Psychopathology - AQA A Level Psychology (Paper 1) Questions and Correct Answers 2026/2027

Psychopathology - AQA A Level Psychology (Paper 1) Questions and Correct Answers 2026/2027 What is abnormality? (define) - Correct Answer Showing behaviour that is different from the majority of people. What are the 4 definitions of abnormality? - Correct Answer Statistical deviation Deviation from social norms Failure to function adequately Deviation from ideal mental health *S*hould *D*ogs *F*ly *D*rones? What is statistical deviation? And when is this approach of defining abnormality useful? - Correct Answer Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic, for example being more depressed or less intelligent than most of the population. Useful when dealing with characteristics that can be measured - e.g, intelligence. What are the 3 evaluation points for statistical deviation? - Correct Answer ️*Real life application* - diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder. • Used for measurement of severity - useful part of clinical assessment. *Unusual characteristics can be positive.* • E.g, an IQ over 130 is just as unusual as those below 70, but high IQ is not something in need of treatment. • Therefore, statistical deviation alone can't be used to make a diagnosis *Labelling is not beneficial*. • If someone is leading a healthy life, there is no benefit in labelling them as abnormal - more likely to have a negative effect. What is deviation from social norms? And what is an example of this? - Correct Answer Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community, culture, or society. Social norms are