4A - Criteria used to catergorise typical and atypical behaviour Flashcards
The usefulness, and limitations, of psychological criteria to categorise behaviour as typical or atypical, including cultural perspectives, social norms, statistical rarity, personal distress and maladaptive behaviour.
What is the definition of typical behaviours?
Patterns of behaviour that are expected of an individual or that conform to standards of what is acceptable for a given situation.
What factors can influence perceptions of typical behaviours?
Cultural perspectives and social norms.
Give an example of a typical behaviour in mainstream Australian culture.
Being quiet, sombre or sad at a funeral.
Define atypical behaviours.
Patterns of behaviour that are not expected for an individual or that deviate from the norm and can be harmful or distressing.
What does atypical development refer to?
When behaviours, skills or abilities fall outside the expected range of development or progress at a different pace compared to similar-aged peers.
What is a common sign of atypical development in children?
Not speaking their first word by 18 months of age.
What criteria do psychologists use to categorize typical and atypical behaviours?
- Cultural perspectives
- Social norms
- Statistical rarity
- Personal distress
- Maladaptive behaviour
What is the role of cultural perspectives in categorizing behaviours?
They account for cultural norms or societal standards to determine whether behaviours are typical or atypical.
True or False: What is considered typical behaviour in one culture may be considered atypical in another.
True.
What are social norms?
Shared standards or social beliefs about what is normal, acceptable or typical behaviour.
Provide an example of a social norm.
You should shake hands when you meet someone.
What happens when an individual violates a social norm?
Their behaviour is considered abnormal or atypical.
What is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)?
A handbook used to diagnose psychiatric illnesses, published by the American Psychiatric Association.
What does the criterion of statistical rarity indicate?
Behaviours that deviate significantly from the statistical average are considered atypical.
Fill in the blank: Atypical behaviours can include excessive ________ or aggression.
violence
What is an example of a behaviour that was once seen as atypical but is now acceptable?
Same-sex marriage.
What is a limitation of using cultural perspectives to categorize behaviours?
There is no universal agreement on what is considered typical or atypical behaviour.
What can cause an individual’s behaviour to be deemed atypical or abnormal?
If it significantly deviates from accepted social standards, values, and norms.
What is considered typical behavior?
Behavior that falls closest to the average or mean, often assessed around a central value
For example, VCE students getting around 7 hours of sleep on average during a school term.
What is considered atypical behavior?
Behavior that falls outside the average range, either significantly higher or lower than the mean
Students getting less than 5.5 hours or more than 8.5 hours of sleep on average.
What is the limitation of using statistical rarity to categorize behavior?
Statistically rare behaviors can be common and problematic, making the cut-off point subjective.
What percentage of Australians aged 16–85 have experienced an anxiety disorder?
26.3%
This statistic indicates that anxiety disorders are common rather than rare.
How does cultural perspective influence the categorization of behavior as typical or atypical?
Cultural perspectives can vary widely, affecting norms and expectations for behavior.
What are social norms?
Expectations and rules within a social group that dictate acceptable behavior.
Why is having social norms in society helpful?
They provide a framework for acceptable behavior and help maintain social order.
What is personal distress?
A state in which a person experiences unpleasant or upsetting emotions such as sadness or anxiety.
What is a limitation of using personal distress to categorize behaviors?
Personal distress may not always occur despite maladaptive behavior; severity is often key.
What defines maladaptive behavior?
Behavior that is unhelpful, dysfunctional, and non-productive, interfering with adjustment to the environment.
What is an example of maladaptive behavior?
Avoiding studying for an assessment by binge-watching a show instead.
What is a limitation of using maladaptive behavior as a criterion for typicality?
The adaptiveness of behavior is subjective and can depend on situational context.
How can culture affect the perception of maladaptive behavior?
Cultural norms can dictate what is considered respectful or disrespectful, affecting behavior interpretation.
What is the relationship between statistical rarity and maladaptive behavior?
Some statistically rare behaviors can be adaptive, while common maladaptive behaviors may not be viewed as atypical.
What criteria are used to categorize typical and atypical behavior?
- Statistical rarity
- Personal distress
- Maladaptive behavior
What is the typical development compared to atypical development?
Typical development falls within expected ranges, while atypical development falls outside these ranges.
What similarities exist between typical and atypical behaviors?
Both are observable actions and can be assessed using various criteria.
What is a key difference between typical and atypical behaviors?
Typical behaviors conform to societal norms, while atypical behaviors deviate from these.
Fill in the blank: A criterion that views abnormal or atypical behaviors as deviating significantly from the _______ is known as statistical rarity.
statistical average or mean
Why is it limiting to use each criterion independently when categorizing behaviors?
It fails to account for the complexity of behaviors and their context, leading to incomplete assessments.
