10- Defining Abnormalities Flashcards
why is being able to define abnormalities important?
so psychologists can have a clearer determination whether a persons behaviour is unusual or it is a more serious problem
what are the four definitions of abnormalities
- Deviation from social norms
- Failure to function Adequately
- Statistical Infrequency
- Deviation from ideal Mental Health
DEVIATION FROM SOCIETAL NORMS:
define a social norm
an unwritten rule about what is accepted within a specific society
what is the problem with defining abnormality as a deviation from social norms?
that in the majority of cases, being eccentric is unlikely to represent any mental illness
DEVIATION FROM SOCIETAL NORMS:
what does the behaviour have to be like as well as deviating from a societal norm?
- seen as being beyond eccentric and having a negative impact on a persons existence
- the behaviour must persist to the point of a daily basis
DEVIATION FROM SOCIETAL NORMS:
what are the advantages of this?
-it can promote social change and can be the catalyst for change in cases where it doesnt mean the person has a mental illness
- abnormal behaviour is easily observed, giving it real world application
DEVIATION FROM SOCIETAL NORMS:
what are the disadvantages of this?
- application doesnt apply across cultures
- social norms change over time
- social norms depend on the severity and context
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATLY:
define this
a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life
also causing harm to others when doing so
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATLY:
who were the main psychologists behind this research?
Rosenham and Seligman (1989)
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATLY:
what do Rosenham and Selignam suggest?
that abnormality should be defined as varying characteristics that lead to a persons inability to function in day to day life
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATLY:
list the features of personal dysfunction that Rosenham and Seligman came up with
- Personal distress
- Maladaptive Behaviour
- Unpredictability
- Irrationality
- Observer discomfort
- Violations of moral standard
- Unconventionality
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATLY:
what are the advantages
- considers the subjective of the persons characterisitcs
- has an objective measure
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATLY:
what are the disadvantages
- validity can be questioned as its based on personal experience
- cross over from deviation of social norms and failure to function adequately
- behaviour must be considered on context
- situational pressures are not taken into account
what is Statistical Infrequency?
that a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY:
what are the advantages?
- has good face validity
- useful for non specialist medical professionals
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY:
what are the disadvantages?
- misdiagnosis
- labelling a patient can be damaging
what is the deviation from mental health?
an approach by Jahoda (1958) that abnormal behaviour is the absence of characteristics, behaviours which deviate from the ideal mental health
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH:
what are the six principles proposed by Jahoda?
the six things that if multiple are absent, indicate deviation from ideal mental health
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY:
list the six principles
- Positive view of yourself
- Being capable of personal growth
- Being independent of others
- Accurate view of reality
- Being able to integrate and resist stress
- Being able to master your environment
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY:
what are the advantages?
- focuses on the positives
- Positive and holistic view
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY:
what are the disadvantages?
- unrealistic criteria
- cultural relavitism
