1. Defining Abnormality Flashcards
Statistical Infrequency (3 things)
- This is a mathematical method for defining abnormality. This definition works on the idea that abnormality should be based on infrequency; if it occurs rarely then it is abnormal.
- The mathematical element of the definition is about the idea that human attributes fall into a normal distribution within the population.
- This means that there is a central average, or mean, and the rest of the population fall symmetrically above and below that mean using standard deviations
Strengths of Statistical Infrequency (2)
Reliability - The mathematical nature of this definition makes it relatively objective as it is clear what is defined as abnormal and what is not. There is no opinion involved, which means there is no bias.
Population Validity - This definition looks at the whole population so it can give us a useful insight for particular characteristics/behaviours.
Weaknesses of Statistical Infrequency (2)
Validity - Some statistically unusual behaviours are actually quite desirable e.g. scoring extremely low on the beck depression inventory.
Validity - There is a degree of inflexibility with this definition. It states that scores in the top and bottom 2.5% of the population are abnormal, but we know that there is some behaviour, which is deemed abnormal by the diagnostic manuals for mental illness that would not fit within that definition.
For example 3% of the population is thought to suffer from OCD but some of those individuals may not be seen as abnormal because they are within 2 standard deviations of the mean. This means that the definition and the current criteria for defining mental health issues are at odds with each other.
Deviation from social norms and examples
The basic idea is that abnormality is when a behaviour does not fit within what is socially acceptable.
- Homosexuality pre 1960’s
- Transgender
- Talking to yourself
- Not leaving the house
Strengths of the deviation from social norms
Validity - This definition does distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour so for example having a very low depression score would not be seen as abnormal as society agrees that it is not a negative attribute.
Validity - A strength is that it is flexible dependent on situation and age. A social norm is to wear full clothing whilst out shopping, but a bikini is acceptable on a beach. It is also socially acceptable to drink milk out of a bottle with a teat if you are a baby, but not as an adult.
Weaknesses of the deviation from social norms
Temporal Validity - Change over time: Although this definition allows for age and situation dependent behaviour, the changes in legislation mean that norms vary dependent on the time. This is sometimes hard to judge and means that there is a lack of consensus between generations. For example, homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness into the 1970s, whereas nowadays that is no longer the case.
Ethnocentrism - Social norms tend to be dictated by the majority within a culture and this means that there are sections of society where behaviour is seen as normal within an ethnic community, but not within the culture as a whole. This can lead to a lack of understanding from both the ethnic minority and the majority of people within a culture.
Failure to function adequately (definition)
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) identified seven characteristics of failing to function adequately, those being;
Failure to function adequately is a definition of abnormality where a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in society.
SUMOVIV
- Suffering/Distress - the person is upset or depressed.
- Unpredictability and loss of control - reacting to a situation in a way that could not be predicted or reasonably expected.
- Maladaptive behaviour - which is behaviour that prevents someone from coping with everyday situations.
- Observer discomfort - i.e. behaviour that makes other people feel uncomfortable.
- Violation of moral standards - breaking laws, taboos etc.
- Irrationality - belief or behaviour not connected with reality.
- Vividness - statistically rare behaviour/behaviours that draw attention to themselves
Strengths of Failure to function adequately
Validity - Consideration of how the individual feels: This definition is focused on the individual and how they are managing in everyday life from their perspective, so if someone feels as though they are struggling they will be deemed abnormal and get help.
Validity- Measurable: The GAF is a scale and allows for the extent of the failure to function to be measured. This means that the decision of whether a behaviour is abnormal or not can be made in a relatively objective way. Also it can be judged objectively because clinicians can list clearly identifiable behaviours e.g. can dress themselves.
Observable - People around the person or psychologists can see if they are functioning adequately
Weaknesses of Failure to function adequately
Validity - Abnormality does not always stop the person functioning: The focus on how someone is coping of this definition may mean that some abnormal behaviour is missed. People may appear fine to others as they fit into society and have jobs and homes, but they may have distorted thinking which is causing them inner distress that they hide.
Reliability- Some features may be subjective: Vividness/unconventionality are subjective – what is “too vivid”?. This may be influenced by age, ethnicity, social class etc This may introduce differences between psychiatrists reducing consistency.
TASK: IDENTIFY THE CORRECT DEFINITION
