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Summary Psychopathology A level revision notes
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Very detailed A level revision notes for psychopathology AQA psychology
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PsychopathologyDefinitions of abnormality –
1. Statistical infrequency
= a person’s trait/thinking/behaviour is classified as abnormal if it’s
rare/statistically unusual. Any unusual behaviour will be more than 2 standard
deviations from the mean, it’ll be found in less than 5% of the population.
With this definition – it’s necessary to be clear about how rare a
trait/behaviour needs to be before it’s classed as ‘abnormal’. E.g., one may
say that an individual who has an IQ below or above the average level of IQ
in society is abnormal.
If anxiety is considered & is assessed by Speilberger’s state-trait anxiety
inventory (measure of trait & state anxiety), the mean score for anxiety is only
40. Only 2% of the population will get a score higher than 55 – this 2% could
be regarded as abnormal as their scores differ from the majority.
Scores above/below the majority are
classed as abnormal & this can be seen
in a normal distribution curve.
AO3
However, this definition fails to distinguish
between desirable & undesirable
behaviour. Statistically speaking, many AO3
very gifted individuals could be classed However, there can be issues in
as ‘abnormal’ using this definition but determining rare/not rare. It’s thought
use of term ‘abnormal’ wouldn’t be that some disorders appear rare in
appropriate in this context. culture simply because they’re not
recorded. E.g. Cohen believes that few
Having rare behaviours/characteristics mental illnesses are reported in India as
don’t immediately cause someone to it’s seen as a curse so sufferers are
be abnormal ( e.g. left handedness). looked down upon. Similarly, Rack
Some characteristics are regarded as believes figures for those with
abnormal even though they’re quite depression is higher than they currently
frequent. Depression may affect 27% of suggest. Asians tend to report physical
elderly – making it common but that illness but mental illness is dealt within
doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem. family to avoid stigmatism.
, AO3
However, in 1994 Kessler et al reported that 48% of
Americans had suffered a period of mental illness.
Using the statistical infrequency definition, it won’t
be long before the figure reaches & exceeds 50%
- meaning those without mental illness are in a
minority & using this definition, are abnormal.
2. Deviation from social norms
= abnormality explains a behaviour which deviates from the norm within
society & is therefore considered different (& abnormal)
Every society has commonly accepted standards of behaviour – sometimes
are written & in the set of laws that govern behaviour but sometimes are
unwritten but still generally accepted (e.g. British have habit of queuing).
Social standards/norms aren’t restricted to just etiquette but also relate to
more serious moral issues (e.g. what’s acceptable in our sexual behaviour –
our culture allows consensual, adult sex between members of same-sex but
not all countries do)
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However, behaviours that deviate from However, social norms vary overtime.
social norms isn’t always sign of E.g. homosexuality was included in the
psychopathology. E.g. eccentricity might American classification system for
involve avoiding cracks in pavements but psychiatric disorders until the 1960s.
this may not be form of psychopathology – Since, attitudes have changed &
they might just believe in superstitions. Or homosexuality isn’t seen as a form of
seeing someone dressed up in a costume psychopathology. Therefore this
on the streets would look like deviation from means DSN doesn’t provide an
social norms but when you find out they’re absolute definition of abnormality & is
taking part in charity walk, it’s not era-dependant.
abnormal. This emphasises the importance
of taking context of behaviour into
account. AO3
However, there’s the issue of cultural
relativity – idea that some aspects of
AO3 psychology vary from culture to
However, if we define mental illness in terms culture, which is a key issue in relation
of deviation from social norms, we open the to the DSN definition. Social norms by
door to definitions based on the current their definition are specific to a
status quo; this then allows mental health particular culture/society. So a
professionals to classify the mentally ill as behaviour seen as a deviation in 1
people who go against social attitudes & society may appear quite acceptable
conventions. Szasz claimed that the in another. E.g. walking around city in
concept of mental illness was simply a way UK naked would be deviation from
to include non-conformists & a tool used by social norms but walking around the
the upper classes to control the working Amazonian Rainforest naked wouldn’t
class. be considered as a deviation.
, 3. Failure to function adequately
Under this definition, a person is considered abnormal if they’re unable to
cope with the demands of everyday life; when they fail to function
adequately. This may be a lack of hygiene, poor nutrition, unable to work or
cannot maintain a relationship.
Rosenhan & Seligman put forward a list of criteria to define failure to function
adequately;
• The person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules, they
violate moral/social standards (such as eye contact/personal space)
• They experience severe distress
• Their behaviour is irrational & seems to serve no purpose
• They indulge in maladaptive behaviours (=behaviours dangerous to
them)
• People observing the individual feels uncomfortable watching them
• Their behaviour is unpredictable
To assess how people cope – clinicians use the Global Assessment of
Functioning Scale (GAF)
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However, this definition is dependent on However, holding down a job &
context – some political prisoners go on supporting your family may not always
hunger strikes. Although starving yourself be possible & high unemployment rates
is irrational & maladaptive, in this can prevent this. Therefore, this can be
instance it’s understandable. due to the state of economy rather than
the individual.
AO3
However, what’s classed as irrational in AO3
some cultures isn’t in others. E.g. going Positive – this definition provides an easy
for a ‘walk about’ naked for Aborigine to follow checklist & the GAF is scored
people is part of their culture but for us, on a sliding scale that allows clinicians
to walk around in the Australian bush to determine the degree of an
would be maladaptive/irrational. individual’s issues.
AO3
However, there’re instances when an AO3
individual doesn’t fail to function However, many people engage in
adequately in their everyday life & yet behaviour that is maladaptive/harmful
behaves very differently in other or threatening to self but we don’t class
circumstances. E.g. Harold shipman, a them as abnormal. E.g. adrenaline
GP who murdered over 200 patients – sports, smoking/drinking alcohol,
he was a psychopath, yet he skipping classes.
maintained a good job & had a family.
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