1 PYC3702 – Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - Assignments
This document is a compilation of UNISA Assignment Questions and Answers
Answers are motivated by a combination of:
• References
• Short summaries/reasoning regarding the relevant topic(s) in question. (Incorrect options
are also marked where applicable, in order to identify and disregard red-herring alternatives)
Assignments covered are:
• 2015 Assignment 1
• 2015 Assignment 2
• 2016 Assignment 1
• 2016 Assignment 2
• 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 1 - 703459
• 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 1 - 773771
• 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 2 - 615175
• 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 2 - 777760
Please note: This document is an additional tool for exam preparation. The Stuvia-user that compiled
and uploaded this document takes no responsibility for incorrect answers. Students must ensure
that they study the prescribed material and understand the content.
,2 PYC3702 – Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - Assignments
Assignment 1 (2015)
QUESTION 1
An integrated definition of abnormal behavior defines normality and abnormality from three
vantage points. Which one of these vantage points are patients confronted with when they are
admitted to a mental institution, and a diagnosis is made?
1) biological
2) community
3) cultural
4) society
Answer: The correct answer is 1.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Since within the context of a mental institution the medical model is applied wherein
psychiatrists and clinical psychologists make a diagnosis which draws heavily on the biological
vantage point when diagnosing patients within the hospital context. The keywords of patient,
admitted, mental institution and making a diagnosis point to the psychiatric medical context
which is rooted in the biological dimension of the Multipath Model and therefore, alternatives 2,
3 and 4, draw on other contextual factors and have priorities that differ from the medical context.
QUESTION 2
Discomfort, deviance, and dysfunction are all criteria used to judge normality according to the ___
definitions of abnormal behavior.
1) Conceptual
2) Integrated
3) Practical
4) DSM-5
Answer: The correct answer is 2.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: The DSM’s definition of mental disorders is built on the following criteria of
abnormality, namely:
• Dangerousness
• Dysfunction
• Personal distress
• Deviance (refer pg. 6 of prescribed textbook)
Dysfunction refers to the ability of an individual to fulfil daily life roles at home, work/school or in
relationships. Psychological problems can interfere with the functionality of the person to perform
these roles productively (refer pg. 9-10 of prescribed textbook).
Discomfort or distress refers to the level of intensity of the psychological suffering/emotional
reaction that the individual is experiencing (refer pg. 8 of the prescribed textbook)
Deviance refers to bizarre or unusual behavior as an abnormal deviation from an accepted
standard of behavior (antisocial acts) or a false perception of reality (refer pg. 8 of the prescribed
textbook)
These definitions are then integrated into a holistic, connected picture of mental health as the
Multipath Model holds that is important to understand mental health and illness taking into
account all the facets of functioning before reaching a comprehensive diagnosis.
QUESTION 3
When it comes to defining abnormal, which terms are accurately paired?
1) Cultural universality – deviation from ideal mental health.
2) Infrequent – statistical deviation.
3) Personal discomfort – multicultural perspective.
,3 PYC3702 – Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - Assignments
4) Cultural relativity – deviation from ideal mental health.
Answer: The correct answer is 2.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: By definition abnormal implies deviation from the norm, as such abnormal behavior is
synonymous with unusual or infrequent behavior within the general population (refer Sue et al.,
2013. P.7)
Alternative 1 and 4 are incorrect, as:
• Cultural universality refers to behavior being similar across cultures, and in contrast,
• Cultural relativity refers to behavior being understood differently according to each
culture.
Alternative 3 is an incorrect pairing. You however need to know how to define personal
discomfort and to be aware that a multicultural perspective of mental health needs to be kept in
mind within the South African context, as such the DSM-5 predominantly reflects Western current
understandings of mental illness, however, the DSM-5 is careful not to rule out other cultural
understandings.
QUESTION 4
Which one of the following statements does not apply to the DSM-5 classification system?
1) The DSM-5 recognizes that abnormal behavior manifests differently in different cultures.
2) The DSM-5 is based on the medical model of abnormal behavior.
