2021 AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3 ISSUES & OPTIONS.
Define the four definitions of Abnormality - (ANSWER)Definition 1: Deviation from Social
Norms - Standards of acceptable behaviour are set by a social group and anything that deviates
from this behaviour is deemed abnormal. In the past being homosexual was seen as deviant from
social norms, campaigners have now changed the social perception and have made it normal.
This proves that this explanation is subject to change.
Definition 2: Failure to Function Adequately - This is where people are not able to cope with
everyday demands such as eating in public. It interferes with everyday life and the individual
judges when their behaviour becomes abnormal.
Definition 3: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health - Physical illness being defined as the absence
of signs of physical healthiness. This definition says we should look at mental illness in the same
way, there are 6 categories that if are not there then this would suggest mental illness. They are:
Self Attitudes, Self Actualisation (max potential), Integration, Autonomy, Reality and Mastery of
Environment.
Definition 4: Statistical Deviation -#$%^&*()_+
Uses numbers to define abnormality, unusual behaviours
occurring frequently. (using distribution curve)
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Social Norms' as a definition of abnormality. -
(ANSWER)-It lacks any cultural relativism as different actions are considered normal in
different cultures thus the definition cannot be generalised across cultures.
-The definition will need to evolve with time as social norms do.
-There is no objective factual way of saying wether what someone is doing is deviating from
social norms or not.
Outline Limitations of 'Failure to Function Adequately' as a definition of abnormality. -
(ANSWER)-Not everyone admits when they are failing as some may feel content with the way
they are functioning, making it difficult to diagnose.
-It may not be obvious that someone is not functioning, therefore it is difficult to diagnose using
this definition alone.
-It lacks cultural relativism, as what is considered adequate in on culture differs to another.
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Ideal Mental Health' as a definition of abnormality. -
(ANSWER)-The criteria that we should meet is over demanding, can individuals realistically
achieve all 6 categories at once.
-Also the definition lacks cultural relativism, collectivist cultures believe in the greater good for
the community but individualistic cultures believe in the 'autonomy' therefore it cannot be
generalised across cultures.
-The definitions are all very subjective, you think you achieving to full potential but someone
else may think you aren't.
, 2021 AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3 ISSUES & OPTIONS.
Outline Limitations of 'Statistical Deviation' as a definition of abnormality. - (ANSWER)-
Characteristics that are 'abnormal' are not all negative for example having a IQ would make you
technically abnormal but you wouldn't want to treat it.
-If someone is happy and content with their life then there is no point in labelling them abnormal
just because the don't fit in with everyone else's statistics.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive characteristics for Phobias -
(ANSWER)Behavioural
Panic, in response to a stimulus people may freeze of scream and run away.
Avoidance, people will often avoid facing their fears which can make it difficult to go out and
about.
Endurance, the opposite of avoidance where the sufferer takes it and endures it.
Emotional #$%^&*()_+
Anxiety, phobias are classified as anxiety disorders, this prevents relaxation and makes it
difficult to feel positive emotions.
Unreasonable emotional responses, the emotional response we have is much to over the top of
what is reasonable and is disproportional to the danger.
Cognitive
Selective attention, people with a phobia may not be able to take their eyes off the stimulus if
close by, this can interfere with their everyday life.
Irrational beliefs, the person may feel that if they show they have a phobia of something they
may look weak.
Cognitive distortions, the persons perceptions of the stimulus will be distorted.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive characteristics for Depression -
(ANSWER)Behavioural
Activity levels, levels of activity are bought down and many people become lethargic, meaning
they will withdraw from work and social life.
Disruption to sleep and eating, suffers can experience insomnia or hypersomnia, along with this
their appetite can fluctuate.
Self-harm, depression can lead to increased violence to themselves and others.
Emotional
Lowered mood, the clinical definition of low mood is characterised by emptiness.
Anger, often experienced with sufferers of depression.
Lowered self esteem, sufferers may report of hating themsleves.
