Psychology A Level Essay Plans/Notes – Psychopathology
Describe and evaluate 2 definitions of abnormality (1)
AO1
statistical infrequency - unusual behaviour in terms of numbers, eg IQ and
intellectual disability disorder (average IQ is 100, normal distribution 85-115, only 2%
have lower than 70 - IDD)
deviation from social norms - behaviour different to what we expect, secific to
culture and generation (eg homosexuality), eg antisocial personality disorder (DSM5
diagnosis refers to absence of culturally normal behaviour, social judgement,
abnormal as dont conform)
AO3
strenth (SI) - real world application, clinical practise, eg IDD (IQ below 70), Beck
depression inventory (score of 30+ severe depression), useful and practical
limitation (SI) - unusual characteristics can be positive, eg IQ above 130, very low BDI
score, unusual doesnt mean abnormal, insufficient as sole basis for defining
abnormality
strength (DFSN) - real world application, clinical practice, eg APD, schizopytal
personality disorder (characterises behaviours/thinking), psychiatric value
limitation (DFSN) - cultural and situational relativism, (eg hearing voices - ancestors
vs abnormality), differ in situations (eg aggression - family vs corporate deals),
difficult to judge
Describe and evaluate 2 definitions of abnormality (2)
AO1
failure to function adequately - unable to maintain basic hygeine/nutrition, maintain
job or relationships, Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) - not comforming to standard
interpersonal rules, sever personal distress, irrational/dangerous behaviour
deviation from ideal mental health - Jahoda (1958) ideal mental health: no distress,
rational, self actualise, cope with stress, realistic view, good self esteem,
independent, sucessfully work/love → deviation - failing to have any one of criteria
AO3
strength (FTFA) - represents threshold for help, 25% UK experience mental health
issue a year (Mind), people tend to seek help/referred when they FTFA, target
treatment to most in need
limitation (FTFA) - discrimination and social control, easy to label non standard life
choices as abnormal, eg living off grid or high risk leisure activities, freedom of choice
restricted
, strength (DFIMH) - comprehensive definition, includes range of criteria, mental
health can be discussed meaningfully with range of professionals (eg medical vs
humanistic), comprehensive
limitation (DFIMH) - culture bound, some criteria very western, eg self actualisation
dismissed as self indulgent in many areas of world, independence has variations
even within europe (high in germany, low in italy), success looks different in different
cultures, lacks generalisability
Outline the characteristics of phobias - NOT 16 MARKS
→ phobia - an irrational fear of an object or situation
behavioural - panic (crying, screaming, running away), avoidance (effort to prevent
coming into contact with phobic stimulus), endurance (chooses to remain in
presence of stimulus)
emotional - anxiety (unpleasant state of high arousal), fear (immediate and
extremely unpleasent response), emotional response is unreasonable
(disproportionate)
cognitive - selective attention (hard to look away), irrational beliefs (cant be easily
explained + no basis in reality), cognitive distortions (perceptions innacruate and
unrealistic)
Outline the characteristics of depression - NOT 16 MARKS
→ depression - mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels
behavioural - activity levels (lethargic/psychomotor agitation), disrupted
sleep/eating (insomnia/hypersomnia), agression and self harm (physically/verbally
agressive)
emotional - lowered mood (eg ‘worthless’, ‘empty’), anger (directed at the self or
others), lowered self esteem (extreme → self loathing)
cognitive - poor concentration (unable to do tasks/make decisions), dwelling on the
negative (attention to negative aspects, ignore positives) absolutist thinking (’black
and white’)
Outline the characteristics of OCD - NOT 16 MARKS
→ OCD - condition characterised by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour
behavioural - repetitive complusions (repeat behaviours), compulsions reduce
anxiety (attempt to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions), avoidance (avoid
situations that trigger anxiety)
emotional - anxiety and distress (accompanies obsessions/compulsions),
accompanying depression (low mood/lack of enjoyment), guilt and disgust (directed
externally or at the self)
Describe and evaluate 2 definitions of abnormality (1)
AO1
statistical infrequency - unusual behaviour in terms of numbers, eg IQ and
intellectual disability disorder (average IQ is 100, normal distribution 85-115, only 2%
have lower than 70 - IDD)
deviation from social norms - behaviour different to what we expect, secific to
culture and generation (eg homosexuality), eg antisocial personality disorder (DSM5
diagnosis refers to absence of culturally normal behaviour, social judgement,
abnormal as dont conform)
AO3
strenth (SI) - real world application, clinical practise, eg IDD (IQ below 70), Beck
depression inventory (score of 30+ severe depression), useful and practical
limitation (SI) - unusual characteristics can be positive, eg IQ above 130, very low BDI
score, unusual doesnt mean abnormal, insufficient as sole basis for defining
abnormality
strength (DFSN) - real world application, clinical practice, eg APD, schizopytal
personality disorder (characterises behaviours/thinking), psychiatric value
limitation (DFSN) - cultural and situational relativism, (eg hearing voices - ancestors
vs abnormality), differ in situations (eg aggression - family vs corporate deals),
difficult to judge
Describe and evaluate 2 definitions of abnormality (2)
AO1
failure to function adequately - unable to maintain basic hygeine/nutrition, maintain
job or relationships, Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) - not comforming to standard
interpersonal rules, sever personal distress, irrational/dangerous behaviour
deviation from ideal mental health - Jahoda (1958) ideal mental health: no distress,
rational, self actualise, cope with stress, realistic view, good self esteem,
independent, sucessfully work/love → deviation - failing to have any one of criteria
AO3
strength (FTFA) - represents threshold for help, 25% UK experience mental health
issue a year (Mind), people tend to seek help/referred when they FTFA, target
treatment to most in need
limitation (FTFA) - discrimination and social control, easy to label non standard life
choices as abnormal, eg living off grid or high risk leisure activities, freedom of choice
restricted
, strength (DFIMH) - comprehensive definition, includes range of criteria, mental
health can be discussed meaningfully with range of professionals (eg medical vs
humanistic), comprehensive
limitation (DFIMH) - culture bound, some criteria very western, eg self actualisation
dismissed as self indulgent in many areas of world, independence has variations
even within europe (high in germany, low in italy), success looks different in different
cultures, lacks generalisability
Outline the characteristics of phobias - NOT 16 MARKS
→ phobia - an irrational fear of an object or situation
behavioural - panic (crying, screaming, running away), avoidance (effort to prevent
coming into contact with phobic stimulus), endurance (chooses to remain in
presence of stimulus)
emotional - anxiety (unpleasant state of high arousal), fear (immediate and
extremely unpleasent response), emotional response is unreasonable
(disproportionate)
cognitive - selective attention (hard to look away), irrational beliefs (cant be easily
explained + no basis in reality), cognitive distortions (perceptions innacruate and
unrealistic)
Outline the characteristics of depression - NOT 16 MARKS
→ depression - mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels
behavioural - activity levels (lethargic/psychomotor agitation), disrupted
sleep/eating (insomnia/hypersomnia), agression and self harm (physically/verbally
agressive)
emotional - lowered mood (eg ‘worthless’, ‘empty’), anger (directed at the self or
others), lowered self esteem (extreme → self loathing)
cognitive - poor concentration (unable to do tasks/make decisions), dwelling on the
negative (attention to negative aspects, ignore positives) absolutist thinking (’black
and white’)
Outline the characteristics of OCD - NOT 16 MARKS
→ OCD - condition characterised by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour
behavioural - repetitive complusions (repeat behaviours), compulsions reduce
anxiety (attempt to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions), avoidance (avoid
situations that trigger anxiety)
emotional - anxiety and distress (accompanies obsessions/compulsions),
accompanying depression (low mood/lack of enjoyment), guilt and disgust (directed
externally or at the self)
