1. Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency ?

Answer 1

Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic than most of the population

Question 2

What is deviation from social norms ?

Answer 2

Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society

Question 3

What are the strengths of of statistical infrequency ?

Answer 3

• It has real life application in the diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder, it is used to identify how severe their symptoms are compared to statistical norms
• unusual characteristics can be positive, IQ scores over 130 are just as unusual if it is below 70, doesn’t mean we require treatment to get back to normal

Question 4

What are the weaknesses of statistical infrequency as a way of defining abnormality ?

Answer 4

Not everyone benefits from a label, someone with low IQ who was not distressed would not need this diagnosis which could possible ruin their life

Question 5

What are the strengths of deviation from social norms ?

Answer 5

• it has real life application in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder.

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of the definition deviation from social norms ?

Answer 6

• social norms vary from one generation to another and from one community to another
• this can lead to human rights abuses, some diagnoses can be there to maintain control over minority ethnic groups e.g. nymphomania was diagnosed in women’s and a sexual attraction to working class men

Question 7

What is the definition failure to function adequately?

Answer 7

Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living

Question 8

When is someone failing to function adequately ?

Answer 8

• when a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g. eye contact and personal space
• severe personal distress
• behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous

Question 9

What is the definition deviation form ideal mental health ?

Answer 9

Occurs when someone does not meet a set criteria for good mental health

Question 10

What does ideal mental health look like ?

Answer 10

• no symptoms or distress
• we are rational
• we self actualise
• we can cope with agree
• realistic view of the world
• good self esteem
• independent

Question 11

What are the strengths of the definition failure to function adequately?

Answer 11

It attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of the definition failure to function adequately?

Answer 12

• it is subjective to the individual so it is hard to assess

Question 13

What re the strengths of the definition deviation form ideal mental health?

Answer 13

• it is very comprehensive, covers a broad range of criteria for mental health

Question 14

What are the weaknesses of the definition deviation from social norms ?

Answer 14

• Some of the ideas are culture bound to the west, some cultures are collectivist so they can’t meet the criteria of being independent
• it sets an unrealistically high standard for mental health