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Summary AQA Psychology A Level Psychopathology Topic Notes
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A complete summary of the Psychopathology topic from AQA A Level Psychology Paper 1
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A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 1- PSYCHOPATHOLOGYDefinitions of Abnormality
Statistical infrequency
Any behaviour or feature that is relatively rare is abnormal. It’s assumed that personality
traits and behaviours can be placed into a normal distribution pattern (eg on normal
distribution graph). In a normally distributed population average traits + behaviours will
cluster around mean. Example- in terms of traits like anxiety or susceptibility to stress we
would expect to find normal distribution of traits within the population- most would cluster
around the mean with few people scoring very high/ low. Eg prevalence rates of mental
disorders- schizophrenia 1% of population, so having schizophrenia judged as abnormal.
Statistical infrequency- AO3 Evaluation
Weakness- some abnormal behaviours are desirable.
P- Using this definition means we’re unable to distinguish between desirable or undesirable
behaviours.
Ev- In terms of anxiety example low scores would be regarded as statistically abnormal but
it’s desirable. Equally, there are some ‘normal’ behaviours that are undesirable. Experiencing
depression is relatively common.
Ex- So using statistical infrequency to define abnormality means that we’re unable to
distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours.
Weakness- the cut off point is subjective
P-The fact that cut-off points are subjectively determined is a limitation.
Ev- If abnormality is defined in terms of statistical infrequency, we need to decide where to
separate normality from abnormality. For Example, one of the symptoms of depression is
‘difficulty sleeping’. Some think abnormal sleep is less than 6 hours, others may think the
cut-off should be 5 hours. Such disagreements mean it’s difficult to define abnormality in
terms of statistical infrequency. Also Problems with accuracy of statistics- only those that
seek help occur in data so abnormality may be more frequent than statistics suggest.
Ex- Such disagreements mean it’s difficult to define abnormality in terms of statistical
infrequency.
Strength- statistical infrequency sometimes appropriate
P-Using statistical criterion to define abnormality is useful-
Ev- It’s objective and based on real, unbiased data ( no value judgements- just frequency).
Gives overall. However diagnosis for things like intellectual disabilities is only made in
conjunction with failure to function adequately.
Ex- suggests statistical infrequency only one of a number of tools.
Weakness- cultural relativism
P-Using statistical criterion to define abnormality is useful-
Ev- It’s objective and based on real, unbiased data ( no value judgements- just frequency).
Gives overall. However diagnosis for things like intellectual disabilities is only made in
conjunction with failure to function adequately.
Ex- Suggests statistical infrequency only one of a number of tools.
Deviation from social norms
A social norm is an unwritten rule to society which sets guidelines for behaviour. Behaviours
which violate these moral standards are seen as deviant/ abnormal. An example of a social
norm common in our society is wearing clothes in public- if this is not adhered to in the right
situations, you would be seen as abnormal.
,Deviation from social norms- AO3 Evaluation
Susceptible to abuse
P-What is socially acceptable now may not have been socially acceptable 50 years ago.
Ev- Eg women who became pregnant before marriage in early 20th century sometimes
taken to mental institutions. Homosexuality was classified as mental disorder until 1973.
Thomas Szasz claimed the concept of mental illness was simply a way to exclude
nonconformists from society.
Ex- Mean that using this definition of abnormality may lead to issues of temporal validity.
This definition is subjective
If we use this definition we’re basing our assumptions on prevailing social morals/ attitudes.
Szasz (1974)- the concept of mental illness is simply a way to exclude non-conformists from
society. Means this definition of abnormality lacks objectivity.
Deviance is related to context and degree
P- Social deviance on its own cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality because it is
inevitably related to context and degree.
Ev- In many cases there is not a clear line between what is an abnormal deviation and what
is simply more harmless eccentricity – how far does an individual have to deviate? Eg a
person wearing next to nothing at the beach is normal, in a formal setting is abnormal.
Shouting loudly + persisting is deviant behaviour but not evidence of mental disturbance
unless excessive.
Ex- So social deviance is not a complete explanation.
Cultural relativism
Cultural relativism is important when using this definition as it may lead to cultural bias, as
social norms are defined by culture. Western social norms reflect the behaviour of the
majority ‘white’ population. Deviation from these norms by ethnic minorities means that such
minorities are over-represented in statistics. E.g. Cochrane found in Britain Black
Afro-Caribbeans are more often diagnosed with schizophrenia than white or Asian groups.
This pattern is not the same in other countries where Black Afro-Caribbeans are the majority
Norms are culture bound
That is they vary between cultures + any such definition will be culturally relative. E.g.
Malinowski (1929) studied the Trobriand Islanders where the bones of dead relatives are
cleaned & worn as ornaments. So we need to judge behaviour in its context. DSM is based
on social norms of the dominant culture in the West but is applied to others.
Strength
P- This definition does distinguish between desirable + undesirable behaviours.
Ev- The social deviance model also takes into account the effect that behaviour has on
others. Deviance is defined in terms of transgression of social rules and (ideally) social rules
are established in order to help people live together. According to this definition,abnormal
behaviour damages others.
Ex- This definition therefore offers a practical and useful way of identifying undesirable and
potentially damaging behaviour, which may alert others to the need to secure help for the
person concerned.
Failure to function adequately definition
From an individual’s point of view abnormality can be judged in terms of not being able to
cope with everyday living (functioning). Abnormal behaviour only classed as such when
interferes with daily functioning such as ability to work/ care for yourself. Not functioning
adequately causes distress + suffering for individuals and/or others. Important to include
, distress of others as with some mental disorders, the individual may not be in distress at all.
Ways of measuring this- Rosenhan + Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction (1989),
DSM’s WHODAS (World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule).
6 areas the DSM’s WHODAS considers to be able to function adequately
● Understanding + communicating
● Getting around
● Self care
● Getting along with others
● Life activities
● Participation in society.
Failure to function adequately- AO3 Evaluation
Limitation- Abnormality isn’t always accompanied by dysfunction.
P- Some apparently dysfunctional behaviour can actually be adaptive and functional for
individuals.
Ev- Some people with dangerous personality disorders can cause harm yet appear normal +
can function on a very high level- eg Harold Shipman. For example, some mental disorders,
such as eating disorders or depression, may lead to extra attention for the individual. Such
attention is rewarding and thus quite functional rather than dysfunctional. For example,
transvestism is classed as a mental disorder, but individuals are likely to regard it as
perfectly functional.
Ex- This failure to distinguish between functional and dysfunctional behaviours means the
definition is incomplete.
Limitation- who judges what is dysfunctional? The person themselves? If they are unable to
get to work/ eat they may recognise they need help. But they may be content or unaware
they aren’t coping, eg if they are schizophrenic. Others around them? The weakness of this
approach is that a judgement of abnormality depends on who is making the judgement, so
it’s subjective.
Limitation- Cultural relativism
P- An important issue is that failure to function adequately is limited by being culturally
relative.
Ev- This definition is likely to result in different diagnoses when applied to people of different
cultures- what is functional in one culture may not be in another because lifestyles are
different. May explain why lower class, non-white patients (whose lifestyles differ from
dominant culture) are more often diagnosed with mental disorders.
Ex- Means that the use of this model is limited by being culturally relative.
Strengths-assesses the degree of abnormality
Methods such as WHODAS allow clinicians to see the degree to which individuals are
abnormal and decide who needs help.
Strength- focuses on observable behaviour
Allows judgement by others as it focuses on what is observable and therefore empirical.
Strength provides a practical method for assessment-
Provides a checklist individuals can use to assess their own level of abnormality.
Strength- provides a personal perspective.
P- recognises personal experiences of sufferers.
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