Psychopathology
Outline statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
Any behaviour/feature that’s relatively rare is abnormal, e.g. wearing a winter coat when it’s hot outside
It’s assumed personality traits and behaviours can be placed into a normal distribution pattern
In a normally distributed population average traits and behaviours will cluster round the mean with a few
individuals scoring very high/low
AO3:
Limitation – can’t distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours e.g. having low stress is desirable
but is regarded as abnormal
Limitation – statistics may not be accurate – only those people who seek help will occur in the data, so
abnormality may be more frequent than the statistics suggest
Outline deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
A social norm is an unwritten rule of society which sets guidelines for behaviour, behaviours which violate
these moral standards are seen as ‘deviant’, e.g. not wearing clothes in public
AO3:
Limitation – beliefs about abnormality and social norms of socially acceptable behaviour change over time e.g.
homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder until 1973 – lacks temporal validity?
Limitation – norms vary between cultures so such definitions will be culturally relative – Malinowski studied
Trobraind Islanders where bones of dead relatives are cleaned and worn as ornaments – have to judge
behaviour in its context
Outline failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
Abnormality can be judged in terms of not being able to cope with everyday living
Abnormal behaviour is only classified when it interferes with daily functioning such as the ability to work or
care for yourself
Not functioning adequately causes distress and suffering for the individual and/or others – it’s important to
include the distress of others, as with some mental disorders the individual may not be in distress at all
Can be measured using Rosenhan and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction or DSM’s WHODAS
AO3:
Strength – it focuses on observable behaviour – allows judgements by others as it focuses on what’s
observable and therefore empirical
Limitation – abnormality isn’t always accompanied by dysfunction, some people with dangerous personality
disorders can cause great harm yet appear normal e.g. Harold Shipman – real-life application, people who
need treatment may go undetected as they’re functioning adequately
Outline deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
Based on the humanistic approach, if we fail to meet the criteria for perfect psychological wellbeing, we’re
abnormal
The notion of ideal mental health was put forward by Jahoda and focuses on the positives – health rather than
illness
6 major criteria relating to ideal mental health was proposed, the greater the number of criteria individuals fail
to meet, the more abnormal they are, making them more vulnerable to a psychological problem/mental
health disorder
Criteria: positive attitudes towards self; personal growth and self-actualisation of one’s potential – becoming
everything you’re capable of; resistance to stress – use of effective coping strategies; personal autonomy –
being independent; accurate perception of reality and mastery of the environment – being able to love,
function at work and solve problems
AO3:
Limitation – it has an overdemanding criteria – meeting all 6 criteria would be difficult as the criteria is more
‘ideals’ then actualities – therefore according to this definition, most people are abnormal
Strength – it focuses on positives rather than the failures – what’s functional rather than dysfunctional
Outline statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
Any behaviour/feature that’s relatively rare is abnormal, e.g. wearing a winter coat when it’s hot outside
It’s assumed personality traits and behaviours can be placed into a normal distribution pattern
In a normally distributed population average traits and behaviours will cluster round the mean with a few
individuals scoring very high/low
AO3:
Limitation – can’t distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours e.g. having low stress is desirable
but is regarded as abnormal
Limitation – statistics may not be accurate – only those people who seek help will occur in the data, so
abnormality may be more frequent than the statistics suggest
Outline deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
A social norm is an unwritten rule of society which sets guidelines for behaviour, behaviours which violate
these moral standards are seen as ‘deviant’, e.g. not wearing clothes in public
AO3:
Limitation – beliefs about abnormality and social norms of socially acceptable behaviour change over time e.g.
homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder until 1973 – lacks temporal validity?
Limitation – norms vary between cultures so such definitions will be culturally relative – Malinowski studied
Trobraind Islanders where bones of dead relatives are cleaned and worn as ornaments – have to judge
behaviour in its context
Outline failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
Abnormality can be judged in terms of not being able to cope with everyday living
Abnormal behaviour is only classified when it interferes with daily functioning such as the ability to work or
care for yourself
Not functioning adequately causes distress and suffering for the individual and/or others – it’s important to
include the distress of others, as with some mental disorders the individual may not be in distress at all
Can be measured using Rosenhan and Seligman’s features of personal dysfunction or DSM’s WHODAS
AO3:
Strength – it focuses on observable behaviour – allows judgements by others as it focuses on what’s
observable and therefore empirical
Limitation – abnormality isn’t always accompanied by dysfunction, some people with dangerous personality
disorders can cause great harm yet appear normal e.g. Harold Shipman – real-life application, people who
need treatment may go undetected as they’re functioning adequately
Outline deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality (8 marks)
Based on the humanistic approach, if we fail to meet the criteria for perfect psychological wellbeing, we’re
abnormal
The notion of ideal mental health was put forward by Jahoda and focuses on the positives – health rather than
illness
6 major criteria relating to ideal mental health was proposed, the greater the number of criteria individuals fail
to meet, the more abnormal they are, making them more vulnerable to a psychological problem/mental
health disorder
Criteria: positive attitudes towards self; personal growth and self-actualisation of one’s potential – becoming
everything you’re capable of; resistance to stress – use of effective coping strategies; personal autonomy –
being independent; accurate perception of reality and mastery of the environment – being able to love,
function at work and solve problems
AO3:
Limitation – it has an overdemanding criteria – meeting all 6 criteria would be difficult as the criteria is more
‘ideals’ then actualities – therefore according to this definition, most people are abnormal
Strength – it focuses on positives rather than the failures – what’s functional rather than dysfunctional
