Summary AQA Alevel Psychopathology Full exam revision notes
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Course
Psychopathology
Institution
AQA
Easy to read, detailed exam notes for the Psychopathology topic in AQA Psychology A level. Written by a four A* student. Covers the entire memory spec with detailed examples, positives and negatives and full evaluations.
Psychopathology
Definitions of Abnormality
1. Statistical infrequency = disorder abnormal if frequency
more than two standard deviations from mean incidence rates
on normally-distributed bell curve.
Positives
Used in clinical diagnoses of mental health - comparison with
a baseline - used to assess the severity of the disorder e.g. SZ affects 1% of population, but
subtypes less frequent
Objective – data based
No value judgements are made – Homosexuality – less frequent no defined as wrong
Negatives
Assumes abnormal characteristics are negative – having an IQ score above 130 not
negative doesn’t need treatment
2. Failure to Function adequately - Rosenhan and Seligman - mental state is
preventing a ‘normal’ life – 7 Criteria - obedience to social norms, personal distress or
unpredictability. Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) – rates level of social,
occupational and psychological functioning.
Positives
Takes into account patient’s perspective - final diagnosis uses subjective self- reported
symptoms and psychiatrist’s objective opinion - more accurate - not constrained statistical
limits
Practical checklist
Negatives
May lead to labelling - ‘strange’ or ‘crazy’ – doesn’t challenge negative stereotypes about
mental health – discrimination/prejudice perpetuated
Context dependent – may not keep a job due to economic situation rather than
psychological factors
, 3. Deviation from social norms – straying from social norms in specific culture.
There are general norms - experience certain hallucinations (which breaches the social
norms of multiple cultures whereas other cultures may encourage this as a sign of
spirituality).
Negatives
Mental health diagnoses based on this definition vary so significantly between different
cultures has historically led to discrimination, as a mechanism for social control – 19 th
century UK - ‘nymphomania’ - women with sexual attractions towards working-class men
Cultural relativism - subjective social norms – hallucinations – in Asia and Africa
communing with gods whereas UK = SZ
4. Deviation from ideal mental health - Jahoda (1958) - criteria include being
able to 1. self-actualise 2. having an accurate perception of ourselves 3. not being distressed
4. being able to maintain normal levels of motivation 5. displaying high self-esteem.
Positives
Comprehensive checklist
Negatives
Unrealistic expectation of ideal mental health – most people can’t acquire all - very limited
method of diagnosing mental health disorders.
Cultural relativism - self-actualisation is individualistic not collectivist
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