The Study of Abnormal Behaviour Psychopathology Psychopathology Definitions
The Study of Abnormal Behaviour Psychopathology
Psychopathology Definitions of Abnormality
Could each person here be considered to be abnormal?
Tell me… What was the highlight of your summer? Where do you live? What school did you go to? Why have you chosen Psychology? What do you want to do after college?
Could each person here be considered to be abnormal?
Creative but cursed?
Psychological Abnormality How might you define abnormality? Can you think of the names of any psychological / psychiatric disorders? What do you think might cause these disorders? How can they be explained? Can they be treated? Is ‘abnormality’ necessarily a bad thing?
What the specification says…
Draw out this table Case A B C D E Is this person’s behaviour abnormal? Does this person need treatment?
Case Studies Mr Smith has always lived in an isolated cottage. He has 6 dogs which he looks after. He never goes out of the cottage unless absolutely necessary, and has no friends or visitors Is this person’s behaviour abnormal? Does this person need treatment for his/her problems? 1 -stongly agree 2 -moderately agree 3 -neither 4 -moderately disagree 5 -stongly disagree
Case Studies Mrs Jarvis, who was born in Jamaica, is a follower of the Pentecostal Church and believes that on occasions she is possessed by spirits which make her ‘speak in tongues’. Is this person’s behaviour abnormal? Does this person need treatment for his/her problems? 1 -stongly agree 2 -moderately agree 3 -neither 4 -moderately disagree 5 -stongly disagree
Case Studies Mr Jones was arrested for shoplifting two weeks ago. He blamed the tablets (Valium) that he has been taking for the last 5 years but had recently discontinued. Is this person’s behaviour abnormal? Does this person need treatment for his/her problems? 1 -stongly agree 2 -moderately agree 3 -neither 4 -moderately disagree 5 -stongly disagree
Case Studies Mrs Lee is a housewife who spends nearly every day at home keeping the house ‘spick and span’. Her husband returned home from night work early one night last week and found her dusting at 2 a. m. Is this person’s behaviour abnormal? Does this person need treatment for his/her problems? 1 -stongly agree 2 -moderately agree 3 -neither 4 -moderately disagree 5 -stongly disagree
Case Studies Mabel is a 6 year old girl who is extremely shy and seldom speaks. She becomes very upset if her parents alter her playroom furniture. Is this person’s behaviour abnormal? Does this person need treatment for his/her problems? 1 -stongly agree 2 -moderately agree 3 -neither 4 -moderately disagree 5 -stongly disagree
Think, pair, share… Were you all in agreement? What does this tell us about abnormality? Is it easy to define who is abnormal and who is not? What problems does this have for accessing treatment (if needed)?
Problems Defining Abnormality ‘Being Sane in Insane Places’ (Rosenhan, 1973) ‘Normal’ people present at psychiatric hospitals complaining of hearing voices All were admitted with the diagnosis ‘schizophrenia’ It took between 7 -52 days for them to convince staff they were well enough to be discharged Follow up: Hospitals told to expect ‘fake’ patients. None were actually sent Genuine psychiatric patients were turned away as suspected impostors.
“To study the abnormal is the best way to understand the normal” William James (1890)
Definitions of Abnormality Deviation from social norms
Social norms Answer the following questions in small groups on the big boards: What is a social norm? What social norms do we have in this country? 3. Think of some examples of a deviation from social norms in this country 1. 2.
Definition of Abnormality Deviation from Social Norms Each society has social norms, unwritten rules for acceptable behaviour, for example not being naked in public. So abnormal behaviour is behaviour that goes against these social norms (deviation from social norms). Definition: “Behaviour violating accepted social rules”
Social Norms 2. What social norms do we have in this country? 3. Think of some other examples that would be considered an abnormality in this country
Evaluations: Deviation from Social Norms What are the strengths of this approach? How can it be criticised?
Abnormal? Deviation? Aisha has had a lucky teddy since primary school. She has always performed well in school assessments and formal examinations and attributes her success to her lucky teddy. Now she is off to university and is taking her teddy with her, to lectures, the library, he’ll sit at her desk when completing essays and hide in her bag during formal exams. She will not do a test without it, for fear of having a panic attack. What aspects of Aisha’s behaviour might be considered a deviation from social norms?
