These study notes contain everything you need to know in order to pass the Psychopathology module of the AQA A-level Psychology - 'Introduction to Psychology' exam (Paper 1). Including:
- Definitions of abnormality, including deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, statisti...
Definitions of Abnormality
statistical infrequency a person’s traits, thinking + behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically
unusual.
e.g. % of UK population has schizophrenia (SZ).
pros =
sometimes appropriate; standard deviation is used to diagnose patients w/ intellectual
disabilities.
cons =
unable to distinguish between undesirable + desirable behaviours; i.e. abnormal behaviours
are often desirable
e.g. few indivs w/ an IQ above 150, yet wouldn’t suggest this is undesirable.
normal behaviours occasionally undesirable… most indivs will suffer depression in their life-
time.
cut off point subjectively determined; there needs to be a point separating normality +
abnormality… this is difficult to distinguish + lacks reliability.
deviation from social a behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates the unwritten rules about what’s expected /
norms acceptable behaviour in social groups.
e.g. murder.
pros =
desirable + undesirable behaviour is taken into account.
cons =
susceptible to abuse; Szazs’ (1962) suggests mental illness used as a form of social control.
subjective concept used to label those who don’t conform to norms of society; indivs are
labelled + discriminated against.
deviance related to context + degree; it can be beneficial to break social norms e.g. suffragettes.
failure to function if unable to cope w/ demands of everyday life + unable to perform behaviours necessary of day-
adequately day living (i.e. self-care, hold down a job).
- irrationality / incomprehensibility - violation of moral + ideal standards
- unpredictability - observer discomfort
- maladaptive behaviour - suffering
pros =
definition views a disorder from the sufferer’s POV + considers how they may not be
functioning.
cons =
functional behaviour; some disorders serve a function + perhaps certain indivs claim they have
a disorder to gain attention + support.
issues w/ subjectivity; a doctor must decide if indiv has the criteria + raises issue of insight.
deviation from ideal rather than define abnormal, define what’s normal / ideal + anything deviating from this
mental health regarded as abnormal.
- positive view of the self - integration
- potential for growth + development - accurate perception of reality
- autonomy - environmental mastery
pros =
positive view; focus on positive aspects of behaviour, contrast to other definitions (judgemental
+ negative).
cons =
unrealistic criteria; criteria is idealistic + unrealistic i.e. what is the threshold to be classified as
normal?
mental health differs from physical health; cannot use a checklist of ideals to determine
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