Samuel Nesbitt
This topic includes:
1- Definitions of Abnormality
2- Phobias
3- Behavioural Explanations for Phobias
4- Behavioural Treatment for Phobias
5- Depression
6- Cognitive Explanations for Depression
7- Cognitive Treatment for Depression
8- OCD
9- Biological Explanations for OCD
10- Biological Treatment for OCD
,Psychology Year 1 Psychopathology Samuel Nesbitt
1. Definitions of Abnormality
Outline the statistical deviation definition of abnormality [3]
1. Statistical deviation - occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic e.g. lower intelligence than
most of the population.
2. This involves measuring whether something is ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ through terms of statistics; the number
of times it occurs. Behaviour that is rarely seen (statistical infrequency) can be seen as abnormal.
3. E.g. intellectual disability disorder is when someone has an IQ lower than 70 which is abnormal because the
average IQ is 100, and only 2% have a score lower than 70.
Outline one strength of the statistical deviation definition of abnormality [3]
1. Objective – This definition can provide an objective way, using data to define abnormality.
2. This is valuable for research as it doesn’t involve any subjective input or bias such as cultural attitudes as it
relies solely on mathematical and statistical methods which can be proven on and agreed on empirically.
3. Therefore, it can help address what is meant by ‘normal’ and can exclude any behaviours which occur
statistically frequent to help in diagnosis.
Evaluate two limitations of the statistical deviation definition of abnormality [6]
1. Lim 1 - Stigma - There is no benefit in labelling someone as abnormal if they are happy and live a fulfilled life.
2. E.g. someone who has a low IQ might not be distressed and may be capable of functioning adequately so
there would be no purpose in diagnosing him with intellectual disability.
3. This is a problem because being stigmatised as ‘abnormal’ may have negative effects on the way others view
them and in the way, they see themselves.
4. Lim 2 – Can be positive – Not all cases of unusual cases of unusual behaviour need treatment or a diagnosis
just because they are rare or “statistically infrequent”
5. E.g. people with IQ scores above 130 is just as unusual as having an IQ below 70
6. Equally, there are some normal behaviours that are undesirable, such as depression which most people will
experience at some point in their life, maybe during a loss but isn’t desirable and may need treatment.
Outline the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality [3]
1. Deviation from social norms concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in
a community or society
2. Societies and social groups make collective judgements about what is ‘correct’ and ‘normal’ behaviour, so, if
a person behaves in a way that is different to how is expected, it can be defined as abnormal.
3. E.g. Antisocial personality disorder is failure to conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour’
– a psychopath is abnormal because they deviate from our moral standard (usually lacking empathy)
2
, Psychology Year 1 Psychopathology Samuel Nesbitt
Outline one strength of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality [3]
1. Considers effects on society - This definition distinguishes between what is desirable and undesirable
behaviour, which is a feature that statistical infrequency definition didn’t take into account.
2. Social deviancy also considers the effect that behaviour has on others as deviance is defined in terms of
transgression of social rules which are usually established to help people live together.
3. Therefore, ‘abnormality’ can be defined also in terms of if that behaviour damages others which can be
beneficial to society.
Outline two limitations of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality [6]
1. Lim 1 – Culturally Relative – A person from one cultural group may label someone from another group as
abnormal using their relative standards
2. E.g. hearing voices is social acceptable in some cultures but seen as abnormal in the UK which creates a
problem for people from one culture living in another cultural group – e.g. high rate of black Caribbean males
diagnosed with schizophrenia in UK but are normal in their own country.
3. Therefore, in practice there are no universal standards for labelling a behaviour as abnormal.
4. Lim 2 – Human rights abuse – History shows sometimes definitions of abnormality are used to control
minority groups and women.
5. E.g. nymphomania was a disorder where women were attracted to working-class men and was a systematic
abuse of human rights to gain social control.
6. Therefore, what is socially acceptable changes over time, e.g. Homosexuality (DSM-2) and it can be argued
that abnormal classifications based on a subjective standard are abuses of people’s right to be different.
Outline the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality [3]
1. Failure to Function – Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living,
such as holding down a job, maintaining relationships or basic standards of nutrition and hygiene.
2. Rosenhan and Seligman - identified 3 signs of failure to cope; No longer conforming to interpersonal rules,
e.g. personal space, experiencing personal distress, and behaving in a way that is irrational or dangerous.
3. E.g. People are only diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder if there are clear signs of inability to cope
with demands of everyday living as a result of having an IQ below 70
Outline one strength of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality [3]
1. Recognises patient experience– This definition does recognise the subjective experience of the patient
allows us to view mental disorders from the perspective of the person experiencing it.
2. Equally, it is easy to judge their experiences and they can function adequately because we can list the
behaviours (such as being able to dress themselves, prepare meals etc.) to judge abnormality.
3. Therefore, it is a useful definition as it is usually in goodwill of the patient and can allow treatment for people
are distressed and finding it difficult to cope as a consequence of a mental disorder.
