Psychopathology

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  • Created by: 123Emily
  • Created on: 12-05-17 10:22

Psychopathology

Definitions of abnormality

Statistical infrequency:Behaviour that is statistically infrequent is found in very few people and is rare. It is behaviour that deviates from statistical norms. Statistical infrequency is when you are at either end of the scale.

Evaluation points

  • Some abnormal behaviours are desirable (eg. High IQ)

  • Cut off point is subjective

  • What is the benefit of labelling someone as abnormal?

  • Good starting point for diagnosis and is much stronger when used in conjunction with other definitions

Deviating from social norms:Behaviour that is seen as a deviation from social norms is considered abnormal. Behaviour that deviates from the unstated rules regulating how one should behave are seen as undesirable by the majority of the members from that social group.

Evaluation points

  • Doesn’t allow difference

  • Doesn’t account for cultural differences

  • Easy way to identify illness – good starting point

  • It does take the majority of people into account

Failure to function adequately:Healthy people are seen as being able to operate within certain acceptable limits. If abnormal behaviour interferes with one’s ability to look after themselves and go about their usual activities along with severe distress then one is considered abnormal.

Evaluation points

  • Covers loads of different aspects of normal life

  • Very person centred – individual

  • Adaptive or functional for the individual

  • Doesn’t allow you to make a judgement based on how they feel – just their behaviour

  • Unusual behaviour may be coping strategy for those who are experiencing a difficult period in their lives

Deviation from ideal mental health:Ideal mental health includes behaviours relating to competence and happiness. A mentally healthy individual would be seen as having a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and, an accurate perception of reality. The absence of the following criteria indicates abnormality or a mental disorder. There are 6 requirements:

Self- attitudes, Personal growth and self-actualisation, Integration, Autonomy, Having an accurate perception or reality and Master of the environment

 

Evaluation points (deviation from ideal mental health)

  • Only at a certain age would you become ‘’well’’

  • Utter rubbish – how can these things define your mental health?

  • Looks at how you feel about yourself which the others don’t do

Characteristics of OCD

Obsessions: A persistent thought, idea, impulse or image that is experienced repeatedly. Feels intrusive and causes anxiety.

Compulsions: A repetitive and rigid behaviour or mental act that a person feels driven to perform in order to prevent or reduce anxiety

Cognitive: Obsessions are the main cognitive aspect but people also adopt cognitive coping strategies. Unpleasant thoughts. Aware of their obsessions and know they aren’t rational

Behavioural: Compulsions are repetitive and they reduce anxiety. They avoid situations

Emotional: Unpleasant emotional experience. Powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. Urge to repeat behaviour causes anxiety. Accompanies by depression – low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities

Characteristics of phobias

Cognitive: Selective attention, irrational beliefs and knows it’s irrational. Fixated on it. Over exaggerate situation.

Behavioural: Children may have different reactions (eg. Freezing). May cause them

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