Psychopathology – Summary Notes:
Definitions of Abnormality:
Statistical Infrequency:
This definition suggests that behaviours and characteristics that are statistically
rare in the population are considered abnormal. Statistics are gathered which
measure how certain behaviours and characteristics are spread across the
population. They can be shown on a normal distribution graph; most people
gather close to the mean and would be considered normal – 95% of people will
fall into this category. If someone is 3 standard deviation points away from the
mean then they are abnormal. Those who score the furthest from the mean, the
top and bottom 5% of scores, would be considered abnormal.
No judgement is made on behaviour. It can be useful to identify abnormal
people, e.g. those with a low IQ could be considered to have a mental disorder.
Cultural differences – what may be rare in one culture may be common in
another, e.g. wearing a kilt in Scotland is common but less common in
England/Wales. Some rare behaviours are desirable; it may be the case that a
behaviour is infrequent but not problematic to the individuals well-being, it may
be considered a benefit such as high intelligence. Not all abnormal behaviours
are infrequent – 10% suffer from phobias.
Deviation from Social Norms:
We have written laws that are clearly stated, e.g. texting while driving. Unwritten
laws are called social norms and are implicit, e.g. laughing at funerals. Social
norms are created by groups. There is no universal set of norms, they vary
across cultures, situations, ages etc. Behaviour that goes against social norms is
considered abnormal. A line is drawn between desirable and undesirable
behaviours. Anyone behaving undesirably is considered a social deviant and
therefore abnormal.
Can be useful as people may be unaware their behaviour is abnormal; this allows
for interventions when a person cannot identify that they need help but are
distressed or cause others distress – this definition allows us to protect society.
This definition allows us to understand what behaviours are normal for which age
groups so we can distinguish developmental problems, e.g. bed wetting as a
child vs an adult. It takes into account the settings in which behaviour occurs
because what is considered normal in one setting may not be in another, e.g.
wearing a bikini at the beach vs to college. Social norms change over time, e.g.
homosexuality was illegal in England until 1967 and considered a mental illness;
it is now seen as normal, hence this definition of abnormality needs to allow for
changes over time. Those who don’t conform may not be abnormal but merely
individualistic; a problem with this definition is that it doesn’t account for these
people and would suggest that all people who don’t conform need help. Social
norms could be used as a way of controlling people unfairly.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:
Jahoda devised the concept of ideal mental health, being that there is a set list
of characteristics required to be normal. It assesses abnormality in a similar way
to physical health by looking for absence of well-being. Therefore deviation away
, from what is normal is seen as abnormal. There are 6 characteristics which must
be met and the absence of any of the 6 would demonstrate abnormality:
1. Positive attitudes towards self – having self-respect and a positive self regard.
2. Accurate perception of reality – perceiving the world in a non-distorted
fashion; having an objective and realistic view of the world.
3. Autonomy – being independent, self-reliant and able to make personal
decisions.
4. Environmental mastery – being competent in all aspects of life and able to
meet the demands of any situation; having flexibility to adapt to changing life
circumstances.
5. Self-actualisation – experiencing personal growth and development.
6. Resisting stress – having effective coping strategies and being able to cope
with everyday anxiety-provoking situations
Allows for targeted treatment programmes with clear areas for an individual to
work on; treatments are person-centred and enable the individual to gain control
over their treatment. It has a holistic view of an individuals life, taking into
account the whole person and their entire experience rather than focusing on
one abnormal behaviour; not reductionist. Positive attitudes, narcissism not
taken into account (too much self -love). Most of the criteria is vague and
difficult to measure; it relies on self-report measures which may not be accurate
and objective as an individual with mental illness may not be able to explain
their own abnormality, e.g. schizophrenia. Most people don’t meet all the
characteristics all of the time and therefore it is considered over-demanding; it
would classify most people as abnormal.
Failure to Function Adequately:
This definition focuses on personal experience of an individual. It suggests
abnormality is when an individual’s behaviour suggests that a person can no
longer cope with everyday life, leading to an inability to function properly.
Rosenhan & Seligman proposed factors that can be used to assess a person’s
dysfunction:
1. Suffering – being in distress. Most abnormal individuals report that they are
experiencing some form of distress such as low moods in depression.
2. Maladaptiveness – maladaptive behaviour prevents an individual from
achieving major life goals.
3. Irrationality – behaviour that is not appropriate for the context, e.g. laughing
at funerals.
4. Unpredictability – a common feature of abnormal behaviour is that sometimes
it isn’t clear why some individuals would be in that way. There doesn’t seem to
be a rational explanation, e.g. talking to oneself.
5. Unconventionality – behaviour that is often variable and uncontrolled which is
also inappropriate.
6. Observer discomfort – very often, when an individual breaks unspoken rules
other people may feel offended/experience discomfort.
7. Violation of moral standards – behaviour that goes against the established
moral standards of a society.
Individuals will seek help because they believe they are suffering from
psychological problems that interferes with their ability to function. The use of
Definitions of Abnormality:
Statistical Infrequency:
This definition suggests that behaviours and characteristics that are statistically
rare in the population are considered abnormal. Statistics are gathered which
measure how certain behaviours and characteristics are spread across the
population. They can be shown on a normal distribution graph; most people
gather close to the mean and would be considered normal – 95% of people will
fall into this category. If someone is 3 standard deviation points away from the
mean then they are abnormal. Those who score the furthest from the mean, the
top and bottom 5% of scores, would be considered abnormal.
No judgement is made on behaviour. It can be useful to identify abnormal
people, e.g. those with a low IQ could be considered to have a mental disorder.
Cultural differences – what may be rare in one culture may be common in
another, e.g. wearing a kilt in Scotland is common but less common in
England/Wales. Some rare behaviours are desirable; it may be the case that a
behaviour is infrequent but not problematic to the individuals well-being, it may
be considered a benefit such as high intelligence. Not all abnormal behaviours
are infrequent – 10% suffer from phobias.
Deviation from Social Norms:
We have written laws that are clearly stated, e.g. texting while driving. Unwritten
laws are called social norms and are implicit, e.g. laughing at funerals. Social
norms are created by groups. There is no universal set of norms, they vary
across cultures, situations, ages etc. Behaviour that goes against social norms is
considered abnormal. A line is drawn between desirable and undesirable
behaviours. Anyone behaving undesirably is considered a social deviant and
therefore abnormal.
Can be useful as people may be unaware their behaviour is abnormal; this allows
for interventions when a person cannot identify that they need help but are
distressed or cause others distress – this definition allows us to protect society.
This definition allows us to understand what behaviours are normal for which age
groups so we can distinguish developmental problems, e.g. bed wetting as a
child vs an adult. It takes into account the settings in which behaviour occurs
because what is considered normal in one setting may not be in another, e.g.
wearing a bikini at the beach vs to college. Social norms change over time, e.g.
homosexuality was illegal in England until 1967 and considered a mental illness;
it is now seen as normal, hence this definition of abnormality needs to allow for
changes over time. Those who don’t conform may not be abnormal but merely
individualistic; a problem with this definition is that it doesn’t account for these
people and would suggest that all people who don’t conform need help. Social
norms could be used as a way of controlling people unfairly.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:
Jahoda devised the concept of ideal mental health, being that there is a set list
of characteristics required to be normal. It assesses abnormality in a similar way
to physical health by looking for absence of well-being. Therefore deviation away
, from what is normal is seen as abnormal. There are 6 characteristics which must
be met and the absence of any of the 6 would demonstrate abnormality:
1. Positive attitudes towards self – having self-respect and a positive self regard.
2. Accurate perception of reality – perceiving the world in a non-distorted
fashion; having an objective and realistic view of the world.
3. Autonomy – being independent, self-reliant and able to make personal
decisions.
4. Environmental mastery – being competent in all aspects of life and able to
meet the demands of any situation; having flexibility to adapt to changing life
circumstances.
5. Self-actualisation – experiencing personal growth and development.
6. Resisting stress – having effective coping strategies and being able to cope
with everyday anxiety-provoking situations
Allows for targeted treatment programmes with clear areas for an individual to
work on; treatments are person-centred and enable the individual to gain control
over their treatment. It has a holistic view of an individuals life, taking into
account the whole person and their entire experience rather than focusing on
one abnormal behaviour; not reductionist. Positive attitudes, narcissism not
taken into account (too much self -love). Most of the criteria is vague and
difficult to measure; it relies on self-report measures which may not be accurate
and objective as an individual with mental illness may not be able to explain
their own abnormality, e.g. schizophrenia. Most people don’t meet all the
characteristics all of the time and therefore it is considered over-demanding; it
would classify most people as abnormal.
Failure to Function Adequately:
This definition focuses on personal experience of an individual. It suggests
abnormality is when an individual’s behaviour suggests that a person can no
longer cope with everyday life, leading to an inability to function properly.
Rosenhan & Seligman proposed factors that can be used to assess a person’s
dysfunction:
1. Suffering – being in distress. Most abnormal individuals report that they are
experiencing some form of distress such as low moods in depression.
2. Maladaptiveness – maladaptive behaviour prevents an individual from
achieving major life goals.
3. Irrationality – behaviour that is not appropriate for the context, e.g. laughing
at funerals.
4. Unpredictability – a common feature of abnormal behaviour is that sometimes
it isn’t clear why some individuals would be in that way. There doesn’t seem to
be a rational explanation, e.g. talking to oneself.
5. Unconventionality – behaviour that is often variable and uncontrolled which is
also inappropriate.
6. Observer discomfort – very often, when an individual breaks unspoken rules
other people may feel offended/experience discomfort.
7. Violation of moral standards – behaviour that goes against the established
moral standards of a society.
Individuals will seek help because they believe they are suffering from
psychological problems that interferes with their ability to function. The use of