Cognitive
Define the four definitions of Abnormality - (ANSWER)Definition 1: Deviation from Social
Norms - Standards of acceptable behaviour are set by a social group and anything that deviates
from this behaviour is deemed abnormal. In the past being homosexual was seen as deviant from
social norms, campaigners have now changed the social perception and have made it normal.
This proves that this explanation is subject to change.
Definition 2: Failure to Function Adequately - This is where people are not able to cope with
everyday demands such as eating in public. It interferes with everyday life and the individual
judges when their behaviour becomes abnormal.
Definition 3: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health - Physical illness being defined as the absence
of signs of physical healthiness. This definition says we should look at mental illness in the same
way, there are 6 categories that if are not there then this would suggest mental illness. They are:
Self Attitudes, Self Actualisation (max potential), Integration, Autonomy, Reality and Mastery of
Environment.
Definition 4: Statistical Deviation -#$%^&*()_+
Uses numbers to define abnormality, unusual behaviours
occurring frequently. (using distribution curve)
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Social Norms' as a definition of abnormality. -
(ANSWER)-It lacks any cultural relativism as different actions are considered normal in
different cultures thus the definition cannot be generalised across cultures.
-The definition will need to evolve with time as social norms do.
-There is no objective factual way of saying wether what someone is doing is deviating from
social norms or not.
Outline Limitations of 'Failure to Function Adequately' as a definition of abnormality. -
(ANSWER)-Not everyone admits when they are failing as some may feel content with the way
they are functioning, making it difficult to diagnose.
-It may not be obvious that someone is not functioning, therefore it is difficult to diagnose using
this definition alone.
-It lacks cultural relativism, as what is considered adequate in on culture differs to another.
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Ideal Mental Health' as a definition of abnormality. -
(ANSWER)-The criteria that we should meet is over demanding, can individuals realistically
achieve all 6 categories at once.
-Also the definition lacks cultural relativism, collectivist cultures believe in the greater good for
the community but individualistic cultures believe in the 'autonomy' therefore it cannot be
generalised across cultures.
-The definitions are all very subjective, you think you achieving to full potential but someone
else may think you aren't.
, 2021 AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3 ISSUES & OPTIONS.
Outline Limitations of 'Statistical Deviation' as a definition of abnormality. - (ANSWER)-
Characteristics that are 'abnormal' are not all negative for example having a IQ would make you
technically abnormal but you wouldn't want to treat it.
-If someone is happy and content with their life then there is no point in labelling them abnormal
just because the don't fit in with everyone else's statistics.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive characteristics for Phobias -
(ANSWER)Behavioural
Panic, in response to a stimulus people may freeze of scream and run away.
Avoidance, people will often avoid facing their fears which can make it difficult to go out and
about.
Endurance, the opposite of avoidance where the sufferer takes it and endures it.
Emotional #$%^&*()_+
Anxiety, phobias are classified as anxiety disorders, this prevents relaxation and makes it
difficult to feel positive emotions.
Unreasonable emotional responses, the emotional response we have is much to over the top of
what is reasonable and is disproportional to the danger.
Cognitive
Selective attention, people with a phobia may not be able to take their eyes off the stimulus if
close by, this can interfere with their everyday life.
Irrational beliefs, the person may feel that if they show they have a phobia of something they
may look weak.
Cognitive distortions, the persons perceptions of the stimulus will be distorted.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive characteristics for Depression -
(ANSWER)Behavioural
Activity levels, levels of activity are bought down and many people become lethargic, meaning
they will withdraw from work and social life.
Disruption to sleep and eating, suffers can experience insomnia or hypersomnia, along with this
their appetite can fluctuate.
Self-harm, depression can lead to increased violence to themselves and others.
Emotional
Lowered mood, the clinical definition of low mood is characterised by emptiness.
Anger, often experienced with sufferers of depression.
Lowered self esteem, sufferers may report of hating themsleves.
Cognitive
