4.1 Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

define cultural relativism

Answer 1

the view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates.

Question 2

define deviation from social norms

Answer 2

abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules about how one ‘ought’ to behave.
anything that violates these rules is considered abnormal

Question 3

what does DSM stand for? what is it?

Answer 3

diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
a list of mental disorders that is used to diagnose mental disorders.
for each disorder a list of clinical characteristics is given, i.e. the symptoms that should be looked for

Question 4

what is meant by statistical infrequency?

Answer 4

abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare
i.e. any behaviour that is found in very few people is regarded as abnormal

Question 5

what are the considered definitions of abnormality?

Answer 5

statistical infrequency
deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
deviation from ideal mental health

Question 6

what behaviour can be classed as a statistical infrequency?

Answer 6

any behaviour that is found in very few people is regarded as abnormal

Question 7

what behaviour can be classed as a deviation from social norms?

Answer 7

abnormal behaviours that are seen as a deviation from unstated rules about how one ‘ought’ to behave.
anything that violates these rules is considered abnormal.

Question 8

summarise statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 8

statistics describe typical values
a frequency graph of behaviours tends to show a normal distribution
the extreme ends define what is not the norm, i.e abnormal

Question 9

evaluate statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 9

some behaviour is desirable - can’t distinguish desirable from undesirable abnormal behaviour
cut-off point is subjective - important for deciding who gets treatment
sometimes appropriate - e.g. for intellectual disability defined as less than two standard deviations below mean IQ
cultural relativism - statistical frequency is relative to the reference population

Question 10

summarise deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 10

norms defined by a group of people (‘society’)
standards of what is acceptable
may be implicit or defined by law

Question 11

evaluate deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 11

susceptible to abuse - varies with changing attitudes/moras, can be used to incarcerate those who are nonconformists
related to context and degree - e.g. shouting is normal in some places and moderation
strengths - distinguishes desirable from undesirable behaviour, and considers effect on others
cultural relativism - social norms of dominant culture used as basis for DSM, imposed on other cultural groups.

Question 12

what behaviour can be classed as failure to function adequately?

Answer 12

people are judged on their ability to go about daily life.
if they can’t do this and are also experiencing distress (or others are distressed by their behaviour) then it is considered a sign of abnormality.

Question 13

what behaviour can be classed as a deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 13

abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness.

Question 14

what is meant by deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 14

abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness.
Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and an accurate perception of reality

Question 15

define failure to function adequately

Answer 15

people are judged on their ability to go about their daily life.
If they can’t do this and are also experiencing distress (or others are distressed by their behaviour) then it is considered to be a sign of abnormality.

Question 16

what do we define mental illness as?

Answer 16

a failure to function adequately and or a lack of an accurate perception of reality

Question 17

what does the deviation from ideal mental health definition propose?

Answer 17

the absence of these criteria indicate abnormality and therefore a potential mental disorder

Question 18

what did Marie Jahoda note in her 1958 study?

Answer 18

we define physical illness by looking for an absence of healthy functioning.
she felt that she could apply this to mental illness by identifying deviations from ideal mental health as a way to determine if illness is present

Question 19

what did Marie Jahoda (1958) consider to be ideal mental health?

Answer 19

In order to achieve ideal mental health, one must have...
self-attitudes
personal growth
integration
autonomy
mastery of the environment
accurate perception of reality
self-actualisation

Question 20

define ‘self-attitudes’

Answer 20

having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity

Question 21

define ‘personal growth and self-actualisation’

Answer 21

the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities

Question 22

define ‘integration’

Answer 22

being able to cope with stressful situations

Question 23

define ‘autonomy’

Answer 23

being independent and self-regulating

Question 24

define ‘mastery of the environment’

Answer 24

including the ability to love, function at work and in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems

Question 25

summarise failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 25

being unable to manage everyday life, e.g. eating regularly
lack of functioning is abnormal if it causes distress to self and/or others
WHODAS used to provide a quantitative measure of functioning as individuals rate items on a scale of 1-5 and are given an overall score out of 180

Question 26

evaluate failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 26

distress may be judged subjectively
behaviour may be functional - e.g. depression may be rewarding for the individual
strengths - recognised subjective experience of individual, can be measured objectively
cultural relativism - standards of everyday life vary between cultures, non-traditional lifestyles may be judged as inadequate

Question 27

summarise deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality

Answer 27

Jahoda identified characteristics commonly used when describing competent people
for example: high self esteem, self actualisation, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, mastery of the environment

Question 28

evaluate deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality

Answer 28

unrealistic criteria - may not be usable because too ideal
equates mental and physical health - whereas mental disorders tend not to have physical causes
positive approach - a general part of the humanistic approach
culture-bound criteria e.g. self-actualisation not relevant to collectivist cultures

Question 29

what is WHODAS?

Answer 29

World Health Organisation Disability Assessment
Made up of 6 areas:
understanding and communicating
getting around 
self-care
getting along with people 
life activities
participation in society