3/24/25, 7:47 AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology Flashcards |
AM
AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
Terms in this set (23)
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 homosexual was seen as deviant from social norms,
campaigners have now changed the social perception and have made it normal. This
proves that this explanation is subject to change.
Definition 2: Failure to Function Adequately - This is where people are not able to
cope with everyday demands such as eating in public. It interferes with everyday life
Define the four definitions of Abnormality and the individual judges when 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 we should look
at mental illness in the same way, there are 6 categories that if are not there then
this would 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)
-It lacks any cultural relativism as different actions are considered normal in
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from different cultures thus the definition cannot be generalised across cultures.
Social Norms' as a definition of -The definition will need to evolve with time as social norms do.
abnormality. -There is no objective factual way of saying wether what someone is doing is
deviating from social norms or not.
-Not everyone admits when they are failing as some may feel content with the way
they are functioning, making it difficult to diagnose.
Outline Limitations of 'Failure to Function -It may not be obvious that someone is not functioning, therefore it is difficult to
Adequately' as a definition of abnormality. diagnose using this definition alone.
-It lacks cultural relativism, as what is considered adequate in on culture differs to
another.
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, 3/24/25, 7:47 AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology Flashcards |
AM
-The criteria that we should meet is over demanding, can individuals realistically
achieve all 6 categories at once.
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from -Also the definition lacks cultural relativism, collectivist cultures believe in the greater
Ideal Mental Health' as a definition of good for the community but individualistic cultures believe in the 'autonomy'
abnormality. therefore it cannot be generalised across cultures.
-The definitions are all very subjective, you think you achieving to full potential but
someone else may think you aren't.
-Characteristics that are 'abnormal' are not all negative for example having a IQ
Outline Limitations of 'Statistical Deviation' would make you technically abnormal but you wouldn't want to treat it.
as a definition of abnormality. -If someone is happy and content with their life then there is no point in labelling
them abnormal just because the don't fit in with everyone else's statistics.
Behavioural
Panic, in response to a stimulus people may freeze of scream and run away.
Avoidance, people will often avoid facing their fears which can make it difficult to go
out and about.
Endurance, the opposite of avoidance where the sufferer takes it and endures it.
Emotional
Anxiety, phobias are classified as anxiety disorders, this prevents relaxation and
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and makes it difficult to feel positive emotions.
Cognitive characteristics for Phobias Unreasonable emotional responses, the emotional response we have is much to over
the top of what is reasonable and is disproportional to the danger.
Cognitive
Selective attention, people with a phobia may not be able to take their eyes off the
stimulus if close by, this can interfere with their everyday life.
Irrational beliefs, the person may feel that if they show they have a phobia of
something they may look weak.
Cognitive distortions, the persons perceptions of the stimulus will be distorted.
Behavioural
Activity levels, levels of activity are bought down and many people become
lethargic, meaning they will withdraw from work and social life.
Disruption to sleep and eating, suffers can experience insomnia or hypersomnia,
along with this their appetite can fluctuate.
Self-harm, depression can lead to increased violence to themselves and others.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Emotional
Cognitive characteristics for Depression Lowered mood, the clinical definition of low mood is characterised by emptiness.
Anger, often experienced with sufferers of depression.
Lowered self esteem, sufferers may report of hating themsleves.
Cognitive
Poor concentration
Cognitive Bias, sufferers attend to the negative aspects of life and not the positive.
Absolutist thinking, will look at things as black and white.
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AM
AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
Terms in this set (23)
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 homosexual was seen as deviant from social norms,
campaigners have now changed the social perception and have made it normal. This
proves that this explanation is subject to change.
Definition 2: Failure to Function Adequately - This is where people are not able to
cope with everyday demands such as eating in public. It interferes with everyday life
Define the four definitions of Abnormality and the individual judges when 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 we should look
at mental illness in the same way, there are 6 categories that if are not there then
this would 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)
-It lacks any cultural relativism as different actions are considered normal in
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from different cultures thus the definition cannot be generalised across cultures.
Social Norms' as a definition of -The definition will need to evolve with time as social norms do.
abnormality. -There is no objective factual way of saying wether what someone is doing is
deviating from social norms or not.
-Not everyone admits when they are failing as some may feel content with the way
they are functioning, making it difficult to diagnose.
Outline Limitations of 'Failure to Function -It may not be obvious that someone is not functioning, therefore it is difficult to
Adequately' as a definition of abnormality. diagnose using this definition alone.
-It lacks cultural relativism, as what is considered adequate in on culture differs to
another.
1/
7
, 3/24/25, 7:47 AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology Flashcards |
AM
-The criteria that we should meet is over demanding, can individuals realistically
achieve all 6 categories at once.
Outline Limitations of 'Deviation from -Also the definition lacks cultural relativism, collectivist cultures believe in the greater
Ideal Mental Health' as a definition of good for the community but individualistic cultures believe in the 'autonomy'
abnormality. therefore it cannot be generalised across cultures.
-The definitions are all very subjective, you think you achieving to full potential but
someone else may think you aren't.
-Characteristics that are 'abnormal' are not all negative for example having a IQ
Outline Limitations of 'Statistical Deviation' would make you technically abnormal but you wouldn't want to treat it.
as a definition of abnormality. -If someone is happy and content with their life then there is no point in labelling
them abnormal just because the don't fit in with everyone else's statistics.
Behavioural
Panic, in response to a stimulus people may freeze of scream and run away.
Avoidance, people will often avoid facing their fears which can make it difficult to go
out and about.
Endurance, the opposite of avoidance where the sufferer takes it and endures it.
Emotional
Anxiety, phobias are classified as anxiety disorders, this prevents relaxation and
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and makes it difficult to feel positive emotions.
Cognitive characteristics for Phobias Unreasonable emotional responses, the emotional response we have is much to over
the top of what is reasonable and is disproportional to the danger.
Cognitive
Selective attention, people with a phobia may not be able to take their eyes off the
stimulus if close by, this can interfere with their everyday life.
Irrational beliefs, the person may feel that if they show they have a phobia of
something they may look weak.
Cognitive distortions, the persons perceptions of the stimulus will be distorted.
Behavioural
Activity levels, levels of activity are bought down and many people become
lethargic, meaning they will withdraw from work and social life.
Disruption to sleep and eating, suffers can experience insomnia or hypersomnia,
along with this their appetite can fluctuate.
Self-harm, depression can lead to increased violence to themselves and others.
Outline the Behavioural, Emotional and Emotional
Cognitive characteristics for Depression Lowered mood, the clinical definition of low mood is characterised by emptiness.
Anger, often experienced with sufferers of depression.
Lowered self esteem, sufferers may report of hating themsleves.
Cognitive
Poor concentration
Cognitive Bias, sufferers attend to the negative aspects of life and not the positive.
Absolutist thinking, will look at things as black and white.
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