Question 1

What are the four definitions of abnormality in psychology?

Accepted Answer

The four main definitions are: statistical infrequency (behaviour that is rare in the population), deviation from social norms (behaviour that goes against unwritten rules in a society), failure to function adequately (when a person cannot cope with everyday life), and deviation from ideal mental health (not meeting criteria like positive self-attitude and autonomy, as proposed by Jahoda). Each has strengths and limitations, and examiners expect you to evaluate them critically.

Question 2

How does the medical model explain mental illness?

Accepted Answer

The medical model views mental disorders as illnesses with biological causes, such as genetic inheritance, neurotransmitter imbalances (e.g., dopamine in schizophrenia), or brain abnormalities. It suggests that diagnosis should be based on symptoms, and treatment often involves medication. Critics argue it ignores social and psychological factors and can lead to over-diagnosis and stigma.

Question 3

What is the difference between the DSM-5 and ICD-10?

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is widely used in the US, while the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) is from the World Health Organization and used globally. Both classify mental disorders, but they have some differences in criteria and categories. For example, the DSM-5 includes a dimensional approach for some disorders, whereas the ICD-10 is more categorical.

Question 4

Why is Rosenhan's study important for understanding mental health diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Rosenhan's 1973 study 'On Being Sane in Insane Places' demonstrated the unreliability of psychiatric diagnosis. Pseudopatients faked auditory hallucinations and were admitted to mental hospitals, but once inside, they acted normally. Staff failed to detect their sanity, labelling them as 'schizophrenic in remission'. This highlighted issues of labelling, stigma, and the lack of validity in diagnosis, sparking debates about the medical model.

Question 5

How does culture affect the diagnosis of mental disorders?

Accepted Answer

Culture influences how symptoms are expressed and interpreted. For example, in some cultures, hearing voices may be considered a spiritual experience rather than a symptom of schizophrenia. Diagnostic criteria developed in Western countries may not be universally applicable, leading to over- or under-diagnosis in different ethnic groups. This raises questions about the cultural bias in classification systems like the DSM-5.

Question 6

What are the symptoms of depression according to the DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

For a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, the DSM-5 requires at least five symptoms during the same two-week period, including either depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure. Other symptoms include significant weight change, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, diminished concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death. These must cause clinically significant distress or impairment.

Section A: Issues in mental health

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Related Topics in OCR A-Level Psychology

Applied psychology (Component 03)

Data recording, analysis and presentation

E2E stub topic

How science works

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