Abnormal Psychology Flashcards
What is Statistical Infrequency?
Something is abnormal if it is rare or unusual e.g High or Low IQ
What is a weakness of Statistical infrequency as an explanation for Abnormality?
That it cannot distinguish between desirable and undesirable (e.g High IQ being more desirable than Low IQ, both being considered Abnormal putting High in an “unhealthy” Context
What is Violation Of Social Norms?
Something is abnormal if someones behaviour is not expected, acceptable, “normal” behaviour e.g Africans praying to their dead ancestors would be normal in their culture, however wouldnt be the norm for non-african people in the west.
What is a weakness of a violation of social norms as an explanation of Abnormality?
Social norms are culturally specific as something abnormal to you could be normal for others, and vice versa.
What is Failure to function adequately?
A person is considered abnormal if they are not able to cope with the demands of everyday life. e.g suffering, unconventionality identified by Rosenhan and Seligman
What is a weakness of failure to function Adequately?
Although it can be observed, the failure to function adequately explanation doesnt explain how everyone experiences many of the specified characteristics (Vividness or suffering) but it is to what degree someone experiences these characteristics, which this approach doesnt specify.
