AQA Psychology- Psychopathology Test
Questions with Accurate Solutions 2024 Update
What are the definitions of abnormality? – Answer
-Statistical Infrequency
-Deviation of social norms
-Failure to Function adequately
-Deviation from ideal mental health
What is statistical infrequency? - Answer-
Describes behavior as normal or not based on the number of times we observe it.
If the persons scores cluster around the average then they are considered 'normal' for
that category.
On either side of the average people are attain the normal distribution therefore
counting as abnormal. .
What are the positives for statistical infrequency? - Answer- Objective- A cut off point is
agreed
No value judgements- doesn't view homosexuals as abnormal because they are wrong
just because they are infrequent to heterosexuals.
Appropriate- In many cases it can define abnormality.
What are the negative points for statistical infrequency? - Answer- Inappropriate- 130+
IQ would be considered abnormal but people with high-intelligence don't need treatment
Labelling those who are living happily as abnormal if they satisfy the criteria for
statistical infrequency
Cultural factors are not considered- something that may be normal in one country may
be abnormal in another
What are deviation from social norms? - Answer- When a persons behaviour is different
from what we would expect it to be. Offends the sense of what is acceptable. As a
society makes a collective about what is right. Social norms vary by age, gender, culture
so universal norms are rare.
A person with anti-social disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive and
irresponsible. DSM-5 says that we make the social judgement that psychopaths are
abnormal because they don't conform to moral standards.
What are the characteristics of people with psychopathy? - Answer- Impulsive
Aggressive
, AQA Psychology- Psychopathology Test
Questions with Accurate Solutions 2024 Update
Irresponsible
What are the positive points for deviation from social norms? - Answer- Establishes
developmental and situational norms e.g- filling a nappy at age 2 (Normal). Walking
around naked at 40 (Abnormal)
Protects society from the effects of an individuals abnormal behaviour can have on
others
What are negative points for deviation from social norms? - Answer- Subjective- social
norms are no real and objective. Based on opinions of society. Social norms are used
control those seen as a threat to social order
Social norms change over time
Cultural relativism
What is failure to function adequately? - Answer- When a person can no longer cope
with the demands of every day life.
e.g unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition; can't hold down a job or relationship.
What are Rosenhan and Seligman's points for failure to function adequately? - Answer- -
Person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g eye contact
-Person experiences serve personal distress
-Person's behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves and/or others.
What are the positive evaluation points for failure to function adequately? - Answer-
Attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual and views it as important-
captures the experience of many people who need help. Useful criteria.
Checklist- practical checklist allows individual assessment of abnormality level.
What are the negative points for failure to function adequately? - Answer- Normal
abnormality- sometimes it is normal to suffer personal distress (after death of loved one)
Cultural relativism- varies in different cultures.
Risk of discrimination and limiting personal freedom- If taken literally, the definition sees
people who participate in extreme sports, or have religious/supernatural beliefs.
What is deviation from ideal mental health? - Answer- A picture/idea is created of what is
psychologically healthy, and then those who do not match these ideals are abnormal.
, AQA Psychology- Psychopathology Test
Questions with Accurate Solutions 2024 Update
Who created criteria for ideal mental health? - Answer- Jahoda
What are Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health? - Answer- Positive attitude towards
oneself- (Self respect and self-concept)
Self actualisation- motivated and full of potential (personal growth and development)
Autonomy- Independent, self reliant and sufficient. Able to make their own decisions.
Resisting Stress- have effective coping strategies and every day anxiety
Accurate perception of reality- perceive the world in a non-distorted manner
Environmental mastery- competence in all aspects of life; ability to meet demands of
any situation.
What are the positive points for deviation of ideal mental health? - Answer- -Focuses on
what is desirable - positive approach to mental health
-Checklist/criteria- allows targeting of which areas to work on when treating abnormality
-Holistic- considers an individual as a whole person rather than focusing on individual
areas of their behaviour.
What are the negative points for deviation of ideal mental health? - Answer- -Cultural
relativism- differs from culture to culture
-Sets high standards for mental health- even the majority of people will not meet all of
the criteria.
-Subjective- criteria is vague and difficult to measure objectively (relies on self-report_
What does the criteria for deviation of ideal mental health rely on? - Answer- Self
reports- they are subjective.
What is a phobia? - Answer- An irrational fear of an object or situation.
An anxiety disorder characterised as uncontrollable and extreme irrational and involve
anxiety levels out of proportion to any actual risk.
Where do phobias originate from? - Answer- Childhood
However they do usually lessen in strength during adulthood
What are the DSM-5 sub-types of phobias? - Answer- -Simple/Specific- phobia of
specific thing or environment: animals, injuries, situations, natural environment.