3) The DSM-5 focuses on the categorization of mental disorders and not on the explanation
thereof.
4) The DSM-5 reflects gender sensitivity in the classification of abnormal behavior.
Answer: The correct answer is 4.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Alternative 4 is most correct as the DSM-5 at this stage of the research does not
provide gender sensitivity and trends show that sometimes gender incorrectly skews diagnostic
practices. (refer to pg.19-22 in the prescribed textbook)
• With regard to alternative 2, the DSM-5 originates from the medical model.
• With regard to alternative 3, the DSM-5’s aim is to classify and describe abnormal
behavior.
• With regard to alternative 1, the DSM-5 acknowledges cultural differences do impact the
presentation of abnormal behavior and the DSM-5 does acknowledge cultural-bound
syndromes.
QUESTION 5
The principle that different early experiences in life can lead to the same psychological disorders
refers to the family systems principle of ___.
1) Equipotentiality
2) Equifinality
3) Linear causality
4) Genetic potentiality
Answer: The correct answer is 2.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Equifinality refers to the idea that many different beginnings can lead to the same
outcome (refer to pg. 17 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015).
• Alternative 4 is incorrect. Genetics is a biological explanation and not an explanation from
a family systems perspective.
• Alternative 3 is incorrect as linear causality derives from the medical model where A
causes B and B causes C. In stark contrast, a family systems approach is built on circular
, 4 PYC3702 – Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - Assignments
causality where A influences B and B in turn influences A, as such there is a circular
pattern of reciprocal interaction (refer pg. 24-25 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
• Alternative 1 is incorrect as Equipotentiality refers to the idea that the same beginning
can result in different outcomes (refer to pg. 28 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
QUESTION 6
Family systems theorists do not focus on the reasons or causes for the families’ present functioning.
Their focus lies on ____.
1) the future operations and outcomes for the family dynamics.
2) the identified patient as the source of dysfunctional family dynamics.
3) feeding information into the system that aims to change the family’s dynamics, and the
interactional patterns.
4) the identified patient with the aim of changing his/her abnormal behavior.
Answer: The correct answer is 3
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Family systems theorists and therapists prioritize perturbing (disturbing with the intention to
alter) observable interactional patterns of a family to bring about adaptive change.
Alternative 2 and 4 are in stark contrast to a family systems theorist’s approach. As family systems
explicitly locates the site of pathology in the whole system of the family and actively disagrees
that pathology can be attributed to one individual member of a family (this would be the premise
of other models for example the psychoanalytic view of psychopathology which would look at an
individual’s conflicts and personal history to locate the development of their abnormal behavior.
Alternative 1 is also not the focus, as family systems theorists tend to rather focus on the ‘here
and now’ interactions of the family to institute change in the present functioning of the family.
The family systems perspective focuses on observing and describing the whole family’s
functioning in context at the present moment. Unlike the linear perspectives (such as
psychodynamic or behavioristic perspectives), the family systems perspective does not only focus
on the individual family member that is manifesting ‘abnormal or problematic behavior’ but
considers the functioning of the entire family system (refer to pg. 22 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015).
QUESTION 7
‘’A family tends to maintain itself around some point of balance by developing certain repetitive,
enduring rituals and patters of interaction.’’ This statement supports the systemic concept of ___.
1) Homeostasis
2) Enmeshment
3) Morphogenesis
4) Bonding
Answer: The correct answer is 1
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Homeostasis refers to the tendency of a system to return to a state of equilibrium or
balance and maintain stability. (refer to pg. 25 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
• Alternative 2 is incorrect as Enmeshment refers to individuals intensely involved with
each other to the exclusion of being impacted by others outside their closed system (refer
to pg. 27 of Tutorial Letter 5012/2015)
• Alternative 3 is incorrect as Morphogenesis refers to the ability of a system to change its
form. (refer to pg. 25 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
• Alternative 4 s incorrect as bonding is not a key systemic concept but it is a psychoanalytic
concept that refers to the attachment of infants to their caregivers.
QUESTION 8
This document is a compilation of UNISA Assignment Questions and Answers
Answers are motivated by a combination of:
• References
• Short summaries/reasoning regarding the relevant topic(s) in question. (Incorrect options
are also marked where applicable, in order to identify and disregard red-herring alternatives)
Assignments covered are:
• 2015 Assignment 1
• 2015 Assignment 2
• 2016 Assignment 1
• 2016 Assignment 2
• 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 1 - 703459
• 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 1 - 773771
• 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 2 - 615175
• 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 2 - 777760
Please note: This document is an additional tool for exam preparation. The Stuvia-user that compiled
and uploaded this document takes no responsibility for incorrect answers. Students must ensure
that they study the prescribed material and understand the content.
,2 PYC3702 – Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - Assignments
Assignment 1 (2015)
QUESTION 1
An integrated definition of abnormal behavior defines normality and abnormality from three
vantage points. Which one of these vantage points are patients confronted with when they are
admitted to a mental institution, and a diagnosis is made?
1) biological
2) community
3) cultural
4) society
Answer: The correct answer is 1.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Since within the context of a mental institution the medical model is applied wherein
psychiatrists and clinical psychologists make a diagnosis which draws heavily on the biological
vantage point when diagnosing patients within the hospital context. The keywords of patient,
admitted, mental institution and making a diagnosis point to the psychiatric medical context
which is rooted in the biological dimension of the Multipath Model and therefore, alternatives 2,
3 and 4, draw on other contextual factors and have priorities that differ from the medical context.
QUESTION 2
Discomfort, deviance, and dysfunction are all criteria used to judge normality according to the ___
definitions of abnormal behavior.
1) Conceptual
2) Integrated
3) Practical
4) DSM-5
Answer: The correct answer is 2.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: The DSM’s definition of mental disorders is built on the following criteria of
abnormality, namely:
• Dangerousness
• Dysfunction
• Personal distress
• Deviance (refer pg. 6 of prescribed textbook)
Dysfunction refers to the ability of an individual to fulfil daily life roles at home, work/school or in
relationships. Psychological problems can interfere with the functionality of the person to perform
these roles productively (refer pg. 9-10 of prescribed textbook).
Discomfort or distress refers to the level of intensity of the psychological suffering/emotional
reaction that the individual is experiencing (refer pg. 8 of the prescribed textbook)
Deviance refers to bizarre or unusual behavior as an abnormal deviation from an accepted
standard of behavior (antisocial acts) or a false perception of reality (refer pg. 8 of the prescribed
textbook)
These definitions are then integrated into a holistic, connected picture of mental health as the
Multipath Model holds that is important to understand mental health and illness taking into
account all the facets of functioning before reaching a comprehensive diagnosis.
QUESTION 3
When it comes to defining abnormal, which terms are accurately paired?
1) Cultural universality – deviation from ideal mental health.
2) Infrequent – statistical deviation.
3) Personal discomfort – multicultural perspective.
,3 PYC3702 – Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - Assignments
4) Cultural relativity – deviation from ideal mental health.
Answer: The correct answer is 2.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: By definition abnormal implies deviation from the norm, as such abnormal behavior is
synonymous with unusual or infrequent behavior within the general population (refer Sue et al.,
2013. P.7)
Alternative 1 and 4 are incorrect, as:
• Cultural universality refers to behavior being similar across cultures, and in contrast,
• Cultural relativity refers to behavior being understood differently according to each
culture.
Alternative 3 is an incorrect pairing. You however need to know how to define personal
discomfort and to be aware that a multicultural perspective of mental health needs to be kept in
mind within the South African context, as such the DSM-5 predominantly reflects Western current
understandings of mental illness, however, the DSM-5 is careful not to rule out other cultural
understandings.
QUESTION 4
Which one of the following statements does not apply to the DSM-5 classification system?
1) The DSM-5 recognizes that abnormal behavior manifests differently in different cultures.
2) The DSM-5 is based on the medical model of abnormal behavior.
3) The DSM-5 focuses on the categorization of mental disorders and not on the explanation
thereof.
4) The DSM-5 reflects gender sensitivity in the classification of abnormal behavior.
Answer: The correct answer is 4.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Alternative 4 is most correct as the DSM-5 at this stage of the research does not
provide gender sensitivity and trends show that sometimes gender incorrectly skews diagnostic
practices. (refer to pg.19-22 in the prescribed textbook)
• With regard to alternative 2, the DSM-5 originates from the medical model.
• With regard to alternative 3, the DSM-5’s aim is to classify and describe abnormal
behavior.
• With regard to alternative 1, the DSM-5 acknowledges cultural differences do impact the
presentation of abnormal behavior and the DSM-5 does acknowledge cultural-bound
syndromes.
QUESTION 5
The principle that different early experiences in life can lead to the same psychological disorders
refers to the family systems principle of ___.
1) Equipotentiality
2) Equifinality
3) Linear causality
4) Genetic potentiality
Answer: The correct answer is 2.
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Equifinality refers to the idea that many different beginnings can lead to the same
outcome (refer to pg. 17 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015).
• Alternative 4 is incorrect. Genetics is a biological explanation and not an explanation from
a family systems perspective.
• Alternative 3 is incorrect as linear causality derives from the medical model where A
causes B and B causes C. In stark contrast, a family systems approach is built on circular
, 4 PYC3702 – Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - Assignments
causality where A influences B and B in turn influences A, as such there is a circular
pattern of reciprocal interaction (refer pg. 24-25 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
• Alternative 1 is incorrect as Equipotentiality refers to the idea that the same beginning
can result in different outcomes (refer to pg. 28 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
QUESTION 6
Family systems theorists do not focus on the reasons or causes for the families’ present functioning.
Their focus lies on ____.
1) the future operations and outcomes for the family dynamics.
2) the identified patient as the source of dysfunctional family dynamics.
3) feeding information into the system that aims to change the family’s dynamics, and the
interactional patterns.
4) the identified patient with the aim of changing his/her abnormal behavior.
Answer: The correct answer is 3
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Family systems theorists and therapists prioritize perturbing (disturbing with the intention to
alter) observable interactional patterns of a family to bring about adaptive change.
Alternative 2 and 4 are in stark contrast to a family systems theorist’s approach. As family systems
explicitly locates the site of pathology in the whole system of the family and actively disagrees
that pathology can be attributed to one individual member of a family (this would be the premise
of other models for example the psychoanalytic view of psychopathology which would look at an
individual’s conflicts and personal history to locate the development of their abnormal behavior.
Alternative 1 is also not the focus, as family systems theorists tend to rather focus on the ‘here
and now’ interactions of the family to institute change in the present functioning of the family.
The family systems perspective focuses on observing and describing the whole family’s
functioning in context at the present moment. Unlike the linear perspectives (such as
psychodynamic or behavioristic perspectives), the family systems perspective does not only focus
on the individual family member that is manifesting ‘abnormal or problematic behavior’ but
considers the functioning of the entire family system (refer to pg. 22 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015).
QUESTION 7
‘’A family tends to maintain itself around some point of balance by developing certain repetitive,
enduring rituals and patters of interaction.’’ This statement supports the systemic concept of ___.
1) Homeostasis
2) Enmeshment
3) Morphogenesis
4) Bonding
Answer: The correct answer is 1
Refer: Feedback on assignment
Reasoning: Homeostasis refers to the tendency of a system to return to a state of equilibrium or
balance and maintain stability. (refer to pg. 25 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
• Alternative 2 is incorrect as Enmeshment refers to individuals intensely involved with
each other to the exclusion of being impacted by others outside their closed system (refer
to pg. 27 of Tutorial Letter 5012/2015)
• Alternative 3 is incorrect as Morphogenesis refers to the ability of a system to change its
form. (refer to pg. 25 of Tutorial Letter 501/2015)
• Alternative 4 s incorrect as bonding is not a key systemic concept but it is a psychoanalytic
concept that refers to the attachment of infants to their caregivers.
QUESTION 8
