5 - Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

Statistical infrequency

Answer 1

In statistical terms behaviour is abnormal if it falls outside the range that is typical for most people

Question 2

Example of statistical infrequency

Answer 2

IQ
68% of people have an IQ between 75 and 115. If someone’s IQ is outside this range they fall outside the range for most people and would be seen as abnormal by this definition

Question 3

Evaluation for statistical infrequency

Answer 3

• Some disorders like depression are statistically frequent but are still considered abnormal
• This definition doesn’t take into account the desirability of behaviour. For example having an IQ above 130 is just as frequent as having an IQ below 70 but we wouldn’t think of this as something that is abnormal and needs treating

Question 4

Deviation from social norms

Answer 4

This is behaviour that deviates (moves away) from the behaviour people in a society have defined as acceptable and normal

Question 5

Example of deviation from social norms

Answer 5

Example

Question 6

Evaluation for deviation from social norms

Answer 6

• Cultural relativism - social norms vary between cultures and generations of people. This means different people see different things as abnormal and this can create problems for people that live in a different cultures than to where they’re from

Question 7

Failure to function adequately

Answer 7

This is when a person is unable to lead a normal life or engage in normal behaviour

Question 8

Example of failure to function adequately

Answer 8

When someone can’t keep a job or maintain relationships with the people around them they are said to be failing to function adequately

Question 9

Evaluation for failure to function adequately

Answer 9

+ It attempts to include the patients perspective
- Subjective judgements. Someone has to judge whether a patient is distressed which means some people might be classed as abnormal and some not even if they have the same level of distress

Question 10

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 10

Jahoda identified various factors that were necessary for ‘optimal living’. The presence of these factors indicates good psychological health

Question 11

Example of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 11

Some of the criteria are having no distress and being able to cope with stress

Question 12

Evaluation for deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 12

• It sets an unrealistically high standard for mental health. For example most people experience stress some of the time and according to this definition this makes them abnormal. This means pretty much everyone is abnormal