Questions with Accurate Solutions 2024 Update
What are the definitions of abnormality? – Answer
-Statistical Infrequency
-Deviation of social norms
-Failure to Function adequately
-Deviation from ideal mental health
What is statistical infrequency? - Answer-
Describes behavior as normal or not based on the number of times we observe it.
If the persons scores cluster around the average then they are considered 'normal' for
that category.
On either side of the average people are attain the normal distribution therefore
counting as abnormal. .
What are the positives for statistical infrequency? - Answer- Objective- A cut off point is
agreed
No value judgements- doesn't view homosexuals as abnormal because they are wrong
just because they are infrequent to heterosexuals.
Appropriate- In many cases it can define abnormality.
What are the negative points for statistical infrequency? - Answer- Inappropriate- 130+
IQ would be considered abnormal but people with high-intelligence don't need treatment
Labelling those who are living happily as abnormal if they satisfy the criteria for
statistical infrequency
Cultural factors are not considered- something that may be normal in one country may
be abnormal in another
What are deviation from social norms? - Answer- When a persons behaviour is different
from what we would expect it to be. Offends the sense of what is acceptable. As a
society makes a collective about what is right. Social norms vary by age, gender, culture
so universal norms are rare.
A person with anti-social disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive and
irresponsible. DSM-5 says that we make the social judgement that psychopaths are
abnormal because they don't conform to moral standards.
What are the characteristics of people with psychopathy? - Answer- Impulsive
Aggressive
, AQA Psychology- Psychopathology Test
Questions with Accurate Solutions 2024 Update
Irresponsible
What are the positive points for deviation from social norms? - Answer- Establishes
developmental and situational norms e.g- filling a nappy at age 2 (Normal). Walking
around naked at 40 (Abnormal)
Protects society from the effects of an individuals abnormal behaviour can have on
others
What are negative points for deviation from social norms? - Answer- Subjective- social
norms are no real and objective. Based on opinions of society. Social norms are used
control those seen as a threat to social order
Social norms change over time
Cultural relativism
What is failure to function adequately? - Answer- When a person can no longer cope
with the demands of every day life.
e.g unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition; can't hold down a job or relationship.
What are Rosenhan and Seligman's points for failure to function adequately? - Answer- -
Person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g eye contact
-Person experiences serve personal distress
-Person's behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves and/or others.
What are the positive evaluation points for failure to function adequately? - Answer-
Attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual and views it as important-
captures the experience of many people who need help. Useful criteria.
Checklist- practical checklist allows individual assessment of abnormality level.
What are the negative points for failure to function adequately? - Answer- Normal
abnormality- sometimes it is normal to suffer personal distress (after death of loved one)
Cultural relativism- varies in different cultures.
Risk of discrimination and limiting personal freedom- If taken literally, the definition sees
people who participate in extreme sports, or have religious/supernatural beliefs.
What is deviation from ideal mental health? - Answer- A picture/idea is created of what is
psychologically healthy, and then those who do not match these ideals are abnormal.
, AQA Psychology- Psychopathology Test
Questions with Accurate Solutions 2024 Update
Who created criteria for ideal mental health? - Answer- Jahoda
What are Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health? - Answer- Positive attitude towards
oneself- (Self respect and self-concept)
Self actualisation- motivated and full of potential (personal growth and development)
Autonomy- Independent, self reliant and sufficient. Able to make their own decisions.
Resisting Stress- have effective coping strategies and every day anxiety
Accurate perception of reality- perceive the world in a non-distorted manner
Environmental mastery- competence in all aspects of life; ability to meet demands of
any situation.
What are the positive points for deviation of ideal mental health? - Answer- -Focuses on
what is desirable - positive approach to mental health
-Checklist/criteria- allows targeting of which areas to work on when treating abnormality
-Holistic- considers an individual as a whole person rather than focusing on individual
areas of their behaviour.
What are the negative points for deviation of ideal mental health? - Answer- -Cultural
relativism- differs from culture to culture
-Sets high standards for mental health- even the majority of people will not meet all of
the criteria.
-Subjective- criteria is vague and difficult to measure objectively (relies on self-report_
What does the criteria for deviation of ideal mental health rely on? - Answer- Self
reports- they are subjective.
What is a phobia? - Answer- An irrational fear of an object or situation.
An anxiety disorder characterised as uncontrollable and extreme irrational and involve
anxiety levels out of proportion to any actual risk.
Where do phobias originate from? - Answer- Childhood
However they do usually lessen in strength during adulthood
What are the DSM-5 sub-types of phobias? - Answer- -Simple/Specific- phobia of
specific thing or environment: animals, injuries, situations, natural environment.
