ABM - Chapters 11-12-13 Flashcards
difference between typical and atypical behaviour
Typical; behaviour is considered to be normal when it helps a person to adapt appropriately into their society or culture eg. it is normal that someone would shower after they go in the ocean
Atypical: abnormal behaviour is viewed as ‘out of the ordinary’. These behaviours go against societal and cultural norms, may reflect some kind of impairment, or consist of unwelcome behaviours examples; joe urinates on the street
6 approaches to normality
situational societal/cultural historical medical statistical functional
situational normality
different situations require specific behaviour eg. It’s not normal to tell jokes, loudly, at a funeral
societal/cultural normality
societal/ cultural: society has ‘norms’ and rules which govern behaviour eg. It’s normal for a child to look an adult in the eyes when talking to them but in Japan, that is considered rude
historical normality
time changes the concept of what is ‘normal’ eg. A few decades ago a minority of teenagers had body piercings and tattoos. Today the number has increased, years ago it was considered normal to get married around 18 - 21 years old whereas now it is closer to 30
statistical normality
normality can be defined in terms of what is most frequently occurring in a population. Characteristics/behaviour outside the normal range = abnormal), eg. It is statistically abnormal to be 7 feet tall or have an IQ of 145
functional normality
normality is dependent on the person being able to carry out their normal activities eg. It’s not normal for panic attacks to prevent a person from going to work in the morning
medical normality
abnormality is defined by the diagnosis of mental illness from specific symptoms. eg. normal: Emotional and social well being where individuals cope with normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to community
not normal: It’s not normal to hear voices and experienced hallucinations. Symptoms of disorders affecting one or another
adaptive vs maladaptive behaviour
adaptive behaviours are age-appropriate ‘everyday living skills’. These are skills that develop through experience, help us to adjust to our environment, assist in our ability to relate to others and allow us to become independent adults who can function effectively within our society and culture vs maladaptive behaviour develops as a means of reducing anxiety and originate from early childhood experiences, family situations and environmental stressors. In a way, they can be viewed as a coping mechanism
contributing factors to adaptive behaviour
- personality predisposition - ability to cope
- resilience
- secure attachment
- parental interest in education
- happy and secure home environment
- financial security
examples of adaptive behaviour
- walking
- talking
- dressing on our own
- attending school
- cooking up a huge bowl of popcorn
contributing factors to maladaptive behaviours
- insecure attachment
- unhelpful parenting
- violence, abuse, genetics
- personality predisposition
- trauma
- grief/loss
- poverty
- unemployment
- natural disasters
examples of maladaptive behaviour
- Avoidance
- withdrawal
- passive aggression
- self harm
- repetitive words and actions
mental health problem vs mental disorder
A mental health problem refers to having characteristics/ symptoms of a disorder (that could lead to a disorder). Can be caused by going through a stressful period of time, changes in life. Whereas a mental disorder requires a diagnosis from a medical professional
mental health continuum
4 stages:
healthy, reacting, injured and mental disorder
psychosis vs neurosis
psychosis refers to situations when there is some loss of contact with reality. Mental disorders such as schizophrenia have episodes of psychosis. eg.The person may experience hallucinations or, lose the distinction between reality and an imaginary world
neurosis: refers to non-psychotic illnesses such as anxiety, depression and personality disorders. There are difficulties with thoughts, feelings and behaviours. eg. Someone with a neurotic disorder may say something like: ‘I know I am being irrational, but I just can’t help it …’, but they are still in touch with reality