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Psychopathology notes
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Psychology UNIT 2: PsychopathologyPart 1: Defining Psychological
Abnormality.
Anti-Psychiatry
• Rejecting medical model of psychopathology, and proposing people had ‘problems with
living’.
Psychosis
• The state when individuals appear to have lost contact with reality, e.g. schizophrenia/
bipolar depression.
• The individual doesn’t have insight into their condition.
Defi nitions:
(1) Abnormality as ‘Deviation from Social Norms’ (DSN)
• Rules of behaviour are set up by society we live in called social norms.
• If anyone violates(breaks) or deviates (behaves differently) from these social norms,
they are regarded as abnormal.
• E.g. The difference in funeral norms in Britain (crying) and New Orleans (partying).
• Therefore, in this definition what is normal in one social group may be abnormal in
another.
• Thus the definition is socially constructed.
AO2-Limitations of DNS:
Deviating from social Norms of society may have Social norms vary over
norms isn’t always a a political dimension. time.
sign of If people disagree with a In America homosexuality
psychopathology. policy/party they may be was viewed as a disorder
Therefore the context labelled as schizophrenic until the 1960’s, yet
(e.g. superstition) in and locked up. Thus nowadays it’s more socially
which the behaviour definitions may be used as approved. Therefore
takes place needs to be form of political control. definitions change
accounted for. overtime.
Cultural Relativity
Social norms are specific to a particular culture or society. Therefore behaviour
normal in one country may be abnormal in another.
1
, Psychology UNIT 2: Psychopathology
Part 1: Defining Psychological
Abnormality.
(2) Abnormality as ‘Failure to Function Adequately.’ (FFA)
• Failure to function adequately means that a person is unable to live a normal life, unable
to experience normal emotions, or engage in normal behaviours.
• Therefore they are unable to function adequately and are considered abnormal.
• Dysfunctional behaviour is only abnormal when it interferes with daily functioning.
• The person is also able to recognise themselves that they are suffering from FFA.
• Thus this definition is more ethical, as the person doesn’t have the label of abnormality
forced upon them by others- Self diagnosis.
Limitations of FFA:
AO2-Limitations of FFA:
Failing to function isn’t FFA isn’t always due to a Psychological disorders
always a sign of psychological disorder. don’t always prevent
psychopathology. Holding down a job/ adequate functioning.
Behaviour that looks like supporting family may be This is because people
FFA, may be quite normal difficult due to economic may have disorders, yet
depending on the context. reasons. Also immigrants still appear normal most
E.g. prisoners on hunger may also face racism. of the time.
strike.
Cultural Relativity
Patterns of behaviour vary from culture to culture, so for every culture FFA may look
very different.
2
, Psychology UNIT 2: Psychopathology
Part 1: Defining Psychological
Abnormality.
(3) Abnormality as ‘Deviation from Ideal Metal Health’ (DIMH)
• This doesn’t define abnormality directly, but focuses on behaviour and characteristics
people need in order to be considered ‘normal’.
• Deviation from these ideas would be defined as abnormal.
• Jahoda introduced a number of characteristics for ideal mental helath:
AO2-Limitations of DIMH:
Cultural relativity, as these ideas Not all ‘normal’ people match the
aren’t applicable to all societies. criteria outlined.
These characters are based on Very few would be able to match
western societies and ideals. In non- the criteria, thus does that make
western cultures where they the majority of the population
promote collectivist culture, abnormal. Also how far does a
concepts such as self actualisation person have to deviate before
may not be recognised. being defined as abnormal.
3
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