with a high IQ would not be thought of as
‘abnormal’. This means that although statistical infrequency can form part of
assessment and diagnostic procedures, it is not sufficient as the sole basis of
defining abnormality.
Deviation from social norms
Deviation from social norms concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted
standards of behaviour in a community or society.
Groups of people choose to define behaviour as abnormal on the basis that it offends their
sense of what is ‘acceptable’ or the norm. We are making a collective judgement as a
society about what is right. Those social norms may be different for each generation and
different in every culture, so there are relatively few behaviours that would be considered
universally abnormal on the basis that they breach social norms.
A person with antisocial personality disorder is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible.
According to the DSM-5, one important symptom of antisocial personality disorder is an
,absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and
culturally normative ethical behaviour.
Evaluation:
+ One strength of deviation from social norms is its usefulness in the real-world. For
example, the key defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is the failure
to conform to acceptable behaviour i.e. aggression and violating the rights of others.
This shows that the deviation from social norms criterion has value in psychiatry.
- One limitation of deviation from social norms is the variability between social norms
in different cultures and even different situations. For example, the experience of
hearing voices is the norm in some cultures but would be seen as a sign of
abnormality in others such as most parts of the UK. This means that it is difficult to
judge deviation from social norms across different situations and cultures.
Failure to function adequately
Failure to function adequately occurs when someone is unable to cope with the ordinary
demands of day-to-day living.
We may decide that someone is not functioning adequately when they are unable to
maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene.
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) have proposed some additional signs that can be used to
determine when someone is not coping. These include:
● When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules, for example
maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space.
● When a person experiences severe personal distress.
● When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others.
Evaluation:
+ One strength of the failure to function criterion is that it represents a sensible
threshold for when people need professional help. Most of us have symptoms of
mental disorder to some degree at some time, however it tends to be at the point that
we fail to function adequately that people seek professional help. This criterion
means that treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them the
most.
- One limitation of the failure to function adequately definition is discrimination and
social control. This means that it is easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as
abnormal. For example, individuals that favour high-risk leisure activities or unusual
spiritual practices may be classed as abnormal even though they may have simply
, chosen to deviate from social norms. Therefore, people who make unusual choices
are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted.
Deviation from ideal mental health
Deviation from ideal mental health occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria
for good mental health.
Jahoda (1958) suggested that we are in good mental health if we meet the following criteria:
● Resistance to stress
● Environmental mastery
● Accurate perception of reality
● Autonomy
● Self-actualisation
● Good self-esteem
Evaluation:
+ One strength of the ideal mental health criterion is that it is highly comprehensive.
Jahoda’s concept of ‘ideal mental health’ includes a range of criteria for
distinguishing mental health from mental disorder. This means that ideal mental
health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and
discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals.
- One limitation of the ideal mental health criterion is that its different elements are not
equally applicable across a range of cultures. Some of Jahoda’s criteria for ideal
mental health are firmly located in the context of the US and Europe. This means that
it is difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another.
Phobias:
A phobia is an irrational fear of an object or situation.
DSM-5 categories of phobia
All phobias are characterised by excessive fear and anxiety, triggered by an object, place or
situation. The extent of fear is out of proportion to any real danger presented by the phobic
stimulus. The latest version of DSM recognises the following categories of phobia and
related anxiety disorder:
● Specific phobia - phobia of an object, such as an animal or body part, or a situation,
such as flying or having an injection.
● Social anxiety- phobia of a social situation such as public speaking or using a public
toilet.
● Agoraphobia - phobia of being outside or in a public place.
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