AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOPATHOLOGY TOPIC NOTES. Extremely in depth and precise notes. Includes every topic within the psychopathology section. Includes AO1 and AO3. I achieved an A STAR using these notes. No need to make any notes, just start revising.
norms are culturally relative so difficult to determine universal signs of illness • neither
definition is satisfactory on its own – comparison with alternatives, eg failure to function,
deviation from ideal mental health.
1) STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY- when an individual has a less common characteristic,
RARE and not common in many people. SOMEONE IS ABNORMAL when their
behaviour unusual/a value that is 2 standard deviation points away from normal
distribution/mean. EG- the average IQ is 100 and the majority of people will cluster
around this average. There is fewer people with an IQ the further you go above or
below 100. Only 2% have an IQ of 70 so they are abnormal and should be diagnosed
for intellectual disability disorder.
2) STRENGTH- USEUFUL- used in diagnosis and to assess severity of symptoms. EG: IDD
means that their IQ is below 70=define abnormality AND used in Beck depression
inventory to indicate depression.
3) STRENGTH- OBJECTIVE AND NO JUDGEMENT- no opinion/bias as it is clear what is
abnormal and what is not and unlike DFSN, no judgements about what is acceptable.
4) LIMITATION- INFREQUENT CHARCATERISTICS CAN BE POSITIVE- high IQ is rare but
desirable so being at one end of the spectrum doesn’t mean you’re abnormal.
5) LIMITATION- CULTURE- what is statistically normal in one culture is abnormal in
another. Not reliable.
6) DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS- when behaviour is different from the accepted
standards of behaviour in society. If someone deviates from social norms they are
considered abnormal. IT IS SPECIFIC TO THE CULTURE/GENERATION, few behaviours
are considered universally abnormal. In UK, homosexuality is normal but in other
cultures it is not. EG- anti social personality disorder- someone who is
aggressive/impulsive so they would be judged as abnormal as they don’t conform to
social standards.
7) STRENGTH- USEFUL IN CLINICAL PRATCISE- use it to identify when someone is
abnormal= these people can be helped/given treatment who may not have been
able to get help themselves. ITS VALUABLE.
8) PROTECTION- protects society from the effects of abnormal behaviour by defining
what it is and taking appropriate action.
9) LIMITATION- CULTURE AND SITUATIONS- what is accepted as normal in one culture
may be abnormal in another.
10) LIMITATION- SUBJECTIVE- social norms are not real and based off the opinion of
ruling elites not majority. Some labelled as abnormal are discriminated against. True
definition should be objective.
11) LIMITATION- INDIVIDUALISM- those who don’t conform may not be abnormal but
individualistic. Not reliable.
, DEFINITONS 2
1) FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY- occurs when unable to cope with ordinary
demands of day-to-day living (not getting up in the morning, difficulty maintaining
relationships and hygiene). ROSENHAN&SELIGMAN- signs to determine FTF:
experience severe distress, behaviour is irrational/dangerous to themselves or
others, doesn’t conform to standard interpersonal rules (maintain eye
contact/personal space).
2) STRENGTH- ASSESES DEGREE OF ABNORMALITY AND WHEN TO GET HELP- most ppl
have symptoms of mental disorder sometimes. The criteria assesses degree of
abnormality and when help is needed. Treatment can be targeted at those who need
most.
3) STRENGTH- OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOUR- others can judge whether they are
functioning properly and confirm.
4) LIMITATION- LABELS LESS COMMON CHOICES AS ABNORMAL/SUBJECTIVE- difficult
to say whether someone is abnormal or choosing to deviate. They are at risk of being
labelled abnormal, so freedom of choice is restricted.
LIMITATION- CULTURE- what is considered normal in one is abnormal in another.
Not reliable.
5) DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH- occurs when does not meet certain
criteria for good mental health. JAHODA- we self-actualise, independent of other
people, cope with stress, good self-esteem and no guilt, realistic view of world.
6) STRENGTH- HIGHLY COMPREHENSIVE- Jahoda’s concept includes range of criteria=
individual’s mental health can be discussed meaningfully with range of professionals
with different views=checklist against we can assess ourselves and others.
7) LIMITATION- CULTURALLY RELATIVE- JAHODA is focused on US and EUROPE. Self-
actualisation is considered self-indulgent in some cultures. Difficult to apply concept
to different cultures.
PHOBIAS
1) PHOBIA- irrational fear/anxiety of object/situation. CATEGORIES: SPECIFIC PHOBIA-
phobia of object, animal, body part. SOCIAL PHOBIA- phobia of social situation.
AGORAPHOBIA- phobia of being outside/public space
BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS- PANIC, AVOIDANCE, ENDURANCE
2) PANIC- in response to phobic stimulus, behaviours include crying, running away,
screaming.
3) AVOIDANCE- in response to phobic stimulus, conscious effort to prevent contact
with it. EG- fear of public toilets limit the time that they are out for, interferes with
work, education, social life.
4) ENDURANCE- in response to phobic stimulus, choose to remain in its presence to
keep a wary eye on it, still high anxiety.
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