Psychology Unit 2 - Abnormality Test

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DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS
Commonly accepted standards in society e.g. queuing. Regulate normal social behaviour. Differ between cultures. Deviation indicates abnormality e.g. OCD, Schizophrenia, Crying at a funny film.
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LIMITATIONS OF SOCIAL NORMS
Deviation isn't always a sign of abnormality e.g. fancy dress. They change over time e.g. homosexuality. Specific to certain cultures.
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FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY
Everyday behaviour. Deviation from normal pattern of behaviour is considered abnormal e.g. depression- failure to get up in the morning/hold down a job. Rosenman & Seligman: Observer Discomfort, Unpredictability, Irrationality.
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LIMITATIONS OF FFA
Who decides the point of FFA and the definition of 'adequate'? Some may find their FFA a positive thing. FFA may not be linked to disorder e.g. economic climate.
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DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH
Jahoda's characteristics of Ideal Mental Health: In touch with their own feelings. Resistant to stress. Function as an autonomous individual. Show empathy and understanding to others. Deviation would be seen as abnormal.
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LIMITATIONS OF DIMH
Most of us would be considered abnormal. She is only one researcher. Bundles mental and physical illnesses together when they cannot be diagnose in the same way. Characteristics are rooted in Western society.
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BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
Involves a physical change to the body, usually in the brain as this the processing centre that controls all complex behaviour. Body change can be caused by four main factors.
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NEUROTRANSMITTERS
(Biochemicals) Chemicals that regulate the brain. Abnormal levels->abnormality. Low levels of serotonin linked to depression. High levels of dopamine linked to schizophrenia. Drugs can alter neurotransmitter levels. Amphetamines mimic schizophrenia
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GENETICS
48% Concordance rate for schizophrenic twins. 50% of depression if 1st degree relative has it. 25% chance if 2nd degree relative has it.
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BRAIN DYSFUNCTION
Phineas Gage was setting a black powder charge when the explosion went off early sending a metre long iron bar through his skull. His personality changed; he became irritable and suspicious and couldn't keep a job.
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INFECTION
Bacteria and viruses can infect the brain. Brown said women who got flu while pregnant may have children that develop schizophrenia in later life.
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EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
Modern techniques e.g. brain scanning identify biological aspects. Schizo-loss of brain tissue. Research shows an often inherited component e.g. schizo. Reductionist-doesn't consider other factors e.g. enviro influences. Concordance rates never 100%
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BIO TREATMENT. ECT
Unilateral or bilateral (electrodes on temples). Anasethetic and muscle relaxant. Electric current (0.6amps) causes deliberate seizure altering neurotransmitter levels. 3 times a week up to 5 weeks, Only recomended in UK for most severe depression.
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EVALUATION OF ECT
Effective antidepressant for patients unresponsive to other therapies, Violent assault- research suggests it can cause long term memory impairment. May not be able to give fully informed consent.
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BIO TREATMENT. PSYCHOSURGERY
Systematically damaging the brain to change behaviour. Most severe- frontal lobotomy: cut pathways between higher and lower centres of brain. Now extremely rare. Occasionally used for severe depression/OCD
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EVALUATION OF PSYCHOSURGERY
So rare, it's hard to judge effectiveness. Doesn't traget symptoms, just makes patient more manageable. Ethical issues- damage is irreversible and consequences unpredictable.
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DRUGS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA
Laborit tested chlorpromazine which reduced hallucinations and delusions. It reduced levels of dopamine. Clozapine was later introduce which acts on a wide range of neurotransmitters including dopamine and serotonin.
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DRUGS FOR DEPRESSION
Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants were introduced. They raise levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline. New class of antidepressants called selective reuptake inhibitors e.g. prozac were introduced.
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EVALUATION OF DRUGS
Suppress symptoms, don't cure disorder. Ethical issues-informed consent. Side effects- long term use of chlorpromazine often lef to movement disorders. Psychological and physical independence. 50-60% effective on schizophrenics. 60-70% on depressed.
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MODEL OF PERSONALITY. THE ID.
Unconscious energy we're born with. Main aspect is libido. Pleasure principle. Aim: gain pleasure and gratification at any cost.
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MODEL OF PERSONALITY. THE EGO
Conscious, rational part. Works out realistic ways of balancing demands of ID in socially acceptable way. Reality Principle.
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MODEL OF PERSONALITY. THE SUPEREGO
Last part of our personality to develop. Distinguishes right and wrong. Seeks to perfect
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MODEL OF PERSONALITY
If the ego fails to balance the demands of the id and superego, conflicts may arise and psychological disorders may result e.g. anxiety. Defence mechanisms e.g. repressuon/denial protect ego while balancing demands
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PSYCHOSEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
Oral stage- sucking and biting. Fixation can lead to pleasure through oral gratification e.g. smoking. Anal stage. Focus on anus (expelling and retaining faeces) OCD. Phallic stage. Oedipus-love of mother, fear or father and Elektra. Latency period.
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EVALUATION OF PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH
Very influential, widely accepted. Many studies on effects of childhood sexual abuse on adult psychopathology. Just used case studies. Concepts such as id and defence mechanisms impossible to test. Developed in late 19th century Vienna
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Deviation isn't always a sign of abnormality e.g. fancy dress. They change over time e.g. homosexuality. Specific to certain cultures.

Back

LIMITATIONS OF SOCIAL NORMS

Card 3

Front

Everyday behaviour. Deviation from normal pattern of behaviour is considered abnormal e.g. depression- failure to get up in the morning/hold down a job. Rosenman & Seligman: Observer Discomfort, Unpredictability, Irrationality.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Who decides the point of FFA and the definition of 'adequate'? Some may find their FFA a positive thing. FFA may not be linked to disorder e.g. economic climate.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Jahoda's characteristics of Ideal Mental Health: In touch with their own feelings. Resistant to stress. Function as an autonomous individual. Show empathy and understanding to others. Deviation would be seen as abnormal.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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