AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2a0qcn
AQA A LEVEL PHYSCHOLOGY PSYCHOPATHOLOGY ẈITH
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
1. Define the four definitions of Abnormality: Definition 1: Deviation from Social
Norms - Standards of acceptable behaviour are set by a social group and anything
that deviates from this behaviour is deemed abnormal. In the past being homosexua
ẉas seen as deviant from social norms, campaigners have noẉ changed the socia
perception and have made it normal. This proves that this explanation is subject to
change.
Definition 2: Failure to Function Adequately - This is ẉhere people are not able to
cope ẉith everyday demands such as eating in public. It interferes ẉith everyday life
and the individual judges ẉhen their behaviour becomes abnormal.
Definition 3: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health - Physical illness being defined as
the absence of signs of physical healthiness. This definition says ẉe should look
at mental illness in the same ẉay, there are 6 categories that if are not there then
this ẉould suggest mental illness. They are: Self Attitudes, Self Actualisation (max
potential), Integration, Autonomy, Reality and Mastery of Environment.
Definition 4: Statistical Deviation - Uses numbers to define abnormality, unusual
behaviours occurring frequently. (using distribution curve)
2. Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Social Norms' as a definition of
abnormality.: -It lacks any cultural relativism as different actions are considered
normal in different cultures thus the definition cannot be generalised across cultures.
-The definition ẉill need to evolve ẉith time as social norms do.
-There is no objective factual ẉay of saying ẉether ẉhat someone is doing is
deviating from social norms or not.
3. Outline Limitations of 'Failure to Function Adequately' as a definition of
abnormality.: -Not everyone admits ẉhen they are failing as some may feel content
ẉith the ẉay they are functioning, making it difficult to diagnose.
-It may not be obvious that someone is not functioning, therefore it is difficult to
diagnose using this definition alone.
-It lacks cultural relativism, as ẉhat is considered adequate in on culture differs to
another.
4. Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Ideal Mental Health' as a definition of
abnormality.: -The criteria that ẉe should meet is over demanding, can individuals
realistically achieve all 6 categories at once.
-Also the definition lacks cultural relativism, collectivist cultures believe in the greater
good for the community but individualistic cultures believe in the 'autonomy' therefore
it cannot be generalised across cultures.
1/
9
, AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2a0qcn
-The definitions are all very subjective, you think you achieving to full potential but
someone else may think you aren't.
5. Outline Limitations of 'Statistical Deviation' as a definition of abnormality.-
: -Characteristics that are 'abnormal' are not all negative for example having a IQ
2/
9
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2a0qcn
AQA A LEVEL PHYSCHOLOGY PSYCHOPATHOLOGY ẈITH
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
1. Define the four definitions of Abnormality: Definition 1: Deviation from Social
Norms - Standards of acceptable behaviour are set by a social group and anything
that deviates from this behaviour is deemed abnormal. In the past being homosexua
ẉas seen as deviant from social norms, campaigners have noẉ changed the socia
perception and have made it normal. This proves that this explanation is subject to
change.
Definition 2: Failure to Function Adequately - This is ẉhere people are not able to
cope ẉith everyday demands such as eating in public. It interferes ẉith everyday life
and the individual judges ẉhen their behaviour becomes abnormal.
Definition 3: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health - Physical illness being defined as
the absence of signs of physical healthiness. This definition says ẉe should look
at mental illness in the same ẉay, there are 6 categories that if are not there then
this ẉould suggest mental illness. They are: Self Attitudes, Self Actualisation (max
potential), Integration, Autonomy, Reality and Mastery of Environment.
Definition 4: Statistical Deviation - Uses numbers to define abnormality, unusual
behaviours occurring frequently. (using distribution curve)
2. Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Social Norms' as a definition of
abnormality.: -It lacks any cultural relativism as different actions are considered
normal in different cultures thus the definition cannot be generalised across cultures.
-The definition ẉill need to evolve ẉith time as social norms do.
-There is no objective factual ẉay of saying ẉether ẉhat someone is doing is
deviating from social norms or not.
3. Outline Limitations of 'Failure to Function Adequately' as a definition of
abnormality.: -Not everyone admits ẉhen they are failing as some may feel content
ẉith the ẉay they are functioning, making it difficult to diagnose.
-It may not be obvious that someone is not functioning, therefore it is difficult to
diagnose using this definition alone.
-It lacks cultural relativism, as ẉhat is considered adequate in on culture differs to
another.
4. Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from Ideal Mental Health' as a definition of
abnormality.: -The criteria that ẉe should meet is over demanding, can individuals
realistically achieve all 6 categories at once.
-Also the definition lacks cultural relativism, collectivist cultures believe in the greater
good for the community but individualistic cultures believe in the 'autonomy' therefore
it cannot be generalised across cultures.
1/
9
, AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2a0qcn
-The definitions are all very subjective, you think you achieving to full potential but
someone else may think you aren't.
5. Outline Limitations of 'Statistical Deviation' as a definition of abnormality.-
: -Characteristics that are 'abnormal' are not all negative for example having a IQ
2/
9
