Psychopathology
Definitions of abnormality
Stat infrequency
When an individual has a less common characteristic
Statistical deviation, ‘normal behaviour’ is common and in the mode of a bell curve.
E.g. IQ, anything more than one standard deviation from the middle of the bell-shaped curve is
abnormal, below is intellectual disability disorder anything above is a genius. Below 70 IQ only 2%
have and are very unusual.
AO3
+ Real life application in diagnosis of IDD. Assessments of any mental disorder involves
measurements of symptoms compared to statistical norms, therefore is usual in any Clinical
Assessment.
--- Not everyone benefits from a label. If someone is happy, there is no benefit from labelling them
as abnormal no matter how unusual they are. Low IQ and not distressed doesn’t require a label as
this can change how others view them and hinder their opportunities.
Deviation from social norms
Behaviour that is different from accepted standards in society/community.
Norms are specific to the culture we live in. There are a few behaviours that are universally
abnormal such as murder etc. However, some countries still view homosexuality as abnormal
whereas other countries see it as normal
E.g. Antisocial personality disorder – Impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. DSM-5 states an
important symptom of APD is absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to
conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour.
AO3
+ Real life application to diagnosis of APD, therefore useful application to what is normal and
abnormal in a diagnosis.
--- HOWEVER, not a sole explanation as there are other factors to consider such as failure to
function. In practise DFSN isn’t always the sole reasoning when defining abnormality.
---- Cultural relativism. Social norms vary greatly between generations and cultures. This means
issues can arise if someone from another culture visits another, as they can be labelled abnormal.
Hearing voices is accepted in some cultures, but in others is seen as highly abnormal.
Failure to function adequately
Unable to cope with ordinary demands to day to day living.
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) proposed signs:
- No longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules – E.g. Eye contact, personal space
- Severe personal distress
- Behaviour is irrational/ dangerous to themselves or others
, E.g. IDD, one criteria is stat infrequency of a low IQ, but they also need to be failing to function to get
a diagnosis.
AO3
+++ Patient's perspective. Includes the subjective experience of the patient. It is difficult to measure
distress, but this definition acknowledges the experience of the patient as being important
---- Subjective judgements. Someone has to judge whether someone is distressed or not which is
very subjective . Some may express they are distressed but viewed as not suffering. There are
methods to make it as objective as possible such as the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. But
someone has to make the correct judgement.
Deviation from ideal mental health
Not meeting the criteria for good mental health
Jahoda (1958) suggested good mental health was the following:
- No distress
- Rational and have accurate self-perception
- Self-actualise (reach potential)
- Cope with stress
- Realistic view of the world
- Good self-esteem and lack guilt
- Independent
- Successfully work, love and enjoy leisure
Overlap between this and failure to function as explanations.
AO3
+ Comprehensive. Covers a broad range of criteria for mental health, most reasons as to why
someone would seek help for their mental health. Therefore, it is a good tool for thinking about ideal
mental health standards
---- Cultural relativism. Specific to western culture. Self-actualisation may be perceived as self-
indulgent because there is emphasis on the individual and not family and community. Parts of the
world would see independence as a bad thing. Its specific to individualist cultures.
Phobias
DSM-5
Specific phobia – object, animal or body part. Can be a situation such as flying or having an infection.
Social anxiety – Social situations, using public toilets, public speaking
Agoraphobia – Phobia of being outside or in a public place
Behavioural characteristics
Panic – Crying, screaming, running away. Children may freeze, cling or throw a tantrum
Avoidance – Conscious effort to avoid encountering phobic stimulus. Can interfere with daily life
Endurance – Remains in presence but has very high levels of anxiety.
Definitions of abnormality
Stat infrequency
When an individual has a less common characteristic
Statistical deviation, ‘normal behaviour’ is common and in the mode of a bell curve.
E.g. IQ, anything more than one standard deviation from the middle of the bell-shaped curve is
abnormal, below is intellectual disability disorder anything above is a genius. Below 70 IQ only 2%
have and are very unusual.
AO3
+ Real life application in diagnosis of IDD. Assessments of any mental disorder involves
measurements of symptoms compared to statistical norms, therefore is usual in any Clinical
Assessment.
--- Not everyone benefits from a label. If someone is happy, there is no benefit from labelling them
as abnormal no matter how unusual they are. Low IQ and not distressed doesn’t require a label as
this can change how others view them and hinder their opportunities.
Deviation from social norms
Behaviour that is different from accepted standards in society/community.
Norms are specific to the culture we live in. There are a few behaviours that are universally
abnormal such as murder etc. However, some countries still view homosexuality as abnormal
whereas other countries see it as normal
E.g. Antisocial personality disorder – Impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. DSM-5 states an
important symptom of APD is absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to
conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour.
AO3
+ Real life application to diagnosis of APD, therefore useful application to what is normal and
abnormal in a diagnosis.
--- HOWEVER, not a sole explanation as there are other factors to consider such as failure to
function. In practise DFSN isn’t always the sole reasoning when defining abnormality.
---- Cultural relativism. Social norms vary greatly between generations and cultures. This means
issues can arise if someone from another culture visits another, as they can be labelled abnormal.
Hearing voices is accepted in some cultures, but in others is seen as highly abnormal.
Failure to function adequately
Unable to cope with ordinary demands to day to day living.
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) proposed signs:
- No longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules – E.g. Eye contact, personal space
- Severe personal distress
- Behaviour is irrational/ dangerous to themselves or others
, E.g. IDD, one criteria is stat infrequency of a low IQ, but they also need to be failing to function to get
a diagnosis.
AO3
+++ Patient's perspective. Includes the subjective experience of the patient. It is difficult to measure
distress, but this definition acknowledges the experience of the patient as being important
---- Subjective judgements. Someone has to judge whether someone is distressed or not which is
very subjective . Some may express they are distressed but viewed as not suffering. There are
methods to make it as objective as possible such as the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. But
someone has to make the correct judgement.
Deviation from ideal mental health
Not meeting the criteria for good mental health
Jahoda (1958) suggested good mental health was the following:
- No distress
- Rational and have accurate self-perception
- Self-actualise (reach potential)
- Cope with stress
- Realistic view of the world
- Good self-esteem and lack guilt
- Independent
- Successfully work, love and enjoy leisure
Overlap between this and failure to function as explanations.
AO3
+ Comprehensive. Covers a broad range of criteria for mental health, most reasons as to why
someone would seek help for their mental health. Therefore, it is a good tool for thinking about ideal
mental health standards
---- Cultural relativism. Specific to western culture. Self-actualisation may be perceived as self-
indulgent because there is emphasis on the individual and not family and community. Parts of the
world would see independence as a bad thing. Its specific to individualist cultures.
Phobias
DSM-5
Specific phobia – object, animal or body part. Can be a situation such as flying or having an infection.
Social anxiety – Social situations, using public toilets, public speaking
Agoraphobia – Phobia of being outside or in a public place
Behavioural characteristics
Panic – Crying, screaming, running away. Children may freeze, cling or throw a tantrum
Avoidance – Conscious effort to avoid encountering phobic stimulus. Can interfere with daily life
Endurance – Remains in presence but has very high levels of anxiety.
