abnormality

Question 1

define statistical infrequency

Answer 1

abnormality is defined in this way as behaviour which is extremely rare, or as characteristics not displayed by many people - a disorder is abnormal if its frequency is more than 2 standard deviations away from the mean incidence rates represented on a normally-distributed bell curve.

Question 2

strengths of statistical infrequency

Answer 2

• almost always used in clinical diagnoses as a comparison with a baseline
• used to asses the severity of a disorder e.g. Schizophrenia
• obvious and relatively quick and easy way to define abnormality.
• real-life application: it is relatively easy to determine abnormality using psychometric tests developed using statistical methods.

Question 3

weaknesses of statistical infrequency

Answer 3

• assumes that any abnormal characteristics are negative e.g. displaying abnormal levels of empathy would be seen as negative characteristics that require treatment
• desirability of behaviour - rare behaviours may be considered abnormal but are highly desirable e.g. high IQ
• difficult to know how far you have to deviate from the average to be considered abnormal
• some may not benefit from a label regardless of how ‘abnormal’ they may be considered. In fact a label of ‘abnormal’ could be detrimental not helpful.
• cultural and historical relativism – what is statistically frequent in one culture and time period is not necessarily the norm in another. For example, arranged marriages are statistically frequent in India

Question 4

define failure to function adequately

Answer 4

abnormality is defined in this way as an inability to cope with everyday life
occurs when the patient: does not obey social and interpersonal rules, is in distress or distressing others, behaviour becomes dangerous
in some instances, the individual may not be aware that their behaviour is causing distress to others, like if they are schizophrenic
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)

Question 5

strength of failure to function adequately

Answer 5

• takes into account the patient’s perspective and so the final diagnosis may be comprised by the patient’s self-reported symptoms and psychiatrist’s objective opinion
• leading to more accurate diagnoses of mental health disorders because they are not constrained by statistical limits like with statistical infrequency

Question 6

weaknesses of failure to function adequately

Answer 6

• may lead to labelling patient as ‘strange’ or ‘crazy’ which influences negative stereotypes
• subjective opinion
• context of behaviour - behavours may be seen as maladaptive or harmful
• not everyone with a mental health disorder requires a diagnosis, especially if they have a high quality of life and their illness has little impact upon themselves or others
• can still function adequately with a psychological disorder
• labelling could lead to discrimination or prejudice

Question 7

define deviation from social norms

Answer 7

abnormal behaviour is classified in this way as any behaviour that goes against societal expectations about how to and not to behave.
often these social expectations are rooted in a desire to make society more pleasant e.g. being polite

Question 8

strengths of deviation from social norms

Answer 8

• real life application is terms of diagnosis e.g. antisocial personality disorder

Question 9

weaknesses of deviation from social norms

Answer 9

• definition varies significantly depending on severity and context
• cultural relativism - in Japan you are deemed insane if you do not want to work
• historical issues - homosexuality was considered a mental disorder
• western societies - plead insanity like Lorena Bobbitt
• African/Indian cultures - considered normal to talk to the dead
• has been used as a form of social control
• relies heavily on subjective social norms
• may lead to some discrepancies in the diagnoses of mental health disorders

Question 10

define deviation from the ideal mental health

Answer 10

recognised by Jahoda, that when assessing for physical illnesses, we look for the absence of physical health
Jahoda concluded that the same should be done for mental illnesses.
as a result, abnormality is defined in this way as displaying the absence of the ideal mental health criteria set by Jahoda

Question 11

strengths of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 11

• positive attitude towards abnormality
• clear goals to achieving ideal mental health

Question 12

weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 12

• unrealistic expectation of ideal mental health - majority of population considered abnormal - limited method of diagnosing mental health disorders
• unrealistic criteria by Jahoda
• cultural relativism - only be accepted as a definition for abnormality in some cultures