4.1 Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
define cultural relativism
the view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates.
define deviation from social norms
abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules about how one ‘ought’ to behave.
anything that violates these rules is considered abnormal
what does DSM stand for? what is it?
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
what is meant by statistical infrequency?
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
what are the considered definitions of abnormality?
statistical infrequency
deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
deviation from ideal mental health
what behaviour can be classed as a statistical infrequency?
any behaviour that is found in very few people is regarded as abnormal
what behaviour can be classed as a deviation from social norms?
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.
summarise statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
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
evaluate statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
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
summarise deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality
norms defined by a group of people (‘society’)
standards of what is acceptable
may be implicit or defined by law
evaluate deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality
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.
what behaviour can be classed as failure to function adequately?
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.
what behaviour can be classed as a deviation from ideal mental health?
abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness.
what is meant by deviation from ideal mental health
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
define failure to function adequately
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.
what do we define mental illness as?
a failure to function adequately and or a lack of an accurate perception of reality
what does the deviation from ideal mental health definition propose?
the absence of these criteria indicate abnormality and therefore a potential mental disorder
what did Marie Jahoda note in her 1958 study?
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
what did Marie Jahoda (1958) consider to be ideal mental health?
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
define ‘self-attitudes’
having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity
define ‘personal growth and self-actualisation’
the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities
define ‘integration’
being able to cope with stressful situations
define ‘autonomy’
being independent and self-regulating
define ‘mastery of the environment’
including the ability to love, function at work and in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems
summarise failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality
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
evaluate failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality
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
summarise deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
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
evaluate deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
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
what is WHODAS?
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
