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Psychopathology: Defining Abnormality

Four Definitions of Abnormality

Psychopathology studies mental disorders. Defining abnormality is complex. These four main definitions guide diagnostic considerations.

1

Deviation From Social Norms

Behavior is abnormal if it violates societal rules or expectations. Criticism: Social norms vary by culture/time; subjective.
2

Failure To Function Adequately

When an individual cannot cope with daily life demands or causes distress. Rosenhan and Seligman’s criteria include personal distress, maladaptiveness.
3

Statistical Infrequency

Behavior is abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. Limitation: Some rare behaviors may be desirable; relies on cut-off points.
4

Deviation From Ideal Mental Health

Jahoda’s criteria (e.g., self-actualization, autonomy). Mental health is defined by presence of positive traits. Idealistic and difficult to measure.

Phobias: Key Characteristics

Phobias manifest across three domains: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive responses to the phobic stimulus.

B

Behavioral

Avoidance of phobic stimulus, freezing, panic.
E

Emotional

Excessive fear, anxiety triggered by object/situation.
C

Cognitive

Irrational beliefs, recognition of excessive fear.

Characteristics of Depression

B

Behavioral

Reduced activity, disturbed sleep, appetite changes.
E

Emotional

Persistent low mood, hopelessness, loss of pleasure.
C

Cognitive

Negative thoughts, poor concentration, guilt.

Characteristics of OCD

OCD is defined by the interaction between obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety.

B

Behavioral

Repetitive compulsions such as checking or washing.
E

Emotional

Anxiety and distress.
C

Cognitive (Obsessions)

Obsessions—persistent intrusive thoughts; aware they are irrational.

Two-Process Model of Phobias

The model explains the acquisition and maintenance of phobias through classical and operant learning mechanisms.

1

Classical Conditioning (Acquisition)

Phobia learned by association between neutral stimulus and fearful event (Little Albert).
2

Operant Conditioning (Maintenance)

Avoidance behaviors are reinforced by anxiety reduction (negative reinforcement).

Phobia Treatments: SD vs. Flooding

✅
Systematic Desensitisation (SD)Uses classical conditioning to replace fear with relaxation. Involves relaxation techniques and gradual exposure to feared stimuli via hierarchy. Effective and ethical.
❌
FloodingIntense, immediate exposure to phobic stimulus without escape. Leads to extinction of fear response through exhaustion. More traumatic and less accepted.

Cognitive Models of Depression

These two models focus on how faulty thinking patterns lead to and maintain depressive symptoms.

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Beck’s Negative Triad

Negative views about self, world, and future underpin depression. These cognitive biases lead to depressive symptoms.
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Ellis’s ABC Model

A = Activating event, B = Beliefs (irrational), C = Consequences (emotional). Depression arises from irrational beliefs.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Treatment for Depression

CBT focuses on identifying and challenging irrational thoughts (cognitive restructuring). It combines cognitive and behavioral techniques. Includes homework, behavioral activation.

Biological Explanations for OCD

The biological perspective suggests that OCD is rooted in physiological and inherited factors.

DNA

Genetic Explanation

OCD runs in families; candidate genes identified related to serotonin regulation.
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Neural Explanation

Abnormalities in brain regions (e.g., basal ganglia, frontal cortex) and neurotransmitters like serotonin implicated.

OCD Treatment: Drug Therapy

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SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): Commonly prescribed to increase serotonin levels. Effective for some patients and widely used. Side effects and some require combination with therapy.

Abnormality & Psychological Disorders Deck
Term
Deviation from Social Norms

What is the "Deviation from Social Norms" definition of abnormality?

Answer
Definition

Behavior violating societal rules or expectations, considered abnormal.

Term
Criticism of Social Norms Definition

What is a criticism of defining abnormality by social norms?

Answer
Criticism

Social norms vary by culture and time, making it subjective.

Term
Failure to Function Adequately

Describe "Failure to Function Adequately."

Answer
Definition

When an individual cannot cope with daily life or causes distress.

Term
Statistical Infrequency Example

What is an example of statistical infrequency in abnormality?

Answer
Example

Intellectual disability defined by below average IQ.

Term
Jahoda's Ideal Mental Health

What is Jahoda's "Deviation from Ideal Mental Health" approach?

Answer
Definition

Defining mental health by presence of positive traits like autonomy and self-actualization.

Term
Phobias: Behavioural Characteristic

What behavioral characteristic is common in phobias?

Answer
Characteristic

Avoidance of the phobic stimulus.

Term
Depression: Emotional Symptom

What emotional symptom is key to depression?

Answer
Symptom

Persistent low mood and hopelessness.

Term
OCD: Cognitive Characteristic

Name a cognitive characteristic of OCD.

Answer
Characteristic

Obsessions—persistent intrusive thoughts recognized as irrational.

Term
Two-Process Model

What two learning processes explain phobia development in the Two-Process Model?

Answer
Processes

Classical and operant conditioning.

Term
Systematic Desensitisation

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer
Definition

Gradual exposure to feared stimuli combined with relaxation to reduce phobia.

Term
Beck’s Negative Triad

What is the main idea of Beck’s Negative Triad?

Answer
Main Idea

Negative views about self, world, and future cause depression.

Term
Ellis's ABC Model

What does Ellis's ABC model stand for?

Answer
Components

Activating event, Beliefs, Consequences.

Term
CBT Treatment

How does CBT treat depression?

Answer
Treatment

By identifying and challenging irrational thoughts and encouraging behavioral change.

Term
Biological Explanation of OCD

What does the biological explanation suggest about OCD?

Answer
Explanation

OCD is influenced by genes and brain abnormalities affecting serotonin.

Term
Role of SSRIs in OCD

What is the role of SSRIs in OCD treatment?

Answer
Role

They increase serotonin levels to reduce symptoms.

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🧠 Abnormal Psychology Quiz

1. Which definition of abnormality is based on violating societal expectations?

This approach defines abnormality by behavior that breaks social or cultural rules.

2. What is a key limitation of the statistical infrequency definition?

Not all uncommon behaviors are undesirable or abnormal.

3. Which component is NOT part of Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health?

Jahoda emphasizes positive traits, not distress, for ideal mental health.

4. In the Two-Process Model of phobias, which type of conditioning maintains the phobia?

Avoidance behavior is reinforced through anxiety reduction (negative reinforcement).

5. Beck’s Negative Triad involves negative views about all EXCEPT:

The triad focuses on self, world, and future, not environment specifically.

6. Which drug is commonly used to treat OCD by increasing serotonin levels?

SSRIs increase serotonin, which is linked to OCD symptom reduction.

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