Evaluation – why is this an issue? https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=r. Bwrx. FUl. Ghg
Evaluation – why is this an issue? In 1895 Oscar Wilde was jailed for two years for homosexuality, which was illegal at the time. Homosexuality was classified as abnormal and regarded as a mental disorder. In 1967 the sexual offences bill decriminalised homosexual acts in the UK but it wasn’t until 1990 that the US removed it form the mental disorders classification system. What does this show us about using deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
Is ‘Cultural Relativism’ an issue? The Kayan people live on the mountain border between Burma and Thailand. From the age of 5 women wear a brass coil that increases in size as they age. Over the years this coil presses on the clavicle resulting in the appearance of a long neck, a sign held in great esteem by the tribe. https: //www. youtube. co m/watch? v=0 FME 1 At 3 vm. I
Is ‘Cultural Relativism’ an issue? https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=7 URY 1 ka. NJFo
What does this tell us? It is OK to wear swimming costumes at the pool and beach but not to go shopping?
Evaluation Deviation from social norms Norms change depending on context / situation Norms change between age groups Norms change over time Norms differ between cultures Some behaviour that differs form social norms is not abnormal or dangerous just eccentric.
Evaluation – P. E. S How to write a good evaluation! The ‘PES’ structure: Point, Explain/Evidence, So what? P: One limitation of the deviation from social norms definition is that social norms change over time. E: For example, it used to be the norm for people to smoke in public places however this has now changed. S: This means using deviation from social norms as a way of defining abnormality is problematic as it may lead to inaccurate labelling of abnormality.
Evaluation Deviation from social norms Norms change depending on context / situation Norms change between age groups Norms change over time Norms differ between cultures Some behaviour that differs form social norms is not abnormal or dangerous just eccentric. Above are 5 evaluation points (The ‘P’ from PES). Have a go at expanding these points (The ‘E’ ‘S’ bits) [Explain, Evidence, So What? ]
Exam practice Definitions of Abnormality Outline one definition of abnormality (2 marks) - What does outline mean? - Which definition of abnormality are you going to write about? - How much should you write for 2 marks? 1.
Exam practice Definitions of Abnormality Discuss deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality (6 marks) Discuss = Outline and Evaluate 6 marks = 6 minutes (Half a page? )
Recap - Deviation from Social Norms On your mini-whiteboard Define ‘Deviation from Social Norms’ as a definition of abnormality Come up with 4 bullet point summary evaluations for this definition
Deviation from Social Norms “Behaviour violating accepted social rules” Norms change depending on context / situation Norms change between age groups Norms change over time Norms differ between cultures ‘Individualism’ Some behaviour that differs form social norms is not abnormal or dangerous just eccentric.
Statistical Infrequency
Definitions of Abnormality What is a ‘normal distribution curve’? [Also known as a ‘bell-shaped curve’? ] Draw one How might this be useful for defining abnormality?
Statistical Infrequency Behaviours that are ‘abnormal’ are statistically rare
Statistical Infrequency - IQ Anyone that falls outside the ‘normal distribution’ (2 standard deviation points from the mean, usually comprising 5% of the population) is considered abnormal.
Apply it!
Statistical Infrequency What are the problems of defining abnormality this way?
Statistical Infrequency - Evaluations Strengths: An objective way of establishing a cut off point An appropriate measure for behaviour that falls within a normal distribution e. g. IQ Limitations: Not all statistically rare behaviour is undesirable – e. g. a high IQ is ‘abnormal’ but desirable Where do you draw the line? Cultural factors can affect what is statistically normal
Definitions of Abnormality Failure to Function Adequately
Failure to Function Adequately Think, Pair, Share: Without using the words of the definition, how might you define this explanation of abnormality?
Failure to Function Adequately Individuals are abnormal when their behaviour suggests that they cannot cope with everyday life Like disrupting the ability to get up, maintain hygiene, go to work, conduct social relationships
Failure to Function Adequately Definition focuses on individual suffering – draws attention to the personal experiences associated with mental disorders Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggest that personal dysfunction has seven features. The more the individual has the more they are classed as abnormal.
Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) Match the Feature to the Description – they are in the wrong order Features of Personal Dysfunction Descriptions of features Personal Distress Displaying non-standard behaviours Maladaptive Behaviour Displaying behaviours that cannot be explained in a rational way Unpredictability Displaying behaviour violating society’s moral standards Irrationality Displaying unexpected behaviours characterised by loss of control Observer discomfort A key feature of abnormality – manifest in most psychiatric disorders Violation of moral standards Behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals Unconventionality Displaying behaviour causing discomfort to others
Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) Features of Personal Dysfunction Descriptions of features Personal Distress A key feature of abnormality – manifest in most psychiatric disorders Maladaptive Behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals Unpredictability Displaying unexpected behaviours characterised by loss of control Irrationality Displaying behaviours that cannot be explained in a rational way Observer discomfort Displaying behaviour causing discomfort to others Violation of moral standards Displaying behaviour violating society’s moral standards Unconventionality Displaying non-standard behaviours
Global Assessment of Functioning Scale [GAF]
Global Assessment of Functioning Scale [GAF]
Failure to Function Adequately Evaluations What are the strengths and limitations of this definition of abnormality? Look at the pictures and write down what you think this is saying is a problem with this definition
Failure to Function Adequately Evaluations Harold Shipman Hannibal Lector
Failure to Function Adequately Evaluations
Failure to Function Adequately Evaluations
Failure to Function Adequately Evaluations Limitations Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction Sometimes failure to function is normal and healthy – e. g. grief, teenagers bedroom… Cultural differences – what is normal functioning in one culture may not be in another
Failure to Function Adequately Evaluations Strengths Recognises personal perspective Assesses degree of abnormality (GAF) Focuses on observable behaviours with accompanying checklist
Develop an evaluation Take one evaluation point for FFA and develop it using the PES model – Point, Explain, So What?
Match evaluations from left to right
FFA - Evaluations
FFA - Evaluations
Recap Task Define either Failure to Function Adequately or Statistical Infrequency You can’t use any of the words above in your definition Think of one strength of this definition Think of one weakness of this definition
Deviation from ideal mental health If you found yourself washed up on a desert island – what would be your priorities?
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Deviation from ideal mental health Johodas’ six mental health criteria • • • Positive Self-attitudes Focus on the future and self-actualisation Resistance to Stress Autonomy Perception of reality Adapting to the environment
Research task In groups of six: 1. Use the contents page to find the topic psychopathology 2. Within the section look for the definitions of abnormality – find Deviation from ideal health 3. Find the appropriate criteria and make a brief note of what it means – then explain it to the rest of your group 4. Jot down other explanations in your group so you have a brief note on all
Deviation from ideal mental health Johodas’ six mental health criteria • • • Positive Self-attitudes • We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately Focus on the future and self-actualisation • We reach our potential Resistance to Stress • We can cope with stress and have no symptoms of distress Autonomy • We are independent of other people Perception of reality • We have a realistic view of the world Adapting to the environment • We have the flexibility to cope with changing life circumstances
DIMH - Evaluations How would you evaluate this definition?
DIMH - Strengths Positivity – takes a positive approach to defining normality. Treatment – allows people to identify and focus on a specific problem – including creating goals to achieve.
DIMH - Limitations The difficulty of self-actualising - In reality, self- actualisation is rare with very few people achieving their full potential. Cultural issues – Johoda’s ideas are based on western ideals of self-actualisation with a central focus on individual achievement. In non-western cultures, seeking to achieve your potential is not seen as important. “Fisherman anecdote” Possible benefits of stress - In relation to the resistance to stress criterion, it might be that some people work most effectively in stressful situations.
Learning Check! 1. The following are different definitions of abnormality. a) Failure to function adequately b) Statistical infrequency c) Deviation from ideal mental health d) Deviation from social norms In the table below write down which definition A, B, C, or D matches each example. Definition of abnormality Example of Definition The behaviour is very different from the behaviour shown by most people in the population The behaviour prevents the person from achieving self actualisation or personal autonomy The behaviour means that the person cannot cope with everyday activities 2. Select one of the definitions and explain one limitation of this definition. (2 marks)
Ruby – A Case Study Read the case study and jot down your thoughts What do others think?
2. Apply it!
Apply it! Think of a celebrity who’s behaviour may be considered “abnormal”. Consider how the three definitions of abnormality you have learnt would consider their behaviour.
Homework Complete a summary of the 4 definitions of abnormality Include an example and evaluations Hand-in next THURSDAY 07 th Oct! Definition Deviation from Social Norms… Example Evaluations
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