Psychopathology
Definitions of Abnormality:
Definitions of Abnormality
- There are 4 definitions of abnormality:
- Statistical Infrequency Characteristics of phobias
o In Statistical terms, human behaviour is abnormal if Behavioural approach to explaining phobias
it falls outside the range that is typic for most
people. Behaviour that is rarely seen is abnormal Behavioural approach to treating phobias
o e.g., Average IQ is 100. In a normal distribution most, Characteristics of OCD
people have a score between 85 and 115. Only 2%
Biological Approach to explaining OCD
are below 70. These people are ‘abnormal’ and could
be diagnosed with Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD). Biological Approach to treating OCD
AO3: Characteristics of Depression
+ Can be used as part of formal diagnosis to assess
the severity of symptoms. Cognitive approach to explaining depression
- Unusual characteristics can be positive e.g., high IQ Cognitive approach to treating depression
- Normal characteristics can be negative e.g.,
depression
- Being labelled as abnormal might have negative effects on the way others view them or they
view themselves.
- Cut-off points are subjective. How can an IQ of 70 be normal but 69 is abnormal?
- Cultural relativism ~ what is statistically frequent in one culture or time period is not
necessarily normal in another.
- Deviation from Social Norms
o Every society or culture has standards of acceptable behaviour. Behaviours that do not fit
these socially acceptable norms are considered abnormal.
o E.g., Antisocial Personality Disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible and
‘an absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and
culturally normative ethical behaviour’.
AO3:
+ Useful in clinical practice, the key defining characteristic of APD is failure to conform to
culturally normal ethical behaviour.
- Cultural relativism – can cause problems if you live in a different culture to you own.
- Too much reliance on deviation can lead to a systematic abuse of human rights as it has the
potential to allow health professionals to classify people transgressing against social attitudes as
mentally ill. E.g., Drapetomania (black slaves trying to escape)
+ Takes into account the effect behaviour has on others such as breaking rules which are
established to help people live together.
- Hard to draw the line between personality/eccentricity and abnormality and is also context
based. E.g., bikini is normal on a beach but not in a supermarket.
- Failure to Function Adequately
o Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) proposed signs that can be used to determine if someone is not
coping:
§ When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g., eye contact
and personal space
§ When a person experiences severe personal distress
§ When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others.
o A person is unable to live a normal life or engage in normal behaviour
o E.g., agoraphobia would be considered abnormal because fear of leaving the house seriously
impairs a person’s ability to live a normal life.
AO3:
+ Sensible threshold for when professional help is needed
, - Some people chose to live alternate lifestyles e.g., not having a job
- Failing to function can be normal at certain times e.g., bereavement
+ Allows us to view mental disorder from perspective of person experiencing it
- Can be confused with failure to function adequately
- Judgements can be subjective
- Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
o Jahoda (1958) suggested that we are in good mental health if we meet certain criteria.
§ Self-actualisation (personal growth) ~ the extent to which an individual develops their
full capabilities and reaches their potential
§ Integration ~ we can cope with stressful situations
§ Accurate perception of reality ~ we have a realistic view of the world
§ Self-attitudes ~ we have high self-esteem, a strong sense of identity and lack guilt
§ Autonomy ~ we are independent of other people and self-regulating
§ Mastery of the environment ~ we can successfully function at work and in
interpersonal relationships, we have the ability to love, adjust to new situations and
solve problems.
o E.g., unable to keep a job may be a sign of being unable to cope with pressure.
AO3:
+ Very comprehensive range of criteria. Provides a checklist against which we can assess people
and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals.
- Based off of USA and Western Europe, different criteria are not equally applicable across a
range of cultures
- High standards, can be disheartening to see an impossible set of standards to live up to.
+ Focuses on what is desirable
+ In accord with the ‘positive psychology’ movement
- Criteria are difficult to measure, so not very practical
- Labels can be damaging, possible judgements by friends, family, employers and partners. \
Characteristics of Phobias:
- A phobia is an irrational fear of an object or situation
- The DSM recognises the following categories of phobia and anxiety related disorder:
o Specific phobia ~ phobia of an object, body part or situation
o Social anxiety (social phobia) ~ phobia of a social situation
o Agoraphobia ~ phobia of being outside or in a public place.
- All phobias are characterised by excessive fear and anxiety, triggered by an object, place or situation.
- The extent of the fear is out of proportion to any real danger presented by the phobic stimulus.
- Behavioural Characteristics
o Panic ~ behaviours like crying, screaming or running away. Children may react by freezing or
clinging
o Avoidance ~ people tend to go to a lot of effort to avoid coming into contact with the phobic
stimulus. This can interfere with the person’s normal routine.
o Endurance ~ alternative to avoidance, where a sufferer remains in the presence of the phobic
stimulus but continues to experience high levels of anxiety, usually when the situation is
unavailable.
- Emotional Characteristics
o Anxiety ~ prevents the sufferer from relaxing and makes it very difficult to experience any
positive emotion. Anxiety can be long term.
o Fear ~ the immediate and unpleasant response we experience when we encounter the phobic
stimulus
o Response is unreasonable ~ fear is disproportional to the danger posed by the phobic stimulus.
