Definitions of Abnormality and Mental Disorders in Psychology

This page provides an in-depth overview of the various definitions of abnormality used in A Level Psychology Paper 1 Psychopathology. It explores four key approaches to understanding what constitutes abnormal behavior or mental health issues.

Statistical Infrequency is a quantitative method that uses a normal distribution curve to identify abnormal behaviors. Behaviors falling outside the middle 95% of the population are considered abnormal.

Example: Having children before age 20 or after 40 is statistically infrequent and thus considered "abnormal" by this definition.

Deviation from Social Norms focuses on behaviors that don't conform to society's expectations.

Example: A person walking down a busy street dressed as a clown might be considered abnormal in many contexts.

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health, proposed by Jahoda, suggests treating mental health similarly to physical health. It outlines six criteria for ideal mental health, including self-actualization and accurate perception of reality.

Highlight: The absence of these criteria may indicate abnormality or potential mental disorders.

Failure to Function Adequately refers to an individual's inability to perform daily tasks or cope with life's demands.

Definition: Functioning refers to day-to-day activities such as eating, dressing, and working.

The page also discusses the characteristics of specific disorders:

Phobias are characterized by:

• Emotional aspects: excessive or unreasonable fear
• Cognitive aspects: irrational thinking and resistance to rational arguments
• Behavioral aspects: avoidance of feared stimuli

Depression involves:

• Emotional symptoms: sadness, loss of interest in activities
• Cognitive symptoms: negative self-perception, pessimistic worldview
• Behavioral symptoms: changes in sleep and appetite patterns

Vocabulary: Cognitive biases - Distorted patterns of thinking that can contribute to mental health issues.

The page concludes with explanations for these disorders:

Behavioral Explanation: Uses the two-process model (initiation and maintenance) involving classical and operant conditioning.

Cognitive Explanation: Employs Ellis's ABC model and Beck's negative triad to explain how thoughts influence emotions and behavior.

Quote: "The likelihood of behavior being repeated is increased if the outcome is rewarding."

This comprehensive overview provides students with a solid foundation for understanding AQA A Level Psychology Psychopathology concepts and prepares them for exam questions on definitions of abnormality and characteristics of mental disorders.