Psychopathology

Psychopathology

Psycho means ‘mind’ and pathology means ‘disease. So essentially, a disease of the mind .

Social Norm

An unwritten rule made by society that everyone is expected to follow.

What does it mean to deviate from social norms?

-Behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society.

-Going against the unwritten rules of society

Normal distribution

A symmetrical spread of frequency data that forms a bell-shaped pattern. The mean, median and mode are all located at the highest peak.

Statistical deviation

Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic.

If it is statistically unusual, then it is classed as abnormal.

Failure to function adequately

When an individual is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living, such as basic nutrition, hygiene and social interactions.

What did Rosenhan and Seligman propose, to determine when someone is not coping.

-No longer conforming to standard interpersonal rules, such as maintaining eye contact, and respecting personal space.

-Experiencing severe personal distress

-Irrational behaviour that is dangerous to themselves or others

Deviation from ideal mental health

Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health, as outlined by Jahoda

What was Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health? (IS SPAM good?)

-Integration

-Self esteem

-Self actualisation

-Perception of reality

-Autonomy

-Mastery of the environment

What is the explanation for integration? (Jahoda’s criteria)

We can cope with stress appropriately and effectively.

What is the explanation for self-esteem?(Jahoda’s criteria)

We have good self-esteem and don’t feel guilty.

What is the explanation for self actualisation?(Jahoda’s criteria)

We can reach or are striving to reach our potential.

What is the explanation of perception of reality? (Jahoda’s criteria)

We have an accurate, realistic view of the work, and don’t search for negatives.

What is the explanation of autonomy? (Jahoda’s criteria)

We are independent of others, and self-sufficient.

What is the explanation for mastery of the environment?(Jahoda’s criteria)

We can successfully work, maintain relationships, and take part in hobbies/activities.

Phobia

An irrational response to an object, place or situation, that includes feelings of excessive fear and anxiety. The reaction is disproportionate to the threat of the phobic stimulus.

what are the 3 types of characteristics of phobias?

-behavioural (how someone might act)

-emotional (how someone might feel)

-cognitive (how someone might think)

what are the types of behavioural characteristics (within the characteristics of phobias)?

avoidance, endurance and panic

what is avoidance? (behavioural characteristics of phobias)

Unless making an effort to tackle their fear, people with phobias tend to do anything they can to avoid their phobia. This can make it hard to go about daily life, i.e. avoiding public toilets.

what is endurance? (behavioural characteristics of phobias)

If a phobia can't be avoided, the individual might have to endure it. Someone might face their phobia but experiences high levels of anxiety.

what is panic? (behavioural characteristics of phobias)

someone with a phobia might panic in response to seeing their phobia. This might include crying, screaming or trying to escape.

Children might react differently by freezing or clinging to someone.

what are the three types of emotional characteristics? (characteristics of phobias)

unreasonable, fear, and anxiety

what is unreasonable? (emotional characteristics of phobias)

the emotional responses we experience in relation to phobias aren't reasonable or ogical. For example, being scared of a tiny spider is unreasonable because it is disproportionate to the danger posed (i.e. no danger at all).

what is fear? (emotional characteristics of phobias)

someone with a phobia will immediately feel extremely unpleasant responses when presented with their stimulus such as being frightened. Fear is short-term.

what is anxiety ? (emotional characteristics of phobias)

phobias are classed as anxiety disorders. The individual might experience high levels of arousal, making it difficult to experience any positive emotions.

Anxiety is long-term.

what are the cognitive characteristics? (characteristics of phobias)

selective attention, irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions

what is selective attention ? (cognitive characteristics of phobias)

if the individual can see the phobic stimulus, they find it hard to look away because they think they have the best chance of escaping if it suddenly poses a large threat.

what is irrational beliefs ? (cognitive characteristics of phobias)

someone with a phobia might have irrational beliefs.

For example, someone with social phobias think that "If I blush people will think I'm weak". Someone with a phobia of spiders will think a tiny spider could kill them.

what is cognitive distortions ? (cognitive characteristics of phobias)

the perception of a phobic stimulus might be distorted. For example, someone with a phobia of snakes will see them as aggressive and ugly.