3
This topic includes:
1- Definitions of Abnormality
2- Phobias
3- Behavioural Explanations for Phobias
4- Behavioural Treatment for Phobias
5- Depression
6- Cognitive Explanations for Depression
7- Cognitive Treatment for Depression
8- OCD
9- Biological Explanations for OCD
10- Biological Treatment for OCD
,Psychology Year 1 Psychopathology Samuel Nesbitt
1. Definitions of Abnormality
Outline the statistical deviation definition of abnormality [3]
1. Statistical deviation - occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic e.g. lower intelligence than
most of the population.
2. This involves measuring whether something is ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ through terms of statistics; the number
of times it occurs. Behaviour that is rarely seen (statistical infrequency) can be seen as abnormal.
3. E.g. intellectual disability disorder is when someone has an IQ lower than 70 which is abnormal because the
average IQ is 100, and only 2% have a score lower than 70.
Outline one strength of the statistical deviation definition of abnormality [3]
1. Objective – This definition can provide an objective way, using data to define abnormality.
2. This is valuable for research as it doesn’t involve any subjective input or bias such as cultural attitudes as it
relies solely on mathematical and statistical methods which can be proven on and agreed on empirically.
3. Therefore, it can help address what is meant by ‘normal’ and can exclude any behaviours which occur
statistically frequent to help in diagnosis.
Evaluate two limitations of the statistical deviation definition of abnormality [6]
1. Lim 1 - Stigma - There is no benefit in labelling someone as abnormal if they are happy and live a fulfilled life.
2. E.g. someone who has a low IQ might not be distressed and may be capable of functioning adequately so
there would be no purpose in diagnosing him with intellectual disability.
3. This is a problem because being stigmatised as ‘abnormal’ may have negative effects on the way others view
them and in the way, they see themselves.
4. Lim 2 – Can be positive – Not all cases of unusual cases of unusual behaviour need treatment or a diagnosis
just because they are rare or “statistically infrequent”
5. E.g. people with IQ scores above 130 is just as unusual as having an IQ below 70
6. Equally, there are some normal behaviours that are undesirable, such as depression which most people will
experience at some point in their life, maybe during a loss but isn’t desirable and may need treatment.
Outline the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality [3]
1. Deviation from social norms concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in
a community or society
2. Societies and social groups make collective judgements about what is ‘correct’ and ‘normal’ behaviour, so, if
a person behaves in a way that is different to how is expected, it can be defined as abnormal.
3. E.g. Antisocial personality disorder is failure to conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour’
– a psychopath is abnormal because they deviate from our moral standard (usually lacking empathy)
2
, Psychology Year 1 Psychopathology Samuel Nesbitt
Outline one strength of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality [3]
1. Considers effects on society - This definition distinguishes between what is desirable and undesirable
behaviour, which is a feature that statistical infrequency definition didn’t take into account.
2. Social deviancy also considers the effect that behaviour has on others as deviance is defined in terms of
transgression of social rules which are usually established to help people live together.
3. Therefore, ‘abnormality’ can be defined also in terms of if that behaviour damages others which can be
beneficial to society.
Outline two limitations of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality [6]
1. Lim 1 – Culturally Relative – A person from one cultural group may label someone from another group as
abnormal using their relative standards
2. E.g. hearing voices is social acceptable in some cultures but seen as abnormal in the UK which creates a
problem for people from one culture living in another cultural group – e.g. high rate of black Caribbean males
diagnosed with schizophrenia in UK but are normal in their own country.
3. Therefore, in practice there are no universal standards for labelling a behaviour as abnormal.
4. Lim 2 – Human rights abuse – History shows sometimes definitions of abnormality are used to control
minority groups and women.
5. E.g. nymphomania was a disorder where women were attracted to working-class men and was a systematic
abuse of human rights to gain social control.
6. Therefore, what is socially acceptable changes over time, e.g. Homosexuality (DSM-2) and it can be argued
that abnormal classifications based on a subjective standard are abuses of people’s right to be different.
Outline the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality [3]
1. Failure to Function – Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living,
such as holding down a job, maintaining relationships or basic standards of nutrition and hygiene.
2. Rosenhan and Seligman - identified 3 signs of failure to cope; No longer conforming to interpersonal rules,
e.g. personal space, experiencing personal distress, and behaving in a way that is irrational or dangerous.
3. E.g. People are only diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder if there are clear signs of inability to cope
with demands of everyday living as a result of having an IQ below 70
Outline one strength of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality [3]
1. Recognises patient experience– This definition does recognise the subjective experience of the patient
allows us to view mental disorders from the perspective of the person experiencing it.
2. Equally, it is easy to judge their experiences and they can function adequately because we can list the
behaviours (such as being able to dress themselves, prepare meals etc.) to judge abnormality.
3. Therefore, it is a useful definition as it is usually in goodwill of the patient and can allow treatment for people
are distressed and finding it difficult to cope as a consequence of a mental disorder.
3
