AO3 Points: Paper 1 Psychopathology
Definitions of Abnormality
Statistical + -
Infrequency
Useful in clinical practice Not all rare behaviours are abnormal
Diagnosing Intellectual Disability Disorder needs IQ <70 IQ of 130+ isn’t abnormal
Beck’s Depression Inventory need to be in top 5% of scores to Statistical infrequency definition can only form part of a
receive diagnosis of severe depression diagnostic procedure, it’s not enough to define abnormality
sufficiently
Deviation from + -
Social Norms
Used in clinical practice Culture-bound
Defining behaviours in antisocial personality disorder (deviating Variability between social norms in different cultures + situations
from moral values of a culture) - aggression, violation of others, makes this definition not reliable
failure to conform to ethical behaviour Hearing voices - abnormal in UK but normal in other cultures as
Diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder messages from deceased relatives
= value in psychiatry Deceitfulness is not socially accepted in family, but is less
frowned upon in business
= difficult to judge across cultures
Failure to Function + -
Adequately
Represents a sensible threshold for professional help Easy to label non-standard lifestyles as abnormal
Most have symptoms of a mental disorder at some point, MIND Not having a job or permanent address - living off grid
UK, says 25% in UK will experience mental health problems dangerous/irrational - enjoy high-risk leisure activities
But most carry on despite severe symptoms, at the point where = risk label of abnormal, restrict freedom of choice
they cease to function adequately - professional help
= treatment targeted to those who need it most
Deviation from + -
Ideal Mental Health
Jahoda’s criteria is comprehensive Culture-bound
Range of criteria, covers most reasons why we seek help, Not applicable everywhere - self-actualisation is a very western
Definitions of Abnormality
Statistical + -
Infrequency
Useful in clinical practice Not all rare behaviours are abnormal
Diagnosing Intellectual Disability Disorder needs IQ <70 IQ of 130+ isn’t abnormal
Beck’s Depression Inventory need to be in top 5% of scores to Statistical infrequency definition can only form part of a
receive diagnosis of severe depression diagnostic procedure, it’s not enough to define abnormality
sufficiently
Deviation from + -
Social Norms
Used in clinical practice Culture-bound
Defining behaviours in antisocial personality disorder (deviating Variability between social norms in different cultures + situations
from moral values of a culture) - aggression, violation of others, makes this definition not reliable
failure to conform to ethical behaviour Hearing voices - abnormal in UK but normal in other cultures as
Diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder messages from deceased relatives
= value in psychiatry Deceitfulness is not socially accepted in family, but is less
frowned upon in business
= difficult to judge across cultures
Failure to Function + -
Adequately
Represents a sensible threshold for professional help Easy to label non-standard lifestyles as abnormal
Most have symptoms of a mental disorder at some point, MIND Not having a job or permanent address - living off grid
UK, says 25% in UK will experience mental health problems dangerous/irrational - enjoy high-risk leisure activities
But most carry on despite severe symptoms, at the point where = risk label of abnormal, restrict freedom of choice
they cease to function adequately - professional help
= treatment targeted to those who need it most
Deviation from + -
Ideal Mental Health
Jahoda’s criteria is comprehensive Culture-bound
Range of criteria, covers most reasons why we seek help, Not applicable everywhere - self-actualisation is a